Franchising Can Be Child's Play
If you enjoy working with children, there's no shortage of great franchise companies out there that cater to kids and their parents. From tutoring businesses to kiddie gyms to clothing stores, our list has it all.

Check out the 10 children-related franchises that got the highest grades in our 2010 AllBusiness AllStar franchise rankings.
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1. Kumon North America
While most franchises have slowed down during the recession, Kumon North America bucked the trend. Several factors contributed to Kumon’s growth: It’s a relatively low-investment opportunity; new president Hideki Kusuzawa is focused on maximizing instructional quality; and Kumon's strong brand recognition helps capture parents' dollars.

Check out the full Kumon North America franchise profile.

2. Goddard Systems
Goddard Systems has been franchising for more than 20 years and the recession hasn't slowed its impressive growth. The company was named one of the Top 50 Franchises for Minorities by the National Minority Franchising Initiative and was recognized by the Franchise Research Institute as a "World Class Franchisor."

Check out the full Goddard Systems franchise profile.

3. Sylvan Learning
Sylvan franchisees benefit from the company's longevity and the strong brand awareness created by its system size and nationwide presence. In 2009, Sylvan Learning Centers was named one of the 25 Top Franchises for Hispanic American Ownership by Poder Enterprise magazine.

Check out the full Sylvan Learning franchise profile.

4. Plato's Closet
Consignment has been one of the few bright spots in retailing this year. Plato's Closet franchisees benefit from being backed by a large parent company, Winmark Corporation. They also benefit from the fact that their target market -- teens -- is one of the last groups to stop spending in a recession.

Check out the full Plato's Closet franchise profile.

5. Learning Express
Learning Express's growth rate has remained steady, a remarkable feat for a retailer in a recession. The company's strategy is to carry toys that other toy retailers don't stock. In 2009, Learning Express capitalized on the real estate glut to take over low-cost retail space abandoned by other toy stores.

Check out the full Learning Express franchise profile.

6. The Little Gym International
The majority of people on The Little Gym's management team are former franchisees of the company. Perhaps that's one reason why The Little Gym ranked in Franchise Business Review's 2009 Top 50 listing for franchisee satisfaction.

Check out the full The Little Gym International franchise profile.

7. Gymboree Play & Music
Gymboree has been in business and franchising for over 30 years. The company offers two types of business models: Gymboree Play & Music centers are full-service centers offering a large range of developmental programming. The Gymboree Metro Play Center is a smaller location that offers a limited selection of programming and costs less to open, a smart option in a recession.

Check out the full Gymboree Play & Music franchise profile.

8. Primrose Schools
The company's growth strategy is to locate its schools in large, fast-growing metropolitan areas. In some markets, Primrose invests in land to hold good sites for future franchisees. The company has a real estate-leasing program that significantly reduces upfront cash investment, and since 2008 has had a strategic equity partnership with private equity firm Roark Capital Group.

Check out the full Primrose Schools franchise profile.

9. Once Upon a Child
During the recession, child-related businesses and consignment stores in general have done better than most industries as frugal consumers seek bargains. Once Upon a Child is backed by a strong parent company, Winmark Corp., which owns several other resale retail franchise concepts.

Check out the full Once Upon a Child franchise profile.

10. Kid to Kid Franchise System
In a tough economy, the resale market is hot, and Kid to Kid Franchise System is profiting from the trend. Rather than selling on consignment, Kid to Kid pays cash for used merchandise, which gives it an edge in obtaining inventory.

Check out the full Kid to Kid Franchise System profile.