HAPPY TREE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Frances M. Goff, born Frances Bennett, was never meant to blend into the crowd. Raised in the heart of Brooklyn as one of 19 children, she carried a spark that stood out even in the most bustling of homes. While her siblings chose different paths, Frances carved her own by becoming the first—and only—one to complete college. She graduated from South Carolina State University with a degree in Early Childhood Development Education, a field that spoke directly to her heart.
In October 1989, armed with little more than determination and an unshakable belief in the power of early education, Frances founded The Happy Tree Child Development Center. The name wasn’t just whimsical—it was a symbol of what she believed every child deserved: strong roots, a nurturing environment, and the freedom to grow tall and proud.
The first Happy Tree was nestled in a modest apartment community in Far North Dallas. With just 17 children, Frances poured her energy into every smile, every scraped knee, and every curious question. She didn't just teach; she loved. Word spread quickly, and before long, her little center swelled to over 50 children, all drawn by the warmth and excellence she cultivated.
In 1990, Frances made a bold move to Carrollton, Texas, where her vision could blossom even further. The new location allowed her to serve more families—over 130 students at one point—and her commitment to “high-quality care where families live” became a model for community-centered education.
By 2001, The Happy Tree had grown into a permanent home, a building that echoed with laughter, learning, and the love Frances sowed in every child she met. Though the world outside kept changing, inside those walls, Frances’s legacy remained strong: that every child deserved not just a place to learn, but a place to belong.
Today, the leaves of The Happy Tree still rustle with her spirit—Frances M. Goff, the woman who dared to dream that a better world could begin with one child, one classroom, one heart at a time.