What EES does

EES (Educational Enrichment Systems, Inc.) is a 501c3 nonprofit child development agency headquartered in San Diego, California, that has provided early childhood education services to families throughout San Diego County since 1979. The organization operates 20 licensed child development centers across Vista, Oceanside, Chula Vista, National City, and Linda Vista, serving over 1,300 children annually from infancy through age 5, with more than 700 students transitioning to kindergarten each year. Its instructional model is built on a developmentally appropriate, research-based curriculum aligned to the California Learning Foundations, with assessment conducted through the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP 2015) instrument. Programs are delivered at class ratios of 3:1 (infant), 4:1 (toddler), and 8:1 (preschool) — well below state minimums — by bilingual, culturally and linguistically tailored staff, with wraparound nutrition (free meals exceeding USDA Child Care Food Program standards, plus 10,000+ pounds of monthly food distribution via Feeding San Diego), family literacy training, parenting workshops, and pediatric health services delivered through a UCSD partnership.

EES's business model is a hybrid of three revenue streams: (1) government-subsidized childcare fees, primarily from California state programs (CSPP, Alternative Payment) for income-eligible families; (2) private-pay tuition for non-qualifying families; and (3) philanthropic capital from foundations, corporate donors, and individual contributions — anchored by a $1.5 million three-year grant from the Guy C. Clum Fund at The San Diego Foundation (2018) and a ~$2 million United Way of San Diego County grant (2015). Free and reduced-cost slots are available to qualifying families. The organization distributes its services through two parallel channels: 20 directly operated EES child development centers and 11 preschool classrooms co-located on Vista Unified School District elementary school campuses under a flagship partnership dating to 2008, with similar relationships at San Marcos Unified School District. The organization is governed by a volunteer board of directors and operates with 11–50 employees, led since 2022 by President & CEO Celine Krimston following the 38-year tenure of founder Robin Layton.

Name

EES

Legal name

Educational Enrichment Systems, Inc.

Website

https://educ-enrichment.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EES (Educational Enrichment Systems) is a San Diego County-based nonprofit operating 20 licensed child development centers that provide free or reduced-cost early childhood education to over 1,300 low-income children ages 0-5 annually, with curriculum aligned to California Learning Foundations and integrated family support services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), Child Care Services (624410), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Early Childhood Development (ECD) & Pre-Primary Education (BPADAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Play-Based SEL & Executive Function Skill-Building Programs (EDACAOAB), In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses) (EDACAIAB), Inclusion-Focused SEL for Diverse Learners (ECE) (EDACAOAK)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Preschool programs
• Child development services
• Subsidized childcare
• Family literacy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-Subsidized Childcare Fees: EES receives government funding to provide subsidized childcare for qualifying low-income families. Families that qualify receive free or reduced-cost preschool programs.
2. Private Tuition: Fee-for-service tuition payments for families who do not qualify for subsidized care.
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: EES is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that accepts donations. Notable donations include $1.5M over three years from the Guy C. Clum Fund at The San Diego Foundation. Other campaigns include backpack donations, holiday gifts, nutrition programs, and general operational support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

EES is a nonprofit child development agency that provides high-quality, affordable early childhood education (infant, toddler, and preschool programs) to families throughout San Diego County. Programs are delivered at 20 physical school locations and include developmentally appropriate research-based curriculum, nutrition services, family literacy training, and parent support resources. Services are free or reduced-cost for income-qualifying families.

Product overview

EES (Educational Enrichment Systems) is a nonprofit child development agency that has provided high-quality early education programs since 1979. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected early childhood education services operating across 20 schools in San Diego County. The core offerings include full-day and part-day preschool programs (ages 3-5), toddler education programs (birth to 3 years), and family support services including nutrition, family literacy training, and parent education. All programs utilize a developmentally appropriate, research-based curriculum aligned with the California Learning Foundations, featuring small class sizes (3:1 infant, 4:1 toddler, 8:1 preschool ratios). Programs serve over 1,300 students annually, with free and reduced-cost options available for qualifying families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EES Preschool Education Programs Full-day and part-day preschool education programs for children ages 3-5, providing developmentally appropriate, research-based curriculum that emphasizes school readiness through hands-on play and integrated learning experiences. Includes 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
• EES Toddler Education Programs Full-day, year-round early education programs for infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years), emphasizing school readiness through hands-on play and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Features 3:1 infant and 4:1 toddler student-to-teacher ratios.
• EES Family Literacy Training Program Comprehensive family literacy program that addresses literacy as a family affair, including parenting workshops, parent and child time together, adult education, and quality educational experiences for children.
• EES Nutrition Program Free nutritious meals and snacks provided to all enrolled students, including breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack prepared fresh daily from onsite EES kitchens, with outdoor gardens and family wellness partnerships. Exceeds USDA Child Care Food Program nutrition standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 700 students transition to Kindergarten each year prepared for success
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Mission: ReadinessminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Admiral Frank Ponds, an active community member and supporter of EES, is a member of Mission: Readiness, an organization of more than 750 retired admirals and generals who advocate for investments in high-quality early childhood programs like EES.
• Feeding San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016In 2016 EES began a unique partnership with Feeding San Diego that allows EES to do 3 monthly food distributions (one in each of their regional locations). The distribution provides monthly food support to students and their families at 5 EES North County Sites, 2 Linda Vista Sites and 3 South Bay sites. Each month, over 10,000 pounds of fresh produce and packaged food is delivered and provided to families to support healthy eating and combat food insecurity.
• Jewish Family Service of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Jewish Family Service and EES were the lead partners in the Linda Vista Kindergarten Readiness Network, funded by United Way of San Diego. The Network worked to support and empower children and families to successfully transition from preschool to kindergarten and helped to establish family support hubs at the EES Deni Jacobs Early Education Center and the EES Robin Layton Early Education Center.
• United Way of San Diego CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015EES was a key partner in the Linda Vista Kindergarten Network and the Vista Partnership for Children collective impact initiatives, both funded by United Way. These initiatives brought together over 30 nonprofits, health providers, schools, government, businesses and other community-based organizations to support getting children ready for kindergarten and reading at grade-level.
• Duane Roth Legacy FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015The Duane Roth Legacy Foundation provided each transitioning student with a 'ready for school' backpack filled with pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, and other school essentials, as well as 5 developmentally appropriate books at the annual Ready for Kindergarten Celebration.
• Vista Unified School District (VUSD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Since 2008, EES has maintained a flourishing partnership with Vista Unified School District. EES provides preschool experiences to children on 11 Vista Unified Elementary School campuses as well as at three full-day child development centers in Vista. The partnership aims to close the achievement gap before it opens and provide opportunities for continuous success for children and their families.
• San Marcos Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEES has forged a successful partnership with San Marcos Unified School District that prepares students for success in kindergarten and beyond.
• Vista Partnership for Children (VPfC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVPfC includes multiple stakeholders including Vista Unified School District, City of Vista, County Health and Human Services Agency, Vista Community Clinic, Vista Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and EES. The partnership embraces collective impact approach to improve opportunities and life outcomes for children in the region.
• High Tech High (Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh Tech High students built skateboards in their physics class and donated them to the new Linda Vista skatepark. Students spent a semester learning about altruism, building the skateboards and volunteering at community programs such as the EES Jeff and Deni Jacobs Child Development Center.
• UCSD Department of Pediatrics - Linda Vista Community Resident ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough Lori Taylor, M.D., once a month the Community Pediatric Rotation visits EES centers in Linda Vista. Residents may develop a long-term relationship with EES for the remainder of their residency and help with special projects.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Child Development Inc. California nonprofit child development agency operating multiple early learning centers, including in Southern California. Comparable as a regional nonprofit ECE operator with subsidy-dependent revenue model.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego: Nonprofit youth services organization offering after-school and early learning programming in San Diego. Comparable in mission (underserved youth), nonprofit funding mix, and school-district partnership model.
• YMCA of San Diego County: Operates licensed early learning and child development programs across San Diego County. Directly comparable as a nonprofit, multi-site ECE provider serving low- and middle-income families with subsidized slots.
• Neighborhood House Association: San Diego-based nonprofit operating Head Start, Early Head Start, and state preschool programs across multiple sites. Closest direct peer in mission (low-income ECE), funding model (subsidies + grants), and geography.
• San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) - Early Education Programs: Public-sector ECE provider in San Diego County operating California State Preschool Program and other subsidized early learning classrooms. Competes for the same subsidized families and CalWORKs-eligible enrollment.
• Catholic Charities - Diocese of San Diego: Operates early childhood education and family support programs in San Diego County, including subsidized slots. Comparable as a faith-based, multi-site nonprofit ECE provider competing for similar low-income families.

Broad incumbents

• Bright Horizons Family Solutions: National for-profit operator of employer-sponsored child care and early learning centers. Comparable service category and curriculum rigor, but operates at vastly greater scale and serves primarily corporate-sponsored and tuition-paying families.
• KinderCare Learning Companies: Largest US for-profit provider of early childhood education and before/after-school care. Comparable in service category (infant through pre-K) but competes in a different price tier and national footprint.
• Primrose Schools Franchising Company: National franchise network of private early childhood education academies. Comparable curriculum-driven, quality-focused ECE delivery model; operates in a private-pay segment that contrasts with EES's subsidy-driven model.

Others

• First 5 San Diego: County commission that funds and rates San Diego ECE providers (including EES via QPI). Relevant as both a funder and the operator of the QRIS system under which EES is rated top-two tiers — a structural ecosystem participant.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EES_SD

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EES