The McLaughlin’s have been active owners in their Primrose schools for 19 years, providing a combination of nurturing daycare/childcare services and a strong educational foundation for children in The Woodlands and Spring.

Education has always been important to Don and Arlena. Montgomery County’s exemplary rated schools are the reason the McLaughlin’s relocated to The Woodlands in 2001 with their sons, Caleb and Callen McLaughlin.Both sons graduated from The Woodlands High School and subsequently graduated from Baylor University. Along with Don, both are involved in developing and building schools for other Primrose Franchise Owners and have built 15 Primrose schools.

Primrose philosophy and belief that who children become is as important as what they know made the decision to build and operate six schools in The Woodlands and Spring area a reality. Our schools have grown organically, with parents asking us to open a school in their neighborhood. Schools owned and operated by The McLaughlin’s are in the Villages of Sterling Ridge-Primrose School of Sterling Ridge, Alden Bridge-Primrose School of College Park, Village of Creekside-Primrose School of Creekside Park, Grand Parkway and Riley Fuzzel, Primrose School of Harmony, Imperial Oaks, The Falls and Oakridge, Primrose School of Imperial Oaks and Bridgestone Lakes and 2920-Primrose School of Spring-Klein. The six schools owned and operated by The McLaughlin’s currently serve 1100 children. Don and Arlena are thrilled to be invited to provide Primrose quality preschool foundation to children whose parents live and work in Hughes Landing.

Teaching and mentoring children to give back to their community comes naturally. For the past 36 years, the McLaughlin’s have been active and held leadership roles in Chamber of Commerce, United Ways, Library Boards, Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs, Education Foundation, Crime Stoppers, Rotary Clubs, Youth and High Schools Sports and their church.

Don and Arlena are recipients of Primrose Schools prestigious Presidents Award for Excellence. Primrose Schools of The Woodlands and Spring served as on-site training schools for the Primrose Franchising Company and trained new Franchise Owners across the country.

Arlena, received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Sam Houston State and prior to becoming a Primrose Franchise Owner in 1999, enjoyed a twenty-year career in newspaper publishing. She was Vice-President of Houston Community Newspapers and managed 25 area daily and weekly publications. Don, also graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Business degree and owned and operated a Re-Max office. He subsequently also is a real-estate developer with projects primarily in Texas.

In 1999, Don and Arlena learned about Primrose and knew from experience in searching for quality care for their boys, Primrose was unique in that it offered to parents both educational child-care and excellent child-care services. Aware that the Montgomery County area was known for quality schools, they knew Primrose would be well received in the area.

The McLaughlin’s multi-unit success is attributed to attracting, developing and retaining qualified professionals to assist them in leadership of the six schools. Area Director Kris Mayo, has 16 years tenure and oversees the operations and reports to Arlena. Julie McCluskey, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Training has 17 years tenure. Additional support for the teaching staff is supplemented by Jennifer Quick, School Support, along with Educational Coaches, Mentors, and Master Teacher at each school. An off-site business/administration office also serves the multi-unit operation. The average Primrose tenure of directors is 13 years.

“We enjoy seeing and hearing the success of children who have experienced the foundation that a Primrose education provides,” says Arlena McLaughlin. “Many of our families have grown children and are still in touch with us. It is very rewarding to hear from parents that they attribute part of their child’s success to receiving the best in day care/childcare Primrose Schools.”