We continue to make history.

Primrose Schools was founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 1982 by Paul and Marcy Erwin. They revolutionized the concept of child care by making education a key part of the business model.

In 1988, as they were about to open their fourth school, the Erwins began to consider franchising Primrose Schools. They hired Jo Kirchner to consult with them in developing their franchise model and strategic marketing efforts. Ms. Kirchner was profoundly impressed with the schools' commitment to excellence, something she had struggled to find as a professional working mother of two children, when she was looking for child care options.

In 1990 Ms. Kirchner sold her marketing company to join Primrose. With their dream of developing a first-class educational child care standard achieved, the Erwins retired in 1999 and Ms. Kirchner assumed the role of President and CEO, where she remains today.

In 2010, Jo Kirchner, President and CEO of Primrose Schools, was the first recipient of the Excellence in Education Award, given by AdvancED.

In 2008, Primrose Schools entered into a strategic equity partnership with Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm. Primrose was their first investment to be made in the educational category. The capital from this partnership will allow Primrose Schools to continue to invest in infrastructure, innovation, and our franchise system to maintain continual improvement for the Primrose brand at all levels and raise consumer recognition across the country.

In 2010, Primrose Schools unveiled our new Primrose School of Education, where we conduct regular training for school staff members and franchise owners. From our beginnings in a single school to the opening of our downtown Atlanta location in 2010, Primrose Schools has grown to more than 220 schools in 15 states.