CHILDCARE NETWORK INC
S-1/A, 1998-07-31
CHILD DAY CARE SERVICES
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 31, 1998
    
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-56353
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 2
    
                                       TO
 
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
 
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                               <C>
            GEORGIA                             8351                           63-0986576
(State or Other Jurisdiction of     (Primary Standard Industrial            (I.R.S. Employer
 Incorporation or Organization)     Classification Code Number)          Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
                             3025 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
                                   SUITE B-2
                            COLUMBUS, GEORGIA 31907
                                 (706) 562-8600
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
                             ---------------------
 
                                 RAY E. CROWLEY
                      CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
                             3025 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
                                   SUITE B-2
                            COLUMBUS, GEORGIA 31907
                                 (706) 562-8600
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                             ---------------------
 
                                    COPIES:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
             LISA ANNE STATER, ESQ.                          ARTHUR JAY SCHWARTZ, ESQ.
           JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE                      SMITH, GAMBRELL & RUSSELL, LLP
              3500 SUNTRUST PLAZA                             SUITE 3100, PROMENADE II
              303 PEACHTREE STREET                          1230 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
             ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30308                            ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309
                 (404) 521-3939                                    (404) 815-3632
</TABLE>
 
    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  As soon as
practicable following the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act,
check the following box.  [ ]
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
 
    If the delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, check the following box.  [ ]
                             ---------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
   
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 31, 1998
    
 
                                2,850,000 SHARES
 
                         (CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC. LOGO)
 
   
                                  COMMON STOCK
    
 
     Of the 2,850,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Common Stock") offered hereby
(the "Offering"), 1,600,000 shares are being sold by Childcare Network, Inc.
(the "Company") and 1,250,000 shares are being sold by certain shareholders of
the Company named herein (the "Selling Shareholders"). See "Principal and
Selling Shareholders." The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale
of shares by the Selling Shareholders.
 
     In accordance with the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation, the
shares of Common Stock offered hereby, including those offered by the Selling
Shareholders, will be entitled to one vote per share until they have been held
by the same beneficial owner for a continuous period of greater than 48 months,
at which time each share so held will be entitled to ten votes per share. The
current holders of the remaining shares of Common Stock are entitled to ten
votes per share regardless of whether they have held such shares for a
continuous period of greater than 48 months. See "Description of Capital Stock."
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock
of the Company. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price
will be between $13.00 and $15.00 per share. See "Underwriting" for information
relating to the factors to be considered in determining the initial public
offering price. The Company has applied for listing of the Common Stock on the
Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "CCNI."
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 8 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE
COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY.
                            ------------------------
    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
     AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
          PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
             REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          PROCEEDS TO
                                            PRICE TO           UNDERWRITING          PROCEEDS TO            SELLING
                                             PUBLIC             DISCOUNT(1)          COMPANY(2)          SHAREHOLDERS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                  <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Per Share............................           $                    $                    $                    $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3).............................           $                    $                    $                    $
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) See "Underwriting" for information relating to indemnification of the
    Underwriters.
   
(2) Before deducting expenses of the Offering payable by the Company estimated
    at $800,000.
    
(3) The Company and certain of the Selling Shareholders have granted to the
    Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 427,500 shares
    of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If the option is
    exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discount,
    Proceeds to Company and Proceeds to Selling Shareholders will be
    $          , $          , $          and $          , respectively. See
    "Underwriting."
                            ------------------------
     The shares of Common Stock are offered severally by the Underwriters named
herein, subject to prior sale, when, as and if received and accepted by them,
subject to their right to reject orders, in whole or in part, and to withdraw,
cancel or modify the offer without notice. It is expected that delivery of the
certificates representing such shares will be made against payment therefor at
the office of The Robinson-Humphrey Company, LLC on or about             , 1998.
                            ------------------------
THE ROBINSON-HUMPHREY COMPANY                     INTERSTATE/JOHNSON LANE
                                                        CORPORATION
 
       , 1998
<PAGE>   3
 
             [MAP SHOWING NUMBER OF THE COMPANY'S SCHOOLS BY STATE]
 [PICTURES OF CHILDREN ENGAGED IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AT THE COMPANY'S SCHOOLS]
 
                            ------------------------
 
     The Company intends to furnish its shareholders with annual reports
containing audited financial statements certified by an independent public
accounting firm and with quarterly reports containing unaudited financial
information for the first three quarters of each fiscal year.
                            ------------------------
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING BY ENTERING STABILIZING BIDS, EFFECTING SYNDICATE COVERING
TRANSACTIONS OR IMPOSING PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES,
SEE "UNDERWRITING."
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by and should be read in
conjunction with the more detailed information and the financial statements and
notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. This Prospectus contains
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's
actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the
forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include,
but are not limited to, those discussed in "Risk Factors" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
Except as otherwise indicated, the information contained herein (i) assumes no
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option and (ii) gives effect to a
3-for-2 stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend on June 1, 1998.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
   
     Childcare Network, Inc. (the "Company") provides affordable, high quality
developmental education and child care to families through private schools
located predominantly in smaller and mid-sized cities ranging in population from
60,000 to 400,000 in the southeastern United States. The Company's schools
provide age-appropriate training and care to infants, toddlers and children aged
six weeks to 12 years through a combination of contemporary curricula, computer
programs, field trips and parent/student activities designed to promote both the
student's academic and social development. The Company's schools are principally
free-standing sites in suburban communities and generally operate five days a
week throughout the year. A majority of the schools are operated under the
"Childcare Network" name although 14 recently acquired schools operate under the
"Young World" name. As of June 26, 1998, the Company's 67 schools had an
aggregate licensed capacity of approximately 8,400 and served over 7,000
children in seven states.
    
 
   
     The Company was formed in 1988 and, at the end of 1992, was operating five
schools that served approximately 500 students. By the end of 1997, the Company
had grown to 63 schools, increasing its full- and part-time enrollment to over
7,000 students. As a result, revenues increased from $1.1 million in 1992 to
$16.3 million in 1997, and income before income taxes increased from
approximately $86,000 in 1992 to approximately $2.2 million in 1997. According
to Child Care Information Exchange(R), an industry publication, the Company is
the 14th largest for-profit provider of child care services in the United States
measured in terms of licensed capacity.
    
 
   
     The Company's goal is to be the leading provider of affordable, high
quality developmental education and child care services in each of the markets
in which it operates. The Company believes that child care providers compete
based on accessibility, price and quality and breadth of services. The Company
focuses on directly serving a large number of families rather than a smaller
number of corporate clients. The key elements of the Company's business
strategy, which the Company believes positions it for continued growth, are:
    
 
     - High Quality Services at Competitive Prices.  The Company's schools are
       focused on providing affordable and convenient services through programs
       which emphasize the child's development rather than mere supervision. The
       Company attempts to price its services competitively relative to other
       providers in each of the markets it serves. Central to the Company's
       services are innovative and age-appropriate curricula. In order to
       promote parents' understanding and appreciation of the Company's child
       development programs, teachers and staff seek to actively partner with
       parents through meetings, newsletters and written progress reports. In
       addition, for the convenience of working parents, the Company provides
       transportation to and from area elementary schools.
 
     - Focus on Families.  The Company believes it realizes benefits in pricing,
       brand awareness, operating autonomy and flexibility to attract customers
       from many sources by directly serving a large number of families rather
       than focusing on a smaller number of corporate clients. The Company's
       schools are principally free-standing sites in suburban communities
       located in proximity to residences, elementary
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
       schools and major transportation arteries. As such, the Company's schools
       are well positioned to conveniently provide services to parents and
       children in these areas.
 
     - Enhanced Utilization and Efficient Staff-to-Child Ratios.  The Company
       configures its schools to maximize licensed capacity while preserving an
       attractive and inviting environment for students. The Company believes
       that offering affordable, high quality developmental education and child
       care at convenient locations leads to increased enrollment, thus enabling
       the Company to enhance its capacity utilization. In addition, the Company
       monitors staff-to-child ratios to ensure that schools are efficiently
       staffed in accordance with regulatory guidelines, and that changes in
       staff requirements due to shifts in enrollment levels are addressed in a
       timely manner. By clustering schools and maintaining a balance of
       full-time and part-time personnel, the Company is able to manage staff
       deployment between schools more efficiently, thereby minimizing overall
       payroll expenses.
 
     - Decentralized School Operations.  Each of the Company's schools is
       managed by a director who is responsible for its operation and
       profitability. Administrative functions performed by a director include
       marketing, tuition and accounts receivable collection, regulatory
       compliance, recruiting, purchasing, parent relations and corporate
       reporting. Each director prepares profit and loss information for weekly
       review by management and is incentivized through quarterly and annual
       bonuses to maximize school-level profitability while maintaining the
       Company's standards of quality. In addition, a team of four district
       managers provides training and guidance to directors and makes regular
       visits to the schools to monitor and, as necessary, assist with
       operations. The Company believes that the decentralization of school
       operations, together with support from district managers and senior
       management, leads to a sense of entrepreneurship in each director and a
       spirit of teamwork throughout the Company. In addition, decentralization
       enables each school to respond to the cultural, economic and regulatory
       differences which exist in its respective market.
 
     - Participation in Government Assistance Programs.  The Company derives
       several benefits from its active participation in federal and state
       programs which provide funding for child care assistance. While most of
       these programs provide funding designed only to cover the cost of the
       Company's services, certain of these programs provide reimbursement to
       the Company of an allocable portion of its overhead or permit the Company
       to increase the utilization of its facilities. Further, the Company
       believes that participation in such programs enhances recognition of the
       Company.
 
     - Expansion Through Acquisitions.  The Company seeks to acquire child care
       centers that present it with opportunities to increase utilization and
       improve profitability through implementation of enhanced operating and
       financial controls. Acquiring existing child care centers allows the
       Company access to an established customer base and an experienced staff
       with acceptance in the local community. In addition, by avoiding the cost
       and time associated with constructing new facilities, the Company is able
       to expand more rapidly and realize a return on its investment more
       quickly.
 
     The Company believes that the market for child care services is growing
rapidly and that demand for high quality child care will continue to increase as
a result of the following factors: a growing number of young children; an
increasing percentage of mothers in the workforce; a shift toward the more
structured and education-based environment of center-based child care; and the
effects of federal and state policy initiatives which would make child care
accessible to a larger number of families. In addition, the child care industry
is highly fragmented. Within the United States, for-profit chains, including
national and regional chains and operators of four or more centers, represent
only 7.0% of total market share. Substantially all of the industry's licensed
centers are owned or operated individually or by small providers, many of which
lack the financial, technological and managerial resources to operate their
centers profitably in an increasingly regulated and competitive environment. As
a result, the Company believes that the number of providers seeking to exit the
industry is likely to grow, leading to an increase in the number of potential
centers available to the Company for acquisition.
 
     The Company anticipates that future growth will come from acquiring
individual centers in its existing markets and acquiring groups of centers in
both existing and new markets. The Company generally seeks either to acquire
child care centers in areas close to the Company's existing schools and district
managers or to
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
acquire a provider which has a sufficient number of centers to justify the
employment of an additional district manager. The Company targets facilities in
cities with populations of 60,000 to 400,000 in the southeastern United States.
Within this target market, the Company believes that there are numerous centers
which could provide attractive locations for its schools, thus enabling the
Company to continue to acquire facilities on terms which compare favorably to
the costs and risks of establishing new facilities.
 
     The Company's principal executive offices are located at 3025 University
Avenue, Suite B-2, Columbus, Georgia 31907, and its telephone number is (706)
562-8600.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
Common Stock offered by:
  The Company....................................  1,600,000 shares
  The Selling Shareholders.......................  1,250,000 shares
Voting rights:
  Common Stock offered hereby....................  1 vote per share(1)
  Outstanding Common Stock.......................  10 votes per share
Common Stock to be outstanding after the           6,535,000 shares(2)
  Offering.......................................
Use of proceeds..................................  Repayment of indebtedness and other general
                                                   corporate purposes, including working capital and
                                                   possible acquisitions. See "Use of Proceeds."
Proposed Nasdaq National Market symbol...........  CCNI
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Holders of the Common Stock who purchase shares in the Offering will be
    entitled to one vote per share until such shares have been held by the same
    beneficial owner for a continuous period of greater than 48 months, at which
    time each share so held will be entitled to ten votes per share. See
    "Description of Capital Stock."
   
(2) Excludes 750,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the
    Company's stock option plan. As of July 31, 1998, there were outstanding
    options to purchase 424,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price per
    share equal to the initial public offering price. See "Management -- 1998
    Stock Option Plan."
    
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
                      SUMMARY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND SCHOOL DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                     JANUARY 1, 1997   JANUARY 1, 1998
                               ----------------------------------------------------------       THROUGH           THROUGH
                                                                               PRO FORMA       JUNE 27,          JUNE 26,
                                1993     1994     1995     1996      1997       1997(2)         1997(3)           1998(3)
                               ------   ------   ------   -------   -------   -----------   ---------------   ---------------
                                                                              (UNAUDITED)              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                            <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>           <C>               <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA(1):
  Revenues...................  $4,825   $6,505   $9,209   $12,183   $16,331     $21,052         $7,128            $13,574
  Operating expenses.........   4,158    5,417    7,758    10,281    13,991      19,053          5,766             11,399
                               ------   ------   ------   -------   -------     -------         ------            -------
  Income from operations.....     667    1,088    1,451     1,902     2,340       1,999          1,362              2,175
  Interest expense, net......    (211)    (262)    (311)     (277)     (190)       (344)           (86)              (213)
                               ------   ------   ------   -------   -------     -------         ------            -------
  Income before income
    taxes....................     456      826    1,140     1,625     2,150       1,655          1,276              1,962
  Pro forma provision for
    income taxes(4)..........     173      314      433       618       817         629            485                746
                               ------   ------   ------   -------   -------     -------         ------            -------
  Pro forma net income.......  $  283   $  512   $  707   $ 1,007   $ 1,333     $ 1,026         $  791              1,216
                               ======   ======   ======   =======   =======     =======         ======            =======
  Basic shares outstanding...   4,905    4,905    4,905     4,905     4,932       4,932          4,931              4,935
  Diluted shares
    outstanding..............   4,905    4,905    4,905     4,905     4,932       4,932          4,931              4,955
  Pro forma net income per
    basic share(5)...........  $ 0.06   $ 0.10   $ 0.14   $  0.21   $  0.27     $  0.21         $ 0.16            $  0.25
  Pro forma net income per
    diluted share(5).........  $ 0.06   $ 0.10   $ 0.14   $  0.21   $  0.27     $  0.21         $ 0.16            $  0.25
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AT JUNE 26,
                                                                      1998
                                                              ---------------------
                                                                            AS
                                                              ACTUAL    ADJUSTED(6)
                                                              -------   -----------
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital...........................................  $ 1,915     $15,230
  Total assets..............................................   12,801      26,116
  Total debt, including current portion.....................    6,517          --
  Shareholders' equity......................................    4,904      24,636
</TABLE>
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                     --------------------------------------------    AT JUNE 26,
                                                      1993     1994     1995     1996     1997(1)      1998(3)
                                                     ------   ------   ------   -------   -------   --------------
<S>                                                  <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
SCHOOL DATA(1):
  Number of schools................................      25       25       32        34        63           67
  Licensed capacity................................   2,731    2,731    3,431     3,631     7,923        8,431
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1) In September 1997, the Company acquired 29 schools in two transactions,
    which were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Results of
    operations of these schools have been included in the Company's operations
    since the respective dates of purchase. See "Management's Discussion and
    Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Pro Forma
    Financial Information" and the financial statements and notes thereto
    appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus for information concerning other
    acquisitions and additional information related to these acquisitions.
(2) The pro forma statement of income data for the year ended December 31, 1997
    reflects the acquisition of the operations of Young World, Inc. as if it
    occurred at January 1, 1997 and has been accounted for under the purchase
    method of accounting.
(3) Effective January 1, 1998, the Company changed its fiscal year end from
    December 31 to the last Friday in December. As a result, the Company will
    report its quarterly results in 13 week periods beginning in 1998. Quarterly
    results for 1997 have been presented on a comparable basis.
(4) The Company has historically elected to be taxed as an S corporation and
    accordingly, income taxes have been paid by its shareholders. The Company's
    S corporation status will terminate upon consummation of the Offering, and
    the Company will be taxed as a C corporation in future periods. The pro
    forma provision for income taxes has been calculated at a 38% rate, which is
    the Company's expected effective income tax rate.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
(5) The calculation of a supplemental pro forma earnings per share reflecting
    (i) the impact of the additional shares to be outstanding after consummation
    of the Offering and (ii) the repayment of indebtedness with a portion of the
    Offering proceeds is not presented as the impact is not material.
(6) As adjusted to give effect to (i) the sale by the Company of 1,600,000
    shares of Common Stock offered hereby at an assumed initial public offering
    price of $14.00 per share and the application of the estimated net proceeds
    therefrom, (ii) the payment of approximately $200,000 in dividends to
    shareholders prior to consummation of the Offering and (iii) the provision
    for deferred tax liabilities of $100,000 for temporary differences related
    to the tax and book bases of assets at the date of termination of S
    corporation status. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     An investment in the Common Stock offered hereby involves a high degree of
risk. Prospective investors should carefully consider the following risk
factors, in addition to the other information set forth elsewhere in this
Prospectus, including the financial statements and notes thereto, prior to
making an investment in the Company.
 
DEPENDENCE ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING
 
   
     The Company participates in certain state and federal programs which
provide funding for services to disadvantaged children and, in the State of
Georgia, for prekindergarten students. Certain of these programs provide for
tuition subsidies which are determined as a percentage of the market rate for a
given area and often are less than the tuition charged by the Company to
non-subsidized customers. Revenues from such programs represented approximately
57.0% of the Company's total revenues in each of 1996 and 1997 with the
remaining 43.0% representing payments from individuals. The eligibility of the
Company to continue its participation in such programs is subject to compliance
with numerous state and federal regulations. In the event that the Company's
schools presently participating in such programs become ineligible for funding
or such funding is decreased, the Company's revenues and results of operations
would be materially adversely affected. In addition, the continuation of such
programs is dependent upon the future availability of federal and state funds
and the continued adoption of economic policies which support these efforts.
There is no assurance that funding of such programs will continue at current
levels, or at all. See "-- Government Regulation" and "Business -- Government
Regulation."
    
 
IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     Child care providers must comply with various state and local statutes,
regulations and licensing requirements. Failure to comply with any of such laws
or regulations could result in sanctions ranging from fines or corrective
orders, which could require significant expenditures by the Company, to license
suspension or revocation. The Company is licensed to operate each of its
facilities as a child care or day care center. However, licenses for certain of
the Company's schools are in the process of renewal or, in the case of recent
acquisitions, have been issued on a temporary basis pending final licensing.
There is no assurance that final licenses will be obtained for such schools. New
laws or regulations or changes in existing laws or regulations or their manner
of application or enforcement may increase compliance costs to the Company,
which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition
or results of operations. In addition, tax laws presently provide for credits
and other incentives relating to child care costs. Changes in such tax laws
could result in decreased enrollment in the Company's schools, which would have
a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company also is required to comply
with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the "ADA"), which prohibits
discrimination on the basis of disability in public accommodations and
employment. Failure of a school to comply with the ADA or applicable regulations
can subject it to sanctions, which might include fines, corrective orders,
probation, or, in more serious cases, suspension or revocation of a center's
license to operate, or an award of damages to private litigants, any of which
could require significant expenditures by the Company to bring the Company's
facilities into compliance. See "Business -- Government Regulation."
 
REGULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
 
     The Company presently operates passenger vans for the transportation of
students. Recently, safety concerns over the use of passenger vans by child care
providers have caused, or are expected to cause, federal authorities and many
state agencies to reevaluate whether children should be transported in passenger
vans, as opposed to school buses which meet more stringent safety requirements.
Further, certain states are now vigorously enforcing their school bus and safety
regulations. In addition, one or more states are enforcing such regulations
against child care centers. Certain states have enacted or may enact new
legislation or have changed their interpretation and enforcement of existing
rules and regulations to discourage the use of passenger vans by child care
centers in transporting children. As a result, the application of state school
bus laws and regulations as they relate to child care providers is unclear and
may be subject to change.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
     Although the Company believes that it is in compliance with all applicable
state laws, rules and regulations governing transportation of children in motor
vehicles in all states in which it operates, a court or administrative agency
may determine that child care providers generally, or the Company in particular,
are not in compliance with such laws, rules or regulations. Any such
determination could result in the imposition of fines or sanctions against the
Company, require the Company's drivers to be licensed as "school bus" operators
and/or require the Company to retrofit or replace its passenger vans with
vehicles which comply with applicable standards, any of which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations. In addition, while the Company maintains liability insurance
concerning the operation of these motor vehicles, the Company could incur a
claim resulting from such operation which may have a material adverse effect on
its financial condition or results of operations. See "-- Insurance,"
"Business -- Insurance" and "Business -- Government Regulation."
 
RISKS OF ACQUISITIONS AND FAILURE TO INTEGRATE ACQUIRED CENTERS
 
     An important element of the Company's growth strategy has been and will
continue to be expansion through acquisitions. The Company's ability to expand
successfully through acquisitions depends on many factors, including the
identification of appropriate acquisition opportunities, negotiation of
acceptable terms and management's ability to effectively integrate and operate
the acquired schools. The Company competes for acquisitions with other
companies, certain of which have significantly greater financial and management
resources than the Company. The Company's financial performance will be subject
to the risks of the performance of the acquired businesses as well as the
financial effects associated with the integration of such businesses. In the
event that the Company is unable to retain both the students and staff of any
acquired facility, the Company could experience decreased revenues accompanied
by increased costs for marketing and recruitment.
 
MANAGEMENT'S LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY
 
     Certain of the Company's officers have recently joined the Company,
including Ray E. Crowley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Lanier Merritt,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Conway Tucker, Vice
President of Operations. Although each of these officers has significant
business experience and, in the case of Mr. Tucker, substantial experience in
the operation of multi-unit child care centers through past employment, these
officers have been working together for a limited period of time. There can be
no assurance that such management team will be successful in operating the
Company. See "-- Dependence Upon Key Personnel" and "Management."
 
COMPETITION
 
     The child care industry is highly fragmented and competitive. The Company
competes with child care centers owned by national and regional chains and other
multi-unit service providers, many of which are larger and have substantially
greater name recognition and financial resources than the Company. The Company
also competes with child care facilities operated by local, community and
church-affiliated and non-profit organizations, which may be supported by
endowments, charitable contributions and other forms of subsidies, and
consequently may charge less for their services than the Company. In addition,
the Company competes with individually owned proprietary child care centers,
licensed and unlicensed child care homes, in-home individual child care
providers, public schools and businesses that provide child care for their
employees, many of which charge lower fees than the Company. There can be no
assurance that the Company can compete effectively against current competitors
or new market entrants in the future. See "Business -- Competition."
 
AVAILABILITY AND ADEQUACY OF INSURANCE
 
     Recently, as a result of alleged incidents of physical and sexual abuse in
the child care industry, and the length of time before the expiration of
applicable statutes of limitations for the bringing of child abuse and personal
injury claims (typically a number of years after the child reaches the age of
majority), many operators of child care centers have had difficulty obtaining
adequate general liability insurance or child abuse liability insurance or have
been able to obtain such insurance only at unacceptably high rates. The Company
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
currently maintains insurance policies which provide for a variety of coverages
but are subject to various limitations, exclusions and deductibles, including a
limitation of coverage for child physical and sexual abuse claims of $500,000
annually in the aggregate. There can be no assurance that such insurance will be
adequate, that insurance premiums for such coverages will not increase, or that
in the future the Company will be able to obtain insurance at acceptable rates,
if at all. Any such inadequacy of or inability to obtain insurance coverage
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition or results of operations. See "-- Adverse Publicity," "-- Litigation"
and "Business -- Insurance."
 
ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN STAFF; IMPACT OF COMPENSATION LEVELS
 
     The success of the Company is dependent on its continued ability to attract
and retain quality staff at its schools at acceptable compensation levels.
Compensation costs historically have exceeded 50.0% of the Company's revenues,
and the profitability of the Company is dependent upon its ability to
successfully manage such compensation costs. There are substantial market
pressures on such costs, particularly at the lower end of the pay scale. Any
significant increase in the minimum wage would materially impact compensation
costs and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations or financial condition. There can be no assurance that in
the future the Company will be able to hire and retain quality staffing at
acceptable compensation levels, or at all.
 
ADVERSE PUBLICITY
 
     Some providers of child care have received negative publicity concerning
alleged child abuse, inadequate supervision and on-site accidents. Any such
adverse publicity relating to the Company or other providers of child care,
whether accurate or not, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business as a result of, among other things, decreased enrollment, inability to
attract new enrollees or increased insurance costs. See "Business -- Insurance."
 
LITIGATION
 
     Due to the nature of its business, the Company is and expects that in the
future it may be subject to claims and litigation alleging negligence,
inadequate supervision or other grounds for liability arising from harm to
children. In addition, claimants may seek damages from the Company for child
abuse, sexual abuse and other criminal acts allegedly committed by the Company's
employees. There can be no assurance that additional suits will not be filed,
that the Company's insurance will be adequate to cover liabilities resulting
from any claim or that any such claim, or the adverse publicity resulting from
it will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
position or results of operations, including, without limitation, adverse
effects caused by increased cost or decreased availability of insurance and
decreased demand for the Company's services. See "-- Insurance" and
"Business -- Legal Proceedings."
 
DEPENDENCE UPON KEY PERSONNEL
 
     The Company has experienced significant growth in its business, which has
placed demands on the Company's administrative, operational and financial
personnel. The success of the Company will be largely dependent upon the
continued employment of Ray E. Crowley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
and James F. Loudermilk, President, as well as the Company's other executive
officers. In addition to his position with the Company, Mr. Crowley is involved
in the management of other businesses. The loss of the services of one or more
of the Company's key management personnel or the inability to attract and retain
additional personnel necessary to accommodate future growth could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business. The Company does not have
employment agreements with or key man insurance on any of its employees. See
"-- Management's Limited Operating History" and "Management."
 
CHANGES IN DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
 
     The Company's revenues depend, in part, on the number of working parents
who require child care services. Any change in demographic trends, particularly
those related to parents in the workforce or a
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
deterioration in the general economy resulting in a reduction in the work force,
could adversely impact the Company as out-of-work parents are more likely to
discontinue utilization of third party child care services.
 
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS; SUBSTANTIAL CONTROL OF DIRECTORS
AND OFFICERS
 
   
     Certain provisions of the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation (the
"Restated Articles") and Restated Bylaws (the "Bylaws") could make it more
difficult for shareholders to effect certain corporate actions. Such provisions
include greater voting power for certain shares as described below, staggered
terms for members of the Company's Board of Directors, the requirement that
directors may only be removed for cause by a supermajority vote (66 2/3% of the
voting power) of shareholders, a requirement that shareholders act only at an
annual or special meeting or by supermajority (75% of the voting power) written
consent and various procedural and other requirements. These provisions and the
election of the Company in its Bylaws to be subject to the "fair price" and
"business combination" provisions of the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the
"GBCC") could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in
control of the Company or the removal of existing management of the Company,
even if such event would be beneficial to the interest of the holders of Common
Stock. Such provisions could also discourage offers for Common Stock at a
premium as well as create a depressive effect on the market price of the Common
Stock. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Georgia Law and Certain Charter
Provisions."
    
 
   
     Furthermore, upon consummation of the Offering, without giving effect to
the exercise of outstanding options, executive officers and directors of the
Company will collectively beneficially own an aggregate of approximately
2,187,821 shares of Common Stock, representing 33.5% of the issued and
outstanding Common Stock. Because each share of Common Stock held by the same
beneficial owner on July 16, 1998 is entitled to ten votes per share, upon
completion of the Offering, executive officers and directors will collectively
control in the aggregate approximately 55.1% of the voting power of the
Company's outstanding Common Stock. In addition, each share acquired pursuant to
options granted prior to July 16, 1998 will be entitled to ten votes per share.
Consequently, such persons will have the power to control the outcome of matters
submitted for the vote of shareholders, including the election of members of the
Board of Directors as well as the approval of significant change in control
transactions, even if the holders of a majority of the shares are not in favor
thereof. Their combined equity interest in the Company accordingly may have the
effect of making certain transactions more difficult, may have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and may
adversely affect the voting and other rights of other holders of Common Stock.
    
 
LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY
 
     Pursuant to the Restated Articles, holders of shares of Common Stock
acquired in the Offering, until they have held their shares for a continuous
period of greater than 48 months, will have one vote per share on all matters on
which the Company's shareholders have the right to vote, including the election
of directors, while the current holders of Common Stock are entitled to ten
votes per share. The differential in voting rights will limit both the
individual and collective voting power for holders of Common Stock purchasing
shares in the Offering. Following the Offering, the holders of the 2,850,000
shares offered hereby will have 7.2% of the voting power of the 6,535,000 shares
to be outstanding. In addition, the differential voting rights may affect the
market price and subsequent marketability of the Common Stock offered hereby.
See "-- Potential Impact of Anti-Takeover Provisions; Substantial Control of
Directors and Officers."
 
IMPACT OF YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
     Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded
to accept only two-digit entries in the date code field. Proper functioning of
computer systems requires that these date code fields accept four-digit entries
to distinguish twenty-first century dates from twentieth century dates.
Consequently, computer systems and software used by many companies may need to
be upgraded to comply with such "Year 2000" requirements. Significant
uncertainty exists in the software industry concerning the potential effects
associated with such compliance. While the Company believes its computer systems
are designed to be Year 2000 compliant, there can be no assurance that such
systems contain all necessary upgrades and modifications. The failure of such
systems to be Year 2000 compliant could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition,
there can be no assurance that third parties,
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
including governmental agencies that provide funding to the Company, will
adequately address the Year 2000 problem in such a way as to cause no disruption
to the Company's business.
 
ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS
 
     The Company currently intends to retain earnings for use in its business
and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. In
addition, the ability of the Company to pay cash dividends is restricted under
its bank credit agreement. See "Dividend Policy."
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET; DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE; AND POSSIBLE
VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiations
among the Company, the Selling Shareholders and the representatives of the
Underwriters. See "Underwriting" for information relating to the factors to be
considered in determining the initial public offering price of the Common Stock.
There is no assurance that an active trading market will develop or continue
after consummation of the Offering or that the market price of the Common Stock
will not decline below the initial public offering price. The Company believes
factors such as quarterly fluctuations in financial results and announcements of
material events by the Company or its competitors, investor perception of the
child care industry generally and general economic and market conditions may
impact the market price of the Common Stock, perhaps substantially. In addition,
the stock market has experienced volatility which has affected the market price
of securities of many companies and may impact the price of the Common Stock.
 
BROAD DISCRETION OVER USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Approximately 66.5% of the estimated net proceeds to the Company of the
Offering ($13.3 million) are allocated to general corporate purposes, including
working capital and possible acquisitions. The Company's management will have
broad discretion over the application of these funds. There can be no assurance
that management will make such application effectively or in a manner that will
not result in a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or
results of operations. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will have 6,535,000 shares of
Common Stock outstanding, assuming no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option and no exercise of options outstanding under the Company's
stock option plan. Of these shares, the 2,850,000 shares of Common Stock offered
hereby will be eligible for sale in the open market without restriction (except
for any such shares purchased by affiliates of the Company). All of the
remaining shares of Common Stock are "restricted securities" as that term is
defined in Rule 144 ("Rule 144") promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"). All of these restricted securities will be
eligible for sale in the public market 90 days following the date of this
Prospectus pursuant to Rule 144. Additional shares of Common Stock, including
shares issuable upon exercise of options, will also become eligible for sale in
the public market pursuant to Rule 144 from time to time. The Company and its
executive officers, directors and shareholders have agreed, however, not to sell
any of their shares of Common Stock (other than the shares to be sold by the
Company and the Selling Shareholders in the Offering) for a period of 180 days
from the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of The
Robinson-Humphrey Company, LLC. Following the Offering, sales and potential
sales of substantial amounts of the Company's Common Stock in the public market
pursuant to Rule 144 or otherwise could adversely affect the prevailing market
price for the Common Stock and impair the Company's ability to raise additional
capital through the sale of equity securities. See "Principal and Selling
Shareholders," "Description of Capital Stock," "Shares Eligible for Future Sale"
and "Underwriting."
 
IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION
 
     Investors who purchase Common Stock offered hereby will experience
immediate dilution estimated to be $10.55 per share in the net tangible book
value per share of the Common Stock. In addition, shareholders purchasing Common
Stock in the Offering will pay substantially more per share of Common Stock than
existing shareholders invested per share of Common Stock, and will therefore
bear substantially more of the financial risk of investment in the Company. See
"Dilution."
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of 1,600,000 shares of Common
Stock offered hereby (after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated
expenses of the Offering) are estimated to be $20.0 million ($22.7 million if
the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) based on an
assumed initial public offering price of $14.00 per share. The Company will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock by the
Selling Shareholders.
 
   
     Approximately $6.7 million of the net proceeds of the Offering will be used
to repay indebtedness under the Company's bank credit agreement and certain
acquisition indebtedness. The Company's bank credit agreement provides for a
$2.0 million line of credit which matures June 2000 and a $13.0 million
revolving line of credit which matures June 2003. At June 26, 1998, $1.5 million
was outstanding under the line of credit, and $4.2 million was outstanding under
the revolving line of credit. In addition, in connection with the Offering, the
Company will terminate its S corporation status and will pay a dividend to its
shareholders. It is estimated that this dividend will be $200,000 and will be
funded from additional borrowings under the Company's bank credit agreement.
Borrowings under the bank credit agreement bear interest at the bank's prime
rate, LIBOR plus 1.75% to 2.375% or the secondary certificate of deposit ("C/D")
rate plus 1.75% to 2.375%, at the Company's option. Such debt had an interest
rate of approximately 7.6% per annum as of June 26, 1998. The indebtedness under
the bank credit agreement was incurred to provide funds for acquisitions of
child care centers and for working capital. In connection with an acquisition,
the Company issued a note, bearing interest at 8.5% per annum and secured by a
letter of credit, of which the principal amount was $833,333 at June 26, 1998.
The Company intends to deposit the principal amount thereof plus the present
value of future interest with a financial institution, which will allow the
Company to eliminate the letter of credit which currently secures the note and
to repay the indebtedness at maturity.
    
 
     The Company currently has no specific plan for the remaining estimated net
offering proceeds of approximately $13.3 million. The Company is raising such
monies at this time in order to create a market for the Common Stock, to
facilitate future access by the Company to public equity markets and for general
corporate purposes, including working capital and possible acquisitions. While
the Company continuously reviews possible acquisition opportunities, the Company
does not presently have any agreements, arrangements or understandings regarding
any material acquisition.
 
     Pending such uses, the net proceeds of the Offering will be invested in
investment grade securities or U.S. government securities.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     The Company currently intends to retain earnings for use in its business
and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. In
addition, the ability of the Company to pay cash dividends is restricted under
its bank credit agreement. Future cash dividends, if any, will be at the
discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other
things, the Company's future earnings, operations, capital requirements and
surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and such other
factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                                    DILUTION
 
   
     At June 26, 1998, the net tangible book value of the Company was
$2,827,872, or $0.57 per share of Common Stock. The net tangible book value
attributable to holders of Common Stock of the Company is tangible assets (total
assets less intangible assets) less total liabilities. Dilution per share
represents the difference between net tangible book value per share and the
amount paid per share of Common Stock by investors in the Offering.
    
 
     After giving effect to (i) the sale of 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock
offered by the Company in the Offering at an assumed initial public offering
price of $14.00 per share and the receipt of the estimated net proceeds
therefrom, (ii) additional debt incurred for the payment of approximately
$200,000 in dividends to shareholders of the Company prior to consummation of
the Offering and (iii) the provision for deferred tax liabilities of $100,000
for temporary differences related to the tax and book bases of assets at the
date of termination of S corporation status, the net tangible book value of the
Company as of June 26, 1998, would have been approximately $22,559,872, or $3.45
per share of Common Stock. This represents an increase in net tangible book
value per share of Common Stock of $2.88 to the Company's existing shareholders
and an immediate dilution of $10.55 per share of Common Stock to purchasers of
Common Stock in the Offering. The following table illustrates this dilution on a
per share basis:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
Assumed initial public offering price per share.............           $14.00
  Net tangible book value per share before the Offering.....  $ 0.57
  Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable
     to the Offering........................................    2.88
                                                              ------
Net tangible book value per share after the Offering........             3.45
                                                                       ------
Dilution per share to new investors.........................           $10.55
                                                                       ======
</TABLE>
 
     Assuming the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, pro
forma net tangible book value upon consummation of the Offering would be $3.75
per share, the immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of shares
owned by existing shareholders would be $3.18 per share and the immediate
dilution to new investors would be $10.25 per share.
 
     The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis as of June 26, 1998,
the number of shares of Common Stock purchased from the Company, the total
consideration paid to the Company and the average price paid per share by the
existing shareholders and new investors purchasing shares of Common Stock
offered hereby assuming an initial public offering price of $14.00 per share
(without giving effect to the underwriting discount and estimated offering
expenses):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            TOTAL
                              SHARES PURCHASED       CONSIDERATION PAID
                             -------------------    ---------------------        AVERAGE
                              NUMBER     PERCENT      AMOUNT      PERCENT    PRICE PER SHARE
                             ---------   -------    -----------   -------    ---------------
<S>                          <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>
Existing shareholders......  4,935,000    75.5%     $   531,800     2.3%         $ 0.11
New investors..............  1,600,000    24.5%      22,400,000    97.7%         $14.00
                             ---------   ------     -----------   ------
          Total............  6,535,000   100.0%     $22,931,800   100.0%
                             =========   ======     ===========   ======
</TABLE>
 
     The sale of shares by the Selling Shareholders in the Offering will cause
the pro forma number of shares held by all existing shareholders as of June 26,
1998 to be reduced to 3,685,000 shares, or 56.4% of total shares of Common Stock
to be outstanding after the Offering, and the pro forma number of shares held by
new investors as of June 26, 1998 to be 2,850,000 shares, or 43.6% of the total
shares of Common Stock to be outstanding after the Offering. See "Principal and
Selling Shareholders."
 
   
     The above computations assume no exercise of options outstanding as of June
26, 1998 to purchase an aggregate of 424,500 shares of Common Stock. Such
options are exercisable at the initial public offering price. The exercise of
such options would not increase the dilution per share to new investors.
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of June
26, 1998 and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of 1,600,000 shares of
Common Stock by the Company offered hereby at an assumed initial public offering
price of $14.00 per share, and the application of the estimated net proceeds
therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds." This table should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the Company's financial statements and notes thereto appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    JUNE 26, 1998
                                                                ----------------------
                                                                ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED
                                                                -------    -----------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>
Long-term debt:
  Bank credit agreement.....................................    $ 5,684      $    --
  Acquisition note..........................................        833           --
                                                                -------      -------
          Total long-term debt..............................      6,517           --
Shareholders' equity:
  Common Stock, no par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized;
     4,935,000 shares issued and outstanding; 6,535,000
     shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted(1)..........        532       20,564
  Retained earnings.........................................      4,372        4,072(2)
                                                                -------      -------
          Total shareholders' equity........................      4,904       24,636
                                                                -------      -------
            Total capitalization............................    $11,421      $24,636
                                                                =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Does not include 750,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon
    exercise of stock options under the Company's stock option plan. See
    "Management -- 1998 Stock Option Plan."
(2) As adjusted to give effect to (i) the payment of approximately $200,000 in
    dividends to shareholders of the Company prior to consummation of the
    Offering and (ii) the provision for deferred tax liabilities of $100,000 for
    temporary differences related to the tax and book bases of assets at the
    date of termination of S corporation status.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
                     SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND SCHOOL DATA)
 
     The selected financial data presented below for the five years ended
December 31, 1997 are derived from the audited financial statements of the
Company. The selected financial data for the periods January 1, 1997 through
June 27, 1997 and January 1, 1998 through June 26, 1998 are derived from
unaudited financial statements of the Company. In the opinion of management,
such unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the
audited financial statements referred to above and include all adjustments,
consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of
the financial position of the Company and the results of operations for the
indicated periods. Operating results for the period January 1, 1998 through June
26, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for
the entire year ending December 26, 1998. The selected financial data should be
read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by, "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
the financial statements, related notes and other financial information
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              JANUARY 1, 1997    JANUARY 1, 1998
                                  --------------------------------------------       THROUGH            THROUGH
                                   1993     1994     1995     1996      1997     JUNE 27, 1997(2)   JUNE 26, 1998(2)
                                  ------   ------   ------   -------   -------   ----------------   ----------------
                                                                                             (UNAUDITED)
<S>                               <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>                <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA(1):
  Revenues......................  $4,825   $6,505   $9,209   $12,183   $16,331        $7,128            $13,574
  Operating expenses:
    Cost of services............   3,510    4,643    6,761     8,981    12,249         5,038             10,175
    Selling, general and
      administrative expenses...     369      374      496       616       888           362                602
    Depreciation and
      amortization expense......     279      400      501       684       854           366                622
                                  ------   ------   ------   -------   -------        ------            -------
         Total operating
           expenses.............   4,158    5,417    7,758    10,281    13,991         5,766             11,399
                                  ------   ------   ------   -------   -------        ------            -------
  Income from operations........     667    1,088    1,451     1,902     2,340         1,362              2,175
  Interest expense, net.........    (211)    (262)    (311)     (277)     (190)          (86)              (213)
                                  ------   ------   ------   -------   -------        ------            -------
  Income before income taxes....     456      826    1,140     1,625     2,150         1,276              1,962
  Pro forma provision for income
    taxes(3)....................     173      314      433       618       817           485                746
                                  ------   ------   ------   -------   -------        ------            -------
  Pro forma net income..........  $  283   $  512   $  707   $ 1,007   $ 1,333        $  791            $ 1,216
                                  ======   ======   ======   =======   =======        ======            =======
  Basic shares outstanding......   4,905    4,905    4,905     4,905     4,932         4,931              4,935
  Diluted shares outstanding....   4,905    4,905    4,905     4,905     4,932         4,931              4,955
  Pro forma net income per basic
    share(4)....................  $ 0.06   $ 0.10   $ 0.14   $  0.21   $  0.27        $ 0.16            $  0.25
  Pro forma net income per
    diluted share(4)............  $ 0.06   $ 0.10   $ 0.14   $  0.21   $  0.27        $ 0.16            $  0.25
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            AT DECEMBER 31,
                                            -----------------------------------------------    AT JUNE 26,
                                             1993      1994      1995      1996      1997         1998
                                            ------    ------    ------    ------    -------    -----------
                                                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital.......................    $   23    $  215    $  241    $  260    $    65      $ 1,915
  Total assets..........................     4,453     4,529     6,886     6,285     10,911       12,801
  Total debt, including current
    portion(3)..........................     3,418     2,945     3,769     2,992      5,122        6,517
  Shareholders' equity..................       735     1,221     1,999     2,543      3,896        4,904
</TABLE>
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                    --------------------------------------------    AT JUNE 26,
                                                     1993     1994     1995     1996      1997        1998(2)
                                                    ------   ------   ------   -------   -------   -------------
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
SCHOOL DATA(1):
  Number of schools...............................      25       25       32        34        63          67
  Licensed capacity...............................   2,731    2,731    3,431     3,631     7,923       8,431
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1) In September 1997, the Company acquired 29 schools in two transactions,
    which were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Results of
    operations of these schools have been included in the Company's operations
    since the respective dates of purchase. See "Management's Discussion and
    Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Pro Forma
    Financial Information" and the financial statements and notes thereto
    appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus for information concerning other
    acquisitions and additional information related to these acquisitions.
(2) Effective January 1, 1998, the Company changed its fiscal year end from
    December 31 to the last Friday in December. As a result, the Company will
    report its quarterly results in 13 week periods beginning in 1998. Quarterly
    results for 1997 have been presented on a comparable basis.
(3) The Company has historically elected to be taxed as an S corporation and,
    accordingly, income taxes have been paid by its shareholders. The Company's
    S corporation status will terminate upon consummation of the Offering, and
    the Company will be taxed as a C corporation in future periods. The pro
    forma provision for income taxes has been calculated at a 38% rate, which is
    the Company's expected effective income tax rate.
(4) Data relative to cash dividends per common share is not presented as it is
    not meaningful. The Company has historically paid dividends to its
    shareholders in amounts approximately equal to their estimated income tax
    liabilities. The Company will terminate its S corporation status upon
    consummation of the Offering. See "Dividend Policy."
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
                          PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The following unaudited pro forma condensed statement of income for the
year ended December 31, 1997 (the "Pro Forma Financial Statement") is derived
from (i) the Company's income statement for the year ended December 31, 1997 and
(ii) the Young World, Inc. statement of operations for the period January 1,
1997 through September 29, 1997. The Pro Forma Financial Statement gives effect
to the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Young World, Inc. (the
"Young World Acquisition") as if it occurred at January 1, 1997.
 
     The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and certain
assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. The Pro Forma Financial
Statement does not purport to represent what the Company's results of operations
would actually have been had the above transaction in fact occurred on such date
or to be indicative of the results of operations for or at any future period.
The Pro Forma Financial Statement should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the financial statements of the Company and Young World, Inc.
and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
     The Young World Acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting.
 
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 CHILDCARE     YOUNG WORLD     PRO FORMA       PRO FORMA
                                               NETWORK, INC.   ACQUISITION    ADJUSTMENTS     AS ADJUSTED
                                               -------------   ------------   -----------     -----------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>
Revenues.....................................     $16,331        $ 4,721                        $21,052
Total operating expenses.....................      13,991          4,937         $  75(1)        19,053
                                                                                    50(2)
                                                  -------        -------         -----          -------
Income from operations.......................       2,340           (216)         (125)           1,999
Interest expense, net........................        (190)            --          (154)(3)         (344)
                                                  -------        -------         -----          -------
          Net income (loss) before pro forma
            provision for income taxes.......       2,150           (216)         (279)           1,655
Pro forma provision for income taxes(4)......        (817)            --           188             (629)
                                                  -------        -------         -----          -------
Pro forma net income (loss)..................     $ 1,333        $  (216)        $ (91)         $ 1,026
                                                  =======        =======         =====          =======
Basic and diluted shares outstanding.........       4,932                                         4,932
Pro forma net income per basic and diluted
  share......................................     $  0.27                                       $  0.21
                                                  =======                                       =======  
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Reflects the $75,000 increase in depreciation and amortization of the Young
    World, Inc. assets based on the Company's allocation of the purchase price.
    Value assigned to property and equipment was $1,159,000 and useful lives
    range from five to 10 years. Goodwill amounted to $1,341,000 and is being
    amortized over 25 years.
(2) Reflects an increase in lease expense based on the new lease agreement
    executed as part of the purchase agreement between the Company and Young
    World, Inc.
(3) Reflects an increase in interest expense based on the $2.5 million purchase
    price with interest calculated at the Company's borrowing rate under its
    revolving line of credit ($833,333 at 7.6%) and the interest rate specified
    in the note payable given to the sellers of Young World, Inc. ($1,666,667 at
    8.5%).
(4) The Company has historically elected to be taxed as an S corporation and
    accordingly, income taxes have been paid by its shareholders. The Company's
    S corporation status will terminate upon consummation of the Offering, and
    the Company will be taxed as a C corporation in future periods. The pro
    forma provision for income taxes has been calculated at a 38% rate, which is
    the Company's expected effective income tax rate.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     Prior to 1998, the Company's fiscal year ended on December 31. Effective
January 1, 1998, the Company changed its fiscal year end to the last Friday in
December and began reporting its quarterly results in 13 week periods. For
comparison purposes, quarterly results for years prior to 1998 have been
restated to reflect, as nearly as possible, the Company's current four reporting
periods. The term "quarter" refers to actual 13 week reporting periods for 1998
and comparable restated reporting periods for prior years.
 
OVERVIEW
 
   
     The Company provides affordable, high quality developmental education and
child care to families through private schools located predominately in smaller
and mid-sized cities in the southeastern United States. The Company's schools
are principally free standing sites in suburban communities and generally
operate five days a week throughout the year. As of June 26, 1998, the Company's
67 schools had an aggregate licensed capacity of approximately 8,400 and served
over 7,000 children in seven states.
    
 
   
     The Company has expanded its business through the acquisition of centers
and subsequent enhancement of the operations and profitability of such centers.
Between 1992 and 1997, the Company grew from five to 63 schools, increasing
enrollment from approximately 500 to over 7,000 students. As a result, revenues
increased from $1.1 million in 1992 to $16.3 million in 1997 and income before
income taxes increased from $86,000 in 1992 to approximately $2.2 million in
1997.
    
 
     In June 1995, the Company purchased seven child care centers with an
aggregate licensed capacity of 700 for a total purchase price of approximately
$1.3 million. In May 1996, the Company purchased two child care centers with
aggregate licensed capacity of 200 for a total purchase price of approximately
$96,000. On September 22, 1997, the Company purchased 13 child care centers with
an aggregate licensed capacity of 1,471 for a total purchase price of
approximately $1.1 million. On September 29, 1997, the Company purchased 16
child care centers with an aggregate licensed capacity of 2,821 for a total
purchase price of $2.5 million. In March 1998, the Company acquired four child
care centers with an aggregate licensed capacity of 508 for a total purchase
price of $240,000.
 
     The Company's revenues are derived from tuition payments and funding from
certain state and federal programs. The Company participates in certain state
and federal programs which provide funding for disadvantaged children and, in
the State of Georgia, for prekindergarten students. Revenues from such programs
represented approximately 57.0% of the Company's total revenues in each of 1997
and 1996 and approximately 43.9% of total revenues in 1995. Tuition for programs
varies depending upon location of the school, the age of the child and the
funding source and is proportionally higher for children attending part-time.
The Company's policy is to collect tuition on a weekly basis in advance although
government funding for tuition is paid monthly. The Company generally reviews
its tuition rates at each school on an annual basis and makes adjustments based
primarily on operating costs and utilization and the market rates for the
community where the school is located. The Company's current weekly charges for
full day services range from $55 to $131.
 
     Cost of services consists of payroll and related expenses, occupancy costs,
food, supplies, transportation costs and other expenses directly related to the
operation of the schools. Selling, general and administrative expenses are
comprised primarily of salaries and related costs of non-school personnel,
accounting and legal fees, insurance and general corporate expenses.
Depreciation primarily relates to the property and equipment of the Company's
schools, and amortization relates to goodwill associated with acquisitions.
 
     Quarterly results for the Company may vary according to seasonal demand for
child care services, which tends to be lower during the summer months. In
addition, the results of schools acquired by the Company are included in the
financial statements from the date of acquisition. Accordingly, year-to-year
results may fluctuate, depending on the timing of acquisitions.
 
     As a result of its election to be treated as an S corporation for income
tax purposes, the Company has not been subject to federal or state income taxes.
Pro forma net income amounts discussed herein include pro forma provisions for
income taxes determined by applying the Company's anticipated statutory tax rate
to
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
income before income taxes, adjusted for permanent tax differences. The
Company's S corporation status will terminate upon consummation of the Offering.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage
of revenues represented by items in the Company's statements of income.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,    JANUARY 1, 1997   JANUARY 1, 1998
                                              ------------------------       THROUGH           THROUGH
                                               1995     1996     1997     JUNE 27, 1997     JUNE 26, 1998
                                              ------   ------   ------   ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                           <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>               <C>
Revenues....................................  100.0%   100.0%   100.0%        100.0%            100.0%
Expenses:
  Cost of services..........................   73.4     73.7     75.0          70.7              75.0
  Selling, general and administrative
     expenses...............................    5.4      5.1      5.4           5.1               4.4
  Depreciation and amortization expense.....    5.4      5.6      5.3           5.1               4.6
                                              -----    -----    -----         -----             -----
Income from operations......................   15.8     15.6     14.3          19.1              16.0
Interest expense, net.......................    3.4      2.3      1.1           1.2               1.6
                                              -----    -----    -----         -----             -----
Income before income taxes..................   12.4%    13.3%    13.2%         17.9%             14.4%
                                              =====    =====    =====         =====             =====
</TABLE>
 
  Period Ended June 26, 1998 Compared to Period Ended June 27, 1997
 
     Revenues increased $6.5 million, or 90.4%, to $13.6 million for the period
ended June 26, 1998 from $7.1 million for the period ended June 27, 1997. Of
this increase, $6.1 million was attributable to 29 schools acquired in September
1997 (the "1997 Acquisitions")and the four schools acquired in 1998, and the
balance of $400,000 related primarily to an increase in enrollments during the
period.
 
     Cost of services increased $5.2 million, or 102.0%, to $10.2 million for
the first quarter of 1998 from $5.0 million for the first quarter of 1997. Of
this increase, $4.9 million related to the 1997 Acquisitions and the four
schools acquired in 1998 and the balance of $300,000 related primarily to cost
increases. Cost of services as a percentage of revenues increased to 75.0% for
the 1998 period from 70.7% for the 1997 period. This increase was attributable
to the higher cost of services associated with the integration and initial
operation of the 1997 Acquisitions during the 1998 period, which was partially
offset by lower cost of services associated with schools in operation at the
beginning of each period. Salaries and benefits for the 1998 period were 50.5%
of revenues compared to 48.5% of revenues for the 1997 period due to higher
salaries and benefits for the schools acquired in 1997. Rent expense for the
1998 period was 5.8% of revenues compared to 4.0% of revenues for the 1997
period due to the higher rental expense related to the 1997 Acquisitions.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $240,000, or 66.3%,
to $602,000 for the 1998 period from $362,000 for the 1997 period. This increase
related primarily to the employment of additional corporate personnel, including
two district managers. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a
percentage of revenues decreased to 4.4% for the 1998 period from 5.1% for the
1997 period.
 
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased $256,000, or 70.0%, to
$622,000 for the 1998 period from $366,000 for the 1997 period. This increase
related primarily to depreciation of assets and amortization of goodwill
associated with the 1997 Acquisitions. Depreciation and amortization expense as
a percentage of revenues decreased to 4.6% for the 1998 period compared to 5.1%
for the 1997 period due to lower incremental depreciation and amortization
expense as a percentage of incremental revenues from the 1997 Acquisitions.
 
     Income from operations increased $813,000, or 59.7%, to $2.2 million for
the 1998 period from $1.4 million for the 1997 period. Income from operations as
a percentage of revenues decreased to 16.0% for the 1998 period from 19.1% for
the 1997 period as a result of the factors discussed above.
 
     Interest expense, net, increased $127,000, or 146.4%, to $213,000 for the
1998 period, from $86,000 for the 1997 period primarily as a result of debt
incurred for the 1997 Acquisitions, partially offset by repayments.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
  Year Ended December 31, 1997 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1996
 
     Revenues increased $4.1 million, or 34.0%, to $16.3 million in 1997 from
$12.2 million in 1996. Of this increase, $2.5 million was attributable to the
1997 Acquisitions, and $366,000 related to two schools acquired in 1996 which
were included in 1997 for the entire year as compared to seven months in 1996.
The balance of $1.2 million related primarily to an increase in enrollment and,
to a lesser extent, tuition increases at schools which were in operation at the
beginning of each year.
 
     Cost of services increased $3.2 million, or 36.4%, to $12.2 million in 1997
from $9.0 million in 1996. Of this increase, $2.3 million related to the 1997
Acquisitions, and $268,000 related to the two schools acquired in 1996 which
were included in 1997 for the entire year, as compared to seven months for 1996.
The balance of $632,000 related primarily to increases in variable costs
associated with additional enrollments at schools which were in operation at the
beginning of the year. Cost of services as a percentage of revenues increased to
75.0% in 1997 from 73.7% in 1996. This increase was attributable to the higher
cost of services associated with the integration and initial operation of the
1997 Acquisitions during 1997, which was partially offset by lower cost of
services associated with schools in operation at the beginning of each year.
Salaries and benefits for 1997 were 50.5% of revenues compared to 51.1% of
revenues in 1996 reflecting increased utilization. Rent expense for 1997 was
5.0% of revenues compared to 4.5% of revenues in 1996 due to the higher rental
expense related to the 1997 Acquisitions.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $272,000, or 44.2%,
to $888,000 in 1997 from $616,000 in 1996. This increase primarily related to
the employment of additional personnel in the corporate office, including two
district managers and a vice president of operations. As a result, selling,
general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues increased to
5.4% in 1997 from 5.1% in 1996.
 
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased $170,000, or 24.7%, to
$854,000 in 1997 from $684,000 in 1996. This increase related primarily to the
depreciation on capital expenditures of $927,000 in 1997 and incremental
depreciation and amortization of goodwill related to the 1997 Acquisitions.
Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of revenues decreased to
5.3% in 1997 from 5.6% in 1996.
 
     Income from operations increased $438,000, or 23.0%, to $2.3 million in
1997 from $1.9 million in 1996. Income from operations as a percentage of
revenues decreased to 14.3% in 1997 from 15.6% in 1996 as a result of the
factors discussed above.
 
     Interest expense, net, decreased $87,000, or 31.4%, to $190,000 in 1997
from $277,000 in 1996. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in the
average outstanding debt and an increase in interest income.
 
  Year Ended December 31, 1996 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1995
 
     Revenues increased $3.0 million, or 32.3%, to $12.2 million in 1996 from
$9.2 million in 1995. Of this increase, $300,000 related to the two schools
acquired in 1996, and $1.3 million related to the seven schools acquired in 1995
which were included in 1996 for the entire year as compared to six months in
1995. The majority of the balance of $1.4 million related to an increase in
enrollment at schools which were in operation at the beginning of each year and
the balance is related to price increases.
 
     Cost of services increased $2.2 million, or 32.8%, to $9.0 million in 1996
from $6.8 million in 1995. Of this amount, $240,000 related to the two schools
acquired in 1996, and $1.0 million related to the seven schools acquired in 1995
which were included in 1997 for the entire year as compared to six months in
1995. The balance of the increase of $960,000 related primarily to increases in
variable costs associated with additional enrollments including additional
payroll expense, food, supplies and transportation costs. Cost of services as a
percentage of revenues increased to 73.7% in 1996 from 73.4% in 1995. Salaries
and benefits for 1996 were 51.1% of revenues compared to 47.1% in 1995. This
increase primarily reflected the relatively higher salaries and benefits
associated with increased participation in the Georgia Pre-K Program in 1996.
Rent expense for 1996 was 4.5% of revenues compared to 3.1% of revenues in 1995
reflecting the full year impact of the rental expense related to the seven
schools acquired in June 1995.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $120,000, or 24.2%,
to $616,000 in 1996 from $496,000 in 1995. This increase related primarily to
increased salaries and accounting costs. Selling, general and administrative
expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 5.1% in 1996 from 5.4% in
1995.
 
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased $184,000, or 36.7%, to
$684,000 in 1996 from $501,000 in 1995. This increase related primarily to the
depreciation of assets and amortization of goodwill of the seven schools
acquired in June 1995. Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of
revenues increased to 5.6% in 1996 from 5.4% in 1995.
 
     Income from operations increased $451,000, or 31.1%, to $1.9 million in
1996 from $1.5 million in 1995. Income from operations as a percentage of
revenues decreased to 15.6% in 1996 from 15.8% in 1995 as a result of the
factors discussed above.
 
     Interest expense, net, decreased by $34,000, or 10.9%, to $277,000 in 1996
from $311,000 in 1995. The decrease is primarily related to a decline in average
outstanding debt.
 
QUARTERLY RESULTS AND SEASONALITY
 
     The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly results of
operations of the Company for the ten quarters ended June 26, 1998. The data has
been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements contained
elsewhere herein and includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal,
recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of this information for
the periods presented, when read in conjunction with the Company's financial
statements and notes thereto contained elsewhere herein. The operating results
for any previous quarter are not necessarily indicative of results of any future
period.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1996                                    1997                          1998
                                -------------------------------------   -------------------------------------   -----------------
                                1ST QTR   2ND QTR   3RD QTR   4TH QTR   1ST QTR   2ND QTR   3RD QTR   4TH QTR   1ST QTR   2ND QTR
                                -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                             <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenues......................  $3,211    $3,103    $2,698    $3,172    $3,480    $3,648    $3,397    $5,806    $6,421    $7,153
Cost of services..............   2,367     2,272     2,040     2,302     2,488     2,550     2,453     4,758     4,865     5,310
Selling, general and
  administrative expenses.....     160       146       134       176       182       179       201       326       312       290
Depreciation and amortization
  expense.....................     134       170       166       215       183       183       188       300       293       329
                                ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------
Income from operations........     550       515       358       479       627       736       555       422       951     1,224
Interest expense, net.........      84        71        66        56        49        38        27        76        91       122
                                ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------
Income before income taxes....     466       444       292       423       578       698       528       346       860     1,102
Pro forma provision for income
  taxes.......................     177       169       111       161       220       265       200       132       327       419
                                ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------    ------
Pro forma net income..........  $  289    $  275    $  181    $  262    $  358    $  433    $  328    $  214    $  533    $  683
                                ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======
Pro forma net income per basic
  and diluted share...........  $ 0.06    $ 0.06    $ 0.04    $ 0.05    $ 0.07    $ 0.09    $ 0.07    $ 0.04    $ 0.11    $ 0.14
                                ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======    ======
</TABLE>
 
     The Company's business is subject to seasonal and quarterly fluctuations.
The Company's experience has been that the demand for child care decreases
during the summer months. During this season, families are often on vacation or
have alternative child care arrangements. In addition, children who will begin
elementary school in the fall often leave the Company's programs over the
summer. Demand for the Company's services generally increases in September upon
the beginning of the new school year and remains relatively stable throughout
the rest of the year. The decline in summer enrollment generally results in
lower revenue in the third quarter of the Company's fiscal year. During the
summer, to address such decline, the Company reduces staffing levels and offers
summer programs to retain and attract new students. The Company's results of
operations may also fluctuate from quarter to quarter as a result of, among
other things, the performance of existing schools, the number and timing of
acquisitions, the length of time required to improve the operating results of
acquired schools, competitive factors and general economic conditions.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     The Company's primary cash requirements are the ongoing operations of its
existing schools and the addition of new schools through acquisitions. The
Company's primary source of liquidity has been cash flow from operations,
borrowings under its bank credit agreements and seller financing related to
acquisitions.
 
     Cash flow from operations of $1.4 million for the period January 1, 1998
through June 26, 1998 included net income of $2.0 million and noncash charges of
$562,000 less changes in operating assets and liabilities of $1.1 million. The
increase in operating assets (principally accounts receivable and prepaid
expenses) was attributable to an increased level of operations and prepaid rent
related to the 1997 Acquisitions. The decrease in accounts payable is the result
of accelerating payments to vendors. Cash flow from operations and $1.4 million
of borrowings under the Company's bank credit agreement were used to purchase
four schools for $240,000, purchase property and equipment of $1.0 million and
pay dividends of $954,000. This resulted in an increase of cash of $587,000.
Shortly after June 26, 1998, the Company repaid $570,000 under its bank credit
agreement.
 
     Cash flow from operations of $3.0 million for 1997 includes net income of
$2.2 million, noncash charges of $711,000 plus changes in operating assets and
liabilities of $151,000. The increase in operating assets and liabilities was
attributable to the Company's expanded operations. Cash flow from operations of
$1.7 million was used to purchase property and equipment of $927,000 and pay
dividends of $813,000. Cash flow from operations of $1.3 million, seller
financing of $1.7 million and borrowings under its bank credit agreement
provided funds for the Company's acquisitions aggregating $3.5 million in 1997.
 
     On June 19, 1998, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit
agreement with its bank which provides for aggregate borrowings of $15 million.
The new bank credit agreement consists of a line of credit of $2 million which
matures in two years and a revolving line of credit of $13 million which matures
in five years. Interest will accrue at the bank's prime interest rate, LIBOR
plus a margin of 1.75% to 2.375%, or the secondary C/D rate plus 1.75% to 2.375%
at the option of the Company. The credit agreement contains restrictive
provisions which, among other things, require the Company to maintain a minimum
net worth, certain financial ratios and certain insurance coverage limits. The
credit agreement is secured by substantially all of the existing and hereafter
acquired assets of the Company. At June 19, 1998, retained earnings available
for the payment of dividends was approximately $615,000.
 
     The Company's capital expenditure budget for 1998 totals approximately $1.2
million and will be used primarily for the purchase of vehicles and furniture
and fixtures for its schools.
 
     In connection with the Offering, the Company will terminate its S
corporation status and will pay a dividend to its shareholders to be used for
payment of taxes on 1998 S corporation earnings. It is estimated that this
dividend will be $200,000 and will be funded from additional borrowings under
the Company's bank credit agreement. In addition, as a result of the termination
of its S corporation status, the Company will record a charge of $100,000 to
income for temporary differences related to the tax and book bases of its
assets.
 
     The Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds from the Offering to
repay indebtedness under the Company's bank credit agreement and certain
acquisition indebtedness. At June 26, 1998, $1,517,200 under the line of credit
was outstanding, and $4,166,700 under the revolving line of credit was
outstanding. Borrowings under the bank credit agreement bear interest at the
bank's prime rate, LIBOR plus 1.75% to 2.375% or the secondary C/D rate plus
1.75% to 2.375%. Such debt had an interest rate of approximately 7.6% as of June
26, 1998. Acquisition indebtedness was $833,333 at June 26, 1998 and bears
interest at 8.5%. The Company intends to defease this indebtedness by payment of
the principal amount plus the present value of future interest. The Company
currently has no specific plan for the remaining estimated net offering proceeds
of approximately $13.3 million.
 
     The Company believes that the net proceeds from the Offering, together with
cash flow from operations and availability under the Company's bank credit
agreement, will be adequate to meet planned operating and capital needs and
enable the Company to achieve its growth program for at least the next 18
months.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
INFLATION
 
     The Company does not believe that inflation has had a material effect on
its results of operations. There can be no assurance, however, that the
Company's business will not be materially affected by inflation in the future.
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
     Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded
to accept only two-digit entries in the date code field. Proper functioning of
computer systems requires that these date code fields accept four-digit entries
to distinguish twenty-first century dates from twentieth century dates.
Consequently, computer systems and software used by many companies may need to
be upgraded to comply with such "Year 2000" requirements. Significant
uncertainty exists in the software industry concerning the potential effects
associated with such compliance. While the Company believes its computer systems
are designed to be Year 2000 compliant, there can be no assurance that such
systems contain all necessary upgrades and modifications. There can be no
assurance that third parties, including governmental agencies that provide
funding to the Company, will adequately address the Year 2000 problem in such a
way as to cause no disruption to the Company's business.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
   
     The Company provides affordable, high quality developmental education and
child care to families through private schools located predominantly in smaller
and mid-sized cities ranging in population from 60,000 to 400,000 in the
southeastern United States. The Company's schools provide age-appropriate
training and care to infants, toddlers and children aged six weeks to 12 years
through a combination of contemporary curricula, computer programs, field trips,
and parent/student activities, designed to promote both the student's academic
and social development. The Company's schools are principally free-standing
sites in suburban communities and generally operate five days a week throughout
the year. A majority of the schools are operated under the "Childcare Network"
name although 14 recently acquired schools operate under the "Young World" name.
As of June 26, 1998, the Company's 67 schools had an aggregate licensed capacity
of approximately 8,400 and served over 7,000 children in seven states.
    
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
     The Company believes that the market for child care services is growing
rapidly and that demand for high quality child care will continue to increase as
a result of the following factors: a growing number of young children; an
increasing percentage of mothers in the workforce; a shift toward the more
structured and education-based environment of center-based child care; and the
effects of federal and state policy initiatives which make child care accessible
to a larger number of families. Further, events such as The White House
Conference on Early Learning and Brain Development, as well as increasing
evidence that a high quality preschool experience promotes later achievement and
social adjustment, have highlighted the importance of early childhood education
for the development of children.
 
     Over the last two decades, there has been a dramatic increase in
participation by women in the workforce, which is likely to continue. Families
are increasingly dependent upon two incomes to maintain a middle-class standard
of living, and nationwide welfare reform continues to encourage mothers to enter
the workforce. Approximately 62.0% of women with children under age six were in
the labor force in 1997, compared to only 39.0% in 1975. Further, almost 88.0%
of children whose mothers work full-time and 75.0% of mothers who work part-time
regularly receive care and education from a nonparent caregiver. In addition to
an increase in working mothers, there has also been an increase in the number of
children being born. The United States Census Bureau reports that the number of
births in the United States during the 1990s represented the highest levels
since the "baby boom" of the early 1960s and projects that births will continue
at these levels through 2005. Moreover, an increasing number of working women of
child-bearing age, coupled with over half of new mothers returning to work
within one year of their babies' births, will contribute to the growing demand
for child care and education.
 
     According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage
of children participating in child care programs has increased to a level such
that most children now receive some form of nonparental care and education prior
to starting the first grade. In addition, such child care and education is
increasingly being provided by nonrelatives in a formal group setting. The 1995
National Household Education Survey indicated that participation rates in both
relative and nonrelative home-based arrangements are significantly lower than
participation rates in center-based programs. In 1995, 31.0% of children under
six years of age participated in center-based care, versus only 6.0% in 1965.
Among three- and four-year olds, the percentage enrolled in nursery schools has
increased from approximately 11.0% to 48.0% over the last three decades. Of the
approximately 23.3 million children under age six in the United States, an
estimated 13.0 million preschoolers, including six million infants and toddlers,
are in child care each day.
 
     In January 1998, President Clinton proposed a child care initiative which
would also benefit the child care industry by assisting families in paying for
child care. The President's proposal, which introduced $21.7 billion in spending
and tax incentives over the next five years, would represent the largest single
investment in child care in the nation's history. In addition, a number of state
agencies and legislative bodies are seeking to
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
implement programs designed to promote accessibility to child care, making
government-assisted child care available to a larger number of families in these
states.
 
     The child care industry is highly fragmented. There are more than 96,000
licensed centers in the United States, and the Company estimates that
approximately 25,000 of such centers are located in the southeast. Within the
United States, for-profit chains, including national and regional chains and
operators of four or more centers, represent only 7.0% of total market share.
Substantially all of the industry's licensed centers are owned or operated
individually or by small providers, many of which lack the financial,
technological and managerial resources to operate their centers profitably in an
increasingly regulated and competitive environment. As a result, the Company
believes that the number of providers seeking to exit the industry is likely to
grow, leading to an increase in the number of potential centers available to the
Company for acquisition.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
   
     The Company's goal is to be the leading provider of affordable, high
quality developmental education and child care services in each of the markets
in which it operates. The Company believes that child care providers compete
based on accessibility, price and quality and breadth of services. The Company
focuses on directly serving a large number of families rather than a smaller
number of corporate clients. The key elements of the Company's business
strategy, which the Company believes positions it for continued growth, are:
    
 
     - High Quality Services at Competitive Prices.   The Company's schools are
       focused on providing affordable and convenient services through programs
       which emphasize the child's development rather than mere supervision. The
       Company attempts to price its services competitively relative to other
       providers in each of the markets it serves. Central to the Company's
       services are innovative and age-appropriate curricula. In order to
       promote parents' understanding and appreciation of the Company's child
       development programs, teachers and staff seek to actively partner with
       parents through meetings, newsletters and written progress reports. In
       addition, for the convenience of working parents, the Company provides
       transportation to and from area elementary schools.
 
     - Focus on Families.  The Company believes it realizes benefits in pricing,
       brand awareness, operating autonomy and flexibility to attract customers
       from many sources by directly serving a large number of families rather
       than focusing on a smaller number of corporate clients. The Company's
       schools are principally free-standing sites in suburban communities
       located in proximity to residences, elementary schools and major
       transportation arteries. As such, the Company's schools are well
       positioned to conveniently provide services to parents and children in
       these areas.
 
     - Enhanced Utilization and Efficient Staff-to-Child Ratios.  The Company
       configures its schools to maximize licensed capacity while preserving an
       attractive and inviting environment for students. The Company believes
       that offering affordable, high quality developmental education and child
       care at convenient locations leads to increased enrollment, thus enabling
       the Company to enhance its capacity utilization. In addition, the Company
       monitors staff-to-child ratios to ensure that schools are efficiently
       staffed in accordance with regulatory guidelines, and that changes in
       staff requirements due to shifts in enrollment levels are addressed in a
       timely manner. By clustering schools and maintaining a balance of
       full-time and part-time personnel, the Company is able to manage staff
       deployment between schools more efficiently, thereby minimizing overall
       payroll expenses.
 
     - Decentralized School Operations.  Each of the Company's schools is
       managed by a director who is responsible for its operation and
       profitability. Administrative functions performed by a director include
       marketing, tuition and accounts receivable collection, regulatory
       compliance, recruiting, purchasing, parent relations and corporate
       reporting. Each director prepares profit and loss information for weekly
       review by management and is incentivized through quarterly and annual
       bonuses to maximize school-level profitability while maintaining the
       Company's standards of quality. In addition, a team of four district
       managers provides training and guidance to directors and makes regular
       visits to the schools to
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
       monitor and, as necessary, assist with operations. The Company believes
       that the decentralization of school operations, together with support
       from district managers and senior management, leads to a sense of
       entrepreneurship in each director and a spirit of teamwork throughout the
       Company. In addition, decentralization enables each school to respond to
       the cultural, economic and regulatory differences which exist in its
       respective market.
 
     - Participation in Government Assistance Programs.  The Company derives
       several benefits from its active participation in federal and state
       programs which provide funding for child care assistance. While most of
       these programs provide funding designed only to cover the cost of the
       Company's services, certain of these programs provide reimbursement to
       the Company of an allocable portion of its overhead or permit the Company
       to increase the utilization of its facilities. Further, the Company
       believes that participation in such programs enhances recognition of the
       Company.
 
     - Expansion Through Acquisitions.  The Company seeks to acquire child care
       centers that present it with opportunities to increase utilization and
       improve profitability through implementation of enhanced operating and
       financial controls. Acquiring existing child care centers allows the
       Company access to an established customer base and an experienced staff
       with acceptance in the local community. In addition, by avoiding the cost
       and time associated with constructing new facilities, the Company is able
       to expand more rapidly and realize a return on its investment more
       quickly.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
     The Company's significant growth over the past five years has occurred
primarily from the acquisition of child care centers and the improved operation
of such centers following acquisition. In March 1993, the Company acquired 20
centers, expanding its operations in Georgia and extending its operations into
Alabama and South Carolina. During 1995 and 1996, the Company acquired nine
centers, which added schools in Georgia and extended its operations into
Tennessee. Between 1993 and 1997, the Company invested in management and
infrastructure to support its expanded operations and future expansion. In 1997,
the Company accelerated its expansion, nearly doubling its school base from 34
schools to 63 schools. The acquisition of two regional chains by the Company
added 29 schools located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South
Carolina and Virginia in September 1997. In March 1998, the Company acquired
four additional centers in South Carolina.
 
     The Company anticipates that future growth will come from acquiring
individual centers in existing markets and acquiring groups of centers in
existing and new markets. The Company generally seeks either to acquire child
care centers in areas close to the Company's existing schools and district
managers or to acquire a provider which has a sufficient number of schools to
justify the employment of an additional district manager. The Company targets
facilities in cities with populations of 60,000 to 400,000 in the southeastern
United States. Within this target market, the Company believes that there are
numerous centers which could provide attractive locations for its schools, thus
enabling the Company to continue to acquire facilities on terms which compare
favorably to the costs and risks of establishing new facilities.
 
     The Company's management actively pursues acquisition opportunities. In
evaluating an acquisition candidate, the Company considers, among other things,
location, the local regulatory environment, demographic trends, competition,
existing community image and adequacy of the facility. In addition, the Company
analyzes the financial aspects of an acquisition with respect to pricing
policies, cost control, utilization and profitability in order to identify areas
for immediate and long-term improvement. The Company has generally structured
its acquisitions of child care centers as asset purchases and has relied
principally on bank borrowings to fund acquisitions. In most cases, the Company
does not purchase the land or buildings of the schools acquired but, where
possible, seeks to lease the acquired facilities on a long-term basis through
the exercise of renewal options.
 
     Acquiring existing child care centers allows the Company access to an
established customer base and an experienced staff with acceptance in the local
community. In addition, by avoiding the cost and time associated with
constructing new facilities, the Company is able to expand more rapidly and
realize a return on its investment more quickly.
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
     Subsequent to their acquisition, centers are quickly converted to the
Company's management information and control system through a mentor program
with existing directors and district managers, supplemented by detailed,
transitional training and orientation meetings related to the Company's
operating procedures. The Company also introduces its high quality,
age-appropriate curricula at such centers.
 
OPERATIONS
 
  Overview
 
     The Company's schools are principally free-standing sites in suburban
communities, located in proximity to residences, elementary schools and major
transportation arteries. In addition, the Company presently operates two
worksite-based schools for corporations and partners with other companies
through referral programs which offer employers the opportunity to provide a
reduced cost program to their employees through volume discounts and cafeteria
plans.
 
   
     The Company provides age-appropriate training and care to infants, toddlers
and children aged six weeks to 12 years through a combination of contemporary
curricula, computer programs, field trips and parent/student activities designed
to promote both the student's academic and social development. The Company's
programs range from after school educational and entertainment activities to a
full-time, five-day plan. Breakfast, two snacks and a hot lunch are served daily
to children who are one year of age and over for no additional charge. Menus are
prepared to comply with nutritional guidelines and are posted weekly. To
accommodate working parents, the schools are generally open from 6:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m. Additionally, the Company provides transportation to and from
elementary schools for students aged five through 12 years.
    
 
     Tuition for programs varies depending upon location of the school, the age
of the child and the funding source and is proportionally higher for children
attending part-time. Tuition is generally collected on a weekly basis in
advance. In addition to tuition, an annual registration fee is typically charged
for each child.
 
     To promote flexibility in responding to cultural, regulatory and economic
differences in the markets which the Company serves, the Company maintains
decentralized management for the day-to-day operations of the schools. However,
the Company centrally develops new programs and negotiates certain supply
contracts for its schools. The Company also employs central cash management to
permit optimal use of its financial resources. In addition, the Company uses a
customized management information system to monitor the financial and operating
activities of each school in order to more effectively deploy its resources in a
given region.
 
  School Operations
 
     Typical school employees include a director, an assistant director and
full-time and part-time teaching, caregiving and other staff. Each of the
Company's schools is managed by a director who is responsible for its operation
and profitability. Administrative functions performed by a director include
marketing, tuition and accounts receivable collection, regulatory compliance,
recruiting, purchasing, parent relations and corporate reporting. Each director
prepares profit and loss information for weekly review by management and is
incentivized through quarterly and annual bonuses to maximize school-level
profitability while maintaining the Company's standards of quality. Directors
are trained and supervised by district managers, who generally supervise between
12 and 20 schools in geographical areas sufficiently compact to permit the
district managers to visit the schools under their supervision frequently. There
are currently four district managers who report to the Company's Vice President
of Operations. As part of an ongoing review process, district managers or the
Vice President of Operations, on an alternating basis, visit each school every
60 days to prepare a formal assessment of the school's compliance with the
Company's quality standards.
 
     Each state in which the Company's schools are located has regulations
and/or guidelines establishing minimum staff-to-child ratios based upon the age
group of the children under supervision. Generally, the number of staff that the
Company is required to employ varies by state from (i) one staff member for each
five to six infants under the age of 13 months, (ii) one staff member for each
four to six children between the ages
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
of 13 and 36 months, (iii) one staff member for each eight to twenty children
three to five years of age and (iv) one staff member for each 20 to 25 children
over five years of age.
 
  Training
 
     The Company considers staff training to be an essential component of its
child development and care programs and a significant contributor to the quality
of the Company's services. In addition to training all new staff members to
implement the Company's curricula and administrative procedures, the Company
offers employees the opportunity to participate in Company-sponsored college
programs and industry seminars. Further, experienced directors are assigned as
mentors to directors of newly acquired schools.
 
  Facilities
 
   
     The Company's schools contain classrooms, recreational areas, kitchens and
bathroom facilities. The schools are configured to accommodate the grouping of
children by age. All schools have outdoor playgrounds, often with separate areas
for toddlers. Each school is equipped with a variety of audio and visual aids,
educational supplies, games, toys, and indoor and outdoor play equipment. In
addition, the schools are equipped with personal computers which feature
age-appropriate interactive software. All schools are equipped with
Company-owned or leased vehicles for the transportation of children to and from
area elementary schools and for field trips. The Company's schools are located
in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and
Virginia. Licensed capacity of the Company's individual schools ranges from 48
to 222 students.
    
 
  Worksite-Based Schools
 
     The Company operates two worksite-based schools for corporate sponsors.
These schools provide services exclusively or on a priority basis for the
benefit of the employees of the corporate sponsor. Each of these schools is
managed by the Company pursuant to an operating agreement which specifies the
services provided, hours of operation and rates payable by the sponsor's
employees. While the Company is responsible for certain maintenance and repairs,
the corporate sponsor pays for capital maintenance projects and heating and
cooling systems.
 
  Management Information Systems
 
     The Company has implemented a management information and control system
which, management believes, has been an important factor in the Company's
ability to achieve superior operating margins and efficiently integrate newly
acquired schools. As part of this system, the Company has installed in each of
its schools a personal computer with customized software which enables each
school director to prepare and submit directly to the corporate office automated
weekly reports containing financial and operational data, including labor costs
and utilization information, enrollment and tuition data by age groups, prepaid
tuition and accounts receivable data and cash receipts. This information is
compiled in the corporate office and compared to weekly, month-to-date, and
year-to-date budget data. Detailed operating reports which are e-mailed to the
district managers by midweek provide the basis for weekly telephonic meetings
between senior management and district managers. The management information
system also enables central monitoring of staff-to-child ratios to plan
efficient staffing in response to shifts in enrollment levels in order to
control overall payroll expenses.
 
DEVELOPMENTAL CURRICULA AND PROGRAMS
 
     A critical element of the Company's business strategy is the delivery of
innovative, age-appropriate programs which emphasize a child's academic and
social development rather than mere supervision. The Company believes that
parents desire a sound educational foundation for their children and considers
this a factor which differentiates the Company from traditional child care
providers. The school staff actively seeks a partnership role with parents in
the child's development. Parent meetings, newsletters and frequent progress
reports are used to enhance parents' awareness of and involvement in school
activities. In addition, the
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
Company engaged consultants in Columbus, Georgia to conduct focus group
interviews with parents and intends to engage consultants for such purposes from
time to time in the future.
 
     Substantially all of the Company's schools currently utilize A-BEKA(R)
curricula, which provide teaching guidelines tailored to the educational needs
of students at each of the ages two, three and four years. In August 1998, the
Company will convert all of its schools to the nationally recognized
HighReach(R) Learning curricula. HighReach Learning is designed to promote the
development of school readiness skills, instill a love of learning and promote
parental involvement through age-appropriate teaching materials. In addition,
the HighReach Learning program features an active learning component for infants
as well as standardized lesson plans, which are designed to build upon one
another, for children aged two through four years.
 
     The organization and characteristics of the Company's classrooms vary
according to age group and are designed to stimulate learning. Although students
are grouped in classrooms primarily according to age, special consideration is
given to students who demonstrate unique emotional, physical or intellectual
needs. A description of typical classrooms by age group follows:
 
  Infants (Six weeks to 18 months)
 
          Within the infant classroom, emphasis is placed on the child's
     physical needs, such as feeding and diapering, as well as interpersonal
     interaction. The school uses several techniques, including the display of
     family pictures in the child's crib, to emulate the child's home
     environment. Caregivers provide mats in the classroom to encourage
     crawling, standing and the development of gross motor skills. In addition,
     mirrors are placed at floor level to encourage children to pull themselves
     up at the sight of their reflections. Music is played in the classroom to
     provide additional stimulation for the infants. Staff members prepare daily
     summaries of the child's activities to inform parents.
 
  Toddlers (18 months to two years)
 
          This classroom emphasizes fine motor as well as gross motor skills
     development. Children are encouraged to stand and walk, and finger play and
     other exercises are used to encourage grasping, pushing and pulling.
     Children are stimulated through play activities to develop communication
     skills and initiate speech. Cognitive skills are enhanced through flash
     cards, picture books and music. Repetition becomes an important means of
     reinforcing the child's learning. Staff members prepare frequent progress
     reports to inform parents.
 
  Two to three years
 
          The two to three year classroom encourages use of gross and fine motor
     skills in tandem through activities such as standing and picking up small
     objects. Manipulative toys are used to promote eye-hand coordination.
     Outdoor games are introduced to enable the child to master gross motor
     coordination. The classroom emphasizes daily routines and social
     interaction through family style meals and other small group activities. A
     variety of flash cards, picture books, songs and skits are used to promote
     recognition of colors, shapes and numbers. Children listen to stories to
     build listening skills and foster imagination and are often asked to repeat
     the stories to develop memory recognition. To facilitate parental
     involvement, staff members provide weekly progress reports.
 
  Three to four years
 
          For students three to four years old, more emphasis is placed on
     academic readiness skills than in the earlier years. Children learn to
     recognize an expanded range of shapes and begin counting. In addition,
     techniques are used to enhance the child's ability to associate groups of
     letters with spoken words, and children are encouraged to tell stories
     through figures and symbols. Staff members stimulate the child's
     understanding of cause and effect and inquisitiveness through activities
     that present real-world situations. Age-appropriate, interactive computer
     programs are introduced for the first time. Support and involvement of
     parents are developed through weekly progress reports.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
  Preschoolers (Four to five years)
 
          The preschooler classroom features a writing area to support the
     child's increasing ability to understand written letters and to foster an
     interest in writing. In addition, phonics are emphasized. Sand and water
     tables, art centers and manipulative toys are made available without
     teacher permission to promote hands-on exploration as well as foster the
     child's sense of responsibility. In addition, allowing children to choose
     their own play activities promotes social interaction. The school also
     organizes indoor and outdoor group activities designed to teach children to
     take turns, share and follow instructions and arranges field trips. Support
     and involvement of parents are developed through weekly progress reports.
 
  After schoolers (Six to twelve years)
 
          Elementary school students six to twelve years of age participate in
     an after school program which is centered around fun activities but also
     provides tutoring. Areas within the classroom provide computers,
     construction play, art, imaginative play, reading, board games, and
     electronic games, and a quiet area staffed with a tutor is made available.
     For the convenience of working parents, transportation is provided to and
     from elementary schools, and during school vacation periods full day
     activities, including arts and crafts, field trips and athletic events, are
     scheduled.
 
MARKETING
 
     The director of each school has primary responsibility for marketing and
promoting the school. The Company's principal source of new enrollees is
recommendations from customers in the communities in which it operates. The
Company also markets its services through display advertisements and listings in
the Yellow Pages, newspaper advertisements and distribution of fliers at schools
and community functions. In addition, the Company markets its services to
employer-sponsored schools on a direct contact basis.
 
     The Company believes that it can best increase initial and continued
enrollment in its schools by encouraging parents to visit the schools. Through
the maintenance of an attractive and inviting environment for students and
emphasis of its high quality curricula and programs, the Company is able to
provide parents with meaningful reasons to choose its schools over other
alternatives. Once a child is enrolled, the director encourages parental
involvement through monthly newsletters and reports to parents as well as
parent-teacher conferences and parental visits to the school. Schools use
promotional events, such as "grandparents' day," holiday activities, graduation
and open houses in support of the Company's effort to maintain enrollments. The
Company evaluates other opportunities to increase community awareness of its
schools and may employ additional marketing strategies in the future,
particularly in connection with acquisitions.
 
COMPETITION
 
     Competition for attracting and maintaining student enrollment among child
care facilities is significant. In most of the geographic areas in which the
Company operates, the Company competes with centers owned by larger, national
chains, work-site based child care centers, centers affiliated with churches and
nonprofit organizations, individually owned proprietary child care centers,
licensed child care homes and in-home individual child care providers. According
to Child Care Information Exchange, an industry publication, the Company is the
14th largest for-profit provider of child care services in the United States
measured in terms of licensed capacity.
 
     Competition within the child care industry is based largely upon the
accessibility, price and quality and breadth of services. The Company believes
that it competes effectively in its markets by maintaining conveniently located
facilities in a clean, healthy, safe and well-equipped manner, affordably
pricing its services and providing high quality curricula and recreational
programs as well as other services.
 
INSURANCE
 
     The Company maintains comprehensive general liability insurance, which
provides coverage for both bodily injury and property damage claims up to a
total of $2 million. The Company maintains a primary
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
liability policy with a limit of $2 million and an excess umbrella liability
policy which provides coverage for an additional $25 million. The Company
believes such insurance coverage is adequate.
 
     As is true for all providers of child care services, the Company may become
subject to claims regarding child abuse. The Company has implemented protective
measures in its facility and classroom design to minimize the occurrence of such
incidents and provides a proactive training program to employees. In addition,
the Company has procured limited coverage for child physical and sexual abuse
claims, subject to a $500,000 annual aggregate limitation.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     The Company's facilities are subject to regulation by the states in which
they operate. In addition, the Company is subject to federal and state
regulation of certain programs in which it participates. In addition, the
Company's business is impacted by certain tax and other laws.
 
     Regulation of Child Care Centers.  Child care centers are subject to
numerous state and local regulations and licensing requirements. Although these
regulations vary by jurisdiction and are revised periodically, government
agencies typically regulate and review, among other things, the fitness and
adequacy of buildings and equipment, licensed capacity, the ratio of staff to
enrolled children, the dietary program, the daily curriculum, staff training,
the adequacy and operation of vehicles used for the transportation of children,
transportation plans and compliance with health and safety standards. In most
jurisdictions, these agencies conduct both scheduled and unscheduled inspections
of the centers and licenses must be renewed periodically. In a few jurisdictions
in which the Company operates centers, legislation or regulations have been
enacted or are being considered which establish requirements for employee
background checks or other clearance procedures for new employees of child care
centers. The Company's centers are also subject to various state and local
building codes and other ordinances, including safety codes.
 
     The Company has obtained a license to operate each of its centers as a
child care or day care facility. Licenses for certain of the Company's centers
are in the process of renewal or, in the case of recent acquisitions, have been
issued on a temporary basis pending final licensing. There is no assurance that
final licenses will be obtained for such schools. In the ordinary course of the
license renewal and inspection process, the Company's centers receive notices
from licensing agencies of deficiencies or corrective action to comply with
various regulatory requirements. The Company reviews such notices and takes
appropriate corrective action. Repeated failures by a child care center to
comply with applicable regulations can subject it to state imposed sanctions,
which might include fines, corrective orders, probation, or, in more serious
cases, suspension or revocation of the center's license to operate. Any failure
by the Company to comply with applicable requirements could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of
operations. The Company has never experienced a license revocation and believes
it is in substantial compliance with all material regulations applicable to its
business.
 
     Regulation of Programs.  The Company participates in certain federal and
state funded child care and food service programs. A substantial portion of the
Company's net revenues are derived from such programs.
 
     The Company participates, as a sponsoring organization for certain of its
centers in Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina, in the Child and Adult Care Food
Program (the "Food Program"), a food service program sponsored by the United
States Department of Agriculture (the "USDA") and administered through state
agencies. The Food Program reimburses participating nonresidential child care
centers on a monthly basis for providing nutritious meals to children.
Participating centers provide meals to children on a free, reduced price or paid
meal basis according to pricing programs adopted by the centers and regulated by
the state agency. The amount of reimbursement paid to a center is determined
according to payment rates established by federal law, and is based on the types
of meals served and the number of enrolled children who meet the eligibility
requirements for the free, reduced price or paid meal categories. Receipt of
funds from the Food Program has no impact on the tuition charged by
participating centers. Revenues from the Food Program represented slightly over
4.0% of the Company's total annual revenue in each of the three years ended
December 31, 1997. The number of Company centers participating in the Food
Program in the states of Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina were (i) 16, one
and zero, respectively, for the year ended
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
December 31, 1995; (ii) 17, one and zero, respectively, for the year ended
December 31, 1996; and (iii) 19, one and ten, respectively, for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and the six month period ended June 26, 1998. The Company has
applied for participation in the Food Program for certain of its centers located
in South Carolina and Virginia.
 
     In order to participate in the Food Program, a proprietary child care
center such as those operated by the Company must, among other things, meet
applicable state licensure requirements, verify that it provides nonresidential
day care services for which it receives compensation under Title XX of the
Social Security Act (the federal law providing block grants to states for social
services programs) and verify that not less than 25.0% of the children enrolled
in the child care center or 25.0% of the center's licensed capacity, whichever
is less, were beneficiaries under Title XX of the Social Security Act during the
most recent calendar month. The Company participates in the Food Program through
agreements with the appropriate state agencies. Agreements for the Food Program
are renewed on a periodic basis, and there is no assurance that the Company will
be awarded agreements in the future. The agreements contain provisions that,
among other things, require the Company to ensure that meals served meet Food
Program meal pattern requirements, comply with requirements related to record
keeping and financial management of the Food Program, provide adequate
supervisory and operational personnel, and not claim reimbursement for a center
in any month in which less than 25.0% of the center's enrolled children or 25.0%
of licensed capacity, whichever is less, are Title XX beneficiaries. Certain of
the Company's centers currently do not have enough eligible enrolled children to
participate in the Food Program.
 
     Centers participating in the Food Program are subject to periodic federal
and state compliance reviews and audits. Any participating center or sponsoring
organization determined to be "seriously deficient" in the operation of the Food
Program at its center may not participate in the Food Program unless the state
agency and the USDA determine that necessary action has been taken to correct
the deficiency and prevent its recurrence. None of the Company's centers has
been subject to such a determination.
 
     The Company also participates in certain child care assistance programs
funded through federal block grants to states for aid and services to low-income
families (the "Assistance Programs"). The Assistance Programs are administered
by state and local agencies, and are designed to provide child care assistance
to eligible, economically disadvantaged parents who work or participate in
schooling or work training programs. Eligible participants are approved by the
administering state or local agency, and are entitled to select the child care
center that their child will attend. The amount of the subsidy provided by the
Assistance Programs typically is determined by the administering agency as a
percentage of the market rate for child care in a given area and often is less
than the Company's normal fee. The child care center typically bills the portion
(determined by the agency) of such fee directly to the participant, and submits
a claim for the remainder to the administering agency on a monthly basis for
reimbursement under the Assistance Programs. Revenues from the Assistance
Programs represented approximately 19.9%, 21.5% and 28.6% of the Company's total
revenues for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
     The Company has a contract with the Office of School Readiness of the State
of Georgia, which requires the Company to coordinate and provide services and
programs for four-year-old children and their families served under the state's
prekindergarten program, which is fully funded from the proceeds of the state
lottery (the "Georgia Pre-K Program"). The Georgia Pre-K program contains
provisions which, among other things, require specific qualifications of lead
teachers, maintenance of student/teacher ratios, use of an approved curriculum,
certain minimum amounts of expenditures on children's supplies and the return of
unutilized funds at the end of each contract year. All but one of the Company's
centers in Georgia participate in the Georgia Pre-K Program. The Company
received $3.9 million under the Georgia Pre-K Program for the 1997-1998 school
year. The Company has executed a contract with the Office of School Readiness
for the 1998-1999 school year providing for funding in the amount of up to $4.1
million. Revenues from the Georgia Pre-K Program represented approximately
19.8%, 31.6% and 24.0% of the Company's total revenues for the years ended
December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Contracts for the Georgia Pre-K
Program are renewed on an annual basis, and there is no assurance that the
Company will receive renewal contracts in the future, or that the Georgia Pre-K
Program will not be changed or eliminated at some point in the future. In
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
addition, due to funding limitations, the Company does not expect that it will
be able to obtain funding for additional Georgia Pre-K Programs in its existing
centers or centers acquired in the future.
 
     The failure of the Company to continue to qualify for participation in such
programs, the elimination of any of such programs, or changes in the
reimbursement policies of such programs as a result of budget cuts by federal or
state governments or other legislative or regulatory actions, could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of
operations and cash flows.
 
     Regulation of Motor Vehicles.  The Company presently operates approximately
150 passenger vans, each with a capacity of 15 passengers, for the
transportation of students. Recently, safety concerns over the use of passenger
vans by child care providers have caused, or are expected to cause, federal
authorities and many state agencies to reevaluate whether children should be
transported in passenger vans, as opposed to school buses which meet more
stringent safety requirements. One of the means by which both federal
authorities and state agencies may seek to increase the safety of children
riding in passenger vans, such as those operated by the Company, is to define
such vans as "school buses" under their respective regulations. For example, the
United States Department of Transportation, through the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), currently defines a "school bus" as a motor
vehicle designed to carry more than ten persons that is sold or introduced into
interstate commerce for purposes that include carrying students to and from
school or related events. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards ("FMVSS") are
applied to motor vehicle manufacturers and any persons selling or offering for
sale or lease a new motor vehicle. Based upon FMVSS, it is a violation of
federal law for any person knowingly to sell or lease a new motor vehicle for
use as a school bus that does not comply with all FMVSS applicable to school
buses. However, FMVSS regulate the manufacture and sale of new motor vehicles
but not the use thereof. FMVSS do not apply to purchasers of motor vehicles, who
currently are regulated by state law, if at all. According to the NHTSA, the
federal school bus requirements do not apply to the sale of new vehicles to
custodial facilities such as child care centers. However, NHTSA looks to the
nature of the particular institution to determine whether the rules are
applicable to the manufacturer and seller of the vehicles. If the central
purpose of the institution is the education of preprimary, primary or secondary
school students, whether public or private, new vehicles sold to that
institution for their transportation must comply with FMVSS applicable to school
buses.
 
     Each state promulgates its own laws, rules and regulations governing the
transportation of children to and from school and determines the applicability
of such rules and regulations to child care centers. Some states have adopted
NHTSA's definition of a school bus or a variation thereof. While NHTSA deems
child care centers to be primarily custodial in nature and not educational, the
exact nature of a child care center under state law may be viewed differently.
Certain states are now vigorously enforcing their school bus and safety
regulations. In addition, one or more states are enforcing such regulations
against child care centers. Certain states have enacted or may enact new
legislation or have changed their interpretation and enforcement of existing
rules and regulations to discourage the use of passenger vans by child care
centers in transporting children. In addition, owners of child care centers,
including the Company, are providing their students with more educational
opportunities, which may lead a state to determine that a particular child care
facility is educational in nature. The result is that the application of state
rules as to whether child care providers must comply with the school bus laws
and regulations is unclear and may be subject to change.
 
     Although the Company believes that it is in compliance with all applicable
state laws, rules and regulations governing transportation of children in motor
vehicles in all states in which it operates, a court or administrative agency
may determine that child care providers generally, or the Company in particular,
are not in compliance with such laws, rules or regulations. Any such
determination could result in the imposition of fines or sanctions against the
Company, require the Company's drivers to be licensed as "school bus" operator,
and/or require the Company to retrofit or replace its passenger vans with
vehicles which comply with applicable standards, any of which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations. In addition, while the Company maintains liability insurance
concerning the operation of these motor vehicles, the Company could incur a
claim resulting from such operation which may have a material adverse effect on
its financial condition or results of operation. See "Risk Factors -- Insurance"
and "-- Insurance."
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
     Income Tax Provisions.  The United States Internal Revenue Code (the
"Code") provides for an income tax credit ranging from 20.0% to 30.0% of certain
child care expenses, subject to certain maximum limitations. The tuition paid to
the Company for child care services qualifies for the federal tax credit under
the Code, provided that various requirements under the Code are met.
 
     Other.  The Company must also comply with the Americans with Disabilities
Act ("ADA"), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public
accommodations and employment. Costs incurred to date by the Company to comply
with the ADA have not been significant. A determination that the Company is not
in compliance with the ADA, however, could result in the imposition of fines or
an award of damages to private litigants and could require significant
expenditures by the Company to bring the Company's schools into compliance with
the ADA.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     At April 3, 1998, the Company employed over 1,200 persons (including
part-time employees). Thirteen of such employees, including four district
managers, are employed in administrative capacities and the remainder are
employed at the Company's schools. Typical school employees include a director,
an assistant director and full-time and part-time teaching, care giving and
other staff. All center directors and corporate supervisory personnel are
salaried, while all other employees are paid on an hourly basis. The Company
does not have an agreement with any labor union and believes that its relations
with its employees are good.
 
PROPERTIES
 
     The Company's corporate headquarters are located in approximately 3,300
square feet of office space in Columbus, Georgia under a lease expiring in March
2000. Annual lease payments are $18,000. The Company considers this space for
its corporate offices to be in good condition and adequate for its current
operating needs. In addition, management believes additional space would be
available on reasonable terms if required.
 
   
     As of June 26, 1998, the Company owned the property and buildings for 17 of
its schools and leased the land and buildings for 50 of its schools, typically
under "triple net" leases that require the Company to pay real estate taxes,
maintenance costs and insurance premiums. The terms of the leases range from
month-to-month to 14 years and typically provide for renewal. The Company
believes that each of its schools is well maintained and in good condition and,
accordingly, does not anticipate significant expenditures for the maintenance
thereof for the forseeable future.
    
 
     The Company's schools contain classrooms, recreational areas, kitchens and
bathroom facilities. The schools are configured to accommodate the grouping of
children by age. All schools have outdoor playgrounds, often with separate areas
for toddlers. The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's
schools in the indicated states as of June 26, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 NUMBER OF SCHOOLS
                                               ----------------------     AGGREGATE     LICENSED
                    STATE                      LEASED   OWNED   TOTAL   ENROLLMENT(1)   CAPACITY
                    -----                      ------   -----   -----   -------------   --------
<S>                                            <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>             <C>
Alabama......................................    10       1      11         1,189        1,133
Florida......................................     4       0       4           445          535
Georgia......................................    16      15      31         3,105        3,324
North Carolina...............................    10       0      10         1,211        1,752
South Carolina...............................     5       1       6           461          843
Tennessee....................................     1       0       1           102          100
Virginia.....................................     4       0       4           524          744
                                                 --      --      --         -----        -----
          Total..............................    50      17      67         7,037        8,431
                                                 ==      ==      ==         =====        =====
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) In certain circumstances, actual enrollment exceeds licensed capacity due to
    part-time students enrolled for different portions of the day or week.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company is involved from time to time in routine litigation arising out
of the ordinary course of its business, most of which is covered by insurance.
In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of such matters presently
outstanding will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company's financial
position or results of operations.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following table and biographies set forth information concerning the
individuals who serve as directors and executive officers of the Company:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 NAME                    AGE                  POSITION
                 ----                    ---                  --------
<S>                                      <C>   <C>
Ray E. Crowley.........................  65    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
James F. Loudermilk....................  51    President and Director
Lanier Merritt.........................  61    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                                 Officer and Director
Conway Tucker..........................  44    Vice President of Operations
Joseph G. Slaughter, III...............  42    Controller and Secretary
Richard Y. Bradley.....................  60    Director
Albert Ernest, Jr......................  68    Director
Murray D. Gray, Jr.....................  64    Director
Calvin J. Martin, Jr...................  47    Director
Noll A. Van Cleave, Jr.................  41    Director
</TABLE>
 
   
     Ray E. Crowley has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since August 1997 and has been a director since 1991. Since 1992, Mr.
Crowley has served as Chairman of Eastern Service Corporation, a transportation
services corporation. From 1989 to 1992, Mr. Crowley served as Chief Executive
Officer of Corporate Capital Resources, Inc., an investment corporation. From
1974 through 1989, Mr. Crowley was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Burnham Service Corporation, a trucking and logistics company.
    
 
     James F. Loudermilk has served as President and a director of the Company
since March 1991. From 1990 until joining the Company, Mr. Loudermilk was a
private health care consultant. Mr. Loudermilk served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Healthcare Management Corporation, a health care company
from 1980 until 1989. From 1976 to 1980, Mr. Loudermilk was Vice President and
Treasurer of the Medical Center in Columbus, Georgia. Mr. Loudermilk is a member
of the Office of School Readiness Advisory Council of the State of Georgia, the
Georgia Child Care Council and the Georgia Childcare Leadership Forum.
 
     Lanier Merritt has served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and a director of the Company since May 1998. He was a private investor from
April 1996 to May 1998. From 1982 to 1996, Mr. Merritt was the Managing Partner
of the Columbus, Georgia office of Ernst & Young LLP.
 
     Conway Tucker has served as Vice President of Operations since January
1997. Prior to 1997, Mr. Tucker was employed for over seven years at KinderCare
Learning Centers, Inc. where he served from July 1995 to December 1996 as a
Division Vice President and from October 1992 to July 1995 as a Vice President
of Training.
 
     Joseph G. Slaughter, III has served as Controller of the Company since June
1996 and Secretary since June 1998. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Slaughter served as a
senior accountant with Fountain, Arrington, Hoffman & Co., P.C. From 1984 to
1994, Mr. Slaughter was a principal in Preston & Slaughter, a Columbus, Georgia
accounting firm.
 
     Murray D. Gray, Jr., a founder of the Company, has served as a director of
the Company since the Company's inception and served as Secretary from inception
through May 1998. Since 1987, Mr. Gray has been Executive Vice President of
United Oil Company. From 1980 to 1986, Mr. Gray owned Georgia Printing Service
and from 1958 through 1979 he was Vice President and Trust Officer of Columbus
Bank and Trust Company.
 
     Richard Y. Bradley has served as a director of the Company since 1991. Mr.
Bradley has been in the active practice of law in the law firm of Bradley and
Hatcher since 1995 and, from 1962 to 1990 with the law
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   38
 
firm of Hatcher, Stubbs, Land, Hollis and Rothschild. From 1991 to 1995, Mr.
Bradley served as President of Bickerstaff Clay Products, Inc. Mr. Bradley
serves as a director of Synovus Financial Corp. and Total System Services, Inc.
 
     Albert Ernest, Jr. has served as a director of the Company since 1996. Mr.
Ernest has also served as Chairman of Albert Ernest Enterprises, an investment
and consulting firm, since before 1993. Mr. Ernest previously served as a
director of Barnett Banks, Inc. from 1982 to 1992, President and Chief Operating
Officer from 1988 until his retirement in 1991 and Vice Chairman from 1984 to
1988. Mr. Ernest also serves as a director of Florida Rock Industries, Inc., FRP
Properties, Inc., Regency Realty Corporation, Stein Mart, Inc., Wickes Lumber
Company and Emerald Funds.
 
   
     Calvin Jay Martin, Jr. has served as a director of the Company since May
1998. Since 1996, Mr. Martin has served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of W.C. Bradley Co., a company engaged in manufacturing, real
estate development and retail and served in various other positions with the
Company from 1992 to 1996. From 1990 to 1992, Mr. Martin was President of
Computer Transport, Inc., a company providing transportation and distribution
services. From 1989 to 1990, he served as Executive Vice President and General
Manager of North American Van Lines. Prior thereto, from 1987 to 1989, Mr.
Martin served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Burnham Service
Corporation, a trucking and logistics company.
    
 
     Noll A. Van Cleave, Jr. has served as a director of the Company since 1996.
Mr. Van Cleave has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both Valley
Wood, Inc. and Van Cleave, Hatcher, land and timber consultants, since before
1993.
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Company's Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of
one or more directors, comprised of three classes of similar size, each elected
in a different year, so that only approximately one-third of the Board of
Directors is elected in any single year. The number of directors is currently
fixed at eight, and Messrs. Martin and Merritt are designated Class I directors
and have been elected for a term expiring in 1999 and until their successors are
elected and qualified; Messrs. Bradley, Loudermilk and Ernest are designated
Class II directors and have been elected for a term expiring in 2000 and until
their successors are elected and qualified; and Messrs. Crowley, Van Cleave and
Gray are designated Class III directors and have been elected for a term
expiring in 2001 and until their successors are elected and qualified. Executive
officers of the Company are elected by the Board of Directors and serve at the
discretion of the Board.
 
     The Board of Directors has a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee.
The Compensation Committee, consisting of Messrs. Van Cleave and Gray, has the
authority to approve salaries and bonuses and other compensation matters for the
executive officers of the Company and to administer the Company's stock option
plan. The Audit Committee, consisting of Messrs. Ernest and Martin, has the
authority to recommend the appointment of the Company's independent auditors and
review the results and scope of audits, internal accounting controls and tax and
other accounting related matters. The Company does not have a Nominating
Committee.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
     Members of the Board of Directors receive annual fees of $7,800 for their
services as directors, including service on committees of the Board.
 
     The Company has authority under its stock option plan to grant options to
directors and has granted options to purchase 15,000 shares to each of Messrs.
Bradley, Ernest, Gray and Van Cleave and an option to purchase 7,500 shares to
Mr. Martin, who joined the Company as a director in May 1998. See "-- 1998 Stock
Option Plan."
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   39
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Van Cleave and Gray. Neither
of these individuals was at any time during 1997, or any other time, a paid
officer or employee of the Company. Mr. Gray served as Secretary of the Company
(without compensation) from inception of the Company through May 1998.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
compensation of the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the only
executive officer whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1997.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             ANNUAL
                                                                          COMPENSATION
                                                              FISCAL   ------------------
NAMES AND POSITION                                             YEAR     SALARY     BONUS
- ------------------                                            ------   --------   -------
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>        <C>
Ray E. Crowley(1)...........................................   1997    $     --   $    --
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
James F. Loudermilk.........................................   1997    $100,000   $15,000
  President
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) While Mr. Crowley received no salary or bonus from the Company in 1997, he
    received approximately $14,000 in consulting and director fees from the
    Company.
 
OPTION GRANTS
 
   
     In May 1998, the Company adopted a stock option plan and has granted
options to the following executive officers to purchase the indicated number of
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price per share equal to the initial
public offering price: Mr. Crowley -- 165,000 shares; Mr. Loudermilk -- 90,000
shares; Mr. Merritt -- 75,000 shares; Mr. Tucker -- 18,000 shares; and Mr.
Slaughter -- 2,250 shares. The options vest ratably over three years.
    
 
1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     On May 11, 1998 and July 6, 1998, the Board of Directors and the Company's
shareholders, respectively, approved the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan"). The purpose of the Plan is to promote share ownership by key employees
and directors of the Company, thereby reinforcing a mutuality of interest with
other shareholders and to enable the Company to attract, retain and motivate key
employees and directors by permitting them to share in its growth.
 
     The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to
options granted under the Plan may not exceed 750,000 shares. Awards under the
Plan are granted by the Board of Directors (or a committee as designated by the
Board of Directors) and may include options that are intended to qualify as
"incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the Code ("ISOs") and/or options
that are not intended to so qualify under the Code. The Compensation Committee
will administer the Plan and generally has discretion to determine the terms of
an option grant, including the number of option shares, option price, term and
vesting schedule. Notwithstanding this discretion, (i) no individual shall be
granted options under the Plan for more than 300,000 shares, (ii) the term of
any option may not exceed 10 years and (iii) the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock actually issued or transferred by the Company upon exercise of the
ISOs shall not exceed 750,000 shares of Common Stock. Each grant shall specify
an option price per share which may not be less than the fair market value on
the date of grant.
 
     For purposes of the Plan, fair market value means the closing price of a
share on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the day preceding the date of grant or if
the shares are not admitted to trading thereon, the amount determined by the
Board of Directors to be the fair market value per share.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   40
 
   
     No option may be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after May 11, 2008. The
Plan may be amended by the Board of Directors without the consent of the
shareholders of the Company, except that any amendment, although effective when
made, will be subject to shareholder approval within one year after approval by
the Board of Directors if (i) the amendment increases the total number of shares
issuable pursuant to the Plan, (ii) extends the maximum option period applicable
under the Plan or (iii) is required by applicable law or the principal national
securities exchange upon which the shares of Common Stock are traded or quoted.
The Company has issued options to purchase 424,500 shares pursuant to the Plan.
    
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
   
     Richard Y. Bradley, a director of the Company, is a partner in the law firm
of Bradley & Hatcher, which provided legal services for the Company during the
three years ended December 31, 1997 and continues to provide such services.
    
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   41
 
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The following tables set forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of June 1, 1998, and as adjusted to
reflect the sale of the shares offered by this Prospectus, by (i) each person
who owns beneficially more than 5% of the Company's Common Stock, (ii) each
director of the Company, (iii) each Selling Shareholder and (iv) all directors
and executive officers of the Company as a group.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                                                                            OWNED AFTER
                                              SHARES BENEFICIALLY                           OFFERING(2)
                                                OWNED PRIOR TO                   ----------------------------------
                                                  OFFERING(2)
                                              -------------------     SHARES                             PERCENT
                                                                      BEING                              OF TOTAL
        NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1)            NUMBER     PERCENT   OFFERED(3)    NUMBER     PERCENT   VOTING POWER
        ---------------------------           ---------   -------   ----------   ---------   -------   ------------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>       <C>          <C>         <C>       <C>
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
- --------------------------------------------
Ray E. Crowley(4)...........................  1,207,725    24.5%           --    1,087,725    16.6%        27.4%
Noll A. Van Cleave, Jr. ....................    543,063    11.0            --      543,063     8.3         13.7
James F. Loudermilk(5)......................    371,610     7.5            --      311,610     4.8          7.8
Murray D. Gray, Jr. ........................    185,805     3.8       100,000       85,805     1.3          2.2
Richard Y. Bradley..........................    185,805     3.8        41,187      144,618     2.2          3.6
Albert Ernest, Jr. .........................     30,000     *          15,000       15,000     *          *
Lanier Merritt..............................         --      --            --           --      --           --
Calvin J. Martin, Jr. ......................         --      --            --           --      --           --
Joseph G. Slaughter, III....................         --      --            --           --      --           --
Conway Tucker...............................         --      --            --           --      --           --
All directors and executive officers as a
  group (10 persons)........................  2,524,008    51.1%      156,187    2,187,821    33.5%        55.1%
 
OTHER 5% SHAREHOLDERS AND SELLING
SHAREHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------
Sundari Raju(6).............................    603,864    12.2%      503,864      100,000     1.5%         2.5%
Devery Van Cleave Wright(7).................    357,258     7.2       140,000      217,258     3.3          5.5
Elizabeth Van Cleave Harp(8)................    355,758     7.2            --      355,758     5.4          9.0
Estate of Noll A. Van Cleave(9).............    321,762     6.5       100,000      221,762     3.4          5.6
John M. Wright(10)..........................    278,706     5.6            --      278,706     4.3          7.0
Ernest S. Wright(10)........................    278,706     5.6            --      278,706     4.3          7.0
Joyce L. Curry(11)..........................    120,000     2.4       110,000       10,000     *          *
Bernice Horne...............................     99,489     2.0        90,000        9,489     *          *
Louise Lewis................................     52,500     1.2        40,000       12,500     *          *
Murray D. Gray, III.........................     46,449     *          36,449       10,000     *          *
Lara Loudermilk Hughes(12)..................     30,000     *          30,000           --      --           --
Jennifer and Stephen Marcontell(13).........     30,000     *          30,000           --      --           --
Russell D. Horne............................     15,000     *          13,500        1,500     *          *
 
         Total shares offered hereby........                        1,250,000
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
  *  Represents less than 1.0%.
 (1) Except as otherwise indicated in the notes below, the business address of
     each director beneficially owning more than 5.0% of the outstanding shares
     of Common Stock is c/o Childcare Network, Inc., 3025 University Avenue,
     Suite B-2, Columbus, Georgia 31907.
 (2) Beneficial ownership includes shares for which an individual, directly or
     indirectly, has or shares voting or investment power or both and also
     includes options which are exercisable within 60 days of June 1, 1998. All
     of the listed persons have sole voting or investment power over the shares
     listed opposite their names unless otherwise indicated in the notes below.
   
 (3) If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised, Mr. Van Cleave,
     Jr., Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Ernest S. Wright and Mr. Bradley will sell up to
     50,000, 60,000, 50,000 and 58,813 shares of Common Stock, respectively.
    
 (4) Includes 120,000 shares owned by Joyce L. Curry. See note 11. Also includes
     55,000 shares owned by Mr. Crowley's children and grandchildren with
     respect to which he has been granted irrevocable proxies.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   42
 
 (5) Includes 60,000 shares owned by Lara Loudermilk Hughes and Jennifer and
     Stephen Marcontell. See notes 12 and 13.
 (6) The address for Sundari Raju is 62 West Broad Street, Richland, Georgia
     31825.
 (7) The address for Devery Van Cleave Wright is 9705 Bent Brook Drive,
     Montgomery, Alabama 36117.
 (8) The address for Elizabeth Van Cleave Harp is 5074 Sedona Court, Columbus,
     Georgia 31907.
 (9) The executor of the Estate of Noll A. Van Cleave is Elizabeth Jane Van
     Cleave. The address of the Estate of Noll Van Cleave is 2406 Downing Drive,
     Columbus, Georgia 31906.
   
(10) The address for Ernest S. Wright and John M. Wright is 6400 Bradley Park
     Drive, Columbus, Georgia 31904.
    
(11) Mr. Crowley has the sole voting and investment power over these shares
     pursuant to an irrevocable power of attorney.
(12) Mr. Loudermilk has the sole voting and investment power of these shares
     pursuant to an irrevocable proxy.
(13) Mr. Loudermilk has sole voting and investment power over these shares
     pursuant to a special power of attorney.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 20,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, no par value per share.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     There were 4,935,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding held by 30
shareholders of record as of June 1, 1998. There will be 6,535,000 shares of
Common Stock outstanding after giving effect to the sale of Common Stock offered
hereby (6,743,687 shares if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised
in full) and excluding shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the
exercise of options granted under the Company's Plan.
 
     In accordance with the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation (the
"Restated Articles"), shares of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share
unless (i) they have been held by the same beneficial owner since July 16, 1998,
or (ii) they have been held by the same beneficial owner for a continuous period
of greater than 48 months prior to the record date as to which these shares are
to be voted, in which event they are entitled to 10 votes per share. Any
transferee of a share of Common Stock where such share was transferred to the
transferee by gift, devise or bequest or otherwise through the laws of
inheritance, descent or distribution from the estate of the transferor, or by a
distribution to a beneficiary of shares held in trust for such beneficiary, is
deemed to be the same beneficial owner as the transferor. Shares acquired as a
direct result of a stock split, stock dividend or other distribution with
respect to existing shares ("Dividend Shares") are deemed to have been acquired
and held continuously from the date on which the shares with regard to which the
issued Dividend Shares were acquired. Holders of Common Stock do not have
cumulative voting rights.
 
     Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as
may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available
therefor. Although the Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in
the foreseeable future, any future payment of dividends will depend upon the
Company's results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements,
contractual restrictions, requirements of applicable law and other factors
deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. See "Dividend Policy." In the event
of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Common
Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of the
Company's debts and other liabilities. Holders of Common Stock have no
preemptive rights or other subscription rights and no rights to convert their
Common Stock into any other securities, and there are no redemption or sinking
fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock.
 
GEORGIA LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS
 
     The Company has elected in its Bylaws to be subject to the "fair price"
provisions of the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the "GBCC"). These
provisions require that certain business combinations
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   43
 
   
between a Georgia corporation and an "interested shareholder" or its affiliates
be (a) unanimously approved by "continuing directors" who must constitute at
least three members of the board of directors at the time of such approval, or
(b) recommended by at least two-thirds of the continuing directors and approved
by a majority of votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares other
than voting shares beneficially owned by the interested shareholder, unless
certain fair price criteria are met. Subject to certain exceptions, for the
purposes of these provisions a "business combination" includes: (i) any merger
of the corporation or any of its subsidiaries; (ii) any share exchange; (iii)
any sale, lease, transfer, or other disposition of assets of the corporation or
any of its subsidiaries in a transaction or series of transactions occurring
within a 12-month period and having an aggregate book value equal to 10% or more
of the net assets of the corporation; (iv) the issuance or transfer by the
corporation or any of its subsidiaries of any equity securities of the
corporation or subsidiary in a transaction or series of transactions occurring
within a 12-month period and having an aggregate market value of 5% or more of
the total market value of the outstanding stock of the corporation, except
pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights offered pro rata to all holders
of voting securities; (v) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the
liquidation or dissolution of the corporation in which anything other than cash
will be received by an interested shareholder or its affiliates; and (vi) any
transaction or series of transactions occurring within a 12-month period which
has the effect of increasing by 5% or more the proportionate amount of shares of
any class or series of equity securities of the corporation or any of its
subsidiaries that is beneficially owned by an interested shareholder or its
affiliates. An "interested shareholder" is defined by the GBCC to include any
person that with its affiliates, beneficially owns or has the right to own 10%
or more of the outstanding voting power of a corporation, or any person that is
an affiliate of the corporation and has, at any time within the preceding
two-year period, been the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of
the corporation. A "continuing director" includes any director who is not an
affiliate or associate of an interested shareholder or its affiliates and who
was a director prior to the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder and
any successor of such a director who is not an affiliate or associate of an
interested shareholder or its affiliates and who is recommended or elected by a
majority of continuing directors.
    
 
   
     The fair price provisions do not restrict a business combination if: (a)
the aggregate amount of the cash and fair market value of any noncash property,
to be received per share by the shareholders in the business combination is at
least equal to the highest of: (i) the highest per share price, including
brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees, paid by the
interested shareholder for any shares of the same class or series acquired by it
within two years preceding the public announcement of the business combination
(the "announcement date") or in the transaction in which it became an interested
shareholder; (ii) the higher of the fair market value per share as determined on
the announcement date or the date on which the interested Shareholder first
became an interested shareholder; or (iii) in the case of shares other than
common shares, the highest amount per share to which preferred shareholders are
entitled in the event of liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the
corporation, but only if the interested shareholder acquired such preferred
shares within the two-year period immediately preceding the announcement date;
and (b) shareholders receive cash or the form of consideration used in the past
by the interested shareholder to purchase the largest number of shares of the
same class or series. Further, subject to certain exceptions, during the period
after the shareholder became an interested shareholder and prior to the
consummation of the business combination, without the approval of a majority of
the continuing directors, there shall have been: (i) no failure to declare and
pay full dividends on the corporation's outstanding preferred shares; (ii) no
reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on common shares, except as to
reflect any subdivision of the shares; (iii) an increase in the annual rate of
dividends to reflect any reclassification of shares which has the effect of
reducing the number of outstanding shares; and (iv) not more than a 1% increase
in the interested shareholder's ownership of any class or series of the
corporation's shares in any 12-month period. Additionally, an interested
shareholder may not have received a direct or indirect benefit, except
proportionately as a shareholder, of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges,
or other financial assistance or any tax credits or other tax advantages
provided by the corporation or its subsidiaries, whether in anticipation of or
in connection with such business combination or otherwise. The fair price
provisions do not apply if a shareholder has been an interested shareholder for
three years immediately preceding the consummation of the business combina-
    
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   44
 
tion and has not increased its percentage interest in any class or series of
shares by more than one percent in any 12-month period.
 
     The Company also has elected in its Bylaws to be subject to the "business
combination" provisions of the GBCC. These provisions generally prohibit various
"business combinations" between a Georgia corporation with at least 100
beneficial owners in Georgia and meeting certain other criteria and an
"interested shareholder" or it affiliates for a period of five years after the
shareholder becomes an interested shareholder of the corporation. During such
five-year period, these provisions prohibit any business combination with an
interested shareholder unless: (i) prior to the time the shareholder became an
interested shareholder, the board of directors approved either the business
combination or the transaction by which the shareholder became an interested
shareholder; (ii) in the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming
an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder became the beneficial
owner of at least 90% of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation which
was not held by directors, officers, affiliates thereof, subsidiaries or certain
employee stock plans of the corporation; or (iii) subsequent to becoming an
interested shareholder, such shareholder acquired additional shares resulting in
such shareholder owning at least 90% of the outstanding voting stock of the
corporation (excluding certain shares) and the business combination is approved
by a majority of voting stock not held by the interested shareholder, directors,
officers, affiliates thereof, subsidiaries or certain employee stock plans of
the corporation. Under these provisions of the GBCC, an "interested shareholder"
is defined by reference to the fair price provisions of the GBCC. Subject to
certain exceptions, for the purposes of these provisions a "business
combination" includes: (i) any merger or consolidation of the corporation or any
of its subsidiaries; (ii) other than in the ordinary course of business, any
sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of assets of the corporation or any
of its subsidiaries in a transaction or series of transactions having an
aggregate book value of 10% or more of the corporation's net assets; (iii) the
issuance or transfer by the corporation or any of its subsidiaries of any equity
securities of the corporation or subsidiary in a transaction or series of
transactions having an aggregate market value of 5% or more of the total market
value of the outstanding stock of the corporation, except pursuant to the
exercise of warrants or rights offered pro rata to all holders of voting
securities, and except pursuant to the exercise or conversion of securities
outstanding prior to the time the shareholder became an interested shareholder;
(iv) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of
the corporation; (v) any transaction which has the effect of increasing by 5% or
more the proportionate amount of shares of any class or series of equity
securities of the corporation which is beneficially owned by the interested
shareholder or its affiliates; (vi) other than in the ordinary course of
business, the receipt by an interested shareholder, except proportionally as a
shareholder, of any benefit from any loan, advance, guarantee, pledge, financial
benefit, tax credit or tax advantage from the corporation; and (vii) any share
exchange. The restrictions on business combinations do not apply to any person
who was an interested shareholder before the adoption of the bylaw which made
the provisions applicable to the corporation, nor to any person who becomes an
interested shareholder inadvertently, subsequently divests sufficient shares so
that the shareholder ceases to be an interested shareholder and would not, at
any time within the five-year period immediately before a business combination
involving the shareholder, have been an interested shareholder but for the
inadvertent acquisition.
 
     The Company's Restated Articles and Bylaws contain a number of provisions
relating to corporate governance and to the rights of shareholders. Certain of
these provisions may be deemed to have a potential anti-takeover effect in that
such provisions may delay or prevent a change of control of the Company. These
provisions include: (a) the classification of the Board of Directors into three
classes, each class serving for staggered three-year terms; (b) the requirement
that shareholders may remove directors only for cause and only by the
affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then outstanding
capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
Directors ("Voting Stock"); (c) a requirement that the affirmative vote of at
least 66 2/3% of the Voting Stock is required to amend provisions of the
Restated Articles and Bylaws relating to the classification of the Board and
removal of Directors; (d) the requirement that shareholder action can be taken
only at an annual or special meeting of shareholders or by the written consent
of the holders of at least 75.0% of the voting power of the then outstanding
Common Stock; (e) an advance notice procedure for shareholders to make
nominations of candidates for election as directors; and (f) the requirement
that a special shareholders meeting may only be called by the Chairman of the
Board or at the direction of the majority of the Board of Directors or by the
holders of at least 75.0% of the voting power of the
                                       43
<PAGE>   45
 
then outstanding Common Stock. See "Risk Factors -- Potential Impact of
Anti-Takeover Provisions; Substantial Control of Directors and Officers."
 
     These provisions have certain antitakeover effects and may discourage
proposals that could be viewed as favorable to shareholders. The description set
forth above is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Company's Restated Articles and Bylaws which have been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") as exhibits. See
"Additional Information."
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
     The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is First Union
National Bank.
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will have outstanding
6,535,000 shares of Common Stock, assuming no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option and no exercise of options outstanding under the Plan. See
"Management -- 1998 Stock Option Plan" and "Underwriting." Of these shares, all
of the 2,850,000 shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering will be freely
transferable without restriction or limitation under the Securities Act except
for any shares purchased by affiliates of the Company within the meaning of Rule
144. The remaining 3,685,000 shares of Common Stock are "restricted" shares
within the meaning of Rule 144 (the "Restricted Shares"). The Restricted Shares
were issued and sold by the Company in private transactions in reliance upon
exemptions from registration under the Securities Act and may not be sold except
in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or
pursuant to an exemption from registration, such as the exemption provided by
Rule 144.
 
     Beginning 90 days after the date of this Prospectus, all of the Restricted
Shares will be eligible for sale in the public market pursuant to Rule 144. In
general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, any person (or persons whose
shares are aggregated), including an affiliate of the Company, who has held
Restricted Shares for at least one year (as computed under Rule 144), and any
affiliate of the Company who holds non-Restricted Shares, is entitled to sell
within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the
greater of (i) 1.0% of the then outstanding shares of the Common Stock
(approximately 65,350 shares after giving effect to the Offering) or (ii) the
average weekly trading volume in the Common Stock during the four calendar weeks
immediately preceding the date on which the notice of sale is filed with the
Commission. Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain provisions relating
to the manner of sale, the filing of a notice of sale and the availability of
current public information about the Company. A person (or persons whose shares
are aggregated) who is not deemed an affiliate of the Company at any time during
the 90 days immediately preceding a sale, and who has held Restricted Shares for
at least two years (as computed under Rule 144), would be entitled to sell such
shares under Rule 144(k) without regard to the volume limitation and other
conditions described above.
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has been no market for the Common Stock, and
no prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that market sales of shares
or the availability of a substantial number of such shares for sale will have on
the market price of the Common Stock. Sales of substantial amounts of Common
Stock in the public market may have an adverse impact on such market price.
 
     The Company and its executive officers, directors and shareholders (who
beneficially own in the aggregate 4,935,000 shares of Common Stock), have agreed
not to (i) sell, pledge, offer to sell, solicit an offer to buy, contract to
sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, sell any option or
contract to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or
indirectly, any shares of Common Stock (other than the shares offered by the
Company and the Selling Shareholders in the Offering), or any securities
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, (ii) enter
into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a portion of the
economic consequences associated with the ownership of the Common Stock, or
(iii) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration
of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable
or exchangeable for Common Stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this
Prospectus without the prior written consent of The Robinson-Humphrey
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   46
 
Company, LLC (the "Lock-up Period"). Following the Lock-up Period, the shares of
Common Stock will be eligible for sale in the public market, subject to the
conditions and restrictions of Rule 144, as described above.
 
     The Company intends to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the
Securities Act to register all shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding
stock options and Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Plan. The Company
expects to file such registration statement following the closing of the
Offering; and such registration statement is expected to become effective upon
filing. Shares covered by the registration statement on Form S-8 will thereupon
be eligible for sale in the public markets, subject to the Lock-up Period, to
the extent applicable.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
     Upon consummation of the Offering, the holders of approximately 3.3 million
shares of Common Stock (the "Registrable Shares") will have certain "piggyback"
registration rights, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement with the
Company (the "Agreement"). The Agreement provides that in the event the Company
proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act at any time
or times, the holders of the Registrable Shares, subject to certain exceptions,
shall be entitled to include the Registerable Shares in such registration.
However, the managing underwriter of any such offering may exclude for marketing
reasons some or all of such Registerable Shares from such registration. The
Company is generally required to bear the expenses of all such registrations,
except underwriting discounts and commissions. Such registration rights expire
when the number of shares held by a holder does not exceed 3.0% of the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock. See "Risk Factors -- Shares Eligible for
Future Sale."
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   47
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement (the
"Underwriting Agreement"), among the Company, the Selling Shareholders and the
Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), the Company and the Selling
Shareholders have agreed to sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the
Underwriters, for whom The Robinson-Humphrey Company, LLC and Interstate/Johnson
Lane Corporation are acting as representatives (the "Representatives"), have
severally agreed to purchase from the Company and the Selling Shareholders, the
number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite their respective names. The
Underwriters are committed to purchase all of such shares if any are purchased.
Under certain circumstances, the commitments of non-defaulting Underwriters may
be increased as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 NUMBER
  UNDERWRITERS                                                  OF SHARES
  ------------                                                  ---------
  <S>                                                           <C>
  The Robinson-Humphrey Company, LLC..........................
  Interstate/Johnson Lane Corporation.........................
 
                                                                ---------
            Total.............................................  2,850,000
                                                                =========
</TABLE>
 
     The Representatives have advised the Company and the Selling Shareholders
that the Underwriters propose to offer the Common Stock directly to the public
at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess
of $     per share. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a
concession not in excess of $     per share in sales to certain other dealers.
After the Offering, the public offering price and other selling terms may be
changed.
 
     The Company and certain of the Selling Shareholders have granted to the
Underwriters an option, exercisable by the Representatives for 30 days after the
date of the Prospectus, to purchase up to an additional 427,500 shares of Common
Stock at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount. Such
option may be exercised solely to cover over-allotments, if any. To the extent
the Representatives exercise such option, the Underwriters have severally
agreed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same
percentage thereof that the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased by
each of them as shown in the table above bears to the 2,850,000 shares of Common
Stock offered hereby.
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock. The initial public offering price for the Common Stock will be determined
through negotiations among the Company, the Selling Shareholders and the
Representatives and will not be based upon any independent appraisal or
valuation of the Company. Among the factors which will be considered in making
such determination are prevailing market and general economic conditions, the
market capitalization of publicly-traded companies that the Company, the Selling
Shareholders and the Representatives believe to be comparable to the Company,
the revenues and earnings of the Company in recent periods, the experience of
the Company's management, the economic characteristics of the business in which
the Company competes, estimates of the business potential of the Company, the
present state of the Company's development and other factors deemed relevant.
 
     The Underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of Common Stock to any
account over which they exercise discretionary authority. The Representatives
intend to make a market in the Common Stock after completion of the Offering.
 
     In connection with the Offering, the Company and its executive officers,
directors and shareholders have agreed not to (i) sell, pledge, offer to sell,
solicit an offer to buy, contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to
purchase, sell any option or contract to purchase, or otherwise transfer or
dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock (other than the
shares offered by the Company and the Selling Shareholders in the Offering), or
any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common
                                       46
<PAGE>   48
 
Stock, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a
portion of the economic consequences associated with the ownership of the Common
Stock, or (iii) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the
registration of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock for a period of 180 days after the
date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of The
Robinson-Humphrey Company, LLC.
 
     The Company and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to indemnify the
several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be
required to make in respect thereof.
 
     The Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, may engage in
over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and
penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
Over-allotment involves syndicate sales in excess of the offering size, which
creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to
purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a
specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the
Common Stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in
order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the
Representatives to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when
shares of Common Stock originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in
a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Such
stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may
cause the price of the Common Stock to be higher than it would otherwise be in
the absence of such transactions. These transactions may be effected on the
Nasdaq National Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at
any time.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Company by Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, Atlanta, Georgia. Certain
legal matters relating to the Offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters
by Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, Atlanta, Georgia.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements and schedule of Childcare Network, Inc. at
December 31, 1996 and 1997, and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997 and the statements of operations and cash flows of Young
World, Inc. for the period of January 1, 1997 through September 29, 1997
appearing in this Prospectus and the registration statement of which it is a
part have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth
in their reports thereon appearing elsewhere herein and are included in reliance
upon such reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting
and auditing.
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the
Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus, which constitutes a part of the
Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, to which reference is hereby made. Statements made in
this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document
referred to above are necessarily incomplete. With respect to each such
contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, reference is hereby made to the exhibit for a more complete
description of the matter involved, and each statement shall be deemed qualified
in its entirety by such reference. The Registration Statement, including
exhibits and schedules thereto, may be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices at
Seven World Trade Center, Thirteenth Floor, New York, New York 10048 and
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661,
and copies may be obtained at the prescribed rates from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at its principal office in Washington, D.C. The
Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding the Company; the address of such site
is http://www.sec.gov.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   49
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
Report of Independent Auditors..............................   F-2
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 and June 26,
  1998 (unaudited)..........................................   F-3
Statements of Income for the Years ended December 31, 1995,
  1996 and 1997 and for the Periods January 1, 1997 through
  June 27, 1997 and January 1, 1998 through June 26, 1998
  (unaudited)...............................................   F-4
Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years ended
  December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and for the Period
  January 1, 1998 through June 26, 1998 (unaudited).........   F-5
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended December 31,
  1995, 1996 and 1997 and for the Periods January 1, 1997
  through June 27, 1997 and January 1, 1998 through June 26,
  1998 (unaudited)..........................................   F-6
Notes to Financial Statements...............................   F-7
YOUNG WORLD, INC.
Report of Independent Auditors..............................  F-18
Statement of Operations for the Period January 1, 1997
  through September 29, 1997................................  F-19
Statement of Cash Flows for the Period January 1, 1997
  through September 29, 1997................................  F-20
Notes to Financial Statements...............................  F-21
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   50
 
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Childcare Network, Inc.
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Childcare Network, Inc.
as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the related statements of income,
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Childcare Network, Inc. at
December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Columbus, Georgia
April 2, 1998, except for Note 3 as to
which the date is June 19, 1998 and Note 10,
as to which the date is July 6, 1998
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   51
 
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                           ------------------------    JUNE 26,
                                                              1996         1997          1998
                                                           ----------   -----------   -----------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>           <C>
                                             ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..............................  $  947,512   $   859,075   $ 1,446,107
  Accounts receivable, less allowances of $79,000,
     $76,000 and $96,000, respectively...................     370,583     1,050,166     1,230,832
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets..............      67,281       120,429       468,800
                                                           ----------   -----------   -----------
          Total current assets...........................   1,385,376     2,029,670     3,145,739
Property and equipment (Notes 2 and 3):
  Land...................................................     398,751       398,751       398,751
  Buildings..............................................   3,337,363     3,386,714     3,402,846
  Equipment..............................................   1,927,273     4,362,382     5,296,908
  Automobiles............................................     818,685     1,292,579     1,592,248
                                                           ----------   -----------   -----------
                                                            6,482,072     9,440,426    10,690,753
  Accumulated depreciation and amortization..............  (1,911,058)   (2,712,542)   (3,269,647)
                                                           ----------   -----------   -----------
                                                            4,571,014     6,727,884     7,421,106
Other assets:
  Goodwill...............................................     282,616     2,028,810     1,980,084
  Other assets...........................................      46,132       124,545       254,180
                                                           ----------   -----------   -----------
                                                              328,748     2,153,355     2,234,264
                                                           ----------   -----------   -----------
                                                           $6,285,138   $10,910,909   $12,801,109
                                                           ==========   ===========   ===========
                              LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable.......................................  $  160,145   $   750,312   $   370,607
  Accrued salaries and wages.............................     306,210       569,253       696,271
  Other accrued expenses.................................      96,674       283,175       104,443
  Deferred revenues (Note 6).............................     187,634        59,702           -0-
  Current portion of deferred liabilities................         -0-        48,492        59,914
  Current portion of long-term debt (Note 3).............     374,400       253,333           -0-
                                                           ----------   -----------   -----------
          Total current liabilities......................   1,125,063     1,964,267     1,231,235
Long-term debt, less current portion (Note 3)............   2,617,560     4,869,024     6,517,229
Other long-term liabilities, less current portion........         -0-       181,822       148,479
Commitments (Notes 6, 7, 8, and 9)
Shareholders' equity (Notes 4 and 10):
  Common stock, no par value; 20,000,000 shares
     authorized; 4,905,000, 4,935,000 and 4,935,000
     shares issued and outstanding, respectively.........     515,000       531,800       531,800
  Retained earnings......................................   2,027,515     3,363,996     4,372,366
                                                           ----------   -----------   -----------
          Total shareholders' equity.....................   2,542,515     3,895,796     4,904,166
                                                           ----------   -----------   -----------
                                                           $6,285,138   $10,910,909   $12,801,109
                                                           ==========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   52
 
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             JANUARY 1,   JANUARY 1,
                                                                                1997         1998
                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,            THROUGH       THROUGH
                                    --------------------------------------    JUNE 27,     JUNE 26,
                                       1995         1996          1997          1997         1998
                                    ----------   -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                 <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>
Governmental revenues (Note 6)
  Child Care Assistance Program...  $1,831,039   $ 2,619,125   $ 4,676,122   $1,862,231   $ 3,834,446
  Pre-K Program...................   1,824,373     3,849,444     3,913,384    2,206,590     2,254,785
  Food Program....................     387,961       519,340       682,596      301,855       478,321
Private payors and other revenues
  (Note 7)........................   5,165,905     5,195,409     7,058,656    2,757,655     7,006,539
                                    ----------   -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
          Total revenues..........   9,209,278    12,183,318    16,330,758    7,128,331    13,574,091
Operating expenses:
  Cost of services................   6,761,277     8,980,864    12,249,202    5,038,133    10,175,128
  Selling, general and
     administrative expenses......     495,594       615,508       888,197      362,014       601,733
  Depreciation and amortization
     expense......................     501,342       684,471       853,545      365,749       621,644
                                    ----------   -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
          Total operating
            expenses..............   7,758,213    10,280,843    13,990,944    5,765,896    11,398,505
                                    ----------   -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
Income from operations............   1,451,065     1,902,475     2,339,814    1,362,435     2,175,586
Interest expense, net.............    (311,142)     (277,098)     (190,223)     (86,487)     (213,087)
                                    ----------   -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
          Net income..............  $1,139,923   $ 1,625,377   $ 2,149,591   $1,275,948   $ 1,962,499
                                    ==========   ===========   ===========   ==========   ===========
Supplemental unaudited pro forma
  information:
  Net income, as above............  $1,139,923   $ 1,625,377   $ 2,149,591   $1,275,948   $ 1,962,499
  Pro forma provision for income
     taxes (Note 5)...............    (433,170)     (617,640)     (816,840)    (484,860)     (745,750)
                                    ----------   -----------   -----------   ----------   -----------
  Pro forma net income............  $  706,753   $ 1,007,737   $ 1,332,751   $  791,088   $ 1,216,749
                                    ==========   ===========   ===========   ==========   ===========
  Basic shares outstanding........   4,905,000     4,905,000     4,932,000    4,931,000     4,935,000
                                    ==========   ===========   ===========   ==========   ===========
  Diluted shares outstanding......   4,905,000     4,905,000     4,932,000    4,931,000     4,955,293
                                    ==========   ===========   ===========   ==========   ===========
  Pro forma net income per basic
     share........................  $     0.14   $      0.21   $      0.27   $     0.16   $      0.25
                                    ==========   ===========   ===========   ==========   ===========
  Pro forma net income per diluted
     share........................  $     0.14   $      0.21   $      0.27   $     0.16   $      0.25
                                    ==========   ===========   ===========   ==========   ===========
</TABLE>
    
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   53
 
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                       STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       COMMON STOCK
                                                   --------------------    RETAINED
                                                    SHARES      AMOUNT     EARNINGS       TOTAL
                                                   ---------   --------   -----------   ----------
<S>                                                <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994.....................  1,515,000   $515,000   $   706,445   $1,221,445
Stock splits (Notes 4 and 10)....................  3,030,000        -0-           -0-          -0-
                                                   ---------   --------   -----------   ----------
Balance at December 31, 1994, as restated........  4,545,000    515,000       706,445    1,221,445
Net income.......................................        -0-        -0-     1,139,923    1,139,923
Dividends........................................        -0-        -0-      (362,623)    (362,623)
Exercise of stock options (Note 4)...............    360,000        -0-           -0-          -0-
                                                   ---------   --------   -----------   ----------
Balance at December 31, 1995.....................  4,905,000    515,000     1,483,745    1,998,745
Net income.......................................        -0-        -0-     1,625,377    1,625,377
Dividends........................................        -0-        -0-    (1,081,607)  (1,081,607)
                                                   ---------   --------   -----------   ----------
Balance at December 31, 1996.....................  4,905,000    515,000     2,027,515    2,542,515
Net income.......................................        -0-        -0-     2,149,591    2,149,591
Dividends........................................        -0-        -0-      (813,110)    (813,110)
Issuance of common stock (Note 4)................     30,000     16,800           -0-       16,800
                                                   ---------   --------   -----------   ----------
Balance at December 31, 1997.....................  4,935,000    531,800     3,363,996    3,895,796
Net income (Unaudited)...........................        -0-        -0-     1,962,499    1,962,499
Dividends (Unaudited)............................        -0-        -0-      (954,129)    (954,129)
                                                   ---------   --------   -----------   ----------
Balance at June 26, 1998 (Unaudited).............  4,935,000   $531,800   $ 4,372,366   $4,904,166
                                                   =========   ========   ===========   ==========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   54
 
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 JANUARY 1,    JANUARY 1,
                                                                                    1997          1998
                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,             THROUGH       THROUGH
                                       ---------------------------------------    JUNE 27,      JUNE 26,
                                          1995          1996          1997          1997          1998
                                       -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                                                        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                    <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income.........................  $ 1,139,923   $ 1,625,377   $ 2,149,591   $ 1,275,948   $ 1,962,499
  Adjustments to reconcile net income
    to net cash provided by (used in)
    operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization....      501,342       684,471       853,545       365,749       621,644
    Amortization of deferred
       revenues......................      (38,010)     (113,893)     (140,054)      (75,847)      (59,702)
    Other............................          -0-        32,883        (2,932)          -0-           -0-
    Changes in operating assets and
       liabilities:
       Accounts receivable...........     (204,022)       92,545      (679,583)      (23,682)     (180,666)
       Prepaid expenses and other
         current and noncurrent
         assets......................     (130,891)      105,120       (54,860)     (147,566)     (493,818)
       Accounts payable..............      376,344      (293,096)      440,167       (85,444)     (379,705)
       Accrued salaries and wages....      175,450         8,960       263,043       103,790       127,018
       Other accrued expenses........      (11,525)       32,639       182,463        45,581      (200,654)
                                       -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
         Net cash provided by
           operating activities......    1,808,611     2,175,006     3,011,380     1,458,529     1,396,616
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Acquisition of child development
    and learning centers.............   (1,393,397)      (95,825)   (1,840,476)          -0-      (240,000)
  Purchases of property and
    equipment........................     (532,809)     (455,850)     (926,762)     (112,728)   (1,010,327)
  Proceeds from sales of property and
    equipment........................          -0-         7,447           -0-           -0-           -0-
  Equipment purchase reimbursement...      341,681           -0-           -0-           -0-           -0-
                                       -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
         Net cash used in investing
           activities................   (1,584,525)     (544,228)   (2,767,238)     (112,728)   (1,250,327)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Bank credit agreement
    Borrowings.......................    1,250,000           -0-     3,497,000           -0-    10,124,080
    Repayments.......................     (405,100)     (654,341)   (3,033,269)     (637,200)   (7,895,875)
  Repayments of other long-term
    debt.............................      (21,031)     (122,371)          -0-           -0-      (833,333)
  Proceeds from issuance of common
    stock............................          -0-           -0-        16,800        16,800           -0-
  Dividends paid.....................     (466,223)   (1,081,607)     (813,110)     (471,315)     (954,129)
                                       -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
         Net cash provided by (used
           in) financing
           activities................      357,646    (1,858,319)     (332,579)   (1,091,715)      440,743
                                       -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
  cash equivalents...................      581,732      (227,541)      (88,437)      254,086       587,032
Cash and cash equivalents at
  beginning of period................      593,321     1,175,053       947,512       947,512       859,075
                                       -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
         Cash and cash equivalents at
           end of period.............  $ 1,175,053   $   947,512   $   859,075   $ 1,201,598   $ 1,446,107
                                       ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   55
 
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
     The Company offers child care and developmental services through
contractual arrangements to employees of certain corporations and to the general
public. The Company also provides services under contractual arrangements with
certain federal and state governmental agencies. The child development and
learning centers used in the Company's operations are located in Georgia,
Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina and Virginia.
 
REVENUE AND EXPENSE RECOGNITION
 
   
     Tuition revenues are recognized over the period that services are provided,
including amounts received under Assistance Programs and the Georgia Pre-K
Program. Food Program revenues are recognized in the periods that schools
qualify to receive such revenues. Management contract revenues are recognized
ratably over the contract period. Annual registration fees are recognized
ratably over the contract period. Operating expenses are recognized when
incurred. Revenues are recorded net of employee and other discounts of
approximately $1,080,000, $1,164,000 and $1,581,000 for the years ended December
31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
    
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
     The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of
three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are
stated at cost which represents the deposit amount plus interest credited to the
account. The Company maintains cash, cash equivalents, investments and certain
other financial instruments with various major financial institutions. The
Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of these
institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one institution.
Total cash balances are generally federally insured up to $100,000 per bank. The
Company had cash balances on deposit at December 31, 1997 and June 26, 1998 that
exceeded the federally insured amounts in the amounts of approximately $513,000
and $1,097,000, respectively.
 
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
 
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets include prepaid rent, insurance,
supplies and food.
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the
straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods
for income tax purposes. The estimated useful lives of assets used to compute
depreciation expense range from 20 to 30 years for buildings, 6 to 10 years for
equipment and 5 to 7 years for automobiles.
 
GOODWILL
 
     Goodwill is stated at cost and is amortized over 25 years under the
straight-line method. Accumulated amortization of goodwill was approximately
$31,400 and $58,600 as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
     In the event that facts and circumstances indicate that the goodwill or
other long-lived assets may be impaired, the Company would make an evaluation of
continuing value of assets at a center level. If such an evaluation is required,
the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with this asset would be
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   56
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
compared to its carrying amount to determine if a write down to fair market
value or a discounted cash flow value is required.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
     The shareholders of the Company have elected to include the Company's
income in their own income for income tax purposes, under an election privilege
afforded by provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). Consequently, the Company is not subject to federal and certain state
income taxes.
 
     Pro forma federal and state income taxes for the Company are calculated on
a pro forma, taxable corporation basis. See Note 5 "Pro Forma Income Taxes" for
the calculation of pro forma federal and state income taxes.
 
EMPLOYEE BONUS PLANS
 
     The Company has employee bonus plans covering certain of its employees.
Amounts paid under these plans are either discretionary or based upon defined
operating results and are approved by the Board of Directors. Bonuses based on
operating results are generally earned after the achievement of a combination of
operating profit compared to budget and utilization at a center level or region
level. Compensation expense under these plans was approximately $85,000, $86,000
and $133,000 for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
ADVERTISING
 
     The Company expenses advertising costs when incurred.
 
USE OF ESTIMATES
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
     The Company has adopted FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosure about Fair Value
of Financial Instruments, which requires disclosure of fair value, to the extent
practical, of certain of the Company's financial instruments. The fair value
amounts do not necessarily represent the amount that could be realized in a sale
or settlement. The Company's financial instruments are comprised principally of
long-term debt.
 
     The estimated fair value of long-term bank debt at December 31, 1997
approximates book value since, in management's opinion, such obligations are
subject to fluctuating market rates of interest and can be settled at their face
amounts. The Company does not anticipate settlement of long-term debt at other
than book value and currently intends to hold such financial instruments through
maturity.
 
     The fair value of other financial instruments classified as current assets
or liabilities approximate their carrying values due to the short-term
maturities of these instruments.
 
LONG-LIVED ASSETS
 
     FASB Statement No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of ("Statement 121"), requires
impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   57
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the
undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than
the asset's carrying amount. Statement 121 also addresses the accounting for
long-lived assets that are expected to be disposed of. Statement 121 did not
have any impact on the Company's financial position or operating results at
December 31, 1997 or during the three year period then ended.
 
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
 
     The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25") and related
interpretations in accounting for its stock options. Under APB 25, if the
exercise price of the stock options granted by the Company equals the market
price of the underlying stock on the date of the grant, no compensation expense
is recognized.
 
INTERIM FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
     The accompanying balance sheet as of June 26, 1998, and the related
statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the period January
1, 1998 through June 26, 1998 and the period January 1, 1997 through June 27,
1997, have been prepared by the Company without audit. In the opinion of
management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
considered necessary for a fair presentation for such periods have been made.
The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be
expected for a full year.
 
     Footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been
omitted herein with respect to the interim financial data. The interim
information herein should be read in conjunction with the annual audited
financial statements and notes presented herein.
 
FISCAL YEAR
 
     Effective January 1, 1998, the Company changed its fiscal year end from
December 31 to the last Friday in December and began reporting its quarterly
results in 13 week periods. For comparison purposes, quarterly results for 1997
have been restated to as nearly as possible reflect the Company's current
reporting period.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     As more fully discussed in Note 4 "Shareholders' Equity" and Note 10
"Subsequent Events," the Company has had stock splits of its common stock. All
references to number of shares in the accompanying financial statements, except
shares authorized, have been adjusted to reflect all stock splits on a
retroactive basis.
 
RECLASSIFICATIONS
 
     Certain amounts in the accompanying financial statements have been
reclassified to be consistent with the 1997 presentation.
 
NEW ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, and Statement No. 131,
Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. Statement
No. 130 establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive
income and its components in a full set of general purpose financial statements.
Statement No. 131 generally
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   58
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)
requires that companies report segment information for operating segments which
are revenue producing components and for which separate financial information is
produced internally. In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement No. 133, Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and for Hedging Activities. Statement No. 133
provides a comprehensive standard for the recognition and measurement of
derivatives and hedging activities.
 
     The Company's adoption of Statement No. 130 and Statement No. 131 in 1998
had no impact on the Company's interim operating results or financial position.
The Company will adopt Statement No. 133 in 1999 and it is anticipated that the
adoption will not materially impact the Company's operating results or financial
position.
 
     In April 1998, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee issued
Statement of Position 98-5, Reporting on the Costs of Start-up Activities. The
SOP requires the costs of start-up activities to be expensed as incurred. The
Company will adopt this SOP in 1999 and it is anticipated that the adoption will
not materially impact the Company's operating results or financial position.
 
2. ACQUISITIONS
 
  1995 Acquisition
 
     In June 1995, the Company purchased the assets and operations of seven
child care centers located in Georgia and Tennessee (the "1995 Acquisition") for
an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.3 million. The 1995 Acquisition
was accounted for using the purchase method and, accordingly, the purchase price
was allocated to the tangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair
values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the
fair value of net tangible assets acquired was approximately $314,000 and is
being amortized over a 25 year period.
 
  1996 Acquisition
 
     In May 1996, the Company purchased the operations and certain assets of two
child development and learning centers located in Georgia (the "1996
Acquisition") for an aggregate cash purchase price of approximately $96,000. The
acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method and, accordingly, the
purchase price was allocated to the tangible assets acquired based on their
estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.
 
  1997 Acquisitions
 
     On September 22, 1997, the Company purchased from Academe Child Development
Centers, Ltd. (the "Academe Acquisition") substantially all of the assets and
assumed certain liabilities of thirteen child development and learning centers
located in Alabama and Florida for an aggregate purchase price of approximately
$1,085,000, subject to final adjustments in September 1998. At closing, the
Company assumed net liabilities of approximately $15,000 and paid approximately
$920,000 in cash. At December 31, 1997 and June 26, 1998, $150,000 remained
unpaid and is included in accounts payable in the accompanying balance sheets.
The Academe Acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method and,
accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the net tangible assets
acquired based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The
excess of the purchase price over the net tangible assets acquired was
approximately $432,000 and is being amortized over a 25 year period.
 
     On September 29, 1997, the Company purchased from Young World, Inc. (the
"Young World Acquisition") substantially all of the assets of sixteen child
development and learning centers located in Georgia, North Carolina, South
Carolina and Virginia for approximately $833,000 in cash and notes payable
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   59
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
2. ACQUISITIONS -- (CONTINUED)
of $1,666,666 (see Note 3). The Young World Acquisition was accounted for using
the purchase method and, accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the
net tangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values at the date of
acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the net tangible assets
acquired was approximately $1,341,000 and is being amortized over a 25 year
period.
 
     The operating results of the acquisitions are included in the accompanying
financial statements from their respective date of acquisition.
 
     Pro forma results of the 1995 Acquisition, the 1996 Acquisition and the
Academe Acquisition have not been presented as the effect on prior periods is
not significant.
 
     Unaudited pro forma operating data for the years ended December 31, 1996
and 1997 and the period January 1, 1997 through June 27, 1997 is presented below
and assumes that the Young World Acquisition occurred on January 1, 1996. The
unaudited pro forma operating data does not purport to represent the Company's
actual results of operations had the Young World Acquisition occurred on January
1, 1996, and should not serve as a forecast of the Company's operating results
for any future periods. The pro forma adjustments are based solely upon certain
assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances at
this time.
 
     Pro forma operating data for the year ended December 31, 1996 are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YOUNG
                                                         WORLD       PRO FORMA     PRO FORMA
                                          COMPANY     ACQUISITION   ADJUSTMENTS     COMPANY
                                        -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                             (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                     <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenues..............................  $12,183,318   $5,817,860     $     -0-    $18,001,178
                                        ===========   ==========     =========    ===========
Net income (loss) before pro forma
  provision for income taxes..........  $ 1,625,377   $  (79,499)    $(458,951)   $ 1,086,927
                                        ===========   ==========     =========    ===========
Pro forma net income (loss)...........  $ 1,007,737   $  (79,499)    $(254,343)   $   673,895
                                        ===========   ==========     =========    ===========
Pro forma net income per basic and
  diluted share.......................  $      0.21                               $      0.14
                                        ===========                               ===========
</TABLE>
 
     Pro forma operating data for the year ended December 31, 1997 are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YOUNG
                                                         WORLD       PRO FORMA     PRO FORMA
                                          COMPANY     ACQUISITION   ADJUSTMENTS     COMPANY
                                        -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                             (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                     <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenues..............................  $16,330,758   $4,721,563     $     -0-    $21,052,321
                                        ===========   ==========     =========    ===========
Net income (loss) before pro forma
  provision for income taxes..........  $ 2,149,591   $ (215,583)    $(279,111)   $ 1,654,897
                                        ===========   ==========     =========    ===========
Pro forma net income (loss)...........  $ 1,332,751   $ (215,583)    $ (91,132)   $ 1,026,036
                                        ===========   ==========     =========    ===========
Pro forma net income per basic and
  diluted share.......................  $      0.27                               $      0.21
                                        ===========                               ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   60
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
2. ACQUISITIONS -- (CONTINUED)
     Pro forma operating data for the period January 1, 1997 through June 27,
1997 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YOUNG
                                                         WORLD       PRO FORMA     PRO FORMA
                                          COMPANY     ACQUISITION   ADJUSTMENTS     COMPANY
                                         ----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                             (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                      <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenues...............................  $7,128,331   $3,031,487     $     -0-    $10,159,818
                                         ==========   ==========     =========    ===========
Net income (loss) before pro forma
  provision for income taxes...........  $1,275,948   $  (60,557)    $(188,574)   $ 1,026,817
                                         ==========   ==========     =========    ===========
Pro forma net income (loss)............  $  791,088   $  (60,557)    $ (93,904)   $   636,627
                                         ==========   ==========     =========    ===========
Pro forma net income per basic and
  diluted share........................  $     0.16                               $      0.13
                                         ==========                               ===========
</TABLE>
 
     The pro forma results presented above include adjustments to reflect (i)
the incurrence of interest expense to fund the Young World Acquisition and (ii)
additional depreciation and amortization relative to the assets acquired.
 
3. INDEBTEDNESS
 
     Indebtedness is summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                    -----------------------
                                                       1996         1997      JUNE 26, 1998
                                                    ----------   ----------   -------------
                                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>          <C>
Bank Credit Agreement.............................  $2,991,960   $3,455,691    $5,683,896
Acquisition Note..................................         -0-    1,666,666       833,333
                                                    ----------   ----------    ----------
                                                     2,991,960    5,122,357     6,517,229
Less current portion..............................    (374,400)    (253,333)          -0-
                                                    ----------   ----------    ----------
                                                    $2,617,560   $4,869,024    $6,517,229
                                                    ==========   ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
BANK CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
     The Company has a Term Loan and Revolving Credit Agreement with a bank, as
amended through June 26, 1997 (the "Bank Credit Agreement"), which provides for
a revolving line of credit for maximum borrowings of $2 million through July 1,
1999 (the "Line of Credit") and term loans up to an aggregate maximum of $5
million (the "Term Loans"). The Bank Credit Agreement contains certain
restrictive provisions which, among other things, require the Company to
maintain a minimum net worth, certain financial ratios and certain insurance
coverage limits. The Bank Credit Agreement is secured by substantially all of
the existing and hereafter acquired assets of the Company.
 
     Interest on the Line of Credit is due and payable monthly, in arrears.
Interest accrues at the bank prime rate (8.5% at December 31, 1997), at LIBOR
plus the Applicable Margin or the Secondary C/D Rate plus the Applicable Margin
(as defined in the Bank Credit Agreement, as amended) depending on the option
chosen by the Company, subject to certain restrictions as described in the Bank
Credit Agreement. The Applicable Margin ranges from 2.00% to 2.50% based on the
Company's maintenance of certain operating ratios as defined in the Bank Credit
Agreement. At December 31, 1997 approximately $798,000 was outstanding under the
Line of Credit.
 
     The Term Loans bear interest the same as that of the Line of Credit and
mature on June 1, 2002. At December 31, 1997, the principal amount outstanding
under the Term Loans was approximately $2,657,800
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   61
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
3. INDEBTEDNESS -- (CONTINUED)
and is due and payable in 55 monthly installments of $21,111. A final
installment of approximately $1,496,700 plus accrued interest is due and payable
on June 1, 2002. The Term Loan proceeds were used to retire certain loans which
were outstanding at December 31, 1996 under the predecessor bank agreement.
 
AMENDED AND RESTATED BANK CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
     On June 19, 1998, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit
agreement with its bank which provides for aggregate borrowings of $15 million.
The new bank agreement consists of a line of credit of $2 million which matures
in two years and a revolving line of credit of $13 million which matures in five
years. Interest will accrue at the bank's prime rate, LIBOR plus a margin of
1.75% to 2.375%, or the secondary C/D rate plus 1.75% to 2.375%, at the option
of the Company. The agreement contains restrictive provisions which, among other
things, require the Company to maintain a minimum net worth, certain financial
ratios and certain insurance coverage limits. The agreement is secured by
substantially all of the existing and hereafter acquired assets of the Company.
On June 26, 1998, retained earnings available for the payment of dividends was
approximately $615,000.
 
NOTES PAYABLE
 
     In connection with the Young World Acquisition, the Company executed a
promissory note (the "Acquisition Note") payable to the seller in the principal
amount of $1,666,666. The Acquisition Note is due in two annual installments of
approximately $833,333 plus accrued interest beginning January 1, 1998 and bears
interest at 8 1/2% per annum. The Acquisition Note is secured by a letter of
credit drawn on behalf of the Company. In January 1998, the original letter of
credit was replaced with a substitute letter of credit of $833,333. All amounts
outstanding under the letter of credit reduce the Company's availability under
its Bank Credit Agreement.
 
     The Company paid the $833,333 installment of the Acquisition Note due
January 1, 1998 with borrowings under the Line of Credit. The Company has
classified all amounts outstanding under the Line of Credit at December 31, 1997
and the $833,333 installment of the Acquisition Note paid in January 1998 as
long-term in the accompanying financial statements because management intends
that at least that amount would remain outstanding during 1998.
 
     Maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 1997 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
1998........................................................  $  253,333
1999........................................................   2,717,912
2000........................................................     253,333
2001........................................................     253,333
2002 and thereafter.........................................   1,644,446
                                                              ----------
                                                              $5,122,357
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
     Interest payments of approximately $343,000, $269,000 and $156,000 were
made during the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
4. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     On September 22, 1997, the Board of Directors declared a two-for-one split
of the Company's common stock, effected in the form of a stock dividend payable
on December 15, 1997 to shareholders of record. Also see Note 10, Subsequent
Events.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   62
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
4. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY -- (CONTINUED)
     On January 26, 1997, the Company sold 30,000 shares of its common stock to
a member of the Company's Board of Directors. The offering price per share of
$0.56 was based on the Board of Directors' best estimate of fair market value
per share at the transaction date.
 
     The Company's President was awarded 360,000 non-qualified stock options
during 1993. The stock options were fully vested at the date of grant and
exercisable, at no cost, at the option of the holder. The fair market value of
these stock options at the date of award, approximately $10,000, was recorded as
an increase in capital during 1993. These non-qualified stock options were
exercised during the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
     Each shareholder of the Company is a party to a stock restriction agreement
(the "Cross-Purchase Agreement") which restricts the transfer of the Company's
Common Stock and provides existing shareholders, and/or the Company, the right
of first refusal for the purchase of the Company's Common Stock under certain
circumstances as defined in the Cross-Purchase Agreement. Also see Note 10
"Subsequent Events."
 
     Dividends of approximately $466,000 (includes $103,000 of amount declared
and unpaid at December 31, 1994), $1,082,000 and $813,000 were declared and paid
during the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. At
December 31, 1997, retained earnings of approximately $601,000 were available
for dividends.
 
5. PRO FORMA INCOME TAXES
 
     Pro forma income tax expense differed from the amounts computed by applying
the statutory federal income tax rate of a 34% as a result of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,       JANUARY 1, 1997   JANUARY 1, 1998
                             ------------------------------       THROUGH           THROUGH
                               1995       1996       1997      JUNE 27, 1997     JUNE 26, 1998
                             --------   --------   --------   ---------------   ---------------
                                                                         (UNAUDITED)
<S>                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>               <C>
Computed using a 34% tax
  rate.....................  $387,574   $552,628   $730,861      $433,822          $667,250
State income taxes, net of
  federal tax..............    45,596     65,012     85,979        51,038            78,500
                             --------   --------   --------      --------          --------
                             $433,170   $617,640   $816,840      $484,860          $745,750
                             ========   ========   ========      ========          ========
</TABLE>
 
6. FEDERAL AND STATE CONTRACTS
 
PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS
 
   
     The Company has a contract with the Office of School Readiness ("School
Readiness"), an agency of the State of Georgia. The contract requires the
Company to coordinate and provide services and programs for qualified four-year
old children and their families served by the Prekindergarten Program (the
"Pre-K Program") which is fully funded from proceeds of the Georgia state
lottery. The Pre-K Program contains provisions which, among other things,
require maintenance of student/teacher ratios, limit expenditures for capital
purchases, and require the transfer of funds back to School Readiness in the
event that all funds are not utilized by the end of the contract year. The Pre-K
Program contract value for the 1995-96 school year was approximately $4,195,000
for the period September 1995 through June 1996. The Pre-K Program contract
value for the 1996-97 school year was approximately $3,662,000 for the period of
August 1996 through June 1997. The Pre-K Program contract value for the 1997-98
school year is approximately $3,806,000 for the period of August 1997 through
June 1998. The Company receives funding for the Pre-K Program on a monthly basis
which closely corresponds to the periods of service. During 1995, 1996 and 1997,
the Company
    
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   63
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
6. FEDERAL AND STATE CONTRACTS -- (CONTINUED)
recognized revenues of approximately $1,824,000, $3,849,000 and $3,913,000,
respectively, under the Pre-K Program contracts.
 
     In October 1995, the Company expended $660,000 of Pre-K Program contract
funds for equipment and expendable items for sixty classrooms operated under the
Pre-K Program contracts. The Company recognizes the revenue associated with the
equipment funding in direct proportion to the straight-line depreciation of the
equipment acquired through this program funding. At December 31, 1997,
approximately $60,000 has been recorded as deferred revenue which approximates
the December 31, 1997 net book value of the equipment acquired with these
contract funds.
 
CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM
 
     The Company participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (the
"Food Program"), a non-residential food service program sponsored by the United
States Department of Agriculture and administered by the various state
departments in Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina. The Food Program agreements
contain certain provisions which, among other things, require attendance at
various training and educational classes related to the operation of the Food
Program. Revenues recognized under the Food Program were approximately $387,000,
$519,000 and $683,000 for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.
 
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
 
     The Company participates in the child care assistance programs sponsored
and administered through the various state departments in Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The child care
assistance programs are "low income" support programs that provide funding for
childcare assistance to economically disadvantaged families and require family
participation in schooling and certain work training programs. Eligible
participants are approved by appropriate state department. The Company
recognized childcare assistance program revenues of approximately $1,831,000,
$2,619,000 and $4,676,000 for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.
 
7. MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
 
     The Company has agreements with two corporations to manage, staff and
operate two child care centers. These agreements are each for a one year period
and contain renewal provisions which are subject to mutual agreement. The
Company expects these contracts to be renewed in 1998. Tuition revenues and fees
generated under these agreements equaled approximately $947,000, $1,325,000 and
$1,376,000 in 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Management fees in 1995, 1996
and 1997 were approximately $87,000, $262,000 and $262,000, respectively.
 
8. LEASES
 
     The Company leases certain child development and learning center facilities
under operating leases that expire in various years. Certain of these leases may
be renewed for periods ranging from two to five years. The Company is generally
responsible for taxes, licenses, insurance and repairs and maintenance for each
leased location.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   64
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
8. LEASES -- (CONTINUED)
     Future minimum payments at December 31, 1997 under operating leases with
initial or remaining terms of one year or more are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
1998........................................................  $ 1,285,680
1999........................................................    1,211,442
2000........................................................    1,147,200
2001........................................................    1,009,955
2002 and thereafter.........................................    8,131,298
                                                              -----------
Total minimum lease payments................................  $12,785,575
                                                              ===========
</TABLE>
 
     The Company leases the facilities used for its management contracts (see
Note 7) under lease agreements which are renewable annually. Lease expense in
1995, 1996 and 1997 for these facilities was approximately $87,000, $262,000 and
$262,000, respectively.
 
     Aggregate rental expense was approximately $287,000, $553,000 and $837,000
for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     The Company is subject to various claims and lawsuits arising in the
ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate
resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on the financial
statements of the Company.
 
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
STOCK SPLIT
 
     On June 1, 1998, the Board of Directors declared a three-for-two split of
the Company's common stock, effected in the form of a stock dividend to
shareholders of record on June 1, 1998. This stock split has been reflected in
the accompanying financial statements at January 1, 1995. All references to
number of shares, except shares authorized, in the accompanying financial
statements have been adjusted to reflect the stock split on a retroactive basis.
 
1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     On May 11, 1998, the Board of Directors, subject to shareholder approval,
approved the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan"). The maximum
number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to options granted
under the Option Plan may not exceed 750,000 shares. The Board of Directors also
approved the grant of options for 424,500 shares to key members of management
and the Company's directors. The shares vest ratably over three years.
 
     Awards under the Option Plan are granted by the Board of Directors (or a
committee as designated by the Board) and may include options that are intended
to qualify as "incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the Code ("ISOs"),
and/or options that are not intended to so qualify under the Code. The Board of
Directors will administer the Option Plan and generally has discretion to
determine the terms of an option grant, including the number of option shares,
option price, term and vesting schedule. Notwithstanding this discretion, (i) no
individual shall be granted options under the Option Plan for more than 300,000
shares, (ii) the term of any option may not exceed 10 years, and (iii) the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock actually issued or transferred by the
Company upon exercise of the ISOs shall not exceed 750,000 shares of Common
Stock.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   65
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS -- (CONTINUED)
     No option may be granted pursuant to the Option Plan on or after May 11,
2008. The Option Plan may be amended by the Board of Directors without the
consent of the shareholders of the Company, except that any amendment, although
effective when made, will be subject to shareholder approval within one year
after approval by the Board of Directors if (i) the amendment increases the
total number of shares issuable pursuant to the Plan, (ii) extends the maximum
option period applicable under the Option Plan or (iii) is required by
applicable law or the principal national securities exchange upon which the
shares of Common Stock are traded or quoted.
 
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
     At a special meeting of shareholders on July 6, 1998, (i) the Company and
the shareholders terminated the Cross-Purchase Agreement (see Note 4), (ii) the
shareholders approved the Option Plan and (iii) the shareholders approved the
restated articles of incorporation, which among other things, increased the
authorized common stock to 20 million shares.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   66
 
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Young World, Inc.
 
     We have audited the accompanying statements of operations and cash flows of
Young World, Inc. for the period of January 1, 1997 through September 29, 1997
(date of disposition). These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audit.
 
     We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Young
World, Inc. for the period of January 1, 1997 through September 29, 1997 (date
of disposition) in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Columbus, Georgia
May 29, 1998
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   67
 
                               YOUNG WORLD, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                   JANUARY 1, 1997 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29, 1997
                             (DATE OF DISPOSITION)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Revenues....................................................  $4,721,563
Operating expenses:
  Employee salaries and benefits............................   2,975,578
  Depreciation and amortization.............................      61,532
  Lease expense (Note 5)....................................     441,000
  Other cost of services....................................   1,459,036
                                                              ----------
          Total operating expenses..........................   4,937,146
                                                              ----------
Net loss....................................................  $ (215,583)
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   68
 
                               YOUNG WORLD, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                   JANUARY 1, 1997 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29, 1997
                             (DATE OF DISPOSITION)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net (loss)................................................  $ (215,583)
  Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) to net cash provided
     by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................      61,532
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Accounts receivable..................................     (36,000)
       Prepaid expenses.....................................       8,532
       Accounts payable.....................................     356,626
       Accrued salaries and wages...........................     118,836
                                                              ----------
          Net cash provided by operating activities.........     293,943
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Purchases of property and equipment.......................     (38,256)
                                                              ----------
          Net cash used in investing activities.............     (38,256)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Repayment of note payable to shareholder..................     (69,000)
                                                              ----------
          Net cash used in financing activities.............     (69,000)
                                                              ----------
          Net increase in cash..............................     186,687
  Cash at beginning of period...............................         -0-
                                                              ----------
          Cash at end of period.............................  $  186,687
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   69
 
                               YOUNG WORLD, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            JANUARY 1, 1997 THROUGH
                    SEPTEMBER 29, 1997 (DATE OF DISPOSITION)
 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     Pursuant to an asset sale agreement dated August 28, 1997 (the "Sale
Agreement"), Childcare Network, Inc. ("Childcare") purchased substantially all
of the operations and assets of Young World, Inc. (the "Company"). The
accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Company for the
period of January 1, 1997 through September 29, 1997, the effective date of
sale. The Company's liabilities at September 29, 1997 were not assumed by
Childcare and certain of the Company's non-operating assets, which are not
material, were not acquired by Childcare.
 
     The accompanying financial statements are derived from the historical books
and records of the Company and do not give effect to any purchase accounting
adjustments that Childcare may record as a result of its acquisition.
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
     The Company offers child care and developmental services through
contractual arrangements to the general public. The Company also provides
services under contractual arrangements with certain federal and state
governmental agencies. The child development and learning centers used in the
Company's operations are located in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and
Virginia.
 
REVENUE AND EXPENSE RECOGNITION
 
     The Company recognizes revenues from services rendered as of the date
earned and expenses are recognized when incurred. Revenues are recorded net of
employee and other discounts.
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is calculated by
various straight-line and accelerated methods. The estimated useful lives of
assets used to compute depreciation expense range from five to seven years for
equipment and five years for automobiles.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
     The shareholders of the Company have elected to include the Company's
income in their own income for income tax purposes, under an election privilege
afforded by provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently, the Company
is not subject to federal and certain state income taxes.
 
EMPLOYEE BONUS PLANS
 
     The Company paid discretionary bonuses as approved by executive management.
Compensation expense for these bonuses includes approximately $172,000 paid
subsequent to September 29, 1997.
 
ADVERTISING
 
     The Company expenses advertising costs when incurred.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   70
                               YOUNG WORLD, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
USE OF ESTIMATES
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
LONG-LIVED ASSETS
 
     FASB Statement No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of ("Statement 121"), requires
impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when
indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated
to be generated by those assets are less than the asset's carrying amount.
Statement 121 also addresses the accounting for long-lived assets that are
expected to be disposed of. Statement 121 did not have any impact on the
Company's financial position or operating results.
 
3. INDEBTEDNESS
 
     The Company had a $69,000 non-interest bearing demand loan due to a
shareholder which was outstanding at December 31, 1996. The loan was repaid
during March 1997.
 
4. CONTRACTS
 
     The Company participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (the
"Food Program"), a non-residential food service program sponsored by the United
States Department of Agriculture. The Food Program agreement contains certain
provisions which, among other things, require attendance at various training and
educational classes related to the operation of the Food Program.
 
     The Company participates in the child care assistance programs sponsored
and administered by the various state departments in North Carolina, Virginia,
South Carolina, and Georgia. The child care assistance programs are "low income"
support programs that provides funding for child care assistance to economically
disadvantaged families and require family participation in schooling and certain
work training programs. Eligible participants are approved by the appropriate
governmental department. The Company recognized revenues of approximately
$2,032,000 during the period ended September 29, 1997 under the various state
child care assistance programs.
 
5. LEASES
 
     The Company leases all of its child development and learning center
facilities under a verbal operating lease agreement with its shareholders. The
Company is generally responsible for taxes, licenses, insurance and repairs and
maintenance for each leased location. Rental expense was approximately $441,000
during the period ended September 29, 1997 (approximately $49,000 per month).
Approximately $196,000 was accrued and unpaid at September 29, 1997.
 
     The Company believes that the lease expense paid to its shareholders
approximates a fair market value rate which could be obtained in an arm's length
transaction with an independent third party for similar facilities under a
short-term, month-to-month lease.
 
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     The Company is subject to various claims and lawsuits arising in the
ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate
resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on the financial
statements of the Company.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   71
                               YOUNG WORLD, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
7. CAPITALIZATION
 
     The Company has 5,000 shares of $1.00 par value common stock authorized of
which 4,700 shares were issued and outstanding at September 29, 1997.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   72
 
 [PICTURES OF CHILDREN ENGAGED IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AT THE COMPANY'S SCHOOLS]
<PAGE>   73
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
NO DEALER, SALES REPRESENTATIVE OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING
OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY, THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS OR ANY UNDERWRITER. NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY
SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER
TO, OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY PERSON IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH AN OFFER
OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary....................    3
Risk Factors..........................    8
Use of Proceeds.......................   13
Dividend Policy.......................   13
Dilution..............................   14
Capitalization........................   15
Selected Financial and Operating
  Data................................   16
Pro Forma Financial Information.......   18
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................   19
Business..............................   25
Management............................   36
Certain Transactions..................   39
Principal and Selling Shareholders....   40
Description of Capital Stock..........   41
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.......   44
Underwriting..........................   46
Legal Matters.........................   47
Experts...............................   47
Additional Information................   47
Index to Financial Statements.........  F-1
</TABLE>
 
UNTIL             , 1998 (THE 25TH DAY AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL
DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING
IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS IS IN
ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS
UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
                                2,850,000 SHARES
 
                         (CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC. LOGO)
 
   
                                  COMMON STOCK
    
                            ------------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                            ------------------------

                             THE ROBINSON-HUMPHREY
                                    COMPANY
 
                            INTERSTATE/JOHNSON LANE
                                  CORPORATION
                                           , 1998
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   74
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following table sets forth the various expenses in connection with the
sale and distribution of the securities being registered, other than the
underwriting discounts and commissions. All amounts shown are estimates except
for the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee and the NASD filing
fee. All of these fees are being paid by the Company.
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
SEC Registration Fee........................................  $ 14,503
NASD Filing Fee.............................................     5,417
Nasdaq National Market Listing Fee..........................    66,875
Printing and Engraving Expenses.............................   125,000
Legal Fees and Expenses.....................................   300,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................   125,000
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fee............................    10,000
Miscellaneous...............................................   153,205
                                                              --------
          Total.............................................  $800,000
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
    
 
   
ITEM 14.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
    
 
     Subsection (a) of Section 14-2-851 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code
provides that a corporation may indemnify or obligate itself to indemnify an
individual made a party to a proceeding because he or she is or was a director
against liability incurred in the proceeding if (1) such individual conducted
himself or herself in good faith; and 2) such individual reasonably believed (A)
in the case of conduct in his or her official capacity, that such conduct was in
the best interests of the corporation, (B) in all other cases, that such conduct
was at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and (C) in
the case of any criminal proceeding, that the individual had no reasonable cause
to believe such conduct was unlawful. Subsection (d) of Section 14-2-851 of the
Georgia Business Corporation Code provides that a corporation may not indemnify
a director in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the
corporation, except for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the
proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant standard
of conduct, or in connection with any proceeding with respect to conduct for
which he or she was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly received by him or her, whether or not involving action in his or her
official capacity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to Section 14-2-854 a
court may order a corporation to indemnify a director if such court determines,
in view of all the relevant circumstances, that it is fair and reasonable to
indemnify the director even if the director has not met the relevant standard of
conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 14-2-851 of the Georgia
Business Corporation Code or was adjudged liable in a proceeding referred to in
subsection (d) of Section 14-2-851 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code, but
if the director was adjudged so liable, the indemnification shall be limited to
reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.
 
     Section 14-2-852 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code provides that, a
corporation shall indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the merits
or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which a he or she was a party
because he or she was a director of the corporation against reasonable expenses
incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding.
 
     Section 14-2-857 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code provides that a
corporation may indemnify an officer of the corporation who is a party to a
proceeding because he or she is an officer of the corporation to the same extent
as a director. If the officer is not a director (or if the officer is a director
but the sole basis on which he or she is made a party to the proceeding is an
act or omission solely as an officer), to such further extent as may be provided
by the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of
directors, or
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   75
 
contract except for liability arising out of conduct that constitutes (1)
appropriation, in violation of his or her duties, of any business opportunity of
the corporation, (2) acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (3) the types of liability set forth in Section
14-2-832 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code or, (4) receipt of an improper
personal benefit. An officer of a corporation who is not a director is entitled
to mandatory indemnification under Section 14-2-852 of the Georgia Business
Corporation Code and may apply to a court under Section 14-2-854 of the Georgia
Business corporation Code for indemnification, in each case to the same extent
to which a director may be entitled to indemnification under those provisions.
Finally, a corporation may also indemnify an employee or agent who is not a
director to the extent, consistent with public policy, that may be provided by
its articles of incorporation, bylaws, general or specific action by its board
of directors, or contract.
 
     The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation ("Articles") and Bylaws
provide that each person who is or was or had agreed to become a director or
officer of the Company, or each such person who is or was serving or who had
agreed to serve at the request of the Board of Directors or an officer of the
Company as an employee or agent of the Company or as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of
such person), shall be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent
permitted by the Georgia Business Corporation Code or any other applicable laws
as presently or hereafter in effect. The right to indemnification granted by the
Articles and Bylaws includes the right to be paid in advance expenses incurred
in defending a proceeding. The right of indemnification will not be exclusive or
any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification may otherwise be
entitled, and shall be applicable to matters otherwise within its scope.
 
     The Company's directors and officers are insured against certain
liabilities which they may incur in their capacity under a liability insurance
policy carried by the Company.
 
ITEM 15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
     During the past three years, the Company has issued the following
securities without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"):
 
     On January 26, 1997, the Company issued 30,000 shares to Albert Ernest, Jr.
at a price of $0.56 per share in reliance on the exemption from registration
provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   76
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
     (a) Exhibits
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
  -------                          -----------------------
  <C>       <S>  <C>
   1.1*     --   Form of Underwriting Agreement
   3.1+     --   Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
   3.2+     --   Restated Bylaws of the Company
   4.1+     --   Specimen certificate for Common Stock of the Company
   4.2+     --   Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and the
                 shareholders listed on the signature page thereto, dated May
                 31, 1998
   5.1      --   Opinion of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue with respect to the
                 legality of the securities being registered
  10.1+     --   1998 Stock Option Plan, dated May 11, 1998
  10.2+     --   Fourth Amended and Fully Restated Loan and Revolving Line of
                 Credit Agreement, dated as of June 19, 1998 by and between
                 the Company and SunTrust Bank, West Georgia, N.A.
  10.3+     --   1998-99 School Year Contract dated March 23, 1998 by and
                 between the Company and the Office of School Readiness
  10.4      --   Amendment to Fourth Amended and Fully Restated Loan and
                 Revolving Line of Credit Agreement and Waiver of Breach of
                 Credit Representations and Warranties dated July 21, 1998 by
                 and between the Company and SunTrust Bank, West Georgia,
                 N.A.
  23.1      --   Consent of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue (included in Exhibit
                 5.1)
  23.2      --   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
  24.1+     --   Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereof)
  27.1+     --   Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   
* To be filed by amendment
    
+ Previously filed
 
   
     (b) Financial Statement Schedules
    
 
     Report of Independent Auditors
 
     Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
     All other schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable
or is presented in the financial statement or related notes.
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
     (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the
underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates
in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the
underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
     (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   77
 
     (c) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
     this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
     form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
     prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
     the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   78
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Columbus, State of
Georgia, on July 30, 1998.
    
 
                                          CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
 
                                          By:      /s/ RAY E. CROWLEY
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                       Ray E. Crowley
                                            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                      TITLE                    DATE
                      ---------                                      -----                    ----
<C>                                                    <S>                                <C>
 
                 /s/ RAY E. CROWLEY                    Chairman and Chief Executive       July 30, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------    Officer
                   Ray E. Crowley                        (Principal Executive Officer)
 
                          *                            President and Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 James F. Loudermilk
 
                 /s/ LANIER MERRITT                    Executive Vice President, Chief    July 30, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------    Financial Officer and Director
                   Lanier Merritt                        (Principal Financial Officer)
 
                          *                            Controller (Principal Accounting
- -----------------------------------------------------    Officer)
              Joseph G. Slaughter, III
 
                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Murray D. Gray, Jr.
 
                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
               Noll A. Van Cleave, Jr.
 
                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Albert Ernest, Jr.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   79
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                      TITLE                    DATE
                      ---------                                      -----                    ----
<C>                                                    <S>                                <C>
 
                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Calvin J. Martin, Jr.
 
                          *                            Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Richard Y. Bradley
 
*By:                /s/ LANIER MERRITT                                                    July 30, 1998
     ------------------------------------------------
                   Lanier Merritt
                  Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   80
 
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Childcare Network, Inc.
 
     We have audited the financial statements of Childcare Network, Inc. as of
December 31, 1996 and 1997, and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997, and have issued our report thereon dated April 2, 1998,
except as to Note 3, as to which the date is June 19, 1998 and Note 10, as to
which the date is July 6, 1998 (included elsewhere in this Registration
Statement). Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in
Item 16(b) of this Registration Statement. This schedule is the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based
on our audits.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Columbus, GA
April 2, 1998, except for Note 3,
as to which the date is June 19, 1998
and Note 10 as to which the date is July 6, 1998
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>   81
 
                                  SCHEDULE II
 
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COLUMN A                             COLUMN B                COLUMN C                COLUMN D        COLUMN E
- --------                           ------------   ------------------------------   -------------    ----------
                                                            ADDITIONS
                                                  ------------------------------
                                    BALANCE AT    CHARGED TO      CHARGED TO                        BALANCE AT
                                   BEGINNING OF    COST AND    OTHER ACCOUNTS --   DEDUCTIONS --      END OF
DESCRIPTION                           PERIOD       EXPENSES        DESCRIBE          DESCRIBE         PERIOD
- -----------                        ------------   ----------   -----------------   -------------    ----------
<S>                                <C>            <C>          <C>                 <C>              <C>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995:
  Deduction from asset account:
     Allowance for doubtful
       accounts..................    $     0       $162,456                           $88,756(1)     $73,700
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996:
  Deduction from asset account:
     Allowance for doubtful
       accounts..................     73,700         55,271                            49,819(1)      79,152
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997:
  Deduction from asset account:
     Allowance for doubtful
       accounts..................     79,152         94,421                            97,421(1)      76,152
PERIOD ENDED JUNE 26, 1998:
  Deduction from asset account:
     Allowance for doubtful
       accounts..................     76,152        112,074                            92,074(1)      96,152
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Accounts charged off to reserve.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


                           JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE
                              3500 SUNTRUST PLAZA
                              303 PEACHTREE STREET
                          ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30308-3242


                                 July 30, 1998


Childcare Network, Inc.
3025 University Drive
Suite B-2
Columbus, Georgia 31907

Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Childcare Network, Inc., a Georgia
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing of
the registration statement on Form S-1 (the "Registration Statement") with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, for the registration of 2,850,000 shares of
the common stock, without par value (the "Common Stock"), of the Company, of
which up to 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock will be issued and sold by the
Company and up to 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock will be sold by certain
shareholders (the "Selling Shareholders").

         In connection therewith, we have examined such documents, records, and
matters of law as we have deemed necessary for purposes of this opinion. In
such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the
conformity to original documents of all documents submitted as certified or
photostatic copies, and the authenticity of originals of such latter documents.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (1) the
shares of Common Stock to be issued and sold by the Company, if issued and sold
in accordance with the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable, and (2) the shares of Common Stock to be sold by the
Selling Shareholders were, when issued by the Company, duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus constituting a part of such Registration Statement.

                                             Very truly yours,


                                             /s/ Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue

                                             JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                                        
                        AMENDMENT TO FOURTH AMENDED AND
                     FULLY RESTATED LOAN AND REVOLVING LINE
                    OF CREDIT AGREEMENT AND WAIVER OF BREACH
                   OF CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         This Amendment and Waiver entered into on this the 21 day of July,
1998 ("Amendment and Waiver Agreement") by and between CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.,
a Georgia corporation ("Borrower"), and SUNTRUST BANK, WEST GEORGIA, N.A.,
formerly Trust Company Bank of Columbus, N.A., a National Banking Association
("Lender").

                              W I T N E S S E T H

         WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into the Fourth Amended and Fully
Restated Loan and Revolving Line of Credit Agreement ("Fourth Amendment") as of
June 19, 1998;

         WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender desire to further amend the Fourth
Amendment in certain respects and Lender agrees to waive certain of its rights
regarding certain representations and warranties contained in the Fourth
Amendment.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements herein set forth, it is agreed between Lender and Borrower as
follows:

                                       1.

         Section 3.5 of the Fourth Amendment entitled "Litigation" is hereby
deleted and, in lieu thereof, the following shall be a part of the Fourth
Amendment:

         "SECTION 3.5 - LITIGATION. Except as set forth on Schedule A attached
         hereto and made a part hereof, to the knowledge of Borrower's
         officers, there are no actions, suits, investigations, or proceedings
         pending or overtly threatened against or affecting Borrower or its
         properties before
<PAGE>   2

      any court, arbitrator or administrator or governmental body, which could
      have a material adverse effect upon Borrower's assets, business,
      operations, prospects, or condition (financial or otherwise). To the
      knowledge of Borrower's officers, Borrower is currently neither in default
      nor in violation of any applicable law, statue or ordinance, or of any
      order of any Court which default or violation might have a material
      adverse impact upon Borrower's assets, business, operations, prospects, or
      condition (financial or otherwise)."

                                       2.

      Lender hereby waives any and all rights, claims, demands or actions which
it may have against Borrower by reason of the original representation and
warranty made by Borrower in Section 3.5 of the Fourth Amendment, which might
arise or have arisen on account of the existence of the actions listed on
Schedule A, attached hereto.

                                       3.

      Except as amended hereby, all other terms, conditions and provisions of
the Fourth Amendment shall continue in full force and effect.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower and Lender have caused this Amendment and
Waiver to be executed by their duly authorized officers on the date and year
first above written.



                                          SUNTRUST BANK, WEST
                                          GEORGIA, N.A.     


                                          By: /s/ E.J. Coleman
                                             --------------------------
                                          Title: Senior V.P.
                                                -----------------------


                                          Attest: /s/ R. Michael Straten
                                                 -----------------------
                                          Title: Banking Officer
                                                ------------------------


                                                      (SEAL)


                                          [signatures continued on next page]



                                      -2-


                                                
<PAGE>   3
                                        CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.

                                        By:  /s/ Lanier Merritt
                                             -------------------------------
                                             Lanier Merritt

                                        Title: Senior Vice President and CFO
                                               -----------------------------


                                        Attest: /s/ Joseph G. Slaughter, III
                                                ----------------------------
                                                Joe Slaughter


                                        Title:  Secretary
                                                ----------------------------
                                          
                                                       (SEAL)
                 


           










                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>   4
                                   SCHEDULE A
                                        
                                        
                            CHILDCARE NETWORK, INC.
                     SUMMARY OF CURRENT LITIGATION ISSUES


Suit brought by Isaiah and Deborah White as natural guardians for Keenan Jarrell
White vs. Childcare Network, Inc., is pending in the State Court of Chatham
County, Georgia. This action seeks to recover damages for alleged injury
received by Keenan Jarrell White when another child in the center pushed him,
causing him to fall on a block of bricks thereby injuring his mouth. This
lawsuit has been referred to the liability insurance carrier of Childcare
Network,  Inc., which is defending and will be responsible for any judgment
rendered in said litigation within the limits of the company's liability
insurance policy.

Demand for payment of damages was made by Latascha Parker, mother of Tahja
Parker, a minor. Demand of one million dollars alleging negligence by Childcare
Network, Inc. This demand was made on March 24, 1998. The claim is being
defended by the general liability insurance carrier and the insurance company
has established a reserve of $10,000.

Suit was filed in the Circuit Court of Madison County, Alabama on behalf of
Christina Morris, by and through her mother and next friend, Michelle Morris,
against Childcare Network, Inc. and others seeking to recover personal injury
suffered by the minor child on June 11, 1998, consisting of personal injuries,
including an alleged broken hip and fractured skull. The claim is for an
undetermined amount of money and has been referred to the liability insurance
carrier for Childcare Network, Inc. for defense and indemnification within the
limits of the company's liability insurance.

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our reports dated April 2, 1998, except for Note 3 as to which the
date is June 19, 1998 and Note 10 as to which the date is July 6, 1998, with
respect to the financial statements and schedule of Childcare Network, Inc. and
the use of our report dated May 29, 1998, with respect to the statements of
operations and cash flows for the period of January 1, 1997 through September
29, 1997 of Young World, Inc. included in the Registration Statement (Form S-1)
and related Prospectus of Childcare Network, Inc. for the registration of
2,850,000 shares of its common stock.
 
                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Columbus, Georgia
July 30, 1998



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