A National Franchise Built for Scale

Founded in 2002 by Richard Weissman in Boca Raton, Florida, The Learning Experience has grown into one of the largest early childhood education franchise systems in the United States. With over 1,100 locations across more than 40 states and an expanding international presence, TLE serves children from 6 weeks through 6 years of age with full-day, year-round programming.

The system operates under a franchise ownership model, with each center owned and operated by a local franchisee and supported by The Learning Experience Systems LLC. The company provides franchisees with a turnkey operating system including real estate support, proprietary curriculum, training, and ongoing operational guidance.

Grow, Play, Learn®, A Proprietary Curriculum

TLE’s proprietary curriculum, Grow, Play, Learn®, is designed to develop the whole child across six developmental domains: cognitive, creative, emotional, language and literacy, physical, and social. The curriculum is updated regularly in response to early childhood research and is delivered consistently across all TLE locations.

Core pillars of the program include STEAM-infused activities, character education, structured music and movement, and a literacy-first approach. Daily lesson plans are provided to teachers to ensure consistency across classrooms and locations nationwide.

Ages served: Infants (6 weeks), toddlers, preschool, and pre-K (up to 6 years). Programming runs full-day, year-round, making TLE a practical choice for working families seeking consistent, structured care.

Franchise Recognition and Growth

The Learning Experience has been consistently ranked among the top franchise systems in the country. It has appeared on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list for multiple years and has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing child care franchises in the United States.

The company has received recognition from franchise industry publications for unit-level economics, franchisee satisfaction, and operational support. TLE’s rapid expansion, from a regional operator to a national system serving 130,000+ children, reflects both demand for quality early education and the strength of its franchise model.

Programs, Access, and How to Connect

CACFP / CCDF: TLE participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) varies by location, as each center is independently owned. Families should contact their local TLE center directly to confirm subsidy and food program eligibility.

Contact: Families can find and contact their nearest center through thelearningexperience.com. Corporate inquiries and franchise information are also available through the website. TLE maintains an active presence on social media via Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter).