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Cadence Education expands Twin Cities presence with acquisition of Especially for Children. Kasee Peterson Inside Cadence Last Updated September 25, 2026 Nine-School Addition Brings Cadence Education to 350-School Milestone and Deepens Access to High-Quality Early Childhood Education Across the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro SCOTTSDALE, AZ - June 2, 2026 - Cadence Education, LLC ("Cadence Education"), one of the nation's leading early childhood education operators, recently announced the acquisition of Especially for Children, a nine-school early childhood education provider serving families throughout the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area in Minnesota. The addition of these nine schools brings Cadence's national network to 350 schools across the United States - a significant milestone that reflects the company's sustained commitment to expanding access to high-quality early childhood education nationwide. Founded in 1976, Especially for Children has built a 50-year legacy in the Twin Cities community, grounded in the belief that early childhood programs can serve as both a foundation for lifelong learning and a true extension of family. The schools serve children from infancy through school age at locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro. "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 acquisition deepens Cadence Education's growing presence in Minnesota, which also recently expanded with the addition of Ladybug Childcare Centers' three schools. The addition of Especially for Children's nine locations further strengthens Cadence's footprint in the Twin Cities market, bringing its community-based model and national resources to even more families across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro. Families currently enrolled at Especially for Children schools will continue to be served by the same dedicated educators and school communities, with access to Cadence's broader resources, curriculum support, and operational infrastructure. Maintaining a school's rich culture and history is central to Cadence's acquisition philosophy and is often a deciding factor for owners seeking a meaningful and values-aligned exit strategy. "After 50 years of providing quality early childhood education to our communities, it was time for our family to pass along our nine schools," said Angie Williams, former owner of Especially for Children. "Given our history and the legacy we hoped would continue, it was very important to us to find an organization that shared our values - one that invested in employees, children, and families, and one that upheld high quality standards. Cadence Education was the right partner for us to achieve these goals, and we are excited for the future of Especially for Children to unfold under their thoughtful stewardship." Cadence Education's footprint currently spans 30 states, and its leadership welcomes opportunities as the right partnerships emerge. Its 30-plus year history provides the stability and expertise necessary to integrate schools of all sizes - from single-site boutiques to multi-location regional brands. "We are proud to support the educators and families who have built something truly special in this community - and equally proud that this acquisition marks a milestone moment for Cadence as we reach 350 schools nationwide," said Zach Abdorrahimzadeh, Chief Development Officer. "Because we prioritize the transition of teachers and the preservation of the school's local 'heart,' we have become the preferred exit strategy for owners who care deeply about their staff and students." About Cadence Education Cadence Education is a premier early childhood educator in the United States, operating 350 private preschools across the country. With more than 30 years in business, Cadence Education has developed an unparalleled expertise in preparing students to thrive in the next step of their childhood. For additional information about Cadence Education, please visit www.cadence-education.com.

Cadence Education names Maggie Walsh as Chief Academic Officer. Aug 18, 2026, 11:30 ET 25-Year Education Veteran to Lead Academic Vision and Literacy Strategy Across More Than 350 Schools SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Cadence Education is proud to announce the promotion of Maggie Walsh to Chief Academic Officer. Maggie brings more than 25 years of experience in education and deep expertise in literacy development, curriculum design, and instructional strategy across a broad range of learning environments and age groups to this new role. Previously serving as Vice President of Education, Maggie has focused on developing practical classroom strategies that help teachers provide effective, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for the children and families Cadence serves. In her expanded role, she will continue to lead academic strategy and vision - strengthening curriculum, deepening data-driven instruction, and upholding standards for early childhood and school-age learning across all schools. Prior to joining Cadence Education, Maggie served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of UChicago Impact, during which time STEP Literacy, a nonprofit wholly owned by the University of Chicago, expanded to more than 240 schools and 110,000 students across 75 cities and 38 states. STEP - Strategic Teaching and Evaluation of Progress - is a developmental formative literacy assessment developed at UChicago. During her tenure, Maggie designed and launched an innovative data-driven literacy tutoring model and developed STEP Online Progress Monitoring. She also served as a practitioner consultant on developmental preschool literacy and math assessment at UChicago and as a field consultant on a Chicago neighborhood schools literacy and language project led by the Erikson Institute. Since joining Cadence, Maggie has made a meaningful impact beyond the classroom as well - most notably through the launch of the Cadence Parent Partnership webinar series, an initiative designed to strengthen the bridge between school and home by equipping families with tools, strategies, and insights to support their child's learning journey. The series has become a valued resource for families across the Cadence network and reflects Maggie's deep commitment to family engagement as a cornerstone of educational success. Among her most anticipated initiatives is Raising Readers, a new literacy program focused on family outreach and professional development. Raising Readers will enable educators to foster the development of language, vocabulary, and early literacy skills, and will be introduced to families at curriculum nights at individual schools in the coming months. The program kicked off this summer with Cadence's Summer Reading Program - a simple, fun, and inclusive initiative that invited families to join their schools in tracking books read throughout the summer, contributing to a shared school-wide goal while earning simple rewards along the way. "The most powerful thing we can do for a child is to create environments, foster experiences, and provide them with teachers that help them fall in love with learning early," Maggie said. "Cadence has built something truly special here - a community of educators who understand that and who show up every day to make it real for the children in their care. I could not be more excited to be part of this mission." A certified Reading Specialist with a deep focus on the developmental trajectory of reading, Maggie holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Saint Mary's College, as well as an M.A.T. and Ed.D. in Reading and Language from National Louis University. About Cadence Education Cadence Education is one of the nation's premier early childhood educators, providing high-quality childcare and early learning programs including play-based, Montessori, and language immersion, at more than 350 private preschools across the United States. Backed by more than 30 years of experience, we help each child grow through everyday learning moments that build confidence, curiosity, and kindness. For more information, visit www.cadence-education.com. SOURCE Cadence Education