Learning Care Group

Novi, MI Education Private

Learning Care Group is one of the largest for-profit providers of early childhood education and child care in North America. Headquartered in Novi, Michigan, the company operates more than 1,000 schools across roughly 40 U.S. states (plus Washington, D.C.) under a portfolio of brands including La Petite Academy, Tutor Time, Childtime, The Children's Courtyard, Montessori Unlimited, Everbrook Academy, AppleTree & Gilden Woods, U-GRO, Creative Kids Learning Center, Young School, and Pathways Learning Academy. LCG serves children from six weeks to twelve years old and also offers employer-sponsored child care solutions. The business traces its roots to Childtime, founded in 1967-1968 in Illinois and later owned by Gerber Products, KinderCare Learning Centers (under various ownership), ABC Learning Centres, and Morgan Stanley Private Equity. In 2014, American Securities acquired Learning Care Group from Morgan Stanley in a transaction valued at roughly $650-700 million; PSP Investments made a significant equity co-investment alongside American Securities in 2018. American Securities remains the controlling shareholder.

Overview

Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Founded

1968

Employees

20,000–25,000

Total Funding

$675M

2 rounds

Latest Valuation

$0.68B

2018

Funding

Total raised $675M across 2 rounds

Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Last updated 06-25-2026

Latest Round

Type

PE buyout

Date

May 2014

Amount

$675M

Valuation

$0.68B

Lead Investors

American Securities
DateRoundAmount RaisedValuationLead Investors
2018 Minority co-investment Not disclosed PSP Investments
May 2014 PE buyout $675M $0.68B American Securities

Leadership

  • John Bork

    Chief Executive Officer

  • Tracie Wickenhauser

    Chief Operating Officer

  • Adam Schober

    Chief Financial Officer

  • Danielle Stewart

    Chief Human Resources Officer

  • Dr. Johnna Weller

    Executive Vice President & Chief Academic Officer

  • Sean Sondreal

    Chief Customer Officer

  • Daniel Follis, Jr.

    Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer

Competitors

Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.

  • KinderCare Learning Companies

    Largest U.S. for-profit early childhood education provider; operates KinderCare, Champions and Crème de la Crème brands; publicly traded on NYSE (KLC) following October 2024 IPO.

  • Bright Horizons Family Solutions

    Public (NYSE: BFAM) provider of employer-sponsored child care, back-up care, and educational advisory services; operates global network of centers.

  • The Goddard School

    Franchised premium early childhood education brand with 600+ schools across the U.S.; owned by Sycamore Partners.

  • Primrose Schools

    Franchised early education provider with 500+ schools across 34+ states; owned by Roark Capital.

  • The Learning Experience

    Franchised national early education and child care provider with 400+ centers; backed by Golden Gate Capital.

  • Kiddie Academy

    Franchised educational child care provider with 300+ academies across the U.S.

Learning Care Group Investment FAQ

Public status and buying access

No. Learning Care Group is a private company and does not have a public stock ticker or trade on a public stock exchange. Its shares are generally held by founders, employees, investors, and other private shareholders. Buyers and sellers may be able to transact in Learning Care Group shares through private secondary transactions, but any transaction depends on share availability, buyer and seller agreement, transfer restrictions, company approval rights, and any applicable right of first refusal. There is no guarantee that Learning Care Group will complete an IPO or other liquidity event.

Yes, it is sometimes possible to buy Learning Care Group shares pre-IPO through private secondary transactions. This depends on finding a willing seller, company approval, and satisfying any transfer restrictions or rights of first refusal.

Buyers interested in buying Learning Care Group shares on the secondary market typically do so through SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, subject to eligibility requirements, share availability, transfer restrictions, and issuer approval. Buyers may need to satisfy sophistication, accreditation, institutional, platform, regulatory, or other eligibility requirements before participating. Once eligible, buyers may be able to view listings, make bids, and work with a licensed broker through the transaction process. Buyers should ensure they have appropriate legal and financial advisors guiding them before completing any transaction.

The company's latest round valuation was approximately $675M as of 2018. The latest round valuation is often used as one reference point in secondary-market pricing, but secondary prices may be above or below that valuation at any given time. Secondary pricing can shift significantly based on post-round conditions, such as changes in company performance, supply-demand dynamics, share class, transaction size, transfer restrictions, or broader market shifts. Any implied valuation from a past round should be confirmed with a broker or through live market listings before relying on it.

Valuation and funding

Learning Care Group was most recently valued at approximately $675M as of 2018. This is a private valuation and may differ from secondary pricing. Secondary shares may trade above or below this mark based on various factors. SetterVC and Setter Capital does not verify the accuracy of these valuations. Buyers and sellers should always confirm current valuations before completing any transaction.

SetterVC currently shows one valuation mark for Learning Care Group based on funding rounds, tender offers, secondary-market indications, and other reported or collected valuation marks. Learning Care Group's valuation was approximately $675M as of May 2014. Secondary-market prices may differ from this valuation based on share class, transaction size, transfer restrictions, supply and demand, company performance, and broader market conditions. SetterVC and Setter Capital does not verify the accuracy or completeness of valuation data, and buyers and sellers should confirm current information before relying on it.

Learning Care Group's latest disclosed funding round was a Minority co-investment round in 2018. The round raised approximately Not disclosed, with PSP Investments listed as disclosed lead or major investors. Primary funding rounds are different from secondary transactions: in a primary round, capital goes to the company, while in a secondary transaction, investors buy existing shares from current shareholders. Funding-round data reflects publicly reported or collected information and may be incomplete.

Learning Care Group has raised approximately $675M in disclosed funding across 2 rounds. These figures reflect primary capital raised by the company and do not include every possible secondary transaction, undisclosed round, debt facility, or private transfer. Reported funding totals can change as new rounds are announced or older round details are corrected. Eligible users can use SetterVC to track Learning Care Group's funding history alongside private-market activity where available.

Learning Care Group's disclosed investors include PSP Investments and American Securities. Investor lists are based on public reporting, company announcements, and collected funding-round data, and may be incomplete. Participation in a prior funding round does not mean those investors are currently buying or selling shares. On SetterVC, eligible users can review Learning Care Group's funding history, valuation history, and private-market activity alongside other venture-backed companies.

Market context

Learning Care Group's most-cited competitors include KinderCare Learning Companies, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, The Goddard School, Primrose Schools, The Learning Experience and Kiddie Academy. Investors often compare these companies by sector, product focus, valuation, funding raised, growth signals, investor base, and private-market activity.

Secondary-market demand for Learning Care Group shares can be affected by company performance, revenue growth, profitability, funding history, valuation, investor interest, sector momentum, public-market conditions, expected timing of a liquidity event, and the availability of shares for sale. Demand can also be affected by transfer restrictions, company approval rights, right of first refusal processes, limited information, and the price expectations of buyers and sellers. Strong demand does not guarantee strong pricing, liquidity, or investment returns. Weak demand does not necessarily reflect the company's long-term prospects. Demand signals should not be treated as a recommendation or prediction of investment performance. Buyers and sellers should treat demand signals as informational and conduct their own diligence before transacting.

Selling and transaction mechanics

Sellers often rely on intermediaries and platforms, such as SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, to identify potential buyers. The exact process varies by company and transaction, but sellers often begin by confirming their ownership, desired price, transferability, and any company approval or notice requirements. If the seller agrees with a buyer on acceptable price and terms, the company may need to be notified through a share transfer notice or similar process. If a right of first refusal, company approval right, or other transfer restriction applies, the seller may need to wait until that process is completed. The parties may then execute a purchase and sale agreement, complete required transfer documentation, and close if all required conditions are satisfied. Sellers should always seek proper legal and financial advice before completing the transaction.

Yes, current and former Learning Care Group employees, early investors, and other existing shareholders may be able to sell vested shares before an IPO through a private secondary sale. This is not automatic; it depends on whether the shareholder has transferable shares, whether there is buyer demand, and whether the company's governing documents permit the transfer. Many companies require prior notice, company approval, or a right of first refusal before shares can be sold. Sellers should also seek proper legal and financial advice before proceeding.

A Learning Care Group secondary transaction usually involves an existing shareholder selling shares to a buyer before a public listing. The buyer and seller typically agree on price, number of shares, share class, and closing conditions. The seller may then need to notify Learning Care Group through a share transfer notice or similar process. If Learning Care Group or existing investors have approval rights, transfer restrictions, or a right of first refusal, those steps may need to be completed before the transfer can close. The parties typically enter into a purchase and sale agreement, complete any required transfer documentation, and close only if the necessary conditions are satisfied. Timing and certainty can vary by company and transaction.

In most private secondary transactions, parties commonly use a purchase and sale agreement that outlines price, terms, and conditions. They may also use share transfer documentation, often a stock transfer notice, share transfer notice, transfer instruction, or similar document, along with any required company approval or right of first refusal materials. Proof of ownership, such as a cap table entry, share certificate, brokerage statement, issuer confirmation, or administrator confirmation, may also be important. Buyers often request recent company financials, but private companies may limit disclosure. Since every deal varies, buyers and sellers should consult legal and financial advisors to understand which documents are needed.

Risk, diligence, and investor caution

Buying Learning Care Group shares pre-IPO is risky. Shares are illiquid, no IPO or liquidity event is guaranteed, valuations can change, transfers may require company approval, and private companies may provide limited financial disclosure. Be prepared for total loss. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, verify information, and seek independent legal and investment advice before proceeding.

Private secondary shares are typically illiquid. Unlike public stocks, there is no active public market, so selling them can be difficult and time-consuming. Sales depend on finding a willing buyer and often require company approval. Investors should be prepared to hold the shares for an extended period, with no guarantee of a future sale. Always assess your need for liquidity before investing.

SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, including verifying ownership, transferability, legal structure, company approval, and assessing the company's prospects. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide advice on whether an investment is good, what price to pay, or what the best bid or ask is. SetterVC and Setter Capital may share documents in some circumstances, but it does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Before buying Learning Care Group shares, a buyer should try to review the share class, price per share, implied valuation, transfer restrictions, ROFR process, company approval rights, seller ownership evidence, recent financing or tender-offer information, available financial information, information rights, resale restrictions, tax considerations, and expected liquidity paths. Not all information may be available for a private company. Buyers should confirm available diligence, process details, and information needs with their own legal, tax, and investment advisers.

SPVs carry risks. Examples include the need to confirm the company allows SPV-based transfers, verify that the SPV truly owns the shares or interests it claims to own, and ensure it has not sold more interests than it holds. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Forward contracts carry risks. Examples include the seller refusing to transfer the shares at the future date, even if the seller owns them, the seller going bankrupt with creditors claiming the shares, or the seller committing the same shares to multiple parties. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

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