Tupelo Data Room

education and child care business for Sale in Indiana

Similar businesses sell at 1.4x to 6.5x SDE. Compare live listings and connect with sellers.

Established Montessori School for Sale – 50-Year Legacy photo
Preschools

Established Montessori School for Sale – 50-Year Legacy

Porter County, IN, US

Rare opportunity to acquire a well-established Montessori school with a 50-year operating history in Northwest Indiana. The school has built a strong reputation for academic excellence and community trust. The Academy provides authentic Montessori education for children ages 18 months through 6 years, focusing on independence, critical thinking, and individualized learning through tactile materials and multi-aged classrooms. The business operates from a well-maintained, stand-alone 6,750 sq. ft. facility specifically designed for the Montessori method. Recent capital improvements include updated HVAC systems, a new roof, water heater, enhanced security, and renovated playground areas. The school is staffed by 14 full-time employees, with all lead teachers holding Montessori certifications—an uncommon distinction in the local childcare market. Revenue is generated through a structured 10-month academic program with tuition ranging from $525 to $1,040 per month depending on schedule, complemented by a profitable 10-week summer program. Enrollment is primarily referral-driven, supported by a long-standing reputation and active social media marketing. Significant growth potential exists through immediate expansion by filling two currently unused classrooms, allowing a new owner to increase enrollment and revenue without major capital investment. 90+ students currently enrolled with the capacity for 45-50 more. Montessori Schools in Indiana do not require traditional DCFS licensure. The school benefits from strong staff retention, including team members with decades of tenure, providing operational stability and deep institutional knowledge. The retiring owner is willing to provide transition support to ensure continuity for staff, students, and families. This turnkey opportunity offers both a meaningful educational mission and an attractive work-life balance with a public-school calendar and no weekend hours. Ideal for an educator, Montessori professional, or investor seeking a respected, community-rooted education business with clear growth potential.

$725,000
-Revenue
-Cash Flow

Market Snapshot

National transaction benchmarks for education and child care business businesses.

Under $500K

Median revenue$361k
Median cash flow$89k
Median sale price$204k
Multiple range1.4x - 2.8x

$500K to $2M

Median revenue$927k
Median cash flow$279k
Median sale price$800k
Multiple range2.4x - 4.5x

Over $2M

Median revenue$2.41m
Median cash flow$858k
Median sale price$3m
Multiple range3.4x - 6.5x

A variety of factors can cause businesses to trade outside this range, including earnings quality, operational transferability, key-person risk, growth trajectory, and geography, so a listing priced above or below the typical multiple usually reflects real differences in the underlying business.

What to know about education and child care business acquisitions

GW

By George Wellmer

Cofounder & CEO

Key diligence, valuation, financing, and transition considerations for buyers evaluating education and child care business acquisitions.

Verify licensing, capacity, and inspection history first

Licensed capacity, staff-to-child ratios, and a clean inspection record define what the business can earn and whether it keeps its doors open. Review violations before anything else.

Check staff credentials, ratios, and turnover

Qualified teachers and directors are both required and hard to replace; losing staff can push you below licensed ratios and force closures.

Examine enrollment, waitlists, and retention

Recurring tuition and a waitlist are the value; get enrollment trends by program and watch revenue-per-child against market benchmarks.

Understand the owner-director's role

In many centers the owner is the licensed director and the face to parents. Know whether a qualified director stays or must be hired.

Assess the real estate and facility

Playgrounds, classrooms, and safety build-outs are capital-heavy and regulated; confirm the space supports licensed capacity without expensive remediation.

Review safety, insurance, and liability exposure

Background-check compliance, incident history, and coverage are non-negotiable here. Confirm standing and adequacy before you commit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common buyer questions for this market.

Yes, helped by recurring tuition. Lenders focus on licensing standing, enrollment stability, and director transfer, so a clean regulatory record and a director who stays make funding straightforward.