Celebree School's Nationwide Expansion Plan
Celebree School, a prominent name in early childhood education, has made headlines recently with its ambitious expansion strategy. The Baltimore-based institution focuses on providing comprehensive care for infants and toddlers, alongside offering preschool, before-and-after school care, and summer camp programs. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Celebree School signed eight franchise agreements, signaling a robust growth trajectory.
Recent Growth and Future Plans
The newly signed franchise agreements are set to yield 13 schools across various strategic markets including Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Tampa, Clover (South Carolina), and East Hanover (New Jersey). This growth comes amidst an increase in the franchise sector overall, which is projected to surpass $936 billion this year, reflecting a growing demand for reliable and quality early childhood education.
Richard Huffman, the founder and CEO of Celebree School, expressed enthusiasm about the fresh wave of franchisees who are deeply passionate about community impact through education. These entrepreneurs embody a mission-driven spirit, keen on establishing centers where children can thrive and families can find support.
Diverse Profiles of New Franchisees
The new franchisees come from various backgrounds, each bringing unique experiences to their roles:
- - Poonam Thakkar plans to open two schools in Chicago with family partners, aiming to address local childcare needs based on her finance background.
- - Abigail Okeh, an IT and cybersecurity professional, is excitedly entering the education sector with a single-unit franchise in Atlanta to contribute positively to children's lives.
- - In Boston, an attorney passionate about community service will open her first Celebree School under a one-unit agreement.
- - Gaurav Goyal, a Chevron executive, will manage an existing location in Houston, leveraging his business development skills.
- - In Tampa, Michele and Derrick Moore, with connections to child welfare and cybersecurity, have signed on to foster safe environments for children.
- - Kelly and Lee Souder from Clover, SC, are committed to enhancing educational opportunities in their area with their new school.
- - An independent pharmacy owner stepping into education aims to open three Celebree schools in East Hanover, NJ.
- - Nagur Noorbhasha, an engineer, is excited to align his skills with Celebree's educational mission by taking on a new school in Houston.
Targets and Aspirations
With the solid start in Q1, Celebree School aims to reach 30 signed agreements by the end of the year. The targeted expansion spans high-growth markets like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, and more, each of which showcases increasing population demands, economic growth, and childcare needs.
Huffman emphasized the collective goal of these franchisees, stating, “They’re not just opening schools, they’re creating nurturing spaces where children can develop and thrive, thereby shaping future generations.” This reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that all children have a solid foundation for their education.
About Celebree School
Founded in 1994, Celebree School provides tailored early childhood education programs that prioritize the holistic development of children. Following the franchise launch in 2019, the organization has rapidly broadened its footprint, merging multiple education-centered ventures under Huffman Family Brands to maximize its impact. The school’s philosophy, centered around the motto “Grow People Big and Small™,” encapsulates its commitment to nurturing both children and supportive communities.
Individuals interested in bringing this transformative educational model to their communities are encouraged to explore ongoing franchise opportunities. To learn more, visit
Celebree School Franchising.