Childcare & Early Education
Daycare centers, preschools, and early learning programs
What PE Ownership Means for This Industry
8-15% annual tuition increases
PE-owned childcare costs have outpaced inflation by 3x
KKR-owned KinderCare and other PE-backed childcare chains raise tuition 8-15% annually while paying workers poverty wages of $12-$15/hour, creating a broken market.
Source: The American Prospect, 2024
30%+ annual turnover
Childcare worker turnover at PE-owned centers exceeds 30% annually
Low wages and high workloads at PE-backed childcare centers drive annual turnover above 30%, disrupting children's attachment and development.
Source: Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, UC Berkeley
PE-Owned Brands
Bright Horizons
Owned by Bain Capital
Bain Capital took public in 2013. Largest employer-sponsored childcare provider with 1,000+ centers
4 locations tracked
Cadence Education
PE-backed early childhood education with 300+ schools
9 locations tracked
Goddard School
PE-backed childcare franchise with 600+ locations across 37 states
9 locations tracked
KinderCare Learning Companies
Owned by KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts)
Largest for-profit childcare provider in the US with 1,500+ centers. KKR-owned since 2015
5 locations tracked
Learning Care Group
PE-backed childcare operating Childtime, La Petite Academy, and other brands. 900+ centers
10 locations tracked
Primrose Schools
Owned by Roark Capital
Roark Capital-backed early education franchise with 500+ locations across 33 states
6 locations tracked
Spring Education Group
PE-backed K-12 and preschool platform with 300+ schools
10 locations tracked
The Learning Experience
Fast-growing early education franchise with 400+ centers
6 locations tracked