Family-Owned Early Learning Academy Sold in Pennsylvania
HINGE Advisors is pleased to announce the sale of Learning Ladder Academy, a well-established, family-owned early education center in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.
After being pursued by a large early education provider to sell their school, owners Kelly and Steve Goodhart connected with the HINGE team to explore their options and more holistically evaluate potential buyers that would best support their exit, as well as their staff and students.
Bringing More to the Table
“The initial buyer had a reputable name and threw a big number at us. But when we looked at the Letter of Intent with our lawyer, it turned out to be a very one-sided deal. It wasn’t even worth negotiating,” say the Goodharts.
Soon after this experience, an ECE thought leader encouraged the Goodharts to connect with HINGE Advisors and learn about other avenues for selling.
“Kelly and Steve did a tremendous job of building on Learning Ladder Academy’s longstanding presence in the community and delivering high-quality care that local families know and trust,” says HINGE Transaction Advisor Rich Hubschman.
After working in separate careers, Kelly as a CPA and Steve in the construction business, the Goodharts came together and purchased the center from its previous owner in 2017. Leveraging their varied backgrounds and mutual love for children, they solidified the school as one of the top early education providers in the area and maintained a 4-Star rating for eight consecutive years under Pennsylvania’s Keystone STARS program — the highest designation awarded by the state’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).
“Operating such a strong school meant they had several solid options for finding a successor who was on the same page and could bring even more to the table,” Rich notes.
Exceeding Expectations
The Goodharts’ first priority was making sure a transition would benefit their devoted teachers and the young children in their care. They also wanted to ensure they received a fair, competitive value for their personal and financial investment in the business.
“HINGE’s ECE-specific valuation set a realistic expectation for our school’s sale price. We were pleasantly surprised that it was even higher than the initial number that wowed us,” say the Goodharts.
With strategic input from a team of ECE experts working behind the scenes, including Transaction Marketing Director Annie Nicholson, Financial Analyst Marnie Rhen, and Diligence Manager Melissa Davis, HINGE took Learning Ladder to market confidentially.
This approach garnered interest from nearly 20 pre-approved early education buyers, resulting in several competitive offers that checked their priority boxes. The Goodharts ultimately selected a national childcare provider that is well-aligned with their vision and values.
The HINGE team not only uncovered the right fit for Learning Ladder as a school but also helped Kelly and Steve exceed financial expectations by a double-digit percent.
The Right Decision
“This win highlights the scope of demand for healthy schools, even in markets outside of major metro areas,” says Rich.
“The opportunities we’re landing for sellers like Kelly and Steve highlight why now is the time for early education owners to seriously consider their exit plan.”
Kelly and Steve are closing their chapter at Learning Ladder Academy the same way they started — with pride, respect, and a deep love for their community.
They emphasized, “Walking away from that initial offer and deciding to work with HINGE was one of the best decisions we made. They were critical in making this transition a success.”
Are you a childcare owner who is ready to sell or planning for the future? We can help you explore your options, no strings attached. Contact us confidentially, and one of our advisors will be in touch!