Cadence Education Buys Especially for Children, Reaches 350 Schools

Cadence Education, a national operator of early childhood education centers, acquired Especially for Children, a provider with nine schools in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. This acquisition brings Cadence Education's total network to 350 schools across the United States.

The addition of Especially for Children marks a significant expansion for Cadence in the Twin Cities market. Founded in 1976, Especially for Children has a 50-year history of serving families from infancy through school age in Minnesota. Its philosophy centers on early childhood programs serving as a foundation for lifelong learning and an extension of family.

“Especially for Children has earned the trust of Twin Cities families for five decades,” said Leigh-Ellen Louie, CEO of Cadence Education. “Their commitment to nurturing, high-quality early education aligns directly with how we approach every school in the Cadence family.”

This move follows Cadence Education's recent expansion in Minnesota with the addition of Ladybug Childcare Centers' three schools. The integration of Especially for Children's nine locations further strengthens Cadence's presence, bringing its community-based model and national resources to more families in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro.

Families enrolled in Especially for Children schools will continue with the same educators and communities. They will gain access to Cadence's broader resources, curriculum support, and operational infrastructure.

Angie Williams, former owner of Especially for Children, stated that after 50 years, it was time for her family to pass on the nine schools. She emphasized the importance of finding an organization that shared their values, invested in employees, children, and families, and upheld high-quality standards. Williams identified Cadence Education as the right partner for this transition.

Cadence Education operates over 350 schools in 30 states and has over 30 years of experience integrating schools of various sizes. Zach Abdorrahimzadeh, Chief Development Officer, highlighted Cadence's focus on supporting educators and families, preserving the local culture of acquired schools, and its role as a preferred exit strategy for owners who prioritize their staff and students.