Kinderdance
Kinderdance International is a Roanoke, Virginia-based franchisor that licenses proprietary developmental dance, motor-skill, and fitness curricula for children ages 15 months to 12, delivered on-site by franchisees at childcare centers, schools, and community facilities across the U.S. and international markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersRoanoke, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Kinderdance does
Kinderdance International Inc. is a privately held franchisor headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, founded in 1979 by Carol Kay Harsell and Bernard Friedman. The company develops and licenses proprietary developmental dance, motor-skill, music, gymnastics, yoga, and fitness programs for children ages 15 months through 12 years, organized into nine branded curricula (Kinderdance, Kinder Dance with Me, Kindermotion, Kindertots, Kindergym, Kindercombo, KDJazz, KDCombo, Kids Yoga, plus the Kamp Kinderdance summer program). The core technology is the curriculum itself - detailed lesson plans, music, props, and teaching aids designed by early childhood development professionals - augmented by an online franchise management platform that provides franchisees with booking, records, customer communications, reporting, registration, payment processing, and customized marketing materials.
Kinderdance monetizes primarily by selling franchises across four tiers (USA: Bronze $20,000, Silver $30,000, Gold $40,000, Area Developer $50,000; international fees start at $30,000 USD), plus ongoing royalties, Area Developer overrides, dancewear/merchandise sales through the Kinderdance Boutique, and ancillary revenue from franchisee-hosted birthday party packages. The go-to-market is a franchise model: prospects are recruited via the corporate website, franchise information calls, and applications, then onboarded through centralized training at the Roanoke, VA headquarters. Franchisees deliver programs on-site at childcare facilities, preschools, public/private schools, and community/recreation centers using a mobile, home-based delivery model that avoids studio overhead.
The franchise system is anchored by on-site delivery partnerships with major national childcare brands (KinderCare, Bright Horizons, Primrose, La Petite, Tutor Time, Childtime, Everbrook, Children's Courtyard, Creative Kids, Celebree, Kids R Kids, EduKids) and by institutional relationships with NAEYC, Yoga Alliance (CE recognition for Kids Yoga), SHAPE America, IDEA Fitness, IFA, VetFran, and Children's Action Network. Operations span the United States and international markets including India (anchored by a deal with Smartkidz Preschool's 130+ locations), Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, Hong Kong, China, Cyprus, and Romania. The company carries 101-250 employees at the corporate level and has received multi-year recognition from Entrepreneur Magazine including Franchise 500, Top Global Franchise, Top Low-Cost Franchise, Top Hottest Franchise, Top Children's Franchise, and Top Veterans Franchise categories.
Kinderdance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kinderdance
- Legal name
- Kinderdance International Inc.
- Website
- https://kinderdance.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Kinderdance International is a Roanoke, Virginia-based franchisor that licenses proprietary developmental dance, motor-skill, and fitness curricula for children ages 15 months to 12, delivered on-site by franchisees at childcare centers, schools, and community facilities across the U.S. and international markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kinderdance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Fitness & Dance Education Franchises
- NAICS
- Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Kids Party Entertainment (Clowns, Magicians, Characters) (HSACACAG)
Keywords
Where Kinderdance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Roanoke
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Kinderdance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Franchise Fees: Initial franchise fees from franchisees purchasing Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Area Developer level franchises. Bronze $20,000, Silver $30,000, Gold $40,000, Area Developer $50,000 (USA). International fees higher starting at $30,000 USD.
- Tuition/Class Fees: Franchisees charge parents tuition for classes taught at childcare facilities and other locations. Revenue streams include tuition receipts and dancewear sales.
- Area Developer Royalties: Area Developer franchisees earn 40% of paid initial franchise fee for each new franchise awarded in their territory plus 25% of monthly royalties from sub-franchisees.
- Dancewear and Merchandise Sales: Sale of dancewear, attire, and merchandise through the boutique and local franchisees.
- Birthday Party Packages: Birthday party packages offered through franchisees including Kinderdance and Kindergym parties with three different package options.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Bronze Level - Lowest startup cost entry level franchise |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Silver Level - More programs with better royalty schedule |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Gold Level - Exclusive territory with lower royalty percentage |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Area Developer Level - Additional profit center with sub-franchise earnings |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Kinderdance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kinderdance franchises proprietary developmental movement, dance, music, gymnastics, yoga, and fitness programs for children ages 15 months through 12 years, delivered on-site at childcare centers, preschools, elementary schools, recreation centers, and residential locations. Its revenue is generated by selling franchise licenses (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Area Developer, Master) to entrepreneurs and by collecting ongoing royalties and selling branded dancewear and curriculum materials. The model combines a copyrighted standardized curriculum with mobile, in-facility class delivery to lower franchisee real-estate overhead and reach children where they already are.
Product overview
Kinderdance is a franchise company offering educational dance, motor development, gymnastics, and fitness programs blended with numbers, colors, shapes, words, and songs for children ages 15 months through 12 years old, taught on-site in child care facilities and other viable locations. The portfolio is anchored by the core Kinderdance® brand (ages 3-5) and expanded through specialized programs: Kinder Dance with Me® (parent-child, 15-24 months), Kindergym® (floor gymnastics, ages 3-5), Kindermotion® (sports readiness, ages 3-12), Kids Yoga (yoga, ages 3-12), Kindertots® (toddlers, age 2), Kindercombo® (combination dance, ages 6-8), and Kamp Kinderdance® (summer program). Additional dance offerings include KDJazz® and KDCombo® for older children. All programs incorporate educational concepts and are delivered at childcare centers, schools, and community locations. A Boutique offers dancewear and accessories.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kindermotion: Fitness and sports readiness program with developmentally designed curriculum for ages 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
- Kindertots
- Kindergym
- Kindercombo
- KDJazz
- KDCombo
- Kids Yoga
- Kamp Kinderdance
- Kinder Dance with Me
Products and services
- Kinderdance® franchise program The flagship Kinderdance franchise license, providing franchisees with the proprietary developmental movement and dance curriculum, training, and brand rights to deliver classes to children ages 2-5.
- Kinder Dance with Me® Early-parent-and-child dance and movement program for toddlers (ages 15 months to 2 years), designed to introduce motor-skill development through guided play with a parent or caregiver.
- Kindertots® Toddler-focused movement, rhythm, and motor-skill program for children ages 2-3, offered as part of the Kinderdance franchise curriculum.
- Kindergym® Gymnastics-focused movement and body-awareness program for young children, delivered as part of the Kinderdance franchise curriculum.
- Kindermotion® Multi-sport, motor-skill readiness and fitness program for children ages 3-5, designed to build coordination and athletic foundations.
- Kids Yoga Yoga-based enrichment program for young children, integrated into the Kinderdance franchise curriculum to teach balance, breathing, and mindfulness.
- Kindercombo® / KDCombo® Combination dance program that fuses multiple dance styles into a single class for school-age children, offered through the Kinderdance franchise system.
- KDJazz® / KDJazz & Tap Jazz and tap dance program for school-age children (typically ages 6-12), delivered through the Kinderdance franchise system.
- Kamp Kinderdance® Seasonal summer-camp format of the Kinderdance program, offering themed multi-day dance and movement camps for children during school break.
- Kinderdance Area Developer / Master License Multi-unit and territorial franchise licenses that grant franchisees the right to develop or sub-franchise multiple Kinderdance territories within a defined region or country.
- Kinderdance Boutique (dancewear & merchandise) Proprietary branded line of children's dancewear, recital costumes, and merchandise sold through franchisees to students and parents.
Companies that use Kinderdance
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kinderdance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Kinderdance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Smartkidz Preschool (India)majorKinderdance India franchisee Kirthana Ramarapu signed agreement with Smartkidz Preschool. Smartkidz has over 130 childcare locations throughout India. Kinderdance programs integrated as integral part of Smartkidz curriculum providing developmental dance, motor skills, movement, and fitness activities.
- Yoga AlliancecoreKinderdance Kids Yoga Program recognized by Yoga Alliance, receiving CE (Continuing Education) recognition. Programs meet Yoga Alliance standards for children's yoga instruction.
- NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)coreKinderdance took center stage at 2023 NAEYC Annual Conference, demonstrating alignment with early childhood education standards and professional development.
- VetFran (Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative)coreVetFran is a Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative sponsored by International Franchise Organization in cooperation with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Corporation, and U.S. Small Business Administration. Kinderdance offers special purchasing discounts to Veterans through this program.
- National Childcare ChainscorePartnerships with national childcare brands including Childtime, Tutor Time, The Children's Courtyard, La Petite Academy, Everbrook Academy, Creative Kids Learning Center, KinderCare Education, Primrose Schools, Bright Horizons, Celebree Learning Centers, Kids R Kids, EduKids where Kinderdance programs are delivered on-site.
- SHAPE AmericaminorPartnership with SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators) for alignment with physical education standards.
- IDEA FitnessminorPartnership with IDEA Fitness for industry connections and professional development.
- International Franchise Association (IFA)coreIFA member; participates in VetFran program and franchise industry advocacy.
- NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)corePartnership with NAEYC for early childhood education alignment and professional standards.
- Early Learning LeadersminorPartnership with Early Learning Leaders organization for professional development and early childhood education standards.
- Children's Action NetworkminorPartnership with Children's Action Network for community engagement and child advocacy.
- Traveling TutusminorKinderdance supports Traveling Tutus with children's dance attire donations to spread the joy of dance to children across the globe.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kinderdance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Little Gym: The Little Gym is a globally franchised children's enrichment program focusing on motor skill development, gymnastics, and physical education for ages 4 months to 12 years. Highly comparable to Kinderdance in target age range, mobile/on-site delivery model, and franchise-based GTM.
- My Gym Children's Fitness Center: My Gym offers structured fitness, movement, and gymnastics programs for children from 6 weeks to 13 years, delivered through a global franchise network. Directly comparable to Kinderdance's age range, developmental curriculum, and franchise model.
- Gymboree Play & Music: Gymboree Play & Music operates a global franchise network offering play, music, and movement classes for children 0-5 years. Comparable in early childhood development focus, age range, and class-based franchise delivery model.
- Amazing Athletes: Amazing Athletes is a franchise-based children's sports and fitness program for ages 2-6, delivered on-site at childcare centers, preschools, and schools. Closely mirrors Kinderdance's mobile delivery into childcare facilities and sports readiness curriculum (similar to Kindermotion).
- Goldfish Swim School: Goldfish Swim School is a rapidly growing franchise offering swim lessons for children 4 months to 12 years, with a strong focus on franchise unit economics and brand-building. Comparable franchise structure and target demographic, though specializing in aquatic rather than dance/movement.
- Soccer Shots: Soccer Shots is a franchised introductory soccer program for children ages 2-8, delivered on-site at childcare centers, schools, and parks. Highly comparable mobile delivery model, age range, and franchise unit economics to Kinderdance.
- Stretch-n-Grow: Stretch-n-Grow is a franchise that delivers children's fitness, nutrition, and health education programs on-site at daycare centers, preschools, and schools. Direct competitor in mobile-delivered children's fitness enrichment targeting the same childcare channel.
- Dance to EvOLvE: Dance to EvOLvE is a children's dance education program delivered on-site at schools, daycares, and recreation centers, offering ballet, tap, hip hop, and creative movement for ages 2-12. Closely comparable to Kinderdance's core dance curriculum and mobile school-based delivery model.
- Bricks 4 Kidz: Bricks 4 Kidz is a global franchise offering STEM enrichment programs using LEGO for children ages 3-13+, delivered on-site at schools, childcare centers, and birthday parties. Comparable in franchise structure, on-site delivery to childcare facilities, and children's enrichment positioning.
Broad incumbents
- School of Rock: School of Rock is a large, well-established music education franchise serving children and adults, with hundreds of locations globally. Broader than Kinderdance (includes adults and music rather than dance), but operates a similar franchise model in children's creative arts enrichment.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kinderdance social profiles
Digital presenceKinderdance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kinderdance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Kinderdance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kinderdance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kinderdance
What does Kinderdance do?
Kinderdance franchises proprietary developmental movement, dance, music, gymnastics, yoga, and fitness programs for children ages 15 months through 12 years, delivered on-site at childcare centers, preschools, elementary schools, recreation centers, and residential locations. Its revenue is generated by selling franchise licenses (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Area Developer, Master) to entrepreneurs and by collecting ongoing royalties and selling branded dancewear and curriculum materials. The model combines a copyrighted standardized curriculum with mobile, in-facility class delivery to lower franchisee real-estate overhead and reach children where they already are.
Is Kinderdance a public or private company?
Kinderdance is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Kinderdance founded?
Kinderdance was founded in 1979. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Kinderdance based?
Kinderdance is headquartered in Roanoke, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kinderdance make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Franchise Fees are the primary driver. The others are tuition/Class Fees, area Developer Royalties, dancewear and Merchandise Sales and birthday Party Packages.
Who are Kinderdance's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Little Gym, My Gym Children's Fitness Center, Gymboree Play & Music, Amazing Athletes, Goldfish Swim School, Soccer Shots, Stretch-n-Grow, Dance to EvOLvE and Bricks 4 Kidz. School of Rock is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Kinderdance have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kinderdance.
What industry is Kinderdance in?
Kinderdance's product category is Children's Fitness & Dance Education Franchises. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACACAG, Kids Party Entertainment (Clowns, Magicians, Characters). Its NAICS code is 71394 and its SIC code is 7900.