#USA #New York #Harvest Partners #The Learning Experience #TLE

Harvest Partners Completes Acquisition of The Learning Experience

On July 1, 2025, Harvest Partners, LP, a prominent private equity firm, announced the successful majority acquisition of The Learning Experience (TLE), a leading early childhood education provider. This acquisition marks a significant step for Harvest as it continues to prioritize investments in the education sector. The transaction was finalized with funds managed by Harvest, acquiring TLE from Golden Gate Capital, which will maintain a minority stake in the company.

About The Learning Experience

Established in 2001, TLE has rapidly grown to become a respected name in early education, operating over 430 educational facilities in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The company caters to children aged six weeks to six years, providing them with a rich and proprietary curriculum designed to support their cognitive, social, and emotional development. TLE's proactive approach extends beyond the classroom to include its highly popular intellectual property, Bubbles and Friends, a collection of vibrant characters that facilitate joyful learning experiences through engaging educational content.

TLE's ongoing commitment to enhancing early childhood education has garnered them a reputation as one of the fastest-growing and most highly rated programs in the nation. Recent accolades include being named the No. 1 childcare franchise by Entrepreneur magazine and the No. 1 education franchise by Franchise Business Review, both in 2025.

Strategic Vision Post-Acquisition

Nicholas Romano, a Partner at Harvest, expressed enthusiasm regarding the acquisition, highlighting TLE as a premier platform within the early childhood education sector. He noted the unique brand and operational strengths of TLE as significant assets that would add value not only to Harvest’s portfolio but also to the franchisees and families they serve.

In comments echoed by Michael DeFlorio, CEO and Partner at Harvest, there is a strong belief in TLE's exceptional leadership under Co-Founder and CEO Richard Weissman. The existing management team at TLE will remain in place, ensuring continuity as the company embarks on its next growth phase. Harvest plans to inject both financial and strategic resources to propel TLE's initiatives forward over the coming years.

Richard Weissman commented, “At The Learning Experience, our mission has always been to positively impact the lives of children and their families. Our growth and success to date in partnership with Golden Gate Capital speaks to the hard work and dedication of our team. We are excited about this new chapter with Harvest and are confident in our continued ability to scale and enhance our services for the families we serve.”

Looking Toward the Future

With the acquisition complete, the focus turns to future growth strategies aimed at expanding TLE’s reach and enhancing its educational offerings. The partnership with Harvest Allies will likely facilitate access to additional resources and strategic guidance, paving the way for further innovations in early childhood education. As a company that thrives on creativity, merging TLE's rich educational background with Harvest's investment expertise can foster exciting advancements within the sector.

TLE's Bubbles and Friends platform exemplifies the kind of innovative thinking that will continue to permeate its operation. The engaging and age-appropriate content present through original music, animated videos, and interactive applications not only enhances classroom learning but also supports continued growth at home, creating an environment where both parents and children thrive.

As the education sector continues to evolve, partnerships like that of Harvest and TLE are crucial in driving advancements that benefit children. The commitment to nurturing foundational skills from an early age is a shared vision that will guide the two organizations as they work together to redefine early education experiences.

For additional information about The Learning Experience and its recent developments, visit The Learning Experience's Official Website.