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“Our centers served close to 2000 children per day...... It did not take Brad [BFS®] long before we had multiple offers.”
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Sell Your Early Education Company
Early Education Company Divestitures
Are you thinking about selling?
Are you worried that it won't go well?
Are you worried someone will find out about the sale?
With 25+ years of experience, more than two decades of a Better Business Bureau A+ rating and licensed professionals in 42 states and Washington DC, BFS® knows how to take care of you and your divestiture. BFS® is the leading U.S. brokerage and consulting firm in the early education industry. With individual sales ranging from $1,000,000 to more than $30,000,000, we work closely with you while simultaneously micromanaging the process for you.
How is BFS® different from other brokerage firms?
The standard model for a brokerage firm is to sign clients, put up advertising and wait to see who responds to the advertising. These buyers may or may not be qualified to buy your company. Founded in 1993, BFS® has secured more than 5,000 buyers. These buyers are prequalified financially and educationally before they know the identity of your company. You can see the number of buyers looking to buy centers and schools in your state in the list below. This list is updated every 30 days. In short, when we take our clients to market, we’re talking to qualified buyers on Day 1. We’re not looking for buyers.
How do I know BFS® can really do these things?
References are always available for you. Please talk with our former clients. Ask them about anything that concerns you. They probably had the same concerns before their sale.
Some brokerage firms represent buyers and sellers. Does BFS® represent the buyers too?
No. We only represent you, our selling client. BFS® never represents both sides of the same transaction.
Why do buyers come to BFS® to buy centers and schools?
Buyers come to purchase BFS® client companies for two primary reasons. One, BFS® represents high-quality centers and schools across all demographics. Two, BFS® provides what is commonly acknowledged as the best seller portfolio in the business so buyer due diligence is faster and easier. This practice of providing detailed and truthful information has led some buyers to return and purchase multiple BFS® client companies. Some buyers have such confidence in BFS® materials that they have made offers for BFS® client companies before they’ve seen the business in person.
Here are the number of buyers engaged with BFS® for the purpose of buying centers and schools in your state. Again, this list is updated every 30 days. Call us today. We'll be happy to answer any questions for you.
Alabama (282)
Arizona (244)
Arkansas (251)
California (570)
Colorado (319)
Connecticut (476)
Delaware (396)
Georgia (506)
Idaho (178)
Illinois (497)
Indiana (316)
Iowa (223)
Kansas (238)
Kentucky (311)
Louisiana (265)
Maryland (289)
Massachusetts (456)
Michigan (361)
Minnesota (267)
Mississippi (224)
Missouri (335)
Nebraska (223)
Nevada (218)
New Hampshire (218)
New Jersey (613)
New Mexico (216)
New York (592)
North Carolina (422)
Ohio (586)
Oklahoma (193)
Oregon (201)
Pennsylvania (625)
Rhode Island (234)
South Carolina (346)
Tennessee (563)
Texas (543)
Utah (184)
Vermont (192)
Virginia (420)
Washington (334) DC (89)
West Virginia (217)
Wisconsin (313)
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“We got a price that was more than double the price we wanted before talking with Brad / BFS®. Brad set up a very professional win/win situation. We couldn't have been happier.”
Cathy DeFreitas / Owner/Director / Kid's Castle Child Care Learning Center / Brookfield, CT
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“Your vast network of buyers and sellers could not be compared to anything we could've done on our own.”
Eric Alino / Vice President / Vinland & Associates , Inc. / Decatur, GA
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“We are pleased and believe this happened so quickly because they know their business and are well connected in the industry.”
Shawna Freels and Melinda Snyder / Antioch Early Learning Center, Inc. / Antioch, IL
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“If you're considering selling your schools, you couldn't be in better hands... They do genuinely professional work. They keep their word.”
Dan Frost / President / Panda Early Education Centers / Christiana, DE
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“We were amazed that it happened in a shorter time than we expected. Not only did you sell it for us, but also negotiated an exceptional price. You performed above and beyond our expectations.”
Ms. Kimberly G. Pinckney / Former President MAAK, Inc. / Kathleen, GA
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“I had originally worked with another local M&A firm prior to BFS®. It was not a positive experience. Because of Brad’s knowledgeable expertise he was able to provide many qualified potential buyers, many making offers.”
Mary Innocenzi / CEO / The VIllage Learning Center / Pennington, NJ
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“Over the many years and hundreds of transactions they have perfected the business of facilitating the sale of childcare centers and schools.”
James Sullivan / President / Rainbow Kids Learning Center / Norton, MA
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“We met in June 2022 when you flew from Nashville for our meeting and things became active almost immediately. In a period of high inflation and steadily rising interest rates, we received over 40 non-disclosures from interested parties.”
Lou Marconi / Small Wonder Daycare, Inc. / Wilmington, DE
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“We considered using a local business broker or realtor, but we finally decided to use your company because of your in-depth knowledge of this industry.”
David and Gabi Hall / Flying Dozer Child Care / Johntown, OH
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“Selling a business can be a complex and arduous process that warrants the talents, expertise and knowledge of a professional. I don't know how I could have done it without you.”
Carol Revell / CEO / Learning Ladder Schools / Lancaster, PA
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“Brad [BFS®] had prospective buyers identified within short notice. His experience...in obtaining the best possible price and terms for us was invaluable.”
Art Tribbie / Peasant Day Schools / Morgantown, WV
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“We hired BFS® to sell our childcare company based on their track record of many successful childcare sales in New York as well as the rest of the country.”
Robert Garcia / Former Owner / The Small Miracle Preschool Center, Ltd. / Ossining, NY
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“BFS® attention to detail has been superb and greatly appreciated in such a detailed business transaction.”
Sandra Sokol and Katie Sasser / Former Owners of Franklin Childcare II, LLC / Franklin, TN
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“Brad was exceptionally patient and understanding through a stressful time in the industry. He helped us to understand the process and his procedures are set-up to make the process as easy as it can be.”
Tracy Jost / Former President / Kid's Campus Early Learning Center, Inc. / Dunkirk, MD
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“Brad not only calculated the initial asking price higher than the other brokers I spoke with...In the end, we closed the deal with a sale price that was twice as much as my local brokers had originally estimated.”
Michelel L. Warner / Owner / Bee My Baby Childcare and Preschool / NorthOlmstead, OH / Lakewood, OH
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“When your book came out, I immediately bought it...contact Brad to discuss your center and make your own millions.”
Lou Marconi / Small Wonder Daycare, Inc. / Wilmington DE
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“They were professional and the best move I made.”
Erick V. Gallegos / Former owner of Cardinal Montessori School, Woodbridge, VA
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“You can really see their experience and professionalism in the way they are prepared for everything before it happens.”
Heidi Lockwood / Nan Hawkins, President / Stu Hawkins, Secretary / The Children's Corner, Inc. / Kaleidoscope Kisd, Inc. / Ridgefield, CT
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“Amazing! The prompt results were due to you and your firm’s expertise, efficient preparation of the offer to sell, and most importantly, your knowledge of our immediate market area, including active buyers.”
Ron Stephens / Former President / Teddy Bear Treehouse Preschools, Inc. / San Diego CA
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“I was impressed with his knowledge and marketing abilities in the childcare business & his already existing portfolio of potential buyers.”
Mary Paglinco / Previous owner of Bee U Learning Center / Bethel CT
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"Brad provided us with good information and advice. Though the facility was located in a smaller community, BFS® team was able to market our business to a much higher number of potential buyers that we would have had access to locally."
Eric Robeson / Little Wings Childcare and Learning Center, LLC / Rantoul, IL
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“His dedication, integrity, trustworthiness, and knowledge of the field separate him from all others.”
Susan Joyner / Former Owner/Operator/Director / Dayton Valey Learning Center / Dayton, NV
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“We looked into several firms and did in-depth research before deciding on which firm would be best for us. We are very happy that we chose Brad Barnett and his company for the sale of our business.”
Blanca Knoll / President / Sante Fe Childcare, Inc. / New Providence, NJ
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“BFS® had effective systems in place to ensure that the marketing and sale of our business was very discrete and allowed us to screen all inquiries.”
Laura Witmondt / Former President / Village Montessori School or Roswell, Inc. / Roswell, GA
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“After doing a little research and meeting with you we were convinced that BFS® was the company... I must say we were not disappointed. Your knowledge of the business and your professionalism produced a quick sale...”
John and Cheryl Karay / Former Owners of Kinder College, Inc. / Hopkinsville, KY
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“Thank you for all the help over these many years.”
Stuart Kavner / Former President/Owner / International Children's School, Inc. / Corona, NY
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“I was fortunate to have found BFS®, Inc. Brad presents a professional and knowledgeable insight to the sale of childcare facilities. My center was small in size, but I was treated with respect and importance.”
Dot Meagher / President / Little House Learning Center / O'Fallon, MO
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“Thank you for your assistance in selling our preschool. Your attention to detail, professionalism, and constant support allowed for a potentially difficult and confusing venture to occur without a hitch.”
John Zavisa / Former Owner / Small Wonders Nursery and Preschool / Murfreesboro, TN
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“They are professional, courteous, hard working, knowledgeable, and diligent. This is the best company to sell your child care center.”
Renee Vergauwen / Retired Owner / Growing Hands Day Care and Preschool, LLC / Waupaca, WI
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“I particularly thank you for the confidentiality that your staff displayed during the sale process, this was a very big sale and yet no one was aware of the sale until the proper time.”
Carolyn Saddler / Former President / For Kids Only, Inc. / Antioch, TN
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“You made it clear that whatever we needed was most important. It was reassuring to call you with any question or concern, knowing that you will have an answer or several other options.”
Mr. Edward C. Fletcher & Mrs. Ramona M. Fletcher / Former President & Vice President / Fletchers, Inc. / Quincy, IL
If you would like more detail to help alleviate some of the confusion typically associated with selling an early education company, we have outlined our process below.
- No Cost / No Obligation Market Value Estimate--While it certainly isn’t required, we recommend that you allow us to provide you with a free market value estimate of the worth of your business before you sign any agreement with us. Call us with your most recent tax return in-hand along any benefits you get from your company (health insurance, company car…etc.), and we will provide you with this conservative estimate of your business' market value in approximately 20 minutes.
- Informational Package--Upon your request, we will send a complete informational package to you that will include references, a copy of our Finder’s Consulting Fee Agreement (“FCFA”) and the BFS® Questionnaire that will be the cornerstone of your portfolio. We will complete the Questionnaire and build the portfolio for you before we take you to market. We send the Questionnaire to you up front so you can see everything from the very beginning--no surprises.
- Evaluation--Upon receipt of your signed FCFA, we will meet you at your company for the evaluation. Our discretion will ensure that your staff will not know the reason for our visit. The evaluation process serves the following purposes:
a. Determine and support the correct market value of your company.
b. Increase your income / profits during the selling period (before closing).
c. Prepare you (and your CPA if you like) to maximize your after-tax compensation.
d. Increase your company’s efficiency and marketability. - Preparation / Introduction / Discretion--Once we have received the information we need from you, it will take up to 10 days for us to prepare the comprehensive sales portfolio for your company and enter market. The buyers that you see in the list above will be contacted on the first day of market entry. Again, the identity of your company will not be revealed to any buyer until they have signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement and they have been approved by you. This practice keeps you in control of which buyers see your portfolio.
- Negotiation--We will have a thorough understanding of your company and your requirements. We will work closely with you, your attorney and your CPA firm to ensure that you maximize the after-tax profits from your sale. It is our position to represent you aggressively and effectively, but you are the only one who decides if an offer is acceptable or not.
- Transition--We do not disappear after closing. We will guide you through the pre and post-closing transition of your company. It is vitally important that your employees, parents and vendors learn of the change in ownership in a well-organized environment. From notifying licensing at the right time and in the right way to letters for your staff and parents, we make sure that you are ahead of the curve at every turn. Stress is what people feel when they don’t know what they’re doing. Being well-prepared is the cure for stress.
- Closing--Lastly, we along with your attorney, will prepare you for closing day. Whether there is a formal meeting to sign the documents or money is simply wired into your account, we will make sure that nothing is overlooked.
There are many ways to sell your early education company in whole or in part. In a Sale and Leaseback (SLB) transaction, you can sell your real estate and continue running your business without interruption. Assuming you have equity in your real estate, a SLB transaction can allow you to increase your cash reserves, increase your profits, reduce your real estate taxes and more. For more information, click here.
You can also click here to read our articles on selling your childcare, preschool, Montessori or private elementary school.
Professional Brokers - Click Here.