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About Us

Family-owned childcare brokerage specialists since 1989. Three generations. Nine states. 1,000+ closings.

"Organization is the key to efficiency."

E.T. Strickland, Founder — School Investment Properties, Inc. Est. 1989

How We’re Different

Family-Owned & Three Generations Deep

E.T. and Pam Strickland founded the firm in 1989. Son Alan and son-in-law Bob Johnson lead the brokerage today. Grandsons Jason, Beau, Rob, and Conner and granddaughter Kala represent the third generation.

Exclusive Childcare Focus

We do not sell restaurants, laundromats, or gyms. Every associate has owned, operated, or brokered childcare centers. That depth means we understand licensing, enrollment economics, and buyer qualification at a level generalists can't match.

Licensed in 9 States

Active real estate and business brokerage licenses in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Colorado, Tennessee, and Virginia — with brokers who live and work in each market.

Our Mission

We are dedicated to facilitating successful transitions for childcare business owners. We understand that selling a school is more than a financial transaction — it is the transfer of a legacy. Our team combines 37+ years of specialized industry experience with high-level financial acumen to ensure your exit is as exceptional as your tenure.

Treasured Affiliations

ACEIChildhood Education International (formerly ACEI)
DECCDiscover Early Childhood & Care
FACCMFlorida Assoc. of Child Care ManagementGCCAGeorgia Child Care Association
NCCANorth Carolina Child Care Association
NAEYCNational Assoc. for the Education of Young ChildrenFLAEYCFlorida Assoc. for the Education of Young ChildrenNCLCCANC Licensed Child Care Association
SCAECESC Assoc. for the Education of Children Early
SECASouthern Early Childhood Association
TLCCATennessee Licensed Child Care Association

Trusted by the Lenders Who Finance These Deals

School Investment Properties has built multi-decade relationships with SBA commercial lenders who bring deals to us — and who bring us back to their clients — because of a single differentiator: operational credibility that extends past the closing table.

“They do a tremendous amount of work — more than any other daycare broker I've dealt with. They support the loan throughout the term — no other broker I know does that. They're just good people, a good family.”

Steve Penza— SBA Commercial Lender, SouthState Bank
  • Alan Strickland and SBA Commercial Lender Steve Penza of SouthState Bank have worked together on childcare business transactions for over 20 years.
  • SIP's underwriting-level diligence — "we tear it apart and put it back together, look at all the numbers" — is why lenders trust every deal SIP brings to the table.
  • SIP has never had a closed deal fail, and has walked away from sales contracts during due diligence when a buyer's ability to succeed was in doubt — protecting both the lender and the long-term outcome of the business.
  • Over 40% of SIP's business comes from repeat clients and referrals — a direct signal of trust across buyer, seller, and lending relationships built over three generations of the Strickland family.

“Steve knows this business better than any other banker or lender... We have a straight-up, honest relationship on every project we do, and that is so helpful.”

Alan Strickland— School Investment Properties
Alan Strickland and SBA Commercial Lender Steve Penza of SouthState Bank
Alan Strickland and Steve Penza, SBA Commercial Lender at SouthState Bank — a partnership spanning more than 20 years of childcare business transactions.

Are you a lender, attorney, or advisor working with childcare business owners?

Partner with SIP

As featured by SouthState Bank

Common Questions About Our Firm