Is a Half-Day Preschool Franchise a Good Investment?
Quick Answer: A half-day preschool franchise is a different business from full-day childcare. It needs less space and a simpler build, because there are no infant rooms, nap rooms or full-day meal program. Ivybrook Academy schools open in about 6,000 to 7,000 square feet of leased space, the estimated total initial investment is $643,400 to $1,174,500*, and in 2025 the 27 franchised schools open at least 24 months averaged $933,598 in gross revenue**. Whether it’s the right investment for you depends on your market, your site and how involved you plan to be, which is why the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is the place to start.
Key Takeaways:
- Half-day preschool asks for a smaller leased space, no infant rooms, no full-day meal program and a school-day staff schedule.
- The estimated total initial investment for an Ivybrook Academy school is $643,400 to $1,174,500 (2026 FDD, Item 7), assuming leased space with a tenant improvement allowance.
- Item 19 of our 2026 FDD reports gross revenue for schools open at least 24 and 36 months. It does not include expenses or profit.
- Ivybrook Academy is not a semi-absentee model. An owner is on site at least 20 hours a week in the first year.
- Ivybrook Academy is not affiliated with Ivy Kids Early Learning Center.
By Mark Mele, Chief Development Officer, Ivybrook Academy
When I sit down with a prospective owner, the half-day question usually comes up in the first ten minutes. If families pay for a few hours of school instead of a full day of care, how does the business work? It’s the right question to ask, and I’d rather answer it plainly than leave it to a search result.
What is a half-day preschool franchise?
A half-day preschool offers school-day sessions for young children instead of 10 to 12 hours of care. Ivybrook Academy serves children from 18 months through 6 years with a curriculum that blends Reggio Emilia and Montessori, and owners can choose to add private kindergarten. Families choose us for learning, enrichment and time with other children rather than for full-day childcare.
Why does the half-day model change the business?
It changes what you build. A full-day center needs infant rooms, nap space and a meal program to carry children through a long day. An Ivybrook Academy school doesn’t, so it fits in about 6,000 to 7,000 square feet of leased space, usually a retrofit of an existing building on or near a main road (2026 FDD, Items 1 and 7).
It also changes the staffing picture. Our teachers work a school-day schedule instead of covering early and late shifts. Campuses that offer both morning and afternoon sessions can serve two groups of children in the same classroom.
This is where a quick comparison can mislead. A half-day family pays less each month than a full-day family, so revenue per child can look low on its own. The better question is what a school earns against the space, build-out and staff it takes to earn it.
How much does an Ivybrook Academy franchise cost?
The estimated total initial investment to open one Ivybrook Academy school is $643,400 to $1,174,500 (2026 FDD, Item 7). That estimate assumes leased space of about 6,000 to 7,000 square feet with a tenant improvement allowance from your landlord. Constructing or buying a building may cost significantly more.
The total includes the $50,000 initial franchise fee. Owners who sign a development agreement pay $40,000 for a second school and $30,000 for a third and each one after (Item 5). Once you’re open, ongoing fees are a 7% royalty, a 2% Brand Development Fund contribution and local marketing of at least 1% of gross revenue (Item 6). In your first 12 months, the local marketing minimum is the greater of $1,250 a month or 1%.
We also look for at least $250,000 in liquid capital and a $1 million net worth.
What does Ivybrook Academy’s Item 19 show?
Item 19 of our 2026 FDD reports 2025 gross revenue for franchised schools that were open the full year.
| Schools open | Schools | Average | Median | Highest | Lowest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24+ months | 27 | $933,598 | $852,482 | $1,525,692 | $368,404 |
| 36+ months | 21 | $1,029,405 | $1,009,387 | $1,525,692 | $538,305 |
| 2025 gross revenue above | Schools open 24+ months | Schools open 36+ months |
|---|---|---|
| $750,000 | 70% | 81% |
| $1,000,000 | 41% | 52% |
| $1,250,000 | 30% | 38% |
Item 19 presents gross revenue only. It does not include costs, expenses or profit, and a school with higher revenue may not be more profitable than one with lower revenue. Of 31 schools eligible for the 24-month group, 4 were excluded for incomplete reporting or not meeting the inclusion criteria. Of 23 eligible for the 36-month group, 2 were excluded for the same reasons. Newly opened schools typically earn less than mature schools and are not included in these groups.
Some outlets have sold and earned these amounts. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you will sell or earn as much.
Can I own an Ivybrook Academy school as a semi-absentee owner?
No. One owner serves as Chief Executive Officer, holds at least 10% of the business and is on site at least 20 hours a week during the first year. A School Administrator supervises the school on site at least 40 hours a week, and the same person can fill both roles (2026 FDD, Item 15). Families notice when the owner is part of the school.
How long does it take to open an Ivybrook Academy school?
Most owners open 12 to 18 months after signing the franchise agreement (Item 11). Permits, zoning, construction and the time of year all affect timing. Your territory is the lesser of 125,000 people or a three-mile radius around your school (Item 12). Initial training happens about two months before opening, at our school in Charlotte, North Carolina, and online.
Is Ivybrook Academy the same as Ivy Kids?
No. Ivybrook Academy is a half-day preschool franchise based in Weddington, North Carolina, just outside Charlotte. Ivy Kids Early Learning Center is a separate company with no affiliation to Ivybrook Academy.
What should I ask before investing in a preschool franchise?
These are the questions I’d want answered in your seat:
- What do current owners say about their first two years? The FDD lists current franchisees you can call.
- How many families with young children live within a short drive of your likely site, and what do local preschools charge?
- What will your landlord contribute toward the build-out?
- Who will lead your school day to day, and how will you spend your on-site hours?
- How does Item 19 look next to your own local cost estimates? Review it with an accountant who knows franchising.
If you’d like to talk through your market, you can see where territories are open or start a conversation with our team.