KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (September 15, 2026) – The International Franchise Association (IFA) today named Dave Collins, owner of The Goddard Schools of Edgewater, MD, and Eldersburg, MD, a 2026 Franchisee of the Year. Collins was nominated by Goddard Systems, LLC, the manager of The Goddard School franchise system, and will be honored today at the IFA Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C.

The Franchisee of the Year awards recognize leading franchise owners for their community involvement, fostering a strong workforce, assisting their fellow franchisees and embodying an entrepreneurial spirit. Their outstanding performance and contributions help strengthen not only their business but also the entire franchise business model.

"I am incredibly honored to be recognized by the International Franchise Association as a Franchisee of the Year," said Collins. " I have always believed that early childhood education has the power to shape a child’s future, and I’m proud to help build communities through The Goddard School. This recognition belongs to our directors, teachers and staff, whose passion for nurturing curiosity, supporting growth and partnering with families builds confidence and a lifelong love of learning.”

The Goddard Schools of Edgewater and Eldersburg are two of the more than 680 locations in The Goddard School franchise system, the nation’s leading provider of premium early childhood education. Admired in the Goddard School system for his commitment to supporting fellow franchisees, Collins is an engaged member of the organization’s Operations Excellence Input Group and school mentorship program. He regularly reviews and pressure-tests new initiatives and shares feedback that helps strengthen best practices across the system, including enhancements to the tour and enrollment experience that create a more personalized journey for families.

"Through his dedication to educational excellence, support of fellow franchisees and unwavering commitment to children and families, Dave Collins embodies the very best of The Goddard School," said Darin Harris, CEO of Goddard Systems, LLC. "Dave's leadership has strengthened the broader Goddard School system through his willingness to share insights, serve as a resource for others and champion continuous improvement. We are proud to celebrate this well-earned recognition and congratulate him on being named an IFA Franchisee of the Year."

Collins' contributions to The Goddard School franchise system have also earned recognition from within the organization. Earlier this year, Collins was named The Goddard School’s 2026 Franchisee of the Year, an award that celebrates a Goddard School franchisee whose leadership, performance and deep commitment to early childhood education embody the heart and spirit of The Goddard School. Furthermore, both of his schools were recognized as 2026 Goddard School Circle of Excellence members, an accolade that honors the highest-performing schools across the system.

For more information about The Goddard School, please visit GoddardSchool.com, and to learn about franchise opportunities, go to GoddardSchoolFranchise.com.

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ABOUT GODDARD SYSTEMS, LLC

Established in 1988, Goddard Systems, LLC, is the manager of The Goddard School^® franchise system. The Goddard School is the acknowledged leader in the premium early childcare and education market segment. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, The Goddard School has been consistently named one of the leading franchises in the United States by Entrepreneur (#68 in the 2026 Franchise 500) and one of the top franchise systems in worldwide sales by Franchise Times (#58 in the 2025 Top 400). Additionally, The Goddard School is included in Franchise Business Review’s 2026 Top 200 Franchises, a recognition of the best franchise opportunities based solely on ratings and reviews provided directly by franchise owners. Goddard Systems currently licenses more than 680 Goddard School franchises that serve almost 100,000 students in 37 states and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit GoddardSchoolFranchise.com.

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ABOUT THE GODDARD SCHOOL^®

The Goddard School—the trusted leader in early childhood education—has partnered with families for nearly four decades to create joyful, supportive environments where children flourish. With a commitment to nurturing curiosity, character and a love of learning, The Goddard School fosters social, emotional and academic development to empower each child to grow into the best version of themselves. 

The Goddard School’s approach to education starts with a simple belief: children learn best when they are encouraged to explore their natural curiosity. Through its exclusive inquiry-based education program, Wonder of Learning®, children learn through hands-on discovery, while teachers thoughtfully build on their interests to create engaging, personalized classrooms. Supported by expert knowledge, data-driven insights and a deep understanding of child development, Wonder of Learning helps children build critical thinking and problem-solving skills while inspiring a lifelong love of learning. 

The Goddard School serves almost 100,000 students from six weeks to six years old in 37 states and Washington, D.C. To learn more, visit GoddardSchool.com.