We didn't learn this business from a textbook.
For over 30 years we've helped childcare owners sell, expand, and protect what they've built — bringing the rare perspective of a broker who has actually owned and run schools.
"Before I ever brokered a childcare deal, I lived one — every single day, for eighteen years."
Little Scholars Real Estate began in 1992 as a division of Future In-Site Realty Associates, founded on a simple idea: childcare real estate is its own world, and the people who guide it should understand both sides — the spreadsheets and the children.
I spent 18 years personally owning and operating two schools. I know what it feels like to make payroll, to fill an infant room, to renegotiate a lease that could make or break a year. When I sit across from an owner today, I'm not guessing what their business is worth. I've lived it.
That experience is why operators across the country trust us with the most important transaction of their careers.
A timeline
Little Scholars founded
Established as a specialized childcare division of Future In-Site Realty Associates.
18 years as an owner-operator
Personally owned and ran two childcare centers — living the operations side from the inside.
70+ transactions, 18+ states
Developing, buying, selling, leasing, and renegotiating childcare real estate nationwide.
The childcare brokerage expert
Recognized as a leading specialist brokerage in the childcare industry.
The people you'll actually work with.
No call centers, no junior associates. When you hire Little Scholars, you work directly with Alan, Debbie, and Andrea — people who have spent their lives in and around childcare.
↪ Hover over our photos — we were little scholars once, too.
Alan Stahl
Alan brings over five decades of investment expertise to the firm. He began his career leading one of the most successful municipal and government bond firms for nearly 30 years. In 1992 he founded Future In-Site Realty Associates, which has since developed more than 40 preschools, nearly 2,500 multifamily units, and senior-housing projects. Recognized as one of the foremost experts in childcare brokerage, Alan has developed and sold 25 Tutor Time centers, leased over 45 local and national centers, and personally operated multiple Tutor Time Child Care Learning Centers — averaging more than 350 students — for nearly two decades.
818-917-7723 alan@littlescholarsre.com
Debbie Stahl
Debbie's hands-on experience as a franchisee, business manager, and director of multiple childcare centers — each averaging over 300 students — gives our team a comprehensive understanding of how a preschool really runs. Her expertise in financial management, payroll, and daily operations lets us analyze prospective centers with exceptional precision. Whether determining the health of a center, renegotiating leases, or ensuring tenants meet financial expectations, Debbie's insights are integral to our clients' success.
debbiestahl101@gmail.com
Andrea Stahl
A global citizen who speaks five languages, Andrea was born in Colombia, raised in Panama, and shaped by years living in Taiwan and the Netherlands — where she earned a degree in International Relations at Leiden University. She now helps families and investors from around the world buy and sell in her adopted home of Palm Beach. Learning the childcare niche directly under Alan Stahl, she pairs that mentorship with a warm, service-driven approach and a sharp eye for the details that carry a deal across the finish line.
We've worn every hat in the building.
Most brokers know real estate. We know what it's like to be on every side of a childcare deal — which means nothing about your situation is unfamiliar to us.
Owner
We've signed for our own centers.
Operator
We've run the day-to-day.
Landlord
We've leased space to tenants.
Developer
We've built centers ground-up.
Tenant
We've negotiated our own leases.
Principles that protect your interests.
Confidentiality first
Your staff, families, and competitors don't need to know your plans. Discretion is built into everything we do.
Priced by experience
We value your business on what actually drives childcare worth — not a generic commercial formula.
The right buyer, not just any buyer
Our national network means we match you with qualified, motivated buyers who'll honor what you've built.
Trusted by the people who know childcare best.
Alan developed and sold us the franchise for two Tutor Times in Santa Clarita, which we successfully ran for over 15 years. There is no broker more knowledgeable of the child care business.
Alan is the most knowledgeable person I know on all aspects of child care. He has been an owner, an operator, a developer, and a broker — with numerous transactions in the business for over three decades.
When I first co-founded Tutor Time, Alan was the highest-producing developer. Later, as we expanded under The Learning Experience, we tapped Alan as a real estate broker who has been integral to our national site expansion.
Alan Stahl is a professional problem solver, with all the capabilities needed to effectively negotiate with prospective tenants. He provides the highest level of service and knowledge in the industry — highly recommended.
It has been a pleasure working with Alan and his team on bringing The Learning Experience to several Armstrong properties in California and nationwide. We're continually impressed with his knowledge of the industry and the expediency with which we work through transactions.
If you're interested in buying or selling a preschool, Alan is the most knowledgeable person you can find. He owned and operated his own school, and as a real estate developer he is a true authority in the marketplace. An advisor you can trust.
