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Courtesy Photo
Darin Harris, chief operating officer for Primrose Schools, talks with a student. The Atlanta-based business is looking at Frederick County as a potential site for a new school location. |
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ON THE WEB www.primroseschools.com
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When Atlanta-based Primrose Schools was looking to expand in the region, "Frederick found us," according to the company's chief operating officer.Darin Harris, Primrose COO, said Friday the county has the perfect blend of demographics and need for its services. The company provides high-quality education for children 6 months to 6 years old. Harris said Primrose hasn't pinned down a specific site yet, "but I know the demand is there." It would be the first Primrose School in Maryland. Formed in 1982, Primrose has nearly 220 schools in 16 states. Eight operate in Virginia, with three more under construction. In 2007, the company reported revenues of $236 million. Harris said Primrose wants to build six schools during the next four years in the Washington area, which includes Frederick . Besides the infant to 6-year-old program, Primrose has an after-school program for children to 12 years old. Primrose has what it calls "balanced learning," which includes Spanish, music, character development and physical fitness. A typical Primrose School costs between $2.9 million and $4 million to build and hires 25 to 30 employees, Harris said. "We also create construction jobs while the school is being built," he said. "We do invest in the community." Harris has been with Primrose one year. He formerly was in charge of worldwide development for Arby's. "It is an incredible change," he said of the position, "great from a career standpoint and instead of another fast-food restaurant in the world, I'm helping to impact the future of children. A child's future is definitely based on getting a good education, especially at a young age." Despite the challenge of a tough economy, parents will cut other costs to keep a child in quality care and education, Harris said. Primrose has flexible plans where students can attend three days a week instead of five at a lower cost, he said. "We're not recession-proof, but it (child care, education) is one of the last things parents will cut," he said.
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