David Chansilp – Primrose Schools

If you ask David Chansilp if he has always been a leader, he’ll hesitate before saying that as his career in real estate, development and construction management has evolved, so have his leadership abilities. But a closer look into Chansilp’s upbringing and background tells a slightly different story.

Chansilp grew up in New York City with an entrepreneurial father who owned Thai restaurants in Manhattan, Queens and Long Island. When his dad would go to work, Chansilp would tag along and soak up as much as he could about running a business and leading a team. He would clean tables, wash dishes and serve customers while learning the value and importance of hard work.

“My dad taught me about the value of the dollar and getting as much bang for your buck as possible,” Chansilp tells Blueprint during an interview from Des Moines, Iowa, in November.

Chansilp was in the Hawkeye State, visiting a newly constructed Primrose School in the city as one of the education organization’s vice presidents of school development. He says he logged over 25,000 air miles in 2024, checking in on locations across the portfolio, from California to Florida.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Primrose Schools is the leading provider of high-quality early education and care. Through its proprietary Balanced Learning curriculum, it offers a blend of academics, character development and play-based learning. Focusing on nurturing the whole child—mind, body and heart—Primrose Schools serves families across the U.S. through its network of franchise-owned locations.

Each school is designed to provide a safe environment where children can thrive, supported by intentional design standards, dedicated educators and research-based teaching practices. Committed to excellence, Primrose Schools continually evolves to meet families’ changing needs while maintaining its mission to forge a path for lifelong learning and success.

A shifting strategy

Since joining the company in October 2023, Chansilp has helped Primrose Schools analyze markets and oversee projects across its nationwide portfolio. His mission is clear: to drive the organization’s ambitious growth and reimagine its development strategy in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

The post-COVID economy has presented challenges for industries nationwide, and early education is no exception. The skyrocketing costs of commercial real estate, development, and construction have forced Primrose Schools to rethink its traditional approach to growth. Historically, Primrose built prototypical schools—rectangular structures featuring 12 classrooms with standardized finishes and interior layouts. While this model remains the foundation of its brand, Chansilp and his team have broadened their vision.

“Opportunities in the market have shifted,” Chansilp explains. “Vacant buildings and closed schools have become prime targets for conversion. We’ve capitalized on these opportunities, diversifying our development pipeline to include projects that fit our needs within target areas.”

This flexibility allows Primrose to deliver the same high-quality educational experience while adapting to new spaces. Whether a converted former school or a repurposed commercial building, the interior design standards remain consistent: classrooms, reception areas, bathrooms and hallways are meticulously planned to reflect Primrose’s accredited curriculum.

Under Chansilp’s leadership, Primrose is poised to achieve unprecedented growth. Traditionally opening 20-25 schools annually, the organization is now preparing for its most significant leap yet, with plans to open 60-75 schools in a year very soon (plans are for between 40 and 45 new schools in 2025). This expansion is driven by a restructured development team led by a new Chief Development Officer, Nick Koros, and informed by robust market analytics.

“Our analytical team is exceptional at identifying where the opportunities are,” Chansilp says. “leveraging valuable insights about our customers and who we serve. For example, Florida has about 35 target development areas for a Primrose school, while California has over 100 opportunities.  In contrast, we’ve identified four opportunities in Iowa. It’s all about matching the right location with our model.”

Once the data is in, Chansilp and his team hit the ground to validate the findings through field reconnaissance.

“We are field focused in our markets, knocking on competitors’ doors discreetly, and do our field-based homework,” he adds. “We ensure all stakeholders are aligned and ready before moving forward.”

A vision for the future

Chansilp’s journey to Primrose is as diverse as it is impressive. After studying mathematics and breaking into the real estate industry during the dot-com boom of the 1990s, he managed significant projects for companies like Northrup Grumman, mall developers and Charles Schwab. His career took a decisive turn when he joined Life Time, where he helped transform the company before it went public again. He honed his leadership skills there, overseeing large teams and managing complex development projects across the country.

“These experiences prepared me for my role at Primrose,” Chansilp reflects. “I’ve always been passionate about teaching, mentoring, and leading. Knowing the craft and the business is key, and I’ve learned to guide my team in ways that allow them to grow and succeed.”

Despite his optimism, Chansilp acknowledges the challenges facing the construction and development industries. The lingering effects of the COVID-era labor shortage have made finding skilled tradespeople more difficult, and rising costs continue to pressure budgets. However, Chansilp sees these hurdles as opportunities for innovation.

“We’re lobbying for shop classes and vocational programming to return,” he says. “The desire to learn a trade is lacking, but it’s essential for our industry and many others. At Primrose, we focus on intentional design and efficient execution to get the most out of every dollar.”

As Primrose expands, Chansilp remains deeply committed to the organization’s mission of providing high-quality early education to deliver the best and most trusted early education and care for children and families across the country. He works closely with franchise owners, design teams and the School Excellence Department to ensure every new location meets the company’s rigorous standards. Dr. Amy Jackson, who leads the strategic leadership of the brand’s proprietary Balanced Learning curriculum, and Annette Heng, Primrose’s Chief School Excellence Officer, are both crucial partners in creating spaces that align seamlessly with the Balanced Learning approach and the company’s premium brand standards.

“Our goal is to reach 75 school openings per year,” Chansilp says. “There are so many markets to serve countless children and families who can benefit from what we offer. It’s a privilege to be part of this journey.”

With his wealth of experience, strategic vision, and passion for education, Chansilp is steering Primrose Schools toward a future of growth, innovation, and excellence. As he continues to fly across the country, the miles may add up, but so do the opportunities to make a lasting impact.