<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX A

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

             CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND

                                     MERGER

                                  BY AND AMONG

                            EARLYCHILDHOOD.COM, LLC,

                             SMARTERKIDS.COM, INC.,

                         S-E EDUCATIONAL HOLDINGS CORP.

                                      AND

                          S-E EDUCATIONAL MERGER CORP.

                               ----------------

                         DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 14, 2000

                               ----------------
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
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 <C>             <S>                                                       <C>
 ARTICLE I. THE CONTRIBUTION AND THE MERGER..............................   A-2
    Section 1.1  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Holdings....    A-2
    Section 1.2  The Contribution.......................................    A-2
    Section 1.3  The SmarterKids Merger.................................    A-3
    Section 1.4  Effective Time.........................................    A-3
    Section 1.5  Closing................................................    A-3
    Section 1.6  Effect of the Contribution.............................    A-3
    Section 1.7  Effect of the SmarterKids Merger.......................    A-3
    Section 1.8  Organizational Documents of Earlychildhood.............    A-3
    Section 1.9  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the
                 Surviving Corporation..................................    A-3
    Section 1.10 Management of Earlychildhood Following the
                 Contribution; Directors and Officers of the Surviving
                 Corporation............................................    A-4
    Section 1.11 Earlychildhood Employees...............................    A-4

 ARTICLE II. EXCHANGE AND CONVERSION OF SECURITIES.......................   A-4
    Section 2.1  Exchange of LLC Interests of Earlychildhood............    A-4
    Section 2.2  Conversion of SmarterKids Capital Stock................    A-4
    Section 2.3  Treatment of Outstanding Options, SmarterKids Warrants,
                 and SmarterKids Employee Stock Purchase Plan...........    A-5
    Section 2.4  Cancellation of Holdings Common Stock..................    A-6
    Section 2.5  Exchange of Certificates...............................    A-6

 ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EARLYCHILDHOOD...........   A-9
    Section 3.1  Organization of Earlychildhood.........................    A-9
    Section 3.2  Earlychildhood Capital Structure.......................   A-10
    Section 3.3  Authority; No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents..   A-11
    Section 3.4  Books and Records......................................   A-12
    Section 3.5  Financial Information..................................   A-12
    Section 3.6  No Undisclosed Liabilities.............................   A-12
    Section 3.7  Absence of Certain Changes or Events...................   A-12
    Section 3.8  Taxes..................................................   A-14
    Section 3.9  Properties.............................................   A-15
    Section 3.10 Intellectual Property..................................   A-15
    Section 3.11 Product Warranty and Liability.........................   A-17
    Section 3.12 Material Contracts.....................................   A-17
    Section 3.13 Litigation.............................................   A-18
    Section 3.14 Environmental Matters..................................   A-18
    Section 3.15 Employee Benefit Plans.................................   A-19
    Section 3.16 Compliance With Laws...................................   A-21
    Section 3.17 Tax Matters............................................   A-21
    Section 3.18 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement/Prospectus.....   A-21
    Section 3.19 Labor Matters..........................................   A-22
    Section 3.20 Insurance..............................................   A-22
    Section 3.21 No Existing Discussions................................   A-22
    Section 3.22 Consent................................................   A-22
    Section 3.23 Management Committee Approval..........................   A-22
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
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 <C>             <S>                                                       <C>
 ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SMARTERKIDS................ A-23
    Section 4.1  Organization of SmarterKids.............................  A-23
    Section 4.2  SmarterKids Capital Structure...........................  A-23
    Section 4.3  Authority; No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents...  A-24
    Section 4.4  SEC Filings; Financial Statements.......................  A-25
    Section 4.5  No Undisclosed Liabilities..............................  A-25
    Section 4.6  Absence of Certain Changes or Events....................  A-26
    Section 4.7  Taxes...................................................  A-27
    Section 4.8  Properties..............................................  A-28
    Section 4.9  Intellectual Property...................................  A-28
    Section 4.10 Product Warranties and Liability........................  A-29
    Section 4.11 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments...................  A-30
    Section 4.12 Litigation..............................................  A-31
    Section 4.13 Environmental Matters...................................  A-31
    Section 4.14 Employee Benefit Plans..................................  A-31
    Section 4.15 Compliance With Laws....................................  A-33
    Section 4.16 Tax Matters.............................................  A-33
    Section 4.17 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement/Prospectus......  A-34
    Section 4.18 Labor Matters...........................................  A-34
    Section 4.19 Insurance...............................................  A-34
    Section 4.20 Opinion of Financial Advisor............................  A-34
    Section 4.21 No Existing Discussions.................................  A-34
    Section 4.22 Board Recommendation....................................  A-34
    Section 4.23 Voting Requirements.....................................  A-34
    Section 4.24 Section 203 of the DGCL Not Applicable..................  A-35

 ARTICLE V. COVENANTS..................................................... A-35
    Section 5.1  Conduct of Business.....................................  A-35
    Section 5.2  Cooperation; Notice; Cure...............................  A-37
    Section 5.3  No Solicitation.........................................  A-37
    Section 5.4  No Negotiation..........................................  A-39
    Section 5.5  Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement......  A-40
    Section 5.6  Nasdaq Quotation........................................  A-40
    Section 5.7  Access to Information...................................  A-40
    Section 5.8  SmarterKids Stockholders' Meeting.......................  A-41
    Section 5.9  Legal Conditions to Merger..............................  A-41
    Section 5.10 Earlychildhood Financial Statements.....................  A-42
    Section 5.11 Public Disclosure.......................................  A-42
    Section 5.12 Non-recognition Exchange................................  A-42
    Section 5.13 Affiliate Agreements....................................  A-42
    Section 5.14 Nasdaq Quotation........................................  A-42
    Section 5.15 Stock Plans.............................................  A-42
    Section 5.16 Employee Stock Purchase Plan............................  A-44
    Section 5.17 Non-Employee Director Plan..............................  A-44
    Section 5.18 Brokers or Finders......................................  A-44
    Section 5.19 Indemnification.........................................  A-44
    Section 5.20 Letter of SmarterKids' Accountants......................  A-45
    Section 5.21 Letter of Earlychildhood's Accountants..................  A-45
    Section 5.22 Post-Transaction Corporate Governance of Holdings.......  A-45
    Section 5.23 Name of Holdings........................................  A-46
    Section 5.24 Conveyance Taxes........................................  A-46
    Section 5.25 SmarterKids Minimum Closing Cash........................  A-46
    Section 5.26 Blohm Consulting Agreement..............................  A-46
</TABLE>

                                     - ii -
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
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 ARTICLE VI. CONDITIONS TO THE TRANSACTIONS..............................  A-46
    Section 6.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the
                Transactions............................................   A-46
    Section 6.2 Additional Conditions to Obligations of Earlychildhood..   A-47
    Section 6.3 Additional Conditions to Obligations of SmarterKids.....   A-48

 ARTICLE VII. TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT..................................  A-49
    Section 7.1 Termination.............................................   A-49
    Section 7.2 Effect of Termination...................................   A-50
    Section 7.3 Fees and Expenses.......................................   A-50
    Section 7.4 Amendment...............................................   A-51
    Section 7.5 Extension; Waiver.......................................   A-51

 ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS                                               A-52
    Section 8.1 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and
                Agreements..............................................   A-52
    Section 8.2 Notices.................................................   A-52
    Section 8.3 Interpretation..........................................   A-53
    Section 8.4 Counterparts............................................   A-53
    Section 8.5 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries.            A-53
    Section 8.6 Governing Law...........................................   A-53
    Section 8.7 Assignment..............................................   A-53
</TABLE>

                                    - iii -
<PAGE>

EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
   <C>       <S>
   Exhibit A Form of Stockholder Support Agreement
   Exhibit B Form of Consent and Non-Contravention Agreement
   Exhibit C Form of Lockup Agreement
   Exhibit D Form of Registration Rights Agreement
   Exhibit E Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Holdings
   Exhibit F Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Holdings
   Exhibit G Form of Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement
             Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Surviving
   Exhibit H Corporation
   Exhibit I Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Surviving Corporation
   Exhibit J Form of Affiliate Agreement
   Exhibit K Form of Holdings Stock Plan
   Exhibit L Form of Holdings Employee Stock Purchase Plan
   Exhibit M Form of Holdings Director Plan
   Exhibit N Form of Blohm Consulting Agreement
</TABLE>

                                     - iv -
<PAGE>

                             TABLE OF DEFINED TERMS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Cross Reference in
Terms                                                             Agreement
-----                                                         ------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Acquisition Proposal.........................................     Section 5.3(a)
Affiliate....................................................       Section 5.13
Affiliate Agreement..........................................       Section 5.13
Agreement....................................................           Preamble
Bankruptcy and Equity Exception..............................     Section 3.3(a)
Benefit Arrangements.........................................    Section 3.15(a)
Breaching Party..............................................     Section 7.3(b)
Certificates................................................. Section 2.5(b)(ii)
Class A Exchange Ratio.......................................        Section 2.1
Class B Exchange Ratio.......................................        Section 2.1
Class C Exchange Ratio.......................................        Section 2.1
Closing......................................................        Section 1.5
Closing Date.................................................        Section 1.5
Code.........................................................           Recitals
Confidentiality Agreements...................................        Section 5.7
Consent Agreement............................................           Recitals
Contribution.................................................           Recitals
Conveyance Taxes.............................................       Section 5.24
Costs........................................................    Section 5.19(a)
Current Premium..............................................    Section 5.19(b)
DGCL.........................................................           Recitals
Earlychildhood...............................................           Preamble
Earlychildhood Acquisition Proposal..........................     Section 5.4(a)
Earlychildhood Balance Sheet.................................        Section 3.5
Earlychildhood Change of Control Arrangements................    Section 3.15(f)
Earlychildhood Confidentiality Agreement.....................     Section 5.3(b)
Earlychildhood Director......................................    Section 5.22(a)
Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule...........................        ARTICLE III
Earlychildhood Employee Plans................................    Section 3.15(a)
Earlychildhood ERISA Affiliate............................... Section 3.15(c)(i)
Earlychildhood Exchange Ratio................................        Section 2.1
Earlychildhood Financial Information.........................        Section 3.5
Earlychildhood Intellectual Property.........................    Section 3.10(a)
Earlychildhood Lease Agreements..............................     Section 3.9(a)
Earlychildhood Material Adverse Change.......................        Section 3.7
Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect.......................        Section 3.1
Earlychildhood Material Contracts............................    Section 3.12(b)
Earlychildhood Option........................................     Section 2.3(a)
Earlychildhood Option Plans..................................     Section 2.3(a)
Earlychildhood Organizational Documents......................     Section 3.3(b)
Earlychildhood Owned Real Property...........................     Section 3.9(a)
Earlychildhood Permitted Encumbrances........................     Section 3.9(a)
Earlychildhood Third Party Rights............................    Section 3.10(e)
Effective Time...............................................        Section 1.4
Employee Benefit Plans.......................................    Section 3.15(a)
Encumbrance .................................................     Section 3.2(a)
Environmental Law ...........................................    Section 3.14(b)
ERISA .......................................................    Section 3.15(a)
</TABLE>

                                      - v-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Cross Reference in
Terms                                                             Agreement
-----                                                         ------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
ESPP Termiation Date ........................................     Section 2.3(d)
Exchange Act ................................................     Section 4.3(c)
Exchange Agent ..............................................     Section 2.5(a)
Exchange Fund ...............................................     Section 2.5(a)
Executive Management Agreement ..............................    Section 3.12(e)
Expenses ....................................................     Section 7.3(b)
Final SmarterKids Purchase Date .............................     Section 2.3(d)
Fund ........................................................     Section 3.3(c)
GAAP ........................................................        Section 3.5
Governmental Entity .........................................     Section 3.3(c)
Hazardous Substance .........................................    Section 3.14(c)
Holdings.....................................................           Preamble
Holdings Common Stock........................................           Recitals
Holdings Director Plan.......................................       Section 5.17
Holdings Employee Stock Purchase Plan........................    Section 5.16(a)
Holdings Material Adverse Effect.............................     Section 6.1(f)
Holdings Stock Plan..........................................    Section 5.15(f)
HSR Act......................................................     Section 3.3(c)
Indemnified Parties..........................................    Section 5.19(a)
Independent Director.........................................    Section 5.22(a)
IRS..........................................................     Section 3.8(b)
LLC Certificates.............................................  Section 2.5(b)(i)
LLC Interests................................................        Section 1.2
Lockup Agreement.............................................           Recitals
Members......................................................     Section 3.2(a)
Merger Sub...................................................           Preamble
Minimum Closing Cash.........................................       Section 5.25
Operating Agreement..........................................        Section 1.2
Order........................................................     Section 5.9(b)
Other Party..................................................     Section 5.4(a)
Outside Date.................................................     Section 7.1(b)
Proxy Statement/Prospectus...................................       Section 3.18
Registration Rights Agreement................................           Recitals
Registration Statement.......................................       Section 3.18
Rule 145.....................................................       Section 5.13
SEC..........................................................       Section 3.18
Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement..............        Section 1.8
Stockholder Support Agreement................................           Recitals
Subsidiary...................................................        Section 3.1
Superior Proposal............................................     Section 5.3(b)
Surviving Corporation........................................        Section 1.7
SmarterKids..................................................           Preamble
SmarterKids Balance Sheet....................................     Section 4.4(c)
SmarterKids Certificate of Merger............................        Section 1.4
SmarterKids Certificates..................................... Section 2.5(b)(ii)
SmarterKids Change of Control Agreements.....................    Section 4.14(f)
SmarterKids Common Stock.....................................        Section 1.3
SmarterKids Confidentiality Agreement........................        Section 5.7
SmarterKids Director.........................................    Section 5.22(a)
SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule..............................         ARTICLE IV
</TABLE>

                                     - vi -
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Cross Reference in
Terms                                                             Agreement
-----                                                         ------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
SmarterKids Employee Plans...................................    Section 4.14(a)
SmarterKids Employee Stock Purchase Plan.....................     Section 2.3(d)
SmarterKids ERISA Affiliate.................................. Section 4.14(c)(i)
SmarterKids Exchange Ratio...................................     Section 2.2(c)
SmarterKids Intellectual Property............................     Section 4.9(a)
SmarterKids Lease Agreements.................................     Section 4.8(a)
SmarterKids Material Adverse Change..........................        Section 4.6
SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect..........................        Section 4.1
SmarterKids Material Contracts...............................    Section 4.11(b)
SmarterKids Merger...........................................           Recitals
SmarterKids Organizational Documents.........................     Section 4.3(b)
SmarterKids Permitted Encumbrances...........................     Section 4.8(a)
SmarterKids Preferred Stock..................................     Section 4.2(a)
SmarterKids SEC Reports......................................     Section 4.4(a)
SmarterKids Stock Option.....................................     Section 2.3(b)
SmarterKids Stock Plans......................................     Section 4.2(a)
SmarterKids Stockholders' Meeting............................       Section 3.18
SmarterKids Third Party Rights...............................     Section 4.9(e)
SmarterKids Warrants.........................................     Section 4.2(a)
Tax..........................................................     Section 3.8(a)
Taxes........................................................     Section 3.8(a)
Termination Fee..............................................     Section 7.3(c)
Third Party..................................................     Section 5.3(a)
Transaction Documents........................................     Section 3.3(a)
Transactions.................................................        Section 1.3
Transfer Documents...........................................  Section 2.5(b)(i)
</TABLE>

                                    - vii -
<PAGE>

          CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND MERGER

   CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND MERGER (the
"Agreement"), dated as of November 14, 2000 by and among EARLYCHILDHOOD.COM,
LLC, a California limited liability corporation ("Earlychildhood"),
SMARTERKIDS.COM, INC., a Delaware corporation ("SmarterKids"), S-E EDUCATIONAL
HOLDINGS CORP., a newly-formed Delaware corporation, one-half of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of which is owned by each of Earlychildhood and
SmarterKids ("Holdings") and S-E EDUCATIONAL MERGER CORP., a newly-formed
Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings ("Merger Sub").

   WHEREAS, the Management Committee of Earlychildhood and the Board of
Directors of SmarterKids deem it advisable and in the best interests of each
corporation and its members or stockholders, as the case may be, in order to
advance the long-term business interests of Earlychildhood and SmarterKids,
that Earlychildhood and SmarterKids combine;

   WHEREAS, the combination of Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall be effected
through (i) the contribution to Holdings by the holders of all outstanding LLC
Interests (as defined in Section 1.2) of all of the right, title and interest
in and to their entire ownership interest in Earlychildhood (the
"Contribution") such that Earlychildhood will become a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Holdings and the holders of LLC Interests in Earlychildhood will become
stockholders of Holdings, and (ii) the merger of Merger Sub with and into
SmarterKids (the "SmarterKids Merger") such that SmarterKids becomes a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Holdings and the holders of capital stock of SmarterKids
become stockholders of Holdings;

   WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
as a condition and inducement to Earlychildhood's willingness to enter into
this Agreement, certain stockholders of SmarterKids have entered into a
Stockholder Support Agreement with Earlychildhood, dated as of the date hereof,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Stockholder
Support Agreement"), pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed, among
other things, to vote all voting securities of SmarterKids beneficially owned
by them in favor of approval and adoption of this Agreement and the SmarterKids
Merger;

   WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
as a condition and inducement to SmarterKids' willingness to enter into this
Agreement, the holders of all outstanding LLC Interests in Earlychildhood have
entered into a Consent and Non-Contravention Agreement, dated as of the date
hereof, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Consent
Agreement"), pursuant to which such persons have agreed, among other things, to
(i) effect the Contribution upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth herein and (ii) take no action, directly or indirectly, to contravene,
supersede or modify their consent in favor of this Agreement and the
Contribution or to cause Earlychildhood to take any action in contravention of
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby;

   WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
as a condition and inducement to Earlychildhood's and SmarterKids' willingness
to enter into this Agreement, certain holders of LLC Interests in
Earlychildhood and certain stockholders of SmarterKids have entered into a
Lockup Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C (the "Lockup Agreement"), pursuant to which such
persons have agreed, among other things, not to sell the shares of Holdings
Common Stock (as defined below) such persons receive in connection with the
Transactions (as defined in Section 1.3) until the earlier to occur of (i) 180
days from the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.4) and (ii) the date upon
which a secondary offering of Holdings Common Stock for the purposes of
effecting the orderly sale of such shares has been consummated;

   WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
as a condition and inducement to Earlychildhood's and SmarterKids' willingness
to enter into this Agreement, Holdings has entered into a Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit D (the "Registration Rights Agreement") with certain Holders
(as defined in the Registration

                                      A-1
<PAGE>

Rights Agreement) of common stock, par value $0.01 per share of Holdings (the
"Holdings Common Stock"), which Registration Rights Agreement will govern the
resale registration by Holdings, for the benefit of the Holders, of shares of
Holdings Common Stock received by such Holders in the Transactions;

   WHEREAS, for Federal income tax purposes, it is intended that (i) the
Contribution shall qualify as a transfer of property to Holdings by holders of
LLC Interests described in Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), and (ii) the SmarterKids Merger shall qualify as a
reorganization described in Section 368(a) of the Code and, taken together with
the Contribution, as a transfer of property to Holdings by holders of
SmarterKids capital stock described in Section 351 of the Code; and

   WHEREAS, the Management Committee of Earlychildhood and the Board of
Directors of SmarterKids have approved this Agreement and each of the
Transaction Documents (as defined in Section 3.3(a)) to which its company is a
party;

   WHEREAS, no further action on the part of the Management Committee of
Earlychildhood is required to effect the transactions contemplated hereby;

   WHEREAS, the holders of LLC Interests have approved this Agreement and the
Contribution and no further action on the part of the holders of LLC Interests
is required to effect the transactions contemplated hereby;

   WHEREAS, under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"), in order
to effect the SmarterKids Merger, SmarterKids is required to obtain the vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of SmarterKids capital
stock to approve this Agreement; and

   WHEREAS, Earlychildhood, SmarterKids and Holdings desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
combination and also to prescribe various conditions to the combination.

   NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth below, the
parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I.

                        THE CONTRIBUTION AND THE MERGER

   Section 1.1 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Holdings. The
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Holdings shall be amended prior to
the Effective Time to be substantially in the form of Exhibit E and Exhibit F
attached hereto, respectively. From the date hereof until the Effective Time,
Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall consult with each other prior to causing
or permitting Holdings to take any action and neither shall cause or permit
Holdings to take any action inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement
without the written consent of the other.

   Section 1.2 The Contribution. Upon the terms and subject to the provisions
of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, each holder of an outstanding
membership interest in Earlychildhood (such membership interests (other than
Earlychildhood Options (as defined below) and membership interests issuable
upon conversion of Earlychildhood Options) being collectively referred to
herein as the "LLC Interests") shall contribute to Holdings all of the right,
title and interest in and to such holder's entire ownership interest in
Earlychildhood, which ownership interest, in each case, is set forth next to
the name of such person in the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule (as defined
in Article III), and in exchange therefor (as described in Section 2.1), (i)
each holder of LLC Interests which is a Class A Member (as defined in that
certain Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Earlychildhood dated as of
May 5, 1999 (the "Operating Agreement")) shall be entitled to receive 4.9951
shares of Holdings Common Stock for each .00001% of an LLC Interest

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

held in such capacity, (ii) each holder of an LLC Interest which is a Class B
Member (as defined in the Operating Agreement) shall be entitled to receive
4.6781 shares of Holdings Common Stock for each .00001% of an LLC Interest held
in such capacity, and (iii) each holder of an LLC Interest which is a Class C
Member (as defined in the Operating Agreement) shall be entitled to receive
2.3365 shares of Holdings Common Stock for each .00001% of an LLC Interest held
in such capacity. At the Effective Time, the Operating Agreement shall be
amended and restated to provide that Holdings shall be the sole member of
Earlychildhood, holding a single class of membership interests.

   Section 1.3 The SmarterKids Merger. Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall
cause Holdings to form Merger Sub under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall cause Holdings to cause Merger Sub to
execute and deliver this Agreement. Upon the terms and subject to the
provisions of this Agreement, and in accordance with the DGCL, Merger Sub shall
merge with and into SmarterKids at the Effective Time, and each outstanding
share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of SmarterKids ("SmarterKids
Common Stock") shall be converted into the right to receive one (1) share of
Holdings Common Stock (as described in Section 2.2(c)). Merger Sub will be
formed solely to facilitate the SmarterKids Merger and will conduct no business
or activity other than in connection with the SmarterKids Merger. The
SmarterKids Merger, together with the Contribution, collectively constitute the
"Transactions."

   Section 1.4 Effective Time. Subject to, and consistent with, the provisions
of this Agreement, a certificate of merger (the "SmarterKids Certificate of
Merger") with respect to the SmarterKids Merger in such form as is required by
the relevant provisions of the DGCL shall be duly prepared, executed and
acknowledged and thereafter delivered to the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware for filing, as provided in the DGCL, as early as practicable on the
Closing Date. The SmarterKids Merger shall become effective upon the filing of
the SmarterKids Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware or such later time as may be specified therein. The time at which
the Contribution has been consummated and the SmarterKids Merger has become
fully effective is hereinafter referred to as the "Effective Time."

   Section 1.5 Closing. The closing of the Transactions (the "Closing") will
take place at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on a date to be specified by
SmarterKids and Earlychildhood, which shall be no later than the third business
day after satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions set forth
in Article VI (the "Closing Date"), at the offices of Latham & Watkins, 633
West Fifth Street, Suite 4000 Los Angeles, California 90071, unless another
date, place or time is agreed to in writing by SmarterKids and Earlychildhood.

   Section 1.6 Effect of the Contribution. As a result of the Contribution, (i)
Holdings shall become the sole member of Earlychildhood and shall have all of
the rights, benefits and obligations set forth in the Second Amended and
Restated Operating Agreement (as defined in Section 1.8) and (ii)
Earlychildhood will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings.

   Section 1.7 Effect of the SmarterKids Merger. As a result of the SmarterKids
Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and
SmarterKids shall continue as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving
Corporation"). Upon becoming effective, the SmarterKids Merger shall have the
effects set forth in the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all properties, rights,
privileges, powers and franchises of SmarterKids and Merger Sub shall vest in
the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of SmarterKids
and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving
Corporation.

   Section 1.8 Organizational Documents of Earlychildhood. At the Effective
Time, the Operating Agreement shall be amended and restated in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit G to provide that Holdings shall be the
sole member of Earlychildhood upon consummation of the Contribution holding a
single class of membership interests (as so amended and restated, the "Second
Amended and Restated Operating Agreement").

   Section 1.9 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation. At the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended and restated

                                      A-3
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as set forth in Exhibit H and Exhibit I attached hereto, respectively, in each
case until duly amended in accordance with applicable law.

   Section 1.10 Management of Earlychildhood Following the Contribution;
Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation.

   (a) Management of Earlychildhood. At the Effective Time (after giving effect
to the Contribution), Earlychildhood shall be managed in accordance with the
provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement.

   (b) Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation. The directors and
officers of SmarterKids immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the
initial directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold
office in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation.

   Section 1.11 Earlychildhood Employees. At the Effective Time, all of the
employees of Earlychildhood shall be transferred to Holdings and, from and
after the Effective Time, shall be employees of Holdings. Such transferred
employees shall serve Holdings in the same capacity or capacities as they
served Earlychildhood prior to the Effective Time. Each of the parties hereto
shall take all actions necessary to effect the provisions of this Section 1.11.

                                  ARTICLE II.

                     EXCHANGE AND CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

   Section 2.1 Exchange of LLC Interests of Earlychildhood. At the Effective
Time, subject to Section 2.5(e), (i) each .00001% of an LLC Interest then
outstanding and owned by a holder of LLC Interests which is a Class A Member in
such capacity shall, by virtue of the Contribution, be exchanged for 4.9951
shares of Holdings Common Stock (the "Class A Exchange Ratio"), (ii) each
 .00001% of an LLC Interest then outstanding and owned by a holder of LLC
Interests which is a Class B Member in such capacity shall, by virtue of the
Contribution, be exchanged for 4.6781 shares of Holdings Common Stock (the
"Class B Exchange Ratio"), and (iii) each .00001% of an LLC Interest then
outstanding and owned by a holder of LLC Interests which is a Class C Member in
such capacity shall, by virtue of the Contribution, be exchanged for 2.3365
shares of Holdings Common Stock (the "Class C Exchange Ratio" and, collectively
with the Class A Exchange Ratio and the Class B Exchange Ratio, the
"Earlychildhood Exchange Ratio"). Upon such Contribution, all such LLC
Interests shall be transferred in full, together with all right, title and
interest in and to such LLC Interests, to Holdings and each person who was
formerly a holder of an LLC Interest shall cease to have any rights with
respect thereto, except the right to receive the shares of Holdings Common
Stock and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Holdings Common Stock to be
issued or paid in consideration therefor, without interest thereon.

   Section 2.2 Conversion of SmarterKids Capital Stock. At the Effective Time,
by virtue of the SmarterKids Merger and without any action on the part of any
of the parties hereto or the holders of any shares of SmarterKids Common Stock
or capital stock of Merger Sub:

     (a) Capital Stock of Merger Sub. Each issued and outstanding share of
  the capital stock of Merger Sub shall be converted into and become one
  fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $.01 per
  share, of the Surviving Corporation.

     (b) Cancellation of Treasury Stock. All shares of SmarterKids Common
  Stock that are owned by SmarterKids (including treasury stock) shall be
  canceled and retired and shall cease to exist and no shares of Holdings
  Common Stock or other consideration shall be delivered in exchange
  therefor.

     (c) Exchange Ratio for SmarterKids Common Stock. Subject to Section
  2.5(e), each issued and outstanding share of SmarterKids Common Stock
  (other than shares to be canceled in accordance with

                                      A-4
<PAGE>

  Section 2.2(b)) shall be converted into the right to receive one (1) share
  of Holdings Common Stock (the "SmarterKids Exchange Ratio"). All such
  shares of SmarterKids Common Stock, when so converted, shall no longer be
  outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall
  cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate representing any such
  shares shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the
  right to receive the shares of Holdings Common Stock and any cash in lieu
  of fractional shares of Holdings Common Stock to be issued or paid in
  consideration therefor, in each case upon the surrender of such certificate
  in accordance with Section 2.5 and without interest thereon.

   Section 2.3 Treatment of Outstanding Options, SmarterKids Warrants, and
SmarterKids Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

   (a) Earlychildhood Options. At the Effective Time, each outstanding option
to purchase LLC Interests (an "Earlychildhood Option") under any option plans
of Earlychildhood in effect on the date hereof (the "Earlychildhood Option
Plans"), whether vested or unvested, shall be deemed to constitute an option to
acquire, on substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable
under such Earlychildhood Option the same number of shares of Holdings Common
Stock as the holder of such Earlychildhood Option would have been entitled to
receive pursuant to the Contribution had such holder exercised such option in
full immediately prior to the Effective Time (rounded down to the nearest whole
number), at a price per share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to
(x) the aggregate exercise price for the LLC Interests purchasable pursuant to
such Earlychildhood Option immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by
(y) the number of full shares of Holdings Common Stock deemed purchasable
pursuant to such Earlychildhood Option in accordance with the foregoing. Prior
to the Effective Time, Earlychildhood shall make any such amendments to the
terms of the Earlychildhood Option Plans that are necessary to give effect to
the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.3(a) and to make such
Earlychildhood Option Plans and the provisions thereof consistent with option
plans customary for public companies.

   (b) SmarterKids Stock Options. At the Effective Time, each outstanding
option to purchase shares of SmarterKids Common Stock (a "SmarterKids Stock
Option") under the SmarterKids Stock Plans (as defined in Section 4.2(a)),
whether vested or unvested, shall be deemed to constitute an option to acquire,
on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such SmarterKids
Stock Option the same number of shares of Holdings Common Stock as the holder
of such SmarterKids Stock Option would have been entitled to receive pursuant
to the SmarterKids Merger had such holder exercised such option in full
immediately prior to the Effective Time (rounded down to the nearest whole
number), at a price per share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to
(x) the aggregate exercise price for the shares of SmarterKids Common Stock
purchasable pursuant to such SmarterKids Stock Option immediately prior to the
Effective Time divided by (y) the number of full shares of Holdings Common
Stock deemed purchasable pursuant to such SmarterKids Stock Option in
accordance with the foregoing. Prior to the Effective Time, SmarterKids shall
make any such amendments to the terms of the SmarterKids Stock Plans that are
necessary to give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Section
2.3(b). It is the intention of the parties that any SmarterKids Stock Options
that are "incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code and which are converted into options to acquire Holdings Common Stock
pursuant to this Section 2.3(b) qualify following the Effective Time as
incentive stock options. Such adjustments pursuant to this Section 2.3(b) are
intended to be effective in a manner which is consistent with Section 424(a) of
the Code.

   (c) SmarterKids Warrants. At the Effective Time, each SmarterKids Warrant
(as defined in Section 4.2(a)) shall thereafter represent solely the right to
acquire, on substantially the terms and conditions as are currently applicable
under the SmarterKids Warrants, the same number of shares of Holdings Common
Stock as a holder of the SmarterKids Warrants would have been entitled to
receive pursuant to the SmarterKids Merger had such holder exercised such
SmarterKids Warrants in full immediately prior to the Effective Time (rounded
down to the nearest whole number), at the price per share (rounded up to the
nearest whole cent) equal to (x) the aggregate exercise price for the shares of
SmarterKids Common Stock purchasable pursuant to the SmarterKids Warrants
immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by (y) the number of full
shares of Holdings Common Stock deemed purchasable pursuant to the SmarterKids
Warrants in accordance with the

                                      A-5
<PAGE>

foregoing. Prior to the Effective Time, SmarterKids shall make any such
amendments to the terms of the SmarterKids Warrants that are necessary to give
effect to the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.3(c).

   (d) SmarterKids Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

     (i) In the event that the current "payment period" (as such term is used
  in the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of SmarterKids (the "SmarterKids
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan")), in effect as of the date of this
  Agreement, ends prior to the Effective Time, SmarterKids shall use its
  reasonable best efforts to terminate the SmarterKids Employee Stock
  Purchase Plan, subject to Section 2.3(d)(iii) below, as of the date that
  the current payment period ends (the "ESPP Termination Date").

     (ii) In the event that the Effective Time occurs on or prior to the end
  of the current payment period in effect as of the date of this Agreement,
  SmarterKids shall use its reasonable best efforts, to the extent permitted
  by law and the provisions of the SmarterKids Employee Stock Purchase Plan,
  including any amendment provisions thereof, to cause the exercise date
  applicable to the current payment period to be the last trading day on
  which the shares of SmarterKids Common Stock are traded on Nasdaq
  immediately prior to the Effective Time (the "Final SmarterKids Purchase
  Date"); provided, that, such change in the Final SmarterKids Purchase Date
  will be conditioned upon the consummation of the SmarterKids Merger.
  Subject to Section 2.3(d)(iii) below, SmarterKids shall use its reasonable
  best efforts to terminate the SmarterKids Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  immediately after the Final SmarterKids Purchase Date and prior to the
  Effective Time.

     (iii) On the occurrence of either the ESPP Termination Date or the Final
  SmarterKids Purchase Date, as the case may be, SmarterKids shall apply the
  funds credited as of such date under the SmarterKids Employee Stock
  Purchase Plan within each participant's payroll withholdings account to the
  purchase of whole shares of SmarterKids Common Stock in accordance with the
  terms of the SmarterKids Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The cost to each
  participant in the SmarterKids Employee Stock Purchase Plan for shares of
  SmarterKids Common Stock will be the lower of 85% of the average market
  price of SmarterKids Common Stock on Nasdaq on (A) the first day of the
  then current offering period or (B) the ESPP Termination Date or the Final
  SmarterKids Purchase Date, as the case may be. No fractional shares of
  SmarterKids Common Stock shall be issued and any payroll withholdings not
  used to purchase fractional shares of SmarterKids Common Stock will be
  refunded, without interest to the participant.

     (iv) It is the intention of the parties that notwithstanding anything
  contained in this Agreement, the exercise price, the number of shares
  purchasable and the terms and conditions applicable to any adjustments to
  the SmarterKids Employee Stock Purchase Plan and any employee stock
  purchase plan maintained by Holdings will be determined so as to comply
  with Sections 423 and 424 of the Code and the regulations promulgated
  thereunder such that the arrangement implemented under the SmarterKids
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan by reason of the SmarterKids Merger not
  constitute a "modification."

   Section 2.4 Cancellation of Holdings Common Stock. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Transactions and without any action on the part of any holder of
any LLC Interest or any holder of capital stock of SmarterKids or Holdings,
each share of Holdings Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be canceled, and no consideration shall be delivered
in exchange therefor.

   Section 2.5 Exchange of Certificates. The procedures for exchanging LLC
Interests and shares of SmarterKids Common Stock outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time for shares of Holdings Common Stock in the Transactions
are as follows:

     (a) Exchange Agent. As of the Effective Time, Holdings shall deposit
  with a bank or trust company designated by SmarterKids and Earlychildhood
  (the "Exchange Agent"), for the benefit of the holders of LLC Interests
  outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and the holders of
  shares of SmarterKids Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
  Effective Time, for exchange in accordance with this Section 2.5, through
  the Exchange Agent, certificates representing the shares of Holdings Common
  Stock issuable pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 in exchange for outstanding
  LLC

                                      A-6
<PAGE>

  Interests and outstanding shares of SmarterKids Common Stock, respectively
  (such shares of Holdings Common Stock, together with any dividends or
  distributions with respect thereto, and any cash in lieu of fractional
  shares of Holdings Common Stock being hereinafter referred to as the
  "Exchange Fund").

   (b) Exchange Procedures.

     (i) At the Effective Time, each holder of an LLC Interest shall deliver
  to the Exchange Agent, or to such other agent or agents (including
  Holdings) as may be appointed by Holdings, (A) documentation reasonably
  satisfactory to the Exchange Agent or Holdings evidencing the transfer of
  the LLC Interests to Holdings (the "Transfer Documents"), which Transfer
  Documents shall include, to the extent previously issued by Earlychildhood,
  certificates evidencing the LLC Interests (the "LLC Certificates") and
  (B) instructions for effecting the exchange of such LLC Interests for
  certificates evidencing shares of Holdings Common Stock (plus cash in lieu
  of fractional shares, if any, of Holdings Common Stock as provided below)
  in accordance with Section 2.1. Upon delivery of the Transfer Documents,
  duly endorsed, to the Exchange Agent or to such other agent or agents
  (including Holdings) as may be appointed by Holdings, such holders of LLC
  Interests shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, certificates
  representing the number of whole shares of Holdings Common Stock which such
  holder has the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of this Article
  II and any cash in lieu of fractional shares, if any, of Holdings Common
  Stock.

     (ii) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, the
  Exchange Agent shall mail to each holder of record of a certificate or
  certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
  outstanding shares of SmarterKids Common Stock (the "SmarterKids
  Certificates" and, together with the LLC Certificates, the "Certificates")
  whose shares were converted pursuant to Section 2.2 into the right to
  receive shares of Holdings Common Stock, (A) a letter of transmittal (which
  shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title
  to the SmarterKids Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the
  SmarterKids Certificates to the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form
  and have such other provisions as Earlychildhood and SmarterKids may
  reasonably specify), and (B) instructions for effecting the surrender of
  the SmarterKids Certificates in exchange for certificates representing
  shares of Holdings Common Stock (plus cash in lieu of fractional shares, if
  any, of Holdings Common Stock as provided below). Upon surrender of a
  SmarterKids Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent or to such
  other agent or agents (including Holdings) as may be appointed by Holdings,
  together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed, the holder of such
  SmarterKids Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a
  certificate representing that number of whole shares of Holdings Common
  Stock which such holder has the right to receive pursuant to the provisions
  of this Article II, and any cash in lieu of fractional shares, if any, of
  Holdings Common Stock, and the SmarterKids Certificate so surrendered shall
  immediately be canceled.

     (iii) In the event of a transfer of ownership of LLC Interests or
  SmarterKids Common Stock prior to the Effective Time which is not
  registered in the transfer records of Earlychildhood or SmarterKids,
  respectively, a certificate representing the proper number of shares of
  Holdings Common Stock may be issued to a transferee if the Transfer
  Documents for such LLC Interests or the SmarterKids Certificate
  representing such SmarterKids Common Stock, as applicable, is presented to
  the Exchange Agent, or such other agent or agents as may be appointed by
  Holdings (including Holdings), accompanied by all documents required to
  evidence and effect such transfer and by evidence that any applicable stock
  transfer taxes have been paid.

     (iv) Immediately after the Effective Time, (A) all LLC Interests shall
  have been delivered (or, in the absence of certificated LLC Interests,
  shall be deemed to have been delivered) to the Exchange Agent (or to such
  other agent or agents (including Holdings) as may be appointed by Holdings,
  and exchanged for shares of Holdings Common Stock in accordance with the
  provisions set forth in subsection (i) above and (B) each outstanding
  SmarterKids Certificate which theretofore represented shares of SmarterKids
  Common Stock shall represent only the right to receive shares of Holdings
  Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof and shall not be deemed to
  evidence ownership of the number of shares of Holdings

                                      A-7
<PAGE>

  Common Stock into which such shares of SmarterKids Common Stock would be or
  were, as the case may be, converted until the SmarterKids Certificate
  therefor shall have been surrendered in accordance with this Section 2.5.

   (c) Distributions With Respect to Unexchanged Interests or Shares. No
dividends or other distributions declared or made after the Effective Time with
respect to Holdings Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time
shall be paid to the holder of any uncontributed LLC Interest or unsurrendered
SmarterKids Certificate with respect to the shares of Holdings Common Stock the
holder thereof is entitled to receive in respect thereof and no cash payment in
lieu of fractional shares shall be paid to any such holder pursuant to
subsection (e) below until the holder of record of such LLC Interests or
SmarterKids Certificate shall contribute such LLC Interest as described in
subsection (b)(i) above or surrender such SmarterKids Certificate as described
in subsection (b)(ii) above, as applicable. Subject to the effect of applicable
laws, following the contribution of any such LLC Interest or surrender of any
such SmarterKids Certificate, there shall be paid to the record holder of the
certificates representing whole shares of Holdings Common Stock issued in
exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such contribution or
surrender, as applicable, the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a
fractional share of Holdings Common Stock to which such holder is entitled
pursuant to subsection (e) below and the amount of dividends or other
distributions with a record date after the Effective Time previously paid with
respect to such whole shares of Holdings Common Stock, and (ii) at the
appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a
record date after the Effective Time but prior to surrender and a payment date
subsequent to surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of Holdings
Common Stock.

   (d) No Further Ownership Rights in LLC Interests and SmarterKids Common
Stock. All shares of Holdings Common Stock issued upon the delivery of the
Transfer Documents and/or surrender for exchange of the SmarterKids
Certificates, as applicable, in accordance with the terms hereof (including any
cash paid pursuant to subsection (c) or (e) of this Section 2.5) shall be
deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the
LLC Interests so contributed or to the shares of SmarterKids Common Stock
theretofore represented by such SmarterKids Certificates, as applicable, and
from and after the Effective Time there shall be no further registration of
transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the
shares of SmarterKids Common Stock which were outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time or registration of transfers on the ownership records of
Earlychildhood of LLC Interests held by holders thereof immediately prior to
the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, SmarterKids Certificates are
presented to the Surviving Corporation or Holdings for any reason, such
SmarterKids Certificates shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this
Section 2.5. If, after the Effective Time, Transfer Documents with respect to
valid LLC Interests are presented to Holdings for any reason, such LLC
Interests shall be deemed contributed to Holdings in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time and the
holders thereof, in exchange therefor, shall receive such number of shares of
Holdings Common Stock as may be calculated pursuant to the applicable
Earlychildhood Exchange Ratio, together, without interest, with cash in lieu of
fractional shares as described in Section 2.5(e).

   (e) No Fractional Shares. No certificate or scrip representing fractional
shares of Holdings Common Stock shall be issued upon the contribution or
surrender for exchange, as applicable, of LLC Interests or SmarterKids
Certificates, and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner
thereof to vote or to any other rights of a stockholder of Holdings.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each holder of LLC
Interests or shares of SmarterKids Common Stock outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time exchanged pursuant to the Contribution or the SmarterKids
Merger who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a share
of Holdings Common Stock (after taking into account the entire LLC Interest
exchanged by such holder or all SmarterKids Certificates delivered by such
holder, as applicable) shall receive, in lieu thereof, cash (without interest)
in an amount equal to such fractional part of a share of Holdings Common Stock
multiplied by the per share opening sales price of Holdings Common Stock (as
reported by the national securities exchange or market on which such Holdings
Common Stock is traded or quoted) on the first day of trading of Holdings
Common Stock on such exchange or market after the Effective Time.

                                      A-8
<PAGE>

   (f) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund which
remains undistributed to the former holders of LLC Interests or the former
stockholders of SmarterKids on the 180th day after the Effective Time shall be
delivered to Holdings upon demand, and any former holder or stockholder, as the
case may be, who has not previously complied with Section 1.2 or this Section
2.5 shall thereafter look only to Holdings for payment of such holder's or
stockholder's claim for Holdings Common Stock, any cash in lieu of fractional
shares of Holdings Common Stock and any dividends or distributions with respect
to Holdings Common Stock.

   (g) No Liability. None of Earlychildhood, SmarterKids or Holdings shall be
liable to any holder of LLC Interests or shares of SmarterKids Common Stock, as
the case may be, for any shares of Holdings Common Stock (or cash in lieu of
fractional shares of Holdings Common Stock or any dividends or distributions
with respect thereto) delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable
abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

   (h) Withholding Rights. Holdings and the Surviving Corporation shall be
entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable
pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of LLC Interests or shares of
SmarterKids Common Stock such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold
with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of
state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by
Holdings or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, such withheld
amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid
to the holder of LLC Interests or shares of SmarterKids Common Stock, as the
case may be, in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

   (i) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming
such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Holdings
or the Surviving Corporation, the posting by such person of a bond in such
reasonable amount as Holdings or the Surviving Corporation may direct as
indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such
Certificate, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificate, the shares of Holdings Common Stock, any cash in lieu of
fractional shares, and any unpaid dividends and distributions on shares of
Holdings Common Stock deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this
Agreement.

   (j) Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither LLC
Interests nor SmarterKids Certificates surrendered for exchange by any
Affiliate (as defined in Section 5.13) of Earlychildhood or SmarterKids shall
be exchanged until Holdings has received an Affiliate Agreement (as defined in
Section 5.13) substantially in the form of Exhibit J attached hereto from such
Affiliate.

                                  ARTICLE III.

                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EARLYCHILDHOOD

   Earlychildhood represents and warrants to SmarterKids that the statements
contained in this Article III are true and correct, except as set forth herein
and in the disclosure schedules delivered by Earlychildhood to SmarterKids on
or before the date of this Agreement (the "Earlychildhood Disclosure
Schedule"). The Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in
paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in
this Article III and the disclosure in any paragraph shall qualify other
paragraphs in this Article III only to the extent that it is reasonably
apparent from a reading of such disclosure that it also qualifies or applies to
such other paragraphs.

   Section 3.1 Organization of Earlychildhood. Each of Earlychildhood and its
Subsidiaries (as defined below) is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all
requisite corporate power to own, lease and operate its property and to carry
on its business as now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted, and is
duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign limited
liability company or corporation, as the case may be, in each jurisdiction

                                      A-9
<PAGE>

in which the failure to be so qualified would have a material adverse effect on
the business, assets, properties, financial condition or results of operations
of Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (an "Earlychildhood
Material Adverse Effect"). Except as set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure
Schedule, neither Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiaries, directly or
indirectly owns (other than ownership interests in Earlychildhood or in one or
more of its Subsidiaries) any equity or similar interest in, or any interest
that is mandatorily convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any
corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business association or
entity. A true, correct and complete copy of the organizational documents of
Earlychildhood and each of its Subsidiaries has been delivered to SmarterKids.
As used in this Agreement, the word "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any
party, any corporation or other organization, whether incorporated or
unincorporated, of which (i) such party or any other Subsidiary of such party
is a general partner (excluding partnerships the general partnership interests
of which held by such party or any Subsidiary of such party do not have a
majority of the voting interest in such partnership) or (ii) at least a
majority of the securities or other interests having by their terms ordinary
voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing
similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is
directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such party or by any one or more
of its Subsidiaries, or by such party and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

   Section 3.2 Earlychildhood Capital Structure.

   (a) The outstanding LLC Interests currently consist, and will consist on the
Closing Date, of the LLC Interests set forth in the Earlychildhood Disclosure
Schedule, which LLC Interests, subject to LLC Interests represented by options
granted under the Earlychildhood Option Plans, represent one hundred percent
(100%) of the membership and other equity interests in Earlychildhood. Other
than the persons set forth in the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule (the
"Members"), no other person owns or holds any LLC Interest or portion of an LLC
Interest, including, without limitation, an economic interest in
Earlychildhood, an interest in the profits or losses of Earlychildhood, an
interest in the right to affect the management of Earlychildhood or an interest
in the right to receive distributions from Earlychildhood. With respect to each
Member, the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule sets forth such Member's
designation as a Class A Member, Class B Member or Class C Member, as
applicable. Set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule is the
aggregate amount of LLC Interests issuable pursuant to options granted and
outstanding under the Earlychildhood Option Plans as of the date hereof, and
the entities or persons to whom such options were granted. Except as may exist
under the Earlychildhood Option Plan or as otherwise set forth on the
Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding subscriptions,
calls, commitments, warrants or options for the purchase of LLC Interests, or
any securities convertible into or exchangeable for LLC Interests, or any other
commitments of any kind for the granting of additional LLC Interests or other
equity interests or securities issued by Earlychildhood. All of the outstanding
LLC Interests are duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable securities of
Earlychildhood, free and clear of all Encumbrances (as defined below). Except
as set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, there are no contracts
relating to the issuance, sale, or transfer of any LLC Interests, or any
portions of any LLC Interests. To the knowledge of Earlychildhood, there are no
voting trusts, proxies or other voting agreements or understandings with
respect to the outstanding LLC Interests. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Encumbrance" shall mean any charge, claim, condition, equitable interest,
lien, option, pledge, security interest, right of first refusal or restriction
of any kind, including any restriction on use, voting, transfer, receipt of
income or exercise of any other attribute of ownership.

   (b) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests
of each of Earlychildhood's Subsidiaries are duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and all such shares are owned by Earlychildhood or
another Subsidiary free and clear of all Encumbrances. There are no outstanding
subscriptions, calls, commitments, warrants or options for the purchase of
shares of capital stock or equity interests, as the case may be, or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or
equity interests, as the case may be, or any other commitments of any kind for
the granting of additional shares of capital stock, other equity interests or
securities issued by any of Earlychildhood's Subsidiaries. There are no
contracts relating to the issuance, sale, or transfer of any shares of capital
stock or equity interests, as the case may be, of any of Earlychildhood's
Subsidiaries.

                                      A-10
<PAGE>

   Section 3.3 Authority; No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.

   (a) Earlychildhood has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents (as defined below) to
which it is a party and to consummate the Transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents
to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party by
Earlychildhood have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of
Earlychildhood, its Management Committee and its Members. Each holder of an LLC
Interest outstanding on the date hereof has executed and delivered a Consent
Agreement in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto and, assuming the due
authorization and execution of the Consent Agreement by each such Member, the
Consent Agreements constitute the valid and binding obligations of such
Members, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to the Bankruptcy
and Equity Exception (as hereafter defined). This Agreement and each of the
Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been duly executed and
delivered by Earlychildhood and constitute the valid and binding obligations of
Earlychildhood, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors'
rights and to general equitable principles (the "Bankruptcy and Equity
Exception"). "Transaction Documents" means the Stockholder Support Agreement,
the Registration Rights Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the Affiliate
Agreement and the Lockup Agreement.

   (b) Except as set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents
to which it is a party by Earlychildhood does not, and the consummation of the
Transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and each of the Transaction
Documents to which Earlychildhood is a party will not, (i) conflict with, or
result in any violation or breach of, any provision of the organizational
documents of Earlychildhood (including the Operating Agreement) or any of the
organizational documents of any of Earlychildhood's Subsidiaries (collectively,
the "Earlychildhood Organizational Documents"), (ii) result in any violation or
breach of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) a
default (or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration
of any obligation or loss of any material benefit) under, or require a consent
or waiver under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement, instrument or
obligation to which Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which any of them or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound,
or (iii) conflict with or violate any permit, concession, franchise, license,
judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable
to Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or their properties
or assets, except in the case of (ii) and (iii) for any such conflicts,
violations, defaults, terminations, cancellations or accelerations which are
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have an
Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect. The execution and delivery of each
Consent Agreement by the holders of all outstanding LLC Interests does not
conflict with, and will not result in any violation or breach of any provision
of, the Earlychildhood Organizational Documents.

   (c) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration or filing with, any court, administrative agency or commission or
other governmental authority or instrumentality ("Governmental Entity") is
required by or with respect to Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the
Transaction Documents to which it is a party or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except for (i) the filing of the
pre-merger notification report under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), if applicable, (ii) such
consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and
filings as may be required under applicable state securities laws, and
(iii) such other consents, authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations
which, if not obtained or made, would not be reasonably likely to have an
Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect. Earlychildhood is not a "$100 Million
Person" within the meaning of the HSR Act (and the Regulations thereunder) and
William E. Simon & Sons Private Equity Fund, L.P. (the "Fund"), to the extent
the Fund is the "ultimate parent entity" of Earlychildhood (as such term is
used in the HSR Act and the Regulations thereunder), is not, together, with all
the entities that it controls, directly and indirectly, a "$100 million Person"
within the meaning of the HSR Act (and the Regulations thereunder).

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   Section 3.4 Books and Records. The books of account, minute books (or any
other books containing records of member or manager action) and record books
and other records which are material to the business of Earlychildhood and its
Subsidiaries, all of which have been made available to SmarterKids, are
complete and correct in all material respects and have been maintained in
accordance with sound business practices. The minute books (or any other books
containing records of member or manager action) of Earlychildhood and its
Subsidiaries contain, in all material respects, accurate records of all
meetings held of, and corporate or other action taken by, the Members, or the
Management Committee of Earlychildhood, or the stockholders or owners or board
of directors or other similar bodies of any of its Subsidiaries and no meeting
has been held for which minutes have not been prepared and are not contained in
such minute books. At the Closing, all of the books and records of
Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries will be in the possession of
Earlychildhood.

   Section 3.5 Financial Information. Earlychildhood has delivered to
SmarterKids: (i) an audited consolidated balance sheet of Earlychildhood and
its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and the related audited consolidated
statements of income, changes in members' equity and cash flows of
Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, together
with the report thereon of KPMG, LLP, its independent certified public
accountants; (ii) an audited consolidated balance sheet of QTL Corporation and
its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and the related audited consolidated
statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of QTL Corporation
for the nine months then ended, together with the report thereon of KPMG LLP,
its independent certified public accountants; (iii) an audited balance sheet of
Educational Products, Inc. as of March 31, 1999 and the related audited
statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Educational
Products, Inc. for the fiscal year then ended, together with the report thereon
of KPMG LLP, its independent certified public accountants and (iv) an unaudited
consolidated balance sheet of Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries as of
September 30, 2000 (the "Earlychildhood Balance Sheet") and the related
unaudited consolidated statements of income, changes in members' equity, and
cash flows, including, in each case, the notes thereto (together with the
Earlychildhood Balance Sheet, the "Earlychildhood Financial Information"). The
Earlychildhood Financial Information has been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis
(except as may be noted therein), and presents fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis as of the respective dates and for the periods referred to
in such Earlychildhood Financial Information, except that the Earlychildhood
Financial Information is subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments
and subject, in each case, to the notes regarding the matters reflected
therein. Except set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, no
financial information of any entity are required to be included in the
financial statements of Earlychildhood under GAAP.

   Section 3.6 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as set forth on the
Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule or the Earlychildhood Balance Sheet and
except for normal or recurring liabilities incurred since the date of the
Earlychildhood Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices, Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries do not have any
liabilities, either accrued, contingent or otherwise (whether or not required
to be reflected in the Earlychildhood Financial Information in accordance with
GAAP), and whether due or to become due, which, individually or in the
aggregate, are reasonably likely to have an Earlychildhood Material Adverse
Effect.

   Section 3.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as expressly
contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents or as set forth on
the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the Earlychildhood
Balance Sheet, Earlychildhood has conducted its businesses only in the ordinary
course and in a manner consistent with past practice, and, since such date,
there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition, results
of operations, business, assets or properties of Earlychildhood or any of its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (an "Earlychildhood Material Adverse Change") or
any development or combination of developments of which the management of
Earlychildhood is aware that, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or is
reasonably likely to have, an Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect, and,
since such date, there has not been any:

     (a) (i) issuance of LLC Interests, or options or rights therefor, other
  than pursuant to the Earlychildhood Option Plans through the date hereof;
  (ii) purchase, redemption, retirement or other

                                      A-12
<PAGE>

  acquisition by Earlychildhood of any LLC Interest, parts of any LLC
  Interest or other rights or equity interests in Earlychildhood or any of
  its Subsidiaries; or (iii) declaration or payment of any dividend or other
  distribution or payment in respect of any LLC Interest, parts of any LLC
  Interest or other rights or equity interests in Earlychildhood or any of
  its Subsidiaries, other than tax distributions made in the ordinary course
  of business;

     (b) amendment to the organizational documents of Earlychildhood or any
  of its Subsidiaries (including the Operating Agreement);

     (c) payment by Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries of any bonuses,
  salaries or other compensation (including management or other similar fees
  but excluding tax distributions) to any shareholder or member, as
  applicable, managing member, member of the Management Committee or
  executive officer (except for payments of salary, bonuses and other
  compensation payable for employment services rendered in the ordinary
  course of business (in which case there has been no increase in such
  payments)) or entry into any employment, severance or similar contract with
  any such person;

     (d) adoption of any new Employee Benefit Plan or Benefit Arrangement
  (each as defined below) for or with any employees of Earlychildhood or any
  Earlychildhood ERISA Affiliate or any increase in the payment to or
  benefits under any Earlychildhood Plan or other benefit obligations for or
  with any employees of Earlychildhood or any Earlychildhood ERISA Affiliate
  or change any actuarial or other assumption used to calculate funding
  obligations with respect to any Earlychildhood Employee Benefit Plans or
  Benefit Arrangements, or any change in the manner in which contributions to
  any Earlychildhood Employee Benefit Plans or Benefit Arrangements are made
  or the basis on which such contributions are determined;

     (e) damage to or destruction or loss of any asset or property of
  Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not covered by
  insurance, that would have an Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect;

     (f) sale, lease or other disposition of any material asset or property
  of Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries (other than sales of inventory
  in the ordinary course of business);

     (g) accrual of any expenses except for such accruals in the ordinary
  course of business;

     (h) cancellation or waiver of any claims or rights by Earlychildhood or
  any of its Subsidiaries that would have an Earlychildhood Material Adverse
  Effect;

     (i) assumption, guarantee or endorsement or other agreement to become
  responsible for the obligations of any other individual, firm or
  corporation (other than intercompany obligations) or making of any loans or
  advances to, any employee of Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries,
  other than in the ordinary course of business;

     (j) material change by Earlychildhood or its Subsidiaries in their
  respective accounting methods, principles or practices to which SmarterKids
  has not previously consented in writing, except insofar as may be
  appropriate for changes required by applicable law or GAAP;

     (k) revaluations by Earlychildhood or its Subsidiaries of any of their
  respective assets having an Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect;

     (l) agreement, whether oral or written, by Earlychildhood or any of its
  Subsidiaries, with respect to or to do any of the foregoing; or

     (m) other action or event that would have required the consent of
  SmarterKids pursuant to Section 5.1 of this Agreement had such action or
  event occurred after the date of this Agreement, and that, individually or
  in the aggregate, has had, or is reasonably likely to have, an
  Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect.

                                      A-13
<PAGE>

   Section 3.8 Taxes.

   (a) For the purposes of this Agreement, a "Tax" or, collectively, "Taxes,"
means any and all federal, state, local and foreign taxes, assessments and
other governmental charges, duties, impositions and liabilities, including
taxes based upon or measured by gross receipts, income, profits, sales, use and
occupation, and value added, ad valorem, transfer, gains, franchise,
withholding, payroll, recapture, employment, excise, unemployment insurance,
social security, business license, occupation, business organization, stamp,
environmental and property taxes, together with all interest, penalties and
additions imposed with respect to such amounts. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Taxes" also includes any obligations under any agreements or arrangements with
any other person or any provision of law with respect to Taxes of such other
person (including pursuant to Treas. Reg. (S) 1.1502-6 or comparable provisions
of state, local or foreign tax law) and including any liability for Taxes of
any predecessor entity.

   (b) Except as set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule,
Earlychildhood and each of its Subsidiaries have (i) timely filed all federal,
state, local and foreign Tax returns and reports required to be filed by them
prior to the date of this Agreement (taking into account all applicable
extensions) and such Tax returns are accurate and complete in all material
respects, (ii) timely paid or accrued all Taxes owed (whether or not shown on
any Tax return), and (iii) paid all Taxes for which a notice of assessment or
collection has been received (other than amounts being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings). None of the Tax returns filed or Taxes payable by
either Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of
Earlychildhood, by the holders of the LLC Interests as they relate to the items
of income, deductions, etc. of Earlychildhood) have been the subject of an
audit, action, suit, proceeding, claim, examination, deficiency or assessment
by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or any other governmental
authority, and no such audit, action, suit, proceeding, claim, examination,
deficiency or assessment is currently pending or, to the knowledge of
Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries, contemplated or threatened. The
unpaid Taxes of Earlychildhood and each of its Subsidiaries (whether or not yet
payable) attributable to any period (or portion thereof) ending on or before
the Closing Date did not, as of September 30, 2000, exceed the reserve for
actual Taxes (as opposed to any reserve for deferred Taxes established to
reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) as shown on the
Earlychildhood Balance Sheet, and will not exceed such reserve as adjusted for
the passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with the reasonable
past custom and practice of Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries in filing their
Tax returns. Earlychildhood and each of its Subsidiaries will not incur any
liability for Taxes from September 30, 2000 through the Closing Date other than
in the ordinary course of business and consistent with reasonable past
practice, and will not incur any Tax liability in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except as set forth on the
Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, neither Earlychildhood nor any of its
Subsidiaries has agreed to make any adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Code
(or any corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Tax law) by reason
of a change in accounting method or otherwise, and neither Earlychildhood nor
any of its Subsidiaries will be required to make any such adjustment as a
result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Earlychildhood and
each of its Subsidiaries have timely withheld or collected and paid over to the
appropriate governmental authorities (or are properly holding for such timely
payment) all Taxes required by law to be withheld or collected. None of the
Subsidiaries of Earlychildhood which is a corporation has made an election
under Section 341(f) of the Code. There are no liens for Taxes upon the assets
of Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries (other than liens for Taxes that
are not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings). No extension of a statute of limitations relating to any Taxes is
in effect with respect to Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries.

   (c) Earlychildhood and any non-corporate Subsidiaries of Earlychildhood have
at all times during their existence been properly treated as a partnership or a
disregarded entity for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes. No
Subsidiary of Earlychildhood which is a corporation has been a member of an
affiliated group of corporations filing a consolidated federal income tax
return (or a group of corporations filing a consolidated, combined or unitary
income tax return under comparable provisions of state, local or foreign tax
law) for any taxable period. Neither Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiaries
has been or is a party to or member of any joint venture, partnership, limited
liability company, or other arrangement or contract which could be treated as

                                      A-14
<PAGE>

a partnership for federal income tax purposes. None of the LLC Interests nor
any assets transferred from Earlychildhood to Holdings, whether an actual
transfer or a deemed transfer of assets, pursuant to the Contribution is a U.S.
real property interest (as that term is defined in Section 897(c)(1) of the
Code).

   (d) Neither Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation
under any agreement or arrangement with any other person or any provision of
law with respect to Taxes of such other person (including pursuant to Treas.
Reg. (S) 1.1502-6 or comparable provisions of state, local or foreign tax law)
and including any liability for Taxes of any predecessor entity.

   Section 3.9 Properties.

   (a) The Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of (i) all
material leases to which Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries is a party
as a lessee as of the date hereof (the "Earlychildhood Lease Agreements"),
setting forth in the case of any such lease covering real property, the
location of such real property, and (ii) all material real properties owned by
Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof (the
"Earlychildhood Owned Real Property"). To the knowledge of Earlychildhood, each
of Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries has good and marketable titled to the
Earlychildhood Owned Real Property and a valid and binding leasehold interest
in each of the properties that is the subject of an Earlychildhood Lease
Agreement, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for (i) any Encumbrances
reflected in the Earlychildhood Financial Information and the Earlychildhood
Disclosure Schedule; (ii) any Encumbrances which, individually or in the
aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have an Earlychildhood Material Adverse
Effect; (iii) zoning laws and other land use restrictions that do not impair
the present or anticipated use or occupancy of the property subject thereto,
(iv) any Encumbrances for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges not
yet due and payable or due but not delinquent or due and being contested in
good faith; (v) any mechanics' workmen's, repairmen's, warehousemen's,
carrier's or other similar liens and encumbrances arising in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice or being contested in good
faith and (vi) any Encumbrances which are matters of public record or are shown
by a current title report and reflected on the Earlychildhood Disclosure
Schedule (clauses (i) through (vi) above collectively referred to herein as
"Earlychildhood Permitted Encumbrances").

   (b) None of Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries is in default under any of
the Earlychildhood Lease Agreements, except for such defaults which have not
had and are not reasonably likely to have an Earlychildhood Material Adverse
Effect.

   Section 3.10 Intellectual Property.

   (a) Each of Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries owns free and clear of all
Encumbrances or is licensed or otherwise possesses legally enforceable rights
to use all patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights, and any
applications for such patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks,
copyrights, know-how, computer software programs or applications and tangible
or intangible proprietary information or material that are necessary to conduct
the business of each of Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries as currently
conducted (the "Earlychildhood Intellectual Property"), subject to such
exceptions that would not be reasonably likely to have an Earlychildhood
Material Adverse Effect. The Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule contains a list
of all of the following that are material within the Earlychildhood
Intellectual Property: (i) patents and patent applications; (ii) trademarks,
trade names and service marks and registrations thereof and applications
therefor; and (iii) registered copyrights and applications therefor. The
Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule identifies the owner of each item listed
thereon and, in the case of registrations and applications, the application or
registration number and date.

   (b) To the knowledge of Earlychildhood, Earlychildhood or a Subsidiary
thereof is the sole and exclusive owner or a licensee of all of the material
Earlychildhood Intellectual Property. All of the material Earlychildhood
Intellectual Property will be owned or available for use by Earlychildhood or
its Subsidiaries on terms and conditions immediately following the Effective
Time identical to the terms and conditions pertaining to Earlychildhood or a
Subsidiary thereof immediately prior to the Effective Time. Earlychildhood or a

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<PAGE>

Subsidiary thereof has taken reasonable measures to protect the proprietary
nature of the Earlychildhood Intellectual Property and to maintain in
confidence the trade secrets and confidential information that they own or
use. No other person has any rights to any material item of the Earlychildhood
Intellectual Property or has any rights to any of the material Earlychildhood
Intellectual Property, except that the items of the Earlychildhood
Intellectual Property identified on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule as
licensed to Earlychildhood or a Subsidiary thereof are owned by the respective
owners identified on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, and, to the
knowledge of Earlychildhood, no person is infringing, violating or
misappropriating any of the material Earlychildhood Intellectual Property.

   (c) To the knowledge of Earlychildhood, none of the activities or business
presently conducted by Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries infringes or
violates, or constitutes a misappropriation of, any intellectual property of
any other person, and, if without the knowledge of Earlychildhood, such
activities or business presently conducted by Earlychildhood or any of its
Subsidiaries does infringe, violate or constitute a misappropriation of any
intellectual property of any other person, no such infringement, violation or
misappropriation, individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably likely to
have an Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect. None of Earlychildhood, any
Subsidiary or any Affiliate of Earlychildhood has received any complaint,
claim or notice alleging any such infringement, violation or misappropriation.

   (d) With respect to each item of the Earlychildhood Intellectual Property:

     (i) Earlychildhood or a Subsidiary thereof possesses all right, title
  and interest in and to such item, except for any Earlychildhood Third Party
  Rights (as defined below);

     (ii) such item is not subject to any outstanding judgment, order,
  decree, stipulation or injunction; and

     (iii) neither Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiaries has agreed,
  except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or
  in conjunction with product or service sales or licenses, to indemnify any
  person for or against any infringement, misappropriation or other conflict
  with respect to such item.

   (e) The Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule identifies each item of the
intellectual property used by Earlychildhood or any Subsidiary that is owned
by a party other than Earlychildhood ("Earlychildhood Third Party Rights"),
and all licenses or other agreements pursuant to which Earlychildhood or any
Subsidiary uses such items are listed on the Earlychildhood Disclosure
Schedule. With respect to each such item:

     (i) the license or other agreement covering any such material item is
  valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect with respect to
  Earlychildhood or a Subsidiary thereof and, to the knowledge of
  Earlychildhood, with respect to every other party thereto;

     (ii) each such license or other agreement, including licenses to all
  third-party software listed in the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule other
  than generally commercially available software, to which Earlychildhood or
  a Subsidiary thereof is a party, is assignable by Earlychildhood or such
  Subsidiary without the consent or approval of, or any payment to, any party
  except as set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, and, except
  as set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, all such licenses
  and other agreements will continue to be valid, binding, enforceable and in
  full force and effect immediately following the Effective Time in
  accordance with the terms thereof as in effect immediately prior to the
  Effective Time, and the consummation of the transactions will not conflict
  with, result in a violation or breach of or constitute a default under
  (with notice or lapse of time or both) any such license or other agreement;
  and

     (iii) neither Earlychildhood, any Subsidiary thereof nor, to the
  knowledge of Earlychildhood, any other party to any such license or other
  agreement, is in breach or default under any such license or other
  agreement and, to the knowledge of Earlychildhood, no event has occurred
  that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a breach
  or default or permit termination, modification or acceleration thereunder.

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<PAGE>

   Section 3.11 Product Warranty and Liability.

   (a) No reserves have been provided for by Earlychildhood to cover potential
claims under existing customer indemnification agreements.

   (b) Except as to claims, actions, proceedings or investigations which have
been asserted but as to which no notice has been given to Earlychildhood or any
of its Subsidiaries, and except as set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure
Schedule, there are no product liability claims, actions, proceedings or
investigations pending or, to the knowledge of Earlychildhood, threatened
against Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective assets,
or, to the knowledge of Earlychildhood, any state of facts existing which could
give rise to any such product liability claim, action, proceeding or
investigation.

   (c) To the knowledge of Earlychildhood, no claims have been made that the
products sold by Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries are not effective
for the uses such products purport to serve. To the knowledge of
Earlychildhood, neither Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiary has received
any written notice that any product manufactured or distributed by
Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries has not been manufactured in
accordance with "current Good Manufacturing Practices" (as such term is
commonly understood within Earlychildhood's industry) or has not been properly
labeled for its approved use.

   Section 3.12 Material Contracts.

   (a) The Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and
accurate list, and Earlychildhood has made available to SmarterKids, true and
complete copies of:

     (i) each contract that provides for annual payments to or by
  Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $150,000;

     (ii) each contract of Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries that was
  not entered into in the ordinary course of business;

     (iii) any contract under which Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries
  has or may, except by way of endorsement of negotiable instruments for
  collection in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
  practice, become absolutely or contingently or otherwise liable for (x) the
  performance under any contract of any other person, firm or corporation or
  (y) the whole or any part of the indebtedness or liabilities of any other
  person, firm or corporation, in all cases, individually in excess of
  $1,000,000 and in the aggregate in excess of $5,000,000;

     (iv) all employment agreements, consulting agreements, contracts or
  commitments with any employee or member of Earlychildhood's Management
  Committee, other than those which are terminable by Earlychildhood or any
  of its Subsidiaries on not more than thirty days notice without liability
  or financial obligation, and within each such category of agreements,
  contracts or commitments, which are individually in excess of $150,000;

     (v) any agreements or plans, including, without limitation, any stock
  option, stock or equity appreciation right or stock or equity purchase
  plans or agreements, any of the benefits of which will be increased, or the
  vesting of benefits of which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any
  of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the value of any of
  the benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of any of the
  transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

     (vi) any contract with any Member, managing member or member of the
  Management Committee of Earlychildhood, other than in such person's
  capacity as a Member, managing member or member of the Management
  Committee, or any contract with any entity in which, to the knowledge of
  Earlychildhood, any Member, managing member or member of the Management
  Committee or any family member of any such person has a material economic
  interest;

     (vii) any contract that limits or restricts in any material respect
  where Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries may conduct its or their
  business or the type or line of business that Earlychildhood or any of its
  Subsidiaries may engage in;

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<PAGE>

     (viii) any powers of attorney outstanding (other than those issued in
  the ordinary course of business with respect to Tax matters), or material
  obligations or liabilities (absolute or contingent) as guarantor, surety,
  cosigner, endorser, co-maker, indemnitor, or otherwise respecting the
  obligations or liabilities of any person.

     (ix) any material contract containing any agreement with respect to any
  change of control; and

     (x) each material amendment, supplement, and modification (whether oral
  or written) in respect of any of the foregoing.

   (b) Neither Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiaries have breached, or
received in writing any claim or notice that it has breached, any of the terms
or conditions of any material agreement, contract or commitment set forth or
required to be set forth in Section 3.12 of the Earlychildhood Disclosure
Schedule ("Earlychildhood Material Contracts") in such a manner as,
individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably likely to have an
Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in the
Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, each Earlychildhood Material Contract that
has not expired by its terms is in full force and effect, except for those
contracts, the ineffectiveness of which would not reasonably be likely to have
an Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect and, if all of the consents,
approvals, authorizations, filings, notifications and other actions listed with
respect to such contract in the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule are
obtained, taken or made, as applicable, such contract will continue, after the
Effective Time, to be in full force and effect on identical terms.

   (c) To the knowledge of Earlychildhood or its Subsidiaries, none of the
parties to any Earlychildhood Material Contract have terminated, or notified
Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries in writing of its intent to
materially reduce or terminate its business relationship with Earlychildhood or
any of its Subsidiaries in the future.

   (d) Neither of Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiaries have received
written notice from any customer, or group of customers, that are under common
ownership or control, and that accounted for a material percentage of the
aggregate products and services furnished by Earlychildhood or any of its
Subsidiaries since January 1, 1999 that such customer or group of customers has
stopped or intends to stop purchasing Earlychildhood's or any of its
Subsidiaries' products or services, nor has Earlychildhood or any of its
Subsidiaries lost any supplier, or group of suppliers that are under common
ownership or control, that accounted for a material percentage of the aggregate
supplies purchased by Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries since January
1, 1999.

   (e) As of the Effective Time, Earlychildhood will have terminated the
Executive Management Agreement, dated as of May 5, 1999 by and between
Earlychildhood and William E. Simon and Sons, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company (the "Executive Management Agreement"), and, from and after
the Effective Time, there will be no further obligations or liabilities,
including payment obligations, outstanding or due thereunder. The fees payable
to William E. Simon and Sons, L.L.C. between the date hereof and the Effective
Time pursuant to the Executive Management Agreement shall not exceed $25,000
per month.

   Section 3.13 Litigation. Except as disclosed in the Earlychildhood Financial
Information or in the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, there is no (i)
action, suit or proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation against
Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to the knowledge of
Earlychildhood, threatened, against Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries
or (ii) outstanding order, judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any court,
governmental agency or arbitration tribunal in a proceeding to which
Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, except, in the case of
each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, those that, individually or in the
aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have an Earlychildhood Material Adverse
Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of Earlychildhood to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

   Section 3.14 Environmental Matters. (a) To the knowledge of Earlychildhood,
except as disclosed on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule and except, with
or without the knowledge of Earlychildhood, for such matters that, individually
or in the aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have an Earlychildhood
Material

                                      A-18
<PAGE>

Adverse Effect: (i) Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries are in material
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws (as defined in Section
3.14(b)); (ii) the properties currently owned or operated by Earlychildhood and
its Subsidiaries (including soils, groundwater, surface water, buildings or
other structures) are not contaminated with any Hazardous Substances (as
defined in Section 3.14(c)); (iii) the properties formerly owned or operated by
Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries were not contaminated with Hazardous
Substances during the period of ownership or operation by Earlychildhood or any
of its Subsidiaries; (iv) neither Earlychildhood nor its Subsidiaries are
subject to liability for any Hazardous Substance disposal or contamination on
any third party property; (v) neither Earlychildhood nor any of its
Subsidiaries has been associated with any release or threat of release of any
Hazardous Substance; (vi) neither Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiaries
has received any written notice, demand, letter, claim or request for
information alleging that Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries may be in
violation of or liable under any Environmental Law; and (vii) neither
Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any orders, decrees,
injunctions or other arrangements with any Governmental Entity or is subject to
any indemnity or other agreement with any third party relating to liability
under any Environmental Law or relating to Hazardous Substances.

   (b) As used in this Agreement, the term "Environmental Law" means any
federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation, order, decree, permit,
authorization, common law or agency requirement relating to: (A) the
protection, investigation or restoration of the environment, health and safety,
or natural resources, (B) the handling, use, presence, disposal, release or
threatened release of any Hazardous Substance or (C) noise, odor, wetlands,
pollution, contamination or any injury or threat of injury to persons or
property.

   (c) As used in this Agreement, the term "Hazardous Substance" means any
substance that is: (A) listed, classified or regulated pursuant to any
Environmental Law; (B) any petroleum product or by-product, asbestos-containing
material, lead-containing paint or plumbing, polychlorinated biphenyls,
radioactive materials or radon; or (C) any other substance which is the subject
of regulatory action by any Governmental Entity pursuant to any Environmental
Law.

   Section 3.15 Employee Benefit Plans.

   (a) The Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule sets forth all employee benefit
plans ("Employee Benefit Plans"), as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and all other
material employee benefit arrangements that are not Employee Benefit Plans,
including, but not limited to any employment or consulting agreement, any
arrangement providing insurance benefits, any incentive bonus or deferred bonus
arrangement, any arrangement providing termination allowance, severance or
similar benefits, any equity compensation plan, any deferred compensation plan,
and any compensation policy or practice (collectively "Benefit Arrangements"),
which are maintained, contributed to or required to be contributed to by
Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries ("Earlychildhood Employee Plans").

   (b) A true and complete copy of each written Earlychildhood Employee Plan,
including, if applicable, each amendment thereto and any trust agreement,
insurance contract, collective bargaining agreement, or other funding or
investment arrangements for the benefits under such Earlychildhood Employee
Plan, has been made available to SmarterKids. In addition, with respect to each
such Earlychildhood Employee Plan to the extent applicable, Earlychildhood has
made available to SmarterKids the most recently filed Federal Forms 5500, the
most recent summary plan description (including any summaries of material
modifications), the most recent IRS determination letter, if applicable, the
most recent actuarial report or valuation, if applicable, and all material
employee communications with respect to each such Earlychildhood Employee Plan.

   (c) Except as set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule:

     (i) neither Earlychildhood nor any entity that, together with
  Earlychildhood is required to be treated as a single employer under Section
  414 of the Code ("Earlychildhood ERISA Affiliate"), sponsors or has
  previously sponsored, maintained, contributed to or incurred an obligation
  to contribute to any Employee Benefit Plan regulated under Title IV of
  ERISA, including any "multiemployer plan," as defined in Sections 3(37) and
  4001(a)(3) of ERISA and neither Earlychildhood nor any Earlychildhood ERISA

                                      A-19
<PAGE>

  Affiliate has incurred nor reasonably expects to incur any liability under
  Title IV of ERISA arising in connection with the termination of any plan
  covered or previously covered by Title IV of ERISA. Neither Earlychildhood
  nor any ERISA Affiliate participates in or has employees covered by an
  Employee Plan sponsored by a professional employer organization or similar
  entity;

     (ii) neither Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiaries sponsors or has
  previously sponsored, maintained, contributed to or incurred an obligation
  to contribute to any Employee Benefit Plan that provides or will provide
  benefits described in Section 3(1) of ERISA to any former employee or
  retiree of Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries, except as required
  under Part 6 of Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code or
  applicable state law;

     (iii) all Earlychildhood Employee Plans and Benefit Arrangements have
  been maintained and operated, and currently are, in compliance in all
  material respects with their terms, the requirements prescribed by any and
  all applicable laws (including ERISA and the Code), orders, or governmental
  rules and regulations in effect with respect thereto, and Earlychildhood
  and its Subsidiaries have performed all material obligations required to be
  performed by them under, are not in any material respect in default under
  or in violation of, and have no knowledge of any default or violation by
  any other party to, any of the Earlychildhood Employee Plans;

     (iv) each Earlychildhood Employee Plan that is intended to qualify under
  Section 401(a) of the Code and each trust established pursuant to each such
  Earlychildhood Employee Plan that is intended to qualify under Section
  501(a) of the Code is the subject of a favorable determination letter from
  the IRS, a copy of which has been made available to SmarterKids, and, to
  Earlychildhood's knowledge, nothing has occurred which may reasonably be
  expected to impair such determination or otherwise adversely affect the
  tax-qualified status of such Earlychildhood Employee Plan;

     (v) Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries have made full and timely
  payment of all amounts required to be contributed under the terms of each
  Earlychildhood Employee Plan and applicable law or required to be paid as
  expenses under such Earlychildhood Employee Plan and there has been no
  amendment to, written interpretation of or announcement (whether or not
  written) by Earlychildhood or any Earlychildhood ERISA Affiliates relating
  to, or change in employee participation or coverage under, any Employee
  Benefit Plan or Benefit Arrangement that would increase materially the
  expense of maintaining such Employee Benefit Plan or Benefit Arrangement
  above the level of the expense incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal
  year ended prior to the date hereof; and

     (vi) other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course, there is no
  claim, suit, action, dispute, arbitration or legal, administrative or other
  proceeding or governmental investigation or audit pending, or, to the
  knowledge of Earlychildhood, threatened, alleging any breach of the terms
  of any Earlychildhood Employee Plan or of any fiduciary duty thereunder or
  violation of any applicable law with respect to any such Earlychildhood
  Employee Plan.

   (d) With respect to the Earlychildhood Employee Plans, individually and in
the aggregate, no event has occurred, and to the knowledge of Earlychildhood,
there exists no condition or set of circumstances in connection with which
Earlychildhood could be subject to any liability that is reasonably likely to
have an Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect under ERISA, the Code or any
other applicable law.

   (e) Earlychildhood is not a party to any written or oral contract,
agreement, plan or arrangement pursuant to which Earlychildhood has any
obligation to "gross up," indemnify or otherwise compensate or hold harmless
any person with respect to any portion of any excise tax (or interest or
penalties with respect thereto) which such person may become subject to under
Section 4999 of the Code or any similar state tax law, and there is no
contract, agreement, plan or arrangement covering any person that, individually
or collectively, would constitute compensation in excess of the limitation set
forth in Section 162(m) of the Code.

   (f) Except as set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule, and
except as provided for in this Agreement, neither Earlychildhood nor any of its
Subsidiaries is a party to any oral or written (i) agreement with any officer
or other key employee of Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries, the
benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which are materially altered,
upon the occurrence of a transaction involving

                                      A-20
<PAGE>

Earlychildhood of the nature contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) agreement
with any officer of Earlychildhood providing any term of employment or
compensation guarantee extending for a period longer than one year from the
date hereof and for the payment of compensation in excess of $100,000 per
annum, or (iii) agreement or plan, including any stock option plan, stock
appreciation right plan, restricted stock plan or stock purchase plan, any of
the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of the benefits of
which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the value of any of the benefits of which
will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the
Transaction Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereunder or thereunder will trigger any "change of control" or similar
provisions resulting in the acceleration of benefits or compensation with
respect to any agreements with any officer or other key employee of
Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries except for such applicable agreements
as set forth on the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule (the "Earlychildhood
Change of Control Agreements").

   Section 3.16 Compliance With Laws.

   (a) Neither Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiaries has violated or
failed to comply with any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule or order of
any Governmental Entity, or any judgment, decree or order of any court,
applicable to it, its business or operations or by which it, its business or
operations are bound, except for any such violations or failures to comply
that, individually or in the aggregate have not had and are not reasonably
likely to have an Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect;

   (b) No investigation or review by any Governmental Entity is pending or, to
the knowledge of Earlychildhood, has been threatened against Earlychildhood or
any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of Earlychildhood, has any
Governmental Entity indicated by written notice or otherwise, an intention to
conduct an investigation of Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries; and

   (c) There is no agreement, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding
upon Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries which has had or is reasonably
likely to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing the conduct of
Earlychildhood's business as currently conducted or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

   Section 3.17 Tax Matters.

   (a) To the knowledge of Earlychildhood, none of Earlychildhood, any of its
Subsidiaries or other Affiliates (as defined in Section 5.13) and any holders
of LLC Interests have taken or agreed to take any action (or failed to take or
agreed not to take any action) which such action or inaction, as the case may
be, would prevent (i) the Contribution from constituting a transaction
qualifying as a transfer of property to Holdings by the holders of LLC
Interests under Section 351 of the Code or (ii) the SmarterKids Merger as
qualifying as a reorganization described in Section 368(a) of the Code.

   (b) To the knowledge of Earlychildhood, the holders of LLC Interests have no
present plan, intention or arrangement to sell or otherwise dispose of any of
the Holdings Common Stock received in the Contribution that would cause the
Contribution and the SmarterKids Merger to fail to qualify as transfers under
Section 351 of the Code.

   Section 3.18 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The
information to be supplied by Earlychildhood or its Subsidiaries or about
Earlychildhood or its Subsidiaries by Earlychildhood's agents for inclusion in
the registration statement on Form S-4 pursuant to which shares of Holdings
Common Stock issued in the Transactions will be registered under the Securities
Act (the "Registration Statement"), shall not at the time the Registration
Statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated in the Registration Statement or necessary
in order to make the statements in the Registration Statement, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The information
supplied by Earlychildhood or

                                      A-21
<PAGE>

its Subsidiaries for inclusion in the proxy statement/prospectus to be sent to
the stockholders of SmarterKids in connection with the meeting of SmarterKids'
stockholders (the "SmarterKids Stockholders' Meeting") to consider this
Agreement and the SmarterKids Merger (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus") shall
not, on the date the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is first mailed to the
stockholders of SmarterKids, at the time of the SmarterKids Stockholders'
Meeting and at the Effective Time, contain any statement which, at such time
and in light of the circumstances under which it shall be made, is false or
misleading with respect to any material fact, omit to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements made in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus not false or misleading, or omit to state any material
fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with
respect to the solicitation of proxies for the SmarterKids Stockholders'
Meeting which has become false or misleading. If at any time prior to the
Effective Time any event relating to Earlychildhood or any of its Affiliates,
should be discovered by Earlychildhood which should be set forth in an
amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, Earlychildhood shall promptly inform SmarterKids.

   Section 3.19 Labor Matters. Neither Earlychildhood nor any of its
Subsidiaries is a party to or otherwise bound by any collective bargaining
agreement, contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor union or
labor organization, nor, as of the date hereof, is Earlychildhood or any of its
Subsidiaries the subject of any material proceeding asserting that
Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries has committed an unfair labor
practice or seeking to compel it to bargain with any labor union or labor
organization nor, as of the date of this Agreement, is there pending or, to the
knowledge of Earlychildhood, threatened, any material labor strike, dispute,
walkout, work stoppage, slow-down or lockout involving Earlychildhood or any of
its Subsidiaries.

   Section 3.20 Insurance. All material fire and casualty, general liability,
business interruption, product liability, and sprinkler and water damage
insurance policies maintained by Earlychildhood or any of its Subsidiaries are
with reputable insurance carriers, provide full and adequate coverage for all
normal risks incident to the business of Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries
and their respective properties and assets, and are in character and amount at
least equivalent to that carried by persons engaged in similar businesses and
subject to the same or similar perils or hazards, except for any such failures
to maintain insurance policies that, individually or in the aggregate, are not
reasonably likely to have an Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect. All
premiums and other payments due from Earlychildhood or any Subsidiary with
respect to any such contracts of insurance or indemnity have been paid. Neither
Earlychildhood nor any of its Subsidiaries have received written notice of any
threatened termination of, or premium increase with respect to, any of such
policies or bonds.

   Section 3.21 No Existing Discussions. As of the date hereof, other than the
Transactions, neither Earlychildhood nor any of its Affiliates is engaged,
directly or indirectly, in any discussions or negotiations with any other party
with respect to any Earlychildhood Acquisition Proposal (as defined in Section
5.4).

   Section 3.22 Consent. The Contribution has been approved by the unanimous
consent of all holders of LLC Interests and such holders have taken all actions
necessary under the California Limited Liability Company Act required for the
approval of the Transactions. No separate approval by the holders of any class
or series of LLC Interests or other equity interests in Earlychildhood is
necessary to approve this Agreement, the Contribution, the Transaction
Documents to which Earlychildhood is a party or any of the other transactions
contemplated hereby.

   Section 3.23 Management Committee Approval. The Management Committee of
Earlychildhood has taken all actions necessary under the California Limited
Liability Company Act required for the approval of the Transactions and no
other approval under any California anti-takeover statute or regulation
applicable to Earlychildhood is required in connection with the consummation of
the Transactions. No "fair price," "moratorium," "control share acquisitions"
or other similar anti-takeover statute or regulation is applicable to
Earlychildhood or (by reason of Earlychildhood's participation therein) this
Agreement, the Contribution or the Transactions.

                                      A-22
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE IV.

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SMARTERKIDS

   SmarterKids represents and warrants to Earlychildhood that the statements
contained in this Article IV are true and correct, except as set forth herein
and in the disclosure schedules delivered by SmarterKids to Earlychildhood on
or before the date of this Agreement (the "SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule").
The SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in paragraphs
corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in this Article
IV and the disclosure in any paragraph shall qualify other paragraphs in this
Article IV only to the extent that it is reasonably apparent from a reading of
such disclosure that it also qualifies or applies to such other paragraphs.

   Section 4.1 Organization of SmarterKids. SmarterKids is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, has all requisite corporate power to own, lease and operate its
property and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as proposed to
be conducted, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a
foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the failure to be so
qualified would have a SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect (as defined below).
SmarterKids does not have, and, since the date of its incorporation, has not
had any Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on the SmarterKids Disclosure
Schedule or in the SmarterKids SEC Reports (as defined in Section 4.4) filed
prior to the date hereof, SmarterKids does not directly or indirectly own any
equity or similar interest in, or any interest that is mandatorily convertible
into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any corporation, partnership, joint
venture or other business association or entity. A true, correct and complete
copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and other similar organizational
documents of SmarterKids has been delivered to Earlychildhood. For purposes of
this Agreement "SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material
adverse effect on the business, assets, properties, financial condition or
results of operations of SmarterKids, provided, that a decrease or successive
decreases in the market price of the SmarterKids Common Stock prior to the
Effective Time shall not, in and of itself, constitute a SmarterKids Material
Adverse Effect (it being understood that any decrease or successive decreases
in market price may be indicative of other factors which, in and of themselves
(without giving effect to such decrease(s) in market price), would and, to the
extent applicable, shall constitute a SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect).

   Section 4.2 SmarterKids Capital Structure.

   (a) The authorized capital stock of SmarterKids consists of 90,000,000
shares of SmarterKids Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
$.01 par value ("SmarterKids Preferred Stock"). As of the date hereof, (i)
20,651,115 shares of SmarterKids Common Stock were issued and outstanding, all
of which are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, (ii) no shares of
SmarterKids Common Stock were held in the treasury of SmarterKids and (iii) no
shares of SmarterKids Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. The
SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule shows the number of shares of SmarterKids
Common Stock reserved for future issuance pursuant to stock options granted and
outstanding as of the date hereof, the plans under which such options were
granted and award agreements pursuant to which "non-plan" options were granted
(collectively, the "SmarterKids Stock Plans"), and the entities or persons to
whom such options were granted. As of the date hereof, warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 217,292 shares of SmarterKids Common Stock were issued and
outstanding the ("SmarterKids Warrants"). The SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule
sets forth the SmarterKids agreements under which the SmarterKids Warrants were
issued and to whom such warrants were granted. Except as set forth on the
SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule, there are no obligations, contingent or
otherwise, of SmarterKids to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares
of SmarterKids Common Stock or make any material investment (in the form of a
loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in any other entity. A maximum of
400,000 shares of SmarterKids Common Stock is authorized for issuance under the
SmarterKids Employee Stock Purchase Plan, of which 40,666 shares have been
purchased pursuant thereto as of the date hereof.

                                      A-23
<PAGE>

   (b) Except as set forth in this Section 4.2 or as reserved for future grants
of options under the SmarterKids Stock Plans or as disclosed on the SmarterKids
Disclosure Schedule, (i) there are no equity securities of any class of
SmarterKids, or any security exchangeable into or exercisable for such equity
securities, issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding; (ii) there are no
options, warrants, equity securities, calls, rights, commitments or agreements
of any character to which SmarterKids is a party or by which it is bound
obligating SmarterKids to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock of SmarterKids or
obligating SmarterKids to grant, extend, accelerate the vesting of or enter
into any such option, warrant, equity security, call, right, commitment or
agreement; and (iii) to the knowledge of SmarterKids, there are no voting
trusts, proxies or other voting agreements or understandings with respect to
the shares of capital stock of SmarterKids.

   Section 4.3 Authority; No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.

   (a) SmarterKids has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a
party and to consummate the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and each of the Transactions Documents to which it
is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party by
SmarterKids have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
part of SmarterKids, subject only to the approval and adoption of this
Agreement by SmarterKids' stockholders under the DGCL. The stockholders of
SmarterKids identified on the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule have each
executed and delivered the Stockholder Support Agreement in the form of Exhibit
A attached hereto and assuming the due authorization and execution of the
Stockholder Support Agreement by each such stockholder, the Stockholder Support
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such stockholders,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity
Exception. This Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to which
SmarterKids is a party have been duly executed and delivered by SmarterKids and
constitute the valid and binding obligations of SmarterKids, enforceable in
accordance with their terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.

   (b) Except as set forth on the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule, the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents
to which it is a party by SmarterKids does not, and the consummation of the
Transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the Transaction
Documents to which it is a party will not, (i) conflict with, or result in any
violation or breach of, any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws of SmarterKids (the "SmarterKids Organizational Documents"), (ii) result
in any violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse
of time, or both) a default (or give rise to a right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or loss of any material benefit)
under, or require a consent or waiver under, any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other
agreement, instrument or obligation to which SmarterKids is a party or by which
it or any of its properties or assets may be bound, or (iii) conflict with or
violate any permit, concession, franchise, license, judgment, order, decree,
statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to SmarterKids or any of
its properties or assets, except in the case of (ii) and (iii) for any such
conflicts, violations, defaults, terminations, cancellations or accelerations
which are not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably likely to have a
SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect. The execution and delivery of the
Stockholder Support Agreement by the stockholders of SmarterKids party thereto
does not conflict with, and will not result in any violation or breach of, any
provision of SmarterKids Organizational Documents.

   (c) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required by or with
respect to SmarterKids in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or the
consummation of the Transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except for (i)
the filing of the pre-merger notification report under the HSR Act, if
applicable, (ii) the filing of a Certificate of Merger with respect to the
SmarterKids Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State, (iii) the filing of
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus with the SEC in accordance with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), (iv) such consents,

                                      A-24
<PAGE>

approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as
may be required under applicable state or foreign securities laws, and (v) such
other consents, authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations which, if
not obtained or made, would not be reasonably likely to have a SmarterKids
Material Adverse Effect. SmarterKids is its own "ultimate parent entity" (as
such term is used in the HSR Act and the Regulations thereunder) and is not a
"$100 million Person" within the meaning of the HSR Act and the Regulations
thereunder.

   Section 4.4 SEC Filings; Financial Statements.

   (a) SmarterKids has timely filed and made available to Earlychildhood all
forms, reports and documents filed or required to be filed by SmarterKids with
the SEC since the date of its initial public offering (collectively, the
"SmarterKids SEC Reports"). The SmarterKids SEC Reports (including all exhibits
and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein) (i) at
the time filed, complied in all material respects with the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as the case may be,
and (ii) did not at the time they were filed (or if amended or superseded by a
filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such filing)
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated in such SmarterKids SEC Reports or necessary in
order to make the statements in such SmarterKids SEC Reports, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

   (b) SmarterKids will deliver to Earlychildhood as soon as they become
available true and complete copies of any report or statement mailed by
SmarterKids to its security holders generally or filed by it with the SEC, in
each case subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time. As of
their respective dates, such reports and statements (excluding any information
therein provided by Earlychildhood, as to which SmarterKids makes no
representation) will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
are made, not misleading and will comply in all material respects with all
applicable requirements of law. The audited financial statements and unaudited
interim financial statements of SmarterKids to be included or incorporated by
reference in such reports and statements will be prepared in accordance with
GAAP and regulations of the SEC applicable to public companies and will fairly
present the financial position of SmarterKids as of the dates thereof and the
results of operations and consolidated cash flows for the periods then ended
(subject, in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements, to normal
year-end adjustments and to the extent they may not include footnotes or may be
condensed or summary statements).

   (c) Each of the financial statements (including, in each case, any related
notes) contained in the SmarterKids SEC Reports complied as to form in all
material respects with the applicable published rules and regulations of the
SEC with respect thereto, was prepared in accordance with GAAP and regulations
of the SEC applicable to public companies applied on a consistent basis
throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes to
such financial statements or, in the case of unaudited statements, in
conformity with the requirements of Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act) and
fairly presented in all material respects the financial position of SmarterKids
as of the respective dates and the results of its operations and cash flows for
the periods indicated, except that the unaudited interim financial statements
were or are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments which were not
or are not expected to be material in amount. The unaudited balance sheet of
SmarterKids as of September 30, 2000 is referred to herein as the "SmarterKids
Balance Sheet." No financial statements of any other entity are required to be
included in the financial statements of SmarterKids under GAAP.

   Section 4.5 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as disclosed in the
SmarterKids SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof or on the SmarterKids
Disclosure Schedule, and except for normal or recurring liabilities incurred
since the date of the SmarterKids Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices, SmarterKids does not have any
liabilities, either accrued, contingent or otherwise (whether

                                      A-25
<PAGE>

or not required to be reflected in financial statements in accordance with
GAAP), and whether due or to become due, which individually or in the
aggregate, are reasonably likely to have a SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect.

   Section 4.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as expressly
contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents or as disclosed in
the SmarterKids SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof or as set forth on
the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the SmarterKids Balance
Sheet, SmarterKids has conducted its businesses only in the ordinary course and
in a manner consistent with past practice and, since such date, there has been
no material adverse change in the financial condition, results of operations,
business, assets or properties of SmarterKids (a "SmarterKids Material Adverse
Change") or any development or combination of developments of which the
management of SmarterKids is aware that, individually or in the aggregate, has
had, or is reasonably likely to have, a SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect,
and since such date, there has not been any:

   (a) issuances of any capital stock, other than pursuant to the SmarterKids
Stock Plans through the date hereof, or purchases, redemptions or other
acquisitions, or agreements to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any
shares of capital stock of SmarterKids, or issuances or purchases of any
options, warrants or other equity securities, debt securities or evidence of
indebtedness of SmarterKids, or declarations or payments of any dividends or
any distributions (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination
thereof) in respect of SmarterKids' capital stock;

   (b) amendment to the organizational documents of SmarterKids;

   (c) payment by SmarterKids of any bonuses, salaries or other compensation to
any director or executive officer (except for payments of salary, bonuses and
other compensation payable for employment services rendered in the ordinary
course of business (in which case there has been no increase in such payments))
or entry into any employment, severance or similar contract with any such
person;

   (d) adoption of any Employee Benefit Plan or Benefit Arrangement for or with
any employees of SmarterKids or any SmarterKids ERISA Affiliate or any increase
in the payment to or benefits under any SmarterKids Plan or other benefit
obligations for or with any employees of SmarterKids or any SmarterKids ERISA
Affiliate or change in any actuarial or other assumption used to calculate
funding obligations with respect to any SmarterKids Employee Benefit Plan or
Benefit Arrangements, or any change in the manner in which contributions to any
SmarterKids Employee Benefit Plan or Benefit Arrangements are made or the basis
on which such contributions are determined;

   (e) damage to or destruction or loss of any asset or property of
SmarterKids, whether or not covered by insurance, that would have a SmarterKids
Material Adverse Effect;

   (f) sale, lease or other disposition of any material asset or property of
SmarterKids (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business);

   (g) accrual of any expenses except for such accruals in the ordinary course
of business;

   (h) cancellation or waiver of any claims or rights by SmarterKids that would
have a SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect;

   (i) assumption, guarantee or endorsement or other agreement to become
responsible for the obligations of any other individual, firm or corporation
(other than intercompany obligations) or making of any loans or advances to,
any employee of SmarterKids, other than in the ordinary course of business;

   (j) material change by SmarterKids in its accounting methods, principles or
practices to which Earlychildhood has not previously consented in writing,
except insofar as may be appropriate for changes required by applicable law or
GAAP;

                                      A-26
<PAGE>

   (k) revaluation by SmarterKids of any of its assets having a SmarterKids
Material Adverse Effect;

   (l) agreement, whether oral or written, by SmarterKids with respect to or to
do any of the foregoing;

   (m) other action or event that would have required the consent of
Earlychildhood pursuant to Section 5.1 of this Agreement had such action or
event occurred after the date of this Agreement and that, individually or in
the aggregate, has had or is reasonably likely to have a SmarterKids Material
Adverse Effect.

   Section 4.7 Taxes.

   (a) SmarterKids has (i) timely filed all federal, state, local and foreign
Tax returns and reports required to be filed by it prior to the date of this
Agreement (taking into account all applicable extensions) and such Tax returns
are accurate and complete in all material respects, (ii) timely paid or accrued
all Taxes owed (whether or not shown on any Tax returns), and (iii) paid or
accrued all Taxes for which a notice of assessment or collection has been
received (other than amounts being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings). None of the Tax returns filed or Taxes payable by SmarterKids
have been the subject of an audit, action, suit, proceeding, claim,
examination, deficiency or assessment by the IRS or any other governmental
authority, and no such audit, action, suit, proceeding, claim, examination,
deficiency or assessment is currently pending or, to the knowledge of
SmarterKids, contemplated or threatened. The unpaid Taxes of SmarterKids
(whether or not yet payable) attributable to any period (or portion thereof)
ending on or before the Closing Date did not, as of September 30, 2000, exceed
the reserve for actual Taxes (as opposed to any reserve for deferred Taxes
established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) as shown
on the SmarterKids Balance Sheet, and will not exceed such reserve as adjusted
for the passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with the
reasonable past custom and practice of SmarterKids in filing its Tax returns.
SmarterKids will not incur any liability for Taxes from September 30, 2000
through the Closing Date other than in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with reasonable past practice, and will not incur any Tax liability
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. SmarterKids
has not agreed to make any adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Code (or any
corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Tax law) by reason of a
change in accounting method or otherwise, and SmarterKids will not be required
to make any such adjustment as a result of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. SmarterKids has timely withheld or collected and paid over to
the appropriate governmental authorities (or is properly holding for such
timely payment) all Taxes required by law to be withheld or collected.
SmarterKids has not made an election under Section 341(f) of the Code. There
are no liens for Taxes upon the assets of SmarterKids (other than liens for
Taxes that are not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings). No extension of a statute of limitations relating to
any Taxes is in effect with respect to SmarterKids.

   (b) SmarterKids has not been a member of an affiliated group of corporations
filing a consolidated federal income tax return (or a group of corporations
filing a consolidated, combined or unitary income tax return under comparable
provisions of state, local or foreign tax law) for any taxable period, other
than a group the common parent of which is or was SmarterKids. SmarterKids has
not been and is not a party to or member of any joint venture, partnership,
limited liability company, or other arrangement or contract which could be
treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. SmarterKids is not,
and has not been, a U.S. real property holding corporation (as defined in
Section 897(c)(2) of the Code) during the applicable period specified in
Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.

   (c) SmarterKids has no obligation under any agreement or arrangement with
any other person or any provision of law with respect to Taxes of such other
person (including pursuant to Treas. Reg. (S) 1.1502-6 or comparable provisions
of state, local or foreign tax law) and including any liability for Taxes of
any predecessor entity.

                                      A-27
<PAGE>

   Section 4.8 Properties.

   (a) The SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all material
leases to which SmarterKids is a party as a lessee as of the date hereof (the
"SmarterKids Lease Agreements"), setting forth in the case of any such lease
covering real property, the location of such real property. To the knowledge of
SmarterKids, SmarterKids has a valid and binding leasehold interest in each of
the properties that is the subject of a SmarterKids Lease Agreement free and
clear of all Encumbrances except for (i) any Encumbrances reflected in the
financial statements included in the SmarterKids SEC Reports and the
SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule; (ii) any Encumbrances which, individually or
in the aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have a SmarterKids Material
Adverse Effect; (iii) zoning laws and other land use restrictions that do not
impair the present or anticipated use or occupancy of the property subject
thereto, (iv) any Encumbrances for taxes, assessments and other governmental
charges not yet due and payable or due but not delinquent or due and being
contested in good faith; (v) any mechanics' workmen's, repairmen's,
warehousemen's, carrier's or other similar liens and encumbrances arising in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or being
contested in good faith and (vi) any Encumbrances which are matters of public
record or are shown by a current title report and reflected on the SmarterKids
Disclosure Schedule (clauses (i) through (vi) above collectively referred to
herein as "SmarterKids Permitted Encumbrances").

   (b) SmarterKids is not in default under any SmarterKids Lease Agreement
except where the existence of such defaults, individually or in the aggregate,
has not had and is not reasonably likely to have a SmarterKids Material Adverse
Effect.

   (c) SmarterKids does not own any real property.

   Section 4.9 Intellectual Property.

   (a) SmarterKids owns free and clear of all Encumbrances or is licensed or
otherwise possesses legally enforceable rights to use all patents, trademarks,
trade names, service marks, copyrights, and any applications for such patents,
trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights, know-how, computer software
programs or applications and tangible or intangible proprietary information or
material that are necessary to conduct the business of SmarterKids as currently
conducted (the "SmarterKids Intellectual Property"), subject to such exceptions
that would not be reasonably likely to have an SmarterKids Material Adverse
Effect. The SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all of the
following that are included in the material within the SmarterKids Intellectual
Property: (i) patents and patent applications; (ii) trademarks, trade names and
service marks and registrations thereof and applications therefor; and (iii)
registered copyrights and applications therefor. The SmarterKids Disclosure
Schedule identifies the owner of each item listed thereon and, in the case of
registrations and applications, the application or registration number and
date.

   (b) To the knowledge of SmarterKids, SmarterKids is the sole and exclusive
owner or a licensee of all of the material SmarterKids Intellectual Property.
All of the material SmarterKids Intellectual Property will be owned or
available for use by SmarterKids on terms and conditions immediately following
the Effective Time identical to the terms and conditions pertaining to
SmarterKids immediately prior to the Effective Time. SmarterKids has taken
reasonable measures to protect the proprietary nature of the SmarterKids
Intellectual Property and to maintain in confidence the trade secrets and
confidential information that they own or use. No other person has any rights
to any material item of the SmarterKids Intellectual Property or has any rights
to any of the material SmarterKids Intellectual Property, except that the items
of the SmarterKids Intellectual Property identified on the SmarterKids
Disclosure Schedule as licensed to SmarterKids are owned by the respective
owners identified on the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule, and, to the knowledge
of SmarterKids, no person is infringing, violating or misappropriating any of
the material SmarterKids Intellectual Property.

   (c) To the knowledge of SmarterKids, none of the activities or business
presently conducted by SmarterKids infringes or violates, or constitutes a
misappropriation of, any intellectual property of any other person, and, if
without the knowledge of SmarterKids, such activities or business presently
conducted by

                                      A-28
<PAGE>

SmarterKids does infringe, violate or constitute a misappropriation of any
intellectual property of any other person, no such infringement, violation or
misappropriation, individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably likely to
have a SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect. Neither SmarterKids nor any
Affiliate of SmarterKids has received any complaint, claim or notice alleging
any such infringement, violation or misappropriation.

   (d) With respect to each item of the SmarterKids Intellectual Property:

     (i) SmarterKids possesses all right, title and interest in and to such
  item, except for any SmarterKids Third Party Rights (as defined below;)

     (ii) such item is not subject to any outstanding judgment, order,
  decree, stipulation or injunction; and

     (iii) SmarterKids has not agreed, except in the ordinary course of
  business consistent with past practice or in conjunction with product or
  service sales or licenses, to indemnify any person for or against any
  infringement, misappropriation or other conflict with respect to such item.

   (e) The SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule identifies each item of the
intellectual property used by SmarterKids that is owned by a party other than
SmarterKids ("SmarterKids Third Party Rights"), and all licenses or other
agreements pursuant to which SmarterKids uses such items are listed on the
SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule. With respect to each such item:

     (i) the license or other agreement covering any such material item is
  valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect with respect to
  SmarterKids and, to the knowledge of SmarterKids, with respect to every
  other party thereto;

     (ii) each such license or other agreement, including licenses to all
  third-party software listed in the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule other
  than generally commercially available software, to which SmarterKids is a
  party, is assignable by SmarterKids without the consent or approval of, or
  any payment to, any party except as set forth on the SmarterKids Disclosure
  Schedule, and, except as set forth on the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule,
  all such licenses and other agreements will continue to be valid, binding,
  enforceable and in full force and effect immediately following the
  Effective Time in accordance with the terms thereof as in effect
  immediately prior to the Effective Time, and the consummation of the
  transactions will not conflict with, result in a violation or breach of or
  constitute a default under (with notice or lapse of time or both) any such
  license or other agreement; and

     (iii) neither SmarterKids nor, to the knowledge of SmarterKids, any
  other party to any such license or other agreement, is in breach or default
  under any such license or other agreement and, to the knowledge of
  SmarterKids, no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or
  both, would constitute such a breach or default or permit termination,
  modification or acceleration thereunder.

   (g) The systems and web architecture currently associated with SmarterKids'
web site are capable of supporting revenue of $40 million on an annual basis
at present performance standards and consistent with the seasonality of
SmarterKids' business.

   Section 4.10 Product Warranties and Liability.

   (a) No reserves have been provided for by SmarterKids to cover potential
claims under existing customer indemnification agreements.

   (b) Except as to claims, actions, proceedings or investigations which have
been asserted but as to which no notice has been given to SmarterKids and
except as set forth on SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule, there are no product
liability claims, actions, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the
knowledge of SmarterKids, threatened against SmarterKids or its assets or, to
the knowledge of SmarterKids, any state of facts existing which could give
rise to any such product liability claim, action, proceeding or investigation.

                                     A-29
<PAGE>

   (c) To the knowledge of SmarterKids, no claims have been made that the
products sold by SmarterKids are not effective for the uses such products
purport to serve. To its knowledge, SmarterKids has not received any written
notice that any product manufactured by it has not been manufactured in
accordance with "current Good Manufacturing Practices" (as such term is
commonly understood within SmarterKids' industry) or has not been properly
labeled for its approved use.

   Section 4.11 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments.

   (a) As of the date hereof, SmarterKids is not a party to any existing
contract, obligation or commitment (including amendments, supplements or
modifications thereof (whether orally or in writing)) of any type in any of the
following categories except for contracts filed as exhibits to the SmarterKids
SEC Reports or set forth in the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule (true and
complete copies of which contracts have been delivered to or made available to
Earlychildhood):

     (i) contracts that provide for annual payments to or by SmarterKids
  aggregating in excess of $150,000;

     (ii) each contract of SmarterKids that was not entered into in the
  ordinary course of business;

     (iii) contracts under which SmarterKids has or may, except by way of
  endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course
  of business and consistent with past practice, become absolutely or
  contingently or otherwise liable for (x) the performance under a contract
  of any other person, firm or corporation or (y) the whole or any part of
  the indebtedness or liabilities of any other person, firm or corporation,
  in all cases, individually in excess of $1,000,000 and in the aggregate in
  excess of $5,000,000;

     (iv) employment agreements, consulting agreements, contracts or
  commitments with any employee or member of SmarterKids' Board of Directors,
  other than those which are terminable by SmarterKids on not more than
  thirty days notice without liability or financial obligation, and within
  each such category of agreements, contracts or commitments, which are
  individually in excess of $150,000;

     (v) any agreements or plans, including, without limitation, any stock
  option, stock appreciation right or stock purchase plans or agreements, any
  of the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of benefits of
  which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the transactions
  contemplated by this Agreement or the value of any of the benefits of which
  will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated by
  this Agreement;

     (vi) any contract with any director, officer or more than 5% stockholder
  of SmarterKids, other than in such person's capacity as a director or
  officer of SmarterKids, or any contract with any entity in which, to the
  knowledge of SmarterKids, any director, officer or more than 5% stockholder
  or any family member of any director, officer or stockholder has a material
  economic interest;

     (vii) any contract that limits or restricts in any material respect
  where SmarterKids may conduct its business or the type or line of business
  that Earlychildhood may engage in;

     (viii) any powers of attorney outstanding (other than those issued in
  the ordinary course of business with respect to Tax matters), or material
  obligations or liabilities (absolute or contingent) as guarantor, surety,
  cosigner, endorser, co-maker, indemnitor, or otherwise respecting the
  obligations or liabilities of any person;

     (ix) any material contract containing any agreement with respect to any
  change of control; and

     (x) each material amendment, supplement and modification (whether oral
  or written) in respect of any of the foregoing.

   (b) SmarterKids has not breached, or received in writing any claim or notice
that it has breached, any of the terms or conditions of any material agreement,
contract or commitment filed or required to be filed as an exhibit to the
SmarterKids SEC Reports or set forth or required to be set forth in Section
4.11 of the

                                      A-30
<PAGE>

SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule ("SmarterKids Material Contracts") in such a
manner as, individually or in the aggregate, is reasonably likely to have a
SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect. Each SmarterKids Material Contract that
has not expired by its terms is in full force and effect, except for those
contracts the ineffectiveness of which would not reasonably be likely to have a
SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect, and, if all of the consents, approvals,
authorizations, filings, notifications and other actions listed with respect to
such contract in the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule are obtained, taken or
made, as applicable, such contract will continue, after the Effective Time, to
be in full force and effect on identical terms.

   (c) To SmarterKids' knowledge, none of the parties to any SmarterKids
Material Contract have terminated, or notified SmarterKids in writing of its
intent to materially reduce or terminate its business relationship with
SmarterKids in the future.

   (d) SmarterKids has not received written notice from any customer, or group
of customers, that are under common ownership or control, and that accounted
for a material percentage of the aggregate products and services furnished by
SmarterKids since January 1, 1999 that such customer or group of customers has
stopped or intends to stop purchasing SmarterKids' products or services, nor
has SmarterKids lost any supplier, or group of suppliers that are under common
ownership or control, that accounted for a material percentage of the aggregate
supplies purchased by SmarterKids since January 1, 1999.

   Section 4.12 Litigation. Except as disclosed in the SmarterKids SEC Reports
or in the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule, there is no (i) action, suit or
proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation against SmarterKids pending or,
to the knowledge of SmarterKids, threatened, against SmarterKids or (ii)
outstanding order, judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any court,
governmental agency or arbitration tribunal in a proceeding to which
SmarterKids is a party, except, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii)
above, those that, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably likely
to have a SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on
the ability of SmarterKids to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

   Section 4.13 Environmental Matters. To the knowledge of SmarterKids, except
as disclosed in the SmarterKids SEC Reports filed prior to the date hereof and
except, with or without the knowledge of SmarterKids, for such matters that,
individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have a
SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect: (i) SmarterKids is in material compliance
with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) the properties currently owned or
operated by SmarterKids (including soils, groundwater, surface water, buildings
or other structures) are not contaminated with any Hazardous Substances; (iii)
the properties formerly owned or operated by SmarterKids were not contaminated
with Hazardous Substances during the period of ownership or operation by
SmarterKids; (iv) SmarterKids is not subject to liability for any Hazardous
Substance disposal or contamination on any third party property; (v)
SmarterKids has not been associated with any release or threat of release of
any Hazardous Substance; (vi) SmarterKids has not received any written notice,
demand, letter, claim or request for information alleging that SmarterKids may
be in violation of or liable under any Environmental Law; and (vii) SmarterKids
is not subject to any orders, decrees, injunctions or other arrangements with
any Governmental Entity or subject to any indemnity or other agreement with any
third party relating to liability under any Environmental Law or relating to
Hazardous Substances.

   Section 4.14 Employee Benefit Plans.

   (a) The SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule sets forth all Employee Benefit
Plans, as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, and all other material Benefit
Arrangements, (i) which are maintained, contributed to or required to be
contributed to by SmarterKids ("SmarterKids Employee Plans").

   (b) A true and complete copy of each written SmarterKids Employee Plan,
including, if applicable, each amendment thereto and any trust agreement,
insurance contract, collective bargaining agreement, or other funding or
investment arrangements for the benefits under such SmarterKids Employee Plan,
has been made

                                      A-31
<PAGE>

available to Earlychildhood. In addition, with respect to each such SmarterKids
Employee Plan to the extent applicable, SmarterKids has made available to
Earlychildhood the most recently filed Federal Forms 5500, the most recent
summary plan description (including any summaries of material modifications),
the most recent IRS determination letter, if applicable, the most recent
actuarial report or valuation, if applicable, and all material employee
communications with respect to each such SmarterKids Employee Plan.

   (c) Except as set forth on the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule:

     (i) neither SmarterKids nor any entity that, together with SmarterKids
  is required to be treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the
  Code ("SmarterKids ERISA Affiliate") sponsors or has previously sponsored,
  maintained, contributed to or incurred an obligation to contribute to any
  Employee Benefit Plan regulated under Title IV of ERISA, including any
  "multiemployer plan," as defined in Sections 3(37) and 4001(a)(3) of ERISA
  and neither SmarterKids nor any SmarterKids ERISA Affiliate has incurred
  nor reasonably expects to incur any liability under Title IV of ERISA
  arising in connection with the termination of any plan covered or
  previously covered by Title IV or ERISA. Neither SmarterKids nor any ERISA
  Affiliate participates in or has employees covered by an Employee Plan
  sponsored by a professional employer organization or similar entity;

     (ii) SmarterKids does not and has not previously sponsored, maintained,
  contributed to or incurred an obligation to contribute to any Employee
  Benefit Plan that provides or will provide benefits described in Section
  3(1) of ERISA to any former employee or retiree of SmarterKids, except as
  required under Part 6 of Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code or
  applicable state law;

     (iii) all SmarterKids Employee Plans and Benefit Arrangements have been
  maintained and operated, and currently are, in compliance in all material
  respects with their terms, the requirements prescribed by any and all
  applicable laws (including ERISA and the Code), orders, or governmental
  rules and regulations in effect with respect thereto, and SmarterKids has
  performed all material obligations required to be performed by it under, is
  not in any material respect in default under or in violation of, and has no
  knowledge of any default or violation by any other party to, any of the
  SmarterKids Employee Plans;

     (iv) each SmarterKids Employee Plan that is intended to qualify under
  Section 401(a) of the Code and each trust established pursuant to each such
  SmarterKids Employee Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 501(a)
  of the Code is the subject of a favorable determination letter from the
  IRS, a copy of which has been made available to Earlychildhood, and, to
  SmarterKids' knowledge, nothing has occurred which may reasonably be
  expected to impair such determination or otherwise adversely affect the
  tax-qualified status of such SmarterKids Employee Plan;

     (v) SmarterKids has made full and timely payment of all amounts required
  to be contributed under the terms of each SmarterKids Employee Plan and
  applicable law or required to be paid as expenses under such SmarterKids
  Employee Plan and there has been no amendment to, written interpretation of
  or announcement (whether or not written) by SmarterKids or any SmarterKids
  ERISA Affiliates relating to, or change in employee participation or
  coverage under, any Employee Benefit Plan or Benefit Arrangement that would
  increase materially the expense of maintaining such Employee Benefit Plan
  or Benefit Arrangement above the level of the expense incurred in respect
  thereof for the fiscal year ended prior to the date hereof; and

     (vi) other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course, there is no
  claim, suit, action, dispute, arbitration or legal, administrative or other
  proceeding or governmental investigation or audit pending, or, to the
  knowledge of SmarterKids, threatened, alleging any breach of the terms of
  any SmarterKids Employee Plan or of any fiduciary duty thereunder or
  violation of any applicable law with respect to any such SmarterKids
  Employee Plan.

   (d) With respect to the SmarterKids Employee Plans, individually and in the
aggregate, no event has occurred, and to the knowledge of SmarterKids, there
exists no condition or set of circumstances in connection with which
SmarterKids could be subject to any liability that is reasonably likely to have
a SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect under ERISA, the Code or any other
applicable law.

                                      A-32
<PAGE>

   (e) SmarterKids is not a party to any written or oral contract, agreement,
plan or arrangement pursuant to which SmarterKids has any obligation to "gross
up," indemnify or otherwise compensate or hold harmless any person with respect
to any portion of any excise tax (or interest or penalties with respect
thereto) which such person may become subject to under Section 4999 of the Code
or any similar state tax law, and there is no contract, agreement, plan or
arrangement covering any person that, individually or collectively, would
constitute compensation in excess of the limitation set forth in Section 162(m)
of the Code.

   (f) Except as set forth on the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule, and except
as provided for in this Agreement, SmarterKids is not a party to any oral or
written (i) agreement with any officer or other key employee of SmarterKids,
the benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which are materially
altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction involving SmarterKids of the
nature contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) agreement with any officer of
SmarterKids providing any term of employment or compensation guarantee
extending for a period longer than one year from the date hereof and for the
payment of compensation in excess of $100,000 per annum, or (iii) agreement or
plan, including any stock option plan, stock appreciation right plan,
restricted stock plan or stock purchase plan, any of the benefits of which will
be increased, or the vesting of the benefits of which will be accelerated, by
the occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. None of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder or thereunder will
trigger any "change of control" or similar provisions resulting in the
acceleration of benefits or compensation with respect to any agreements with
any officer or other key employee of SmarterKids except for such applicable
agreements as set forth on the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule (the
"SmarterKids Change of Control Agreements").

   Section 4.15 Compliance With Laws.

   (a) SmarterKids has not violated or failed to comply with any statute, law,
ordinance, regulation, rule or order of any Governmental Entity, or any
judgment, decree or order of any court, applicable to it, its business or
operations or by which it, its business or operations are bound, except for any
such violations or failures to comply that, individually or in the aggregate
have not had and are not reasonably likely to have a SmarterKids Material
Adverse Effect;

   (b) No investigation or review by any Governmental Entity is pending or, to
the knowledge of SmarterKids, has been threatened against SmarterKids, nor, to
the knowledge of SmarterKids, has any Governmental Entity indicated by written
notice or otherwise, an intention to conduct an investigation of SmarterKids;
and

   (c) There is no agreement, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding
upon SmarterKids which has had or is reasonably likely to have the effect of
prohibiting or materially impairing the conduct of SmarterKids' business as
currently conducted or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

   Section 4.16 Tax Matters.

   (a) To the knowledge of SmarterKids, none of SmarterKids, its Affiliates (as
defined in Section 5.13) and any of SmarterKids' stockholders have taken or
agreed to take any action (or failed to take or agreed not to take any action)
which such action or inaction, as the case may be, would prevent the
SmarterKids Merger from (i) qualifying as a reorganization described in Section
368(a) of the Code and, (ii) taken together with the Contribution, as a
transfer of property to Holdings qualifying under Section 351 of the Code.

   (b) To the knowledge of SmarterKids, the stockholders of SmarterKids have no
present plan, intention or arrangement to sell or otherwise dispose of any of
the Holdings Common Stock received in the SmarterKids Merger that would cause
the Contribution and the SmarterKids Merger to fail to qualify as transfers
under Section 351 of the Code.


                                      A-33
<PAGE>

   Section 4.17 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The
information to be supplied by SmarterKids or about SmarterKids to be supplied
by SmarterKids' agents for inclusion in the Registration Statement shall not at
the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated in the Registration Statement or necessary in order to
make the statements in the Registration Statement, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The information to be
supplied by SmarterKids or about SmarterKids by SmarterKids' agents for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall not, on the date the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus is first mailed to stockholders of SmarterKids, at the
time of the SmarterKids Stockholders' Meeting and at the Effective Time,
contain any statement which, at such time and in light of the circumstances
under which it shall be made, is false or misleading with respect to any
material fact, omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements made in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus not false or misleading, or
omit to state any material fact necessary to correct any statement in any
earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of proxies for the
SmarterKids Stockholders' Meeting which has become false or misleading. If at
any time prior to the Effective Time any event relating to SmarterKids or any
of its Affiliates, officers or directors should be discovered by SmarterKids
which should be set forth in an amendment to the Registration Statement or a
supplement to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, SmarterKids shall promptly inform
Earlychildhood.

   Section 4.18 Labor Matters. SmarterKids is not a party to or otherwise bound
by any collective bargaining agreement, contract or other agreement or
understanding with a labor union or labor organization, nor, as of the date
hereof, is SmarterKids the subject of any material proceeding asserting that
SmarterKids has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel it to
bargain with any labor union or labor organization nor, as of the date of this
Agreement, is there pending or, to the knowledge of SmarterKids, threatened,
any material labor strike, dispute, walkout, work stoppage, slow-down or
lockout involving SmarterKids.

   Section 4.19 Insurance. All material fire and casualty, general liability,
business interruption, product liability, and sprinkler and water damage
insurance policies maintained by SmarterKids are with reputable insurance
carriers, provide full and adequate coverage for all normal risks incident to
the business of SmarterKids and its respective properties and assets, and are
in character and amount at least equivalent to that carried by persons engaged
in similar businesses and subject to the same or similar perils or hazards,
except for any such failures to maintain insurance policies that, individually
or in the aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have a SmarterKids Material
Adverse Effect. All premiums and other payments due from SmarterKids with
respect to any such contracts of insurance or indemnity have been paid.
SmarterKids has not received written notice of any threatened termination of,
or premium increase with respect to, any of such policies or bonds.

   Section 4.20 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The financial advisor of
SmarterKids, Chase H&Q, has delivered to SmarterKids an opinion dated the date
of this Agreement to the effect that the SmarterKids Exchange Ratio is fair to
the holders of SmarterKids Common Stock from a financial point of view.

   Section 4.21 No Existing Discussions. As of the date hereof, neither
SmarterKids nor any of its Affiliates is engaged, directly or indirectly, in
any discussions or negotiations with any other party with respect to a
SmarterKids Alternative Transaction or any proposal therefor.

   Section 4.22 Board Recommendation. The Board of Directors of SmarterKids
has, by a unanimous vote at a meeting of such board duly held on November 8,
2000, approved and adopted this Agreement, the SmarterKids Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and determined that this
Agreement, the SmarterKids Merger, and the other transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, taken together, are in the best interest of the
stockholders of SmarterKids, and prior to the date hereof resolved to recommend
that the holders of SmarterKids Common Stock approve and adopt this Agreement,
the SmarterKids Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

   Section 4.23 Voting Requirements. The approval by a majority of the voting
power represented by the outstanding shares of SmarterKids Common Stock
entitled to vote thereon is the only vote of the holders of

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<PAGE>

any class of SmarterKids' capital stock necessary to approve this Agreement,
the SmarterKids Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. No
separate approval by the holders of any other class or series of capital stock
of SmarterKids is necessary to approve this Agreement, the SmarterKids Merger
or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby.

   Section 4.24 Section 203 of the DGCL Not Applicable. The Board of Directors
of SmarterKids has taken all actions necessary under the DGCL, including
approving the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the
Transaction Documents to which it is a party, to ensure that Section 203 of the
DGCL applicable to a "business combination" (as defined in Section 203 of the
DGCL) do not, and will not, apply to the transactions contemplated hereunder
and thereunder. No other "fair price," "moratorium," "control share
acquisition" or other similar anti-takeover statute or regulation is applicable
to SmarterKids or (by reason of SmarterKids' participation therein) the
SmarterKids Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

                                   ARTICLE V.

                                   COVENANTS

   Section 5.1 Conduct of Business. Except as set forth in the Earlychildhood
Disclosure Schedule or the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule, during the period
from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the
termination of this Agreement or the Effective Time, Earlychildhood and
SmarterKids each agrees as to itself and, in the case of Earlychildhood, its
Subsidiaries (except to the extent that the other party shall otherwise consent
in writing) to carry on its business in the usual, regular and ordinary course
in substantially the same manner as previously conducted, to pay its debts and
taxes when due subject to good faith disputes over such debts or taxes, to pay
or perform its other obligations when due, and, to the extent consistent with
such business, use all reasonable efforts consistent with past practices and
policies to (i) preserve intact its present business organization, (ii) keep
available the services of its present officers, key employees and/or managers
and (iii) preserve its relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors,
and others having business dealings with it. Except as expressly contemplated
by this Agreement (including the Exhibits attached hereto) or as set forth in
the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule or the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule,
during the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the
earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the Effective Time,
Earlychildhood and SmarterKids each shall not (and Earlychildhood shall not
permit its Subsidiaries to), without the written consent of the other party:

     (a) Split, combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock or
  equity interests, as applicable, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or
  other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination
  thereof) in respect of its capital stock, LLC Interests or other equity
  interests (as applicable) or, except pursuant to agreements in effect on
  the date of execution of this Agreement which have been disclosed in the
  Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule or the SmarterKids Disclosure Schedule,
  as the case may be, purchase, prepay, redeem or otherwise acquire any
  shares of its own capital stock, LLC Interests or any other equity
  interests (as applicable) or any indebtedness or debt security; provided,
  however, that Earlychildhood (and to the extent necessary, its
  Subsidiaries) may effect tax distributions to its equity holders in the
  ordinary course of business up to the maximum amounts permitted under the
  Operating Agreement;

     (b) Accelerate, amend or change the period of exercisability of options
  or restricted stock granted under any employee stock or equity plan of such
  party or authorize cash payments in exchange for any options granted under
  any of such plans, except as required by the terms of such plans or any
  related agreements in effect as of the date of this Agreement;

     (c) Issue, deliver or sell, or authorize or propose the issuance,
  delivery or sale of, any shares of its capital stock or other equity
  interests (as applicable) or securities convertible into or exchangeable
  for shares of its capital stock or other equity interests (as applicable)
  or subscriptions, rights, warrants or

                                      A-35
<PAGE>

  options to acquire, or other agreements or commitments of any character
  obligating it to issue any such shares or equity interests, as applicable,
  or other convertible securities, other than the issuance of LLC Interests
  or SmarterKids Common Stock, as the case may be, pursuant to the exercise
  of options or the SmarterKids Warrants outstanding on the date of this
  Agreement;

     (d) Acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by
  purchasing an equity interest in or portion of the assets of, or by any
  other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership or other
  business organization or division, or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire
  any assets (other than inventory and other items in the ordinary course of
  business), except for any such acquisitions involving aggregate
  consideration of not more than $250,000;

     (e) Consolidate, merge or amalgamate with or into any other person, or
  sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of (in one or more transactions)
  any of its material properties or assets;

     (f) (i) Increase or agree to increase the compensation payable or to
  become payable to its directors or management committee members (as
  applicable), officers, managers, employees or consultants, except for
  increases in salary or wages of employees (other than officers) in
  accordance with past practices, (ii) grant any additional severance or
  termination pay to, or enter into any employment or severance agreements
  with, any consultants, employees, officers, directors or management
  committee members (as applicable), (iii) terminate any officers, employees
  or consultants, (iv) enter into any collective bargaining agreement (other
  than as required by law), or (v) establish, adopt, enter into or amend any
  Employee Benefit Plan or Benefit Arrangement or other plan, trust, fund,
  policy or arrangement for the benefit of any directors, officers, employees
  or consultants; provided, however, that SmarterKids may make bonus payments
  to its senior officers, up to an aggregate maximum of $200,000, after the
  date of this Agreement and prior to January 31, 2001, so long as such
  payments are made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
  practice and approved by the compensation committee of SmarterKids' Board
  of Directors.

     (g) Amend or propose to amend its organizational documents (including,
  in the case of Earlychildhood, the Operating Agreement), except as
  contemplated by this Agreement and in any event pursuant to draft
  amendments sent for review and comment to the other party;

     (h) (A) Incur any indebtedness for borrowed money other than in the
  ordinary course of business, (B) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise
  become liable or responsible for the obligations of any other individual,
  firm or corporation or make any loans or advances, except advances to
  employees for expense reimbursement made in the ordinary course of business
  consistent with past practice, (C) enter into any commitment or transaction
  material to SmarterKids or material to Earlychildhood and its Subsidiaries,
  taken as a whole (as applicable) outside of product sales in the ordinary
  course of business, or (D) incur any liabilities, except for liabilities
  that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have an Earlychildhood
  Material Adverse Effect or a SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect, as the
  case may be;

     (i) Take any action that would or is reasonably likely to result in (A)
  a material breach of any provision of this Agreement or any of the
  Transaction Documents to which it is a party or (B) any of its
  representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement or any of the
  Transaction Documents to which it is a party being untrue on and as of the
  Closing Date;

     (j) Institute any significant change in accounting methods, principles
  or practices affecting its assets, liabilities, reserve or expense
  recognition, reserves, amortization or accruals, except insofar as may be
  appropriate to conform to changes in law or GAAP;

     (k) Revalue any of its respective assets, including without limitation,
  writing down the value of inventory or notes or accounts receivables, in
  each case, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
  practice and except insofar as may be appropriate to conform to changes in
  law or GAAP;

     (l) Make or rescind any material express or deemed election relating to
  Taxes, settle or compromise any material claim, action, suit, litigation,
  proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or controversy

                                      A-36
<PAGE>

  relating to Taxes, or change any of its methods of reporting income or
  deductions for federal income Tax purposes from those employed in the
  preparation of its federal income tax return for the taxable year ending
  December 31, 1999, except as may be required by applicable law;

     (m) Settle any litigation relating to the transactions contemplated
  hereby or any other litigation if the cost of the settlement would exceed
  $250,000;

     (n) Permit any material insurance policy naming it as a beneficiary or a
  loss payee to be cancelled, terminated or materially altered, unless such
  policy is replaced with a comparable policy for comparable cost;

     (o) Take, or agree in writing or otherwise to take, any of the actions
  described in Sections (a) through (n) above.

   Section 5.2 Cooperation; Notice; Cure. Each of Earlychildhood, SmarterKids
and Holdings will use commercially reasonable efforts to effectuate the
transactions contemplated hereby and to fulfill and cause to be fulfilled the
conditions to Closing under this Agreement. Subject to compliance with
applicable law, from the date hereof until the Effective Time, each of
Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall confer on a regular and frequent basis
with one or more representatives of the other party to report on the general
status of ongoing operations and shall promptly provide the other party or its
counsel with copies of all filings made by such party with any Governmental
Entity and, in the case of SmarterKids, with the SEC, in connection with this
Agreement, the Transactions and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. Each of Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall notify the other of, and
will use all commercially reasonable efforts to cure before the Closing Date,
any event, transaction or circumstance, as soon as practical after it becomes
known to such party, that causes or will cause any covenant or agreement of
Earlychildhood or SmarterKids under this Agreement to be breached or that
renders or will render untrue any representation or warranty of Earlychildhood
or SmarterKids contained in this Agreement. Each of Earlychildhood and
SmarterKids shall notify the other in writing of, and will use all commercially
reasonable efforts to cure, before the Closing Date, any violation or breach,
as soon as practical after it becomes known to such party, of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by Earlychildhood or
SmarterKids. No notice given pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect
on the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this
Agreement for purposes of determining satisfaction of any condition contained
herein.

   Section 5.3 No Solicitation.

   (a) Subject to Section 5.3(b), unless and until this Agreement shall have
been terminated by SmarterKids or Earlychildhood pursuant to and in compliance
with Article VII hereof, SmarterKids shall not, nor will it authorize or permit
any of its officers, directors, employees, financial advisors, attorneys,
accountants, or other representatives or agents to, directly or indirectly
through another person (i) solicit, initiate, facilitate or encourage any
inquiries, offers or proposals by or from any Third Party (as defined below)
that constitute, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition
Proposal (as defined below), (ii) enter into or execute any agreement with
respect to an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) engage in or continue negotiations or
discussions with any Third Party concerning, or, except pursuant to a
governmental request for information, otherwise communicate or provide any non-
public information to any Third Party relating to any Acquisition Proposal,
(iv) make or authorize any public statement, recommendation or solicitation in
support of any Acquisition Proposal, or (v) take any other action inconsistent
with its obligations or commitments under this Section 5.3. As used in this
Agreement, "Acquisition Proposal" means any (i) transaction pursuant to which
any corporation, partnership, trust, person or other entity or group other than
Earlychildhood or its Affiliates (a "Third Party"), acquires more than 20% of
the outstanding shares of SmarterKids Common Stock pursuant to a tender offer
or exchange offer or otherwise, (ii) merger or other business combination,
recapitalization, restructuring or similar transaction involving SmarterKids,
(iii) other transaction pursuant to which any Third Party acquires control of
assets of SmarterKids having a fair market value equal to more than 20% of the
fair market value of all the assets of SmarterKids immediately prior to such
transaction, or (iv) any public announcement of a proposal, plan or intention
to do any of the foregoing or any agreement to engage in any of the foregoing.

                                      A-37
<PAGE>

   (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, SmarterKids may, and may authorize and
permit its officers, directors, employees, financial advisors, attorneys,
accountants and other representatives or agents, in response to a bona fide,
written, unsolicited Acquisition Proposal from a Third Party which did not
otherwise result from a breach of this Section 5.3, to (i) furnish non-public
information to such Third Party; (ii) otherwise facilitate any effort or
attempt by such Third Party to make or implement an Acquisition Proposal; (iii)
agree to or recommend or endorse any such Acquisition Proposal with or by any
Third Party; (iv) withdraw or modify, or propose publicly to withdraw or
modify, in a manner adverse to Earlychildhood, its approval and recommendation
of the SmarterKids Merger and this Agreement; (v) participate in discussions
and negotiations with such Third Party relating to such Acquisition Proposal;
and (vi) cause SmarterKids to enter into an agreement implementing an
Acquisition Proposal, provided that SmarterKids simultaneously terminates this
Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(f) and pays the Termination Fee (as defined
in Section 7.3); provided, however, that SmarterKids shall be permitted to take
any one or more of the actions enumerated in clauses (i)-(vi) above if and only
to the extent that (A) the Board of Directors of SmarterKids reasonably
determines in good faith (after consultation with a financial advisor of
nationally recognized reputation) that (X) the Acquisition Proposal is more
favorable or is reasonably likely to lead to an Acquisition Proposal that is
more favorable to the SmarterKids stockholders from a financial point of view
than the Transactions, and (Y) is made by a Third Party reasonably believed by
the SmarterKids Board of Directors to be financially capable of completing such
Acquisition Proposal, (B) the SmarterKids Board of Directors reasonably
determines in good faith (after having consulted with and considered the advice
of its outside legal counsel) that the failure to take such actions would cause
the members of the SmarterKids Board of Directors to breach their fiduciary
duties to the SmarterKids stockholders under applicable law, and (C) prior to
furnishing or disclosing any non-public information to, or entering into
discussions or negotiations with, such Third Party, it receives from such Third
Party an executed confidentiality agreement with respect to the information to
be furnished with terms no less favorable in the aggregate to it than those
contained in the Confidentiality Agreement dated as of January 19, 2000 by and
between Earlychildhood and SmarterKids (the "Earlychildhood Confidentiality
Agreement"), but which confidentiality agreement shall not (nor shall any other
agreement or arrangement between SmarterKids, on the one hand, and such Third
Party, on the other hand, or any of their respective representatives or agents)
provide for any exclusive right to negotiate with SmarterKids or any payments
by SmarterKids. Without limiting the foregoing, it is understood that any
violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 5.3(b) by any officer,
director or employee of SmarterKids or any investment banker, attorney,
accountant or other advisor, representative or agent of SmarterKids shall be
deemed to be a breach of this Section 5.3 by SmarterKids.

   (c) SmarterKids shall (i) immediately cease and cause to be terminated any
existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted
heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or similar transaction, and
take all necessary steps to inform such individuals or entities of the
obligations undertaken in this Section 5.3, (ii) as promptly as practicable
(and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours) notify Earlychildhood in
writing of any Acquisition Proposal or receipt of any inquiries, proposals or
offers with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or any request for non-public
information relating to it in connection with an Acquisition Proposal or for
access to its properties, books or records by any Third Party that informs
SmarterKids' Board of Directors or any representative thereof that it is
considering making, or has made (or which SmarterKids' Board of Directors
reasonably believes may be considering making or has made) a proposal or offer
with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, (iii) in such written notice, indicate
in reasonable detail the identity of such Third Party (including the name of
such Third Party and a copy of any offer or proposal and any supporting
documentation) and the terms and conditions of such proposal or offer, all of
which information shall be held in confidence by Earlychildhood, and (iv) as
promptly as practicable (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours) notify
Earlychildhood in writing of any determination by its Board of Directors to
furnish information or engage in discussions or negotiations with any Third
Party. SmarterKids shall promptly furnish to Earlychildhood copies of any
written information (and advise it orally of any non-written information)
provided to or by any Third Party relating to an Acquisition Proposal to the
extent such information has not previously been provided to Earlychildhood. If
any notice is given or required to be given in accordance with the second
preceding sentence, then SmarterKids shall thereafter continue to keep
Earlychildhood informed, on a current basis, of the status of any such
discussions or negotiations and the terms

                                      A-38
<PAGE>

being discussed or negotiated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, SmarterKids shall
not accept or enter into any agreement concerning an Acquisition Proposal for a
period of at least three business days after Earlychildhood's receipt of the
notification of the terms thereof pursuant to the third preceding sentence (and
only in compliance with the terms of Article VII hereof).

   (d) Nothing contained in this Section 5.3 shall prohibit SmarterKids from
taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2
promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making any disclosure to its
stockholders if the SmarterKids Board of Directors reasonably determines in
good faith after receiving the advice of its outside legal counsel (who may be
its regularly engaged outside counsel) that the failure to do so would cause
the members of the SmarterKids Board of Directors to breach of their fiduciary
duties to the SmarterKids stockholders under any applicable law, provided,
however, that neither SmarterKids nor the SmarterKids Board of Directors nor
any committee thereof may, except as expressly permitted by Section 5.3(b) or
required by Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act, withdraw or modify,
or propose publicly to withdraw or modify, its position with respect to this
Agreement or the SmarterKids Merger or approve or recommend, or propose
publicly to approve or recommend, an Acquisition Proposal.

   Section 5.4 No Negotiation.

   (a) From the date hereof until the Effective Time, or unless this Agreement
is earlier terminated by SmarterKids or Earlychildhood pursuant to and in
compliance with Article VII, Earlychildhood shall not and shall not permit its
Subsidiaries nor any of its Members or any of their respective Affiliates, nor
will Earlychildhood authorize or permit any of its employees, financial
advisors, attorneys, accountants, or other representatives or agents to,
directly or indirectly through another person, (i) solicit, initiate,
facilitate or encourage any inquiries, offers or proposals by or from any Other
Party (as defined below) that constitute, or could reasonably be expected to
lead to, any Earlychildhood Acquisition Proposal (as defined below), (ii) enter
into or execute any agreement with respect to an Earlychildhood Acquisition
Proposal, (iii) engage in or continue negotiations or discussions with any
Other Party concerning, or, except pursuant to a governmental request for
information, otherwise communicate or provide any non-public information to any
Other Party relating to, any Earlychildhood Acquisition Proposal, (iv) make or
authorize any public statement, recommendation or solicitation in support of
any Earlychildhood Acquisition Proposal, or (v) take any other action
inconsistent with its obligations or commitments under this Section 5.4. As
used in this Agreement, "Earlychildhood Acquisition Proposal" means any (i)
transaction pursuant to which any corporation, partnership, trust, person or
other entity or group other than SmarterKids or its Affiliates (an "Other
Party"), acquires more than 20% of the outstanding LLC Interests, (ii) merger
or other business combination, recapitalization, restructuring or similar
transaction involving Earlychildhood, (iii) other transaction pursuant to which
any Other Party acquires control of assets of Earlychildhood having a fair
market value equal to more than 20% of the fair market value of all the assets
of Earlychildhood immediately prior to such transaction, or (iv) any public
announcement of a proposal, plan or intention to do any of the foregoing or any
agreement to engage in any of the foregoing.

   (b) Earlychildhood shall (i) immediately cease and cause to be terminated
any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted
heretofore with respect to any Earlychildhood Acquisition Proposal or similar
transaction, and take all necessary steps to inform such individuals or
entities of the obligations undertaken in this Section 5.4, (ii) as promptly as
practicable (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours) notify SmarterKids
in writing of receipt of any Earlychildhood Acquisition Proposal or any
inquiries, proposals or offers with respect to an Earlychildhood Acquisition
Proposal or any request for nonpublic information relating to it in connection
with an Earlychildhood Acquisition Proposal or for access to its properties,
books or records by any Other Party that informs Earlychildhood's Management
Committee or any officer of Earlychildhood that is its considering making, or
has made (or which Earlychildhood's Management Committee reasonably believes
may be considering making or has made) a proposal or offer with respect to an
Earlychildhood Acquisition Proposal, (iii) in such written notice indicate in
reasonable detail the identity of such Other Party (including the name of such
Other Party and a copy of any offer or proposal and any supporting
documentation) and the terms and conditions of such proposal or offer, all of
which information

                                      A-39
<PAGE>

shall be held in confidence by SmarterKids, and (iv) as promptly as practicable
(and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours) notify SmarterKids in writing
of any determination by Earlychildhood's Management Committee or its officers
or Affiliates to furnish information or engage in discussions or negotiations
with any Other Party, it being understood that if Earlychildhood furnishes such
information or engages in discussions or negotiations without SmarterKids'
prior written consent, it shall constitute a breach of this Agreement. During
such period, neither the Earlychildhood Management Committee nor any
subcommittee thereof will approve or enter into any agreement to initiate,
facilitate, encourage or implement an Earlychildhood Acquisition Proposal, or
take any other action to contravene, supersede or modify their approval of this
Agreement, the Transaction Documents, the Contribution or the other
transactions contemplated hereby.

   Section 5.5 Proxy Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement.

   (a) As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement,
SmarterKids shall prepare and file with the SEC the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
and Earlychildhood and SmarterKids will cause Holdings to prepare and file with
the SEC the Registration Statement on Form S-4 in which the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus will be included as a prospectus. Holdings shall use all
reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective as
soon after such filing as practical and to keep such Registration Statement
effective for so long as is necessary to consummate the Contribution and the
SmarterKids Merger. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall include the
recommendation of the Board of Directors of SmarterKids in favor of this
Agreement and the SmarterKids Merger; provided that the Board of Directors of
SmarterKids may modify or withdraw such recommendation in accordance with the
terms of Section 5.3.

   (b) SmarterKids and Earlychildhood shall make all necessary filings with
respect to the SmarterKids Merger and the Contribution, respectively, under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act, applicable state blue sky laws and the rules
and regulations thereunder.

   (c) Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall use their best efforts to furnish
to each other all information required for any application or other filing to
be made pursuant to the rules and regulations of any applicable law (including
all information required to be included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and
the Registration Statement) in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.

   Section 5.6 Nasdaq Quotation.

   SmarterKids agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to continue the
quotation and listing of SmarterKids Common Stock on Nasdaq during the term of
this Agreement.

   Section 5.7 Access to Information. Upon reasonable notice, Earlychildhood
and SmarterKids shall each (and Earlychildhood shall cause its Subsidiaries to)
afford to the officers, managers, employees, accountants, counsel and other
authorized representatives of the other, access, during normal business hours
during the period prior to the Effective Time, to all its personnel,
properties, books, contracts, commitments and records and, during such period,
each of Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall (and Earlychildhood shall cause
its Subsidiaries to) furnish promptly to the other (a) a copy of each report,
schedule, registration statement and other document filed or received by it
during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal securities laws and
(b) all other information concerning its business, properties and personnel as
such other party may reasonably request. The parties will hold any such
information which is nonpublic in confidence in accordance with the
Earlychildhood Confidentiality Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement
dated as of January 19, 2000 between SmarterKids, Earlychildhood and Thomas
Weisel Partners (the "SmarterKids Confidentiality Agreement", and together with
the Earlychildhood Confidentiality Agreement, the "Confidentiality
Agreements"). No information or knowledge obtained in any investigation
pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall affect or be deemed to modify any
representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or the conditions to the
obligations of the parties to consummate the Contribution or the SmarterKids
Merger.

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   Section 5.8 SmarterKids Stockholders' Meeting. SmarterKids shall call a
meeting of its stockholders to be held as promptly as practicable for the
purpose of voting upon this Agreement and the SmarterKids Merger. Subject to
Section 5.3, SmarterKids shall, through its Board of Directors, recommend to
its stockholders approval of such matters and shall coordinate and cooperate
with Earlychildhood with respect to the timing of such meeting and shall use
its best efforts to hold such meeting as soon as practicable after the date
hereof. The only matters SmarterKids shall propose to be acted on by its
stockholders at the stockholders' meeting shall be the approval of this
Agreement and the SmarterKids Merger and related matters incidental to the
consummation of the SmarterKids Merger. Unless otherwise required to comply
with the fiduciary duties of SmarterKids' Board of Directors, as determined by
such directors in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel,
SmarterKids shall use commercially reasonable efforts to solicit from its
stockholders proxies in favor of such matters including the retention of a
proxy solicitation firm. SmarterKids shall not require any vote greater than a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the issued and
outstanding shares of SmarterKids Common Stock for approval of this Agreement
and the SmarterKids Merger.

   Section 5.9 Legal Conditions to Merger.

   (a) Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall each use all reasonable efforts to
(i) take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, and do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary and proper under applicable law to consummate and
make effective the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable,
(ii) obtain from any Governmental Entity or any other third party any consents,
licenses, permits, waivers, approvals, authorizations, or orders required to be
obtained or made by Earlychildhood or SmarterKids (and in the case of
Earlychildhood, its Subsidiaries) in connection with the authorization,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby including, without limitation, the
Contribution and the SmarterKids Merger, (iii) as promptly as practicable, make
all necessary filings, and thereafter make any other required submissions, with
respect to this Agreement, the Contribution and the SmarterKids Merger required
under (A) the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any other applicable
federal or state securities laws, (B) the HSR Act, if applicable, and (C) any
other applicable law, and (iv) refrain from taking any actions (other than as
expressly permitted under Sections 5.3 or 5.4) which would reasonably be likely
to delay, hinder or interfere with the transactions contemplated hereby.
Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall cooperate with each other in connection
with the making of all such filings, including providing copies of all such
documents to the non-filing party and its advisors prior to filing and, if
requested, to accept all reasonable additions, deletions or changes suggested
in connection therewith.

   (b) Earlychildhood and SmarterKids agree, and Earlychildhood shall cause
each of its Subsidiaries, to cooperate and to use their respective best efforts
to obtain any government clearances required for Closing (including through
compliance with the HSR Act), to respond to any government requests for
information, and to contest and resist any action, including any legislative,
administrative or judicial action, and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or
overturned any decree, judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary,
preliminary or permanent) (an "Order") that restricts, prevents or prohibits
the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. The parties hereto will consult and cooperate with one another,
and consider in good faith the views of one another, in connection with any
analyses, appearances, presentations, memoranda, briefs, arguments, opinions
and proposals made or submitted by or on behalf of any party hereto in
connection with proceedings under or relating to the HSR Act or any other
federal, state or foreign antitrust or fair trade law. Earlychildhood and
SmarterKids shall cooperate and work together in any proceedings or
negotiations with any Governmental Entity relating to any of the foregoing.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.9, neither
Earlychildhood nor SmarterKids shall be required to take any action that would
reasonably be expected to substantially impair the overall benefits expected,
as of the date hereof, to be realized from the consummation of the
Transactions.

   (c) Each of Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall give any notices to third
parties, and shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain any third party
consents related to or required in connection with the Transactions.

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   (d) Prior to the Effective Time, unless the parties hereto otherwise agree
in writing, SmarterKids and Earlychildhood shall take all action necessary to
terminate, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, the respective
Employee Benefit Plan subject to Section 401(k) of the Code maintained by
Earlychildhood and each ERISA Affiliate.

   Section 5.10 Earlychildhood Financial Statements. Earlychildhood shall
provide both audited and unaudited financial statements required to be included
in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in compliance with applicable SEC reporting
requirements.

   Section 5.11 Public Disclosure. Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall agree
on the form and content of the initial press release regarding the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereafter shall consult with each other before
issuing, and use all reasonable efforts to agree upon, any press release or
other public statement with respect to any of the transactions contemplated
hereby and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public
statement prior to such consultation, except as may be required by law.

   Section 5.12 Non-recognition Exchange. Whether before or after the Effective
Time, none of Earlychildhood, SmarterKids, their respective Subsidiaries or
Affiliates and Holdings shall knowingly take any action, or knowingly fail to
take any action, that is reasonably likely to jeopardize the treatment of the
SmarterKids Merger and the Contribution as transfers of property described in
Section 351 of the Code or the SmarterKids Merger as a reorganization described
in Section 368(a) of the Code.

   Section 5.13 Affiliate Agreements. Upon the execution of this Agreement,
Earlychildhood and SmarterKids will provide each other with a list of those
persons who are, in Earlychildhood's or SmarterKids' respective reasonable
judgment, "affiliates" of Earlychildhood or SmarterKids, as the case may be,
within the meaning of Rule 145 (each such person who is an "affiliate" of
Earlychildhood or SmarterKids within the meaning of Rule 145 is referred to as
an "Affiliate") promulgated under the Securities Act ("Rule 145").
Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall provide each other such information and
documents as the other party shall reasonably request for purposes of reviewing
such list and shall notify the other party in writing regarding any change in
the identity of its Affiliates prior to the Closing Date. Earlychildhood and
SmarterKids shall each use all reasonable efforts to deliver or cause to be
delivered to each other by November 30, 2000 (and in any case prior to the
Effective Time) from each of its Affiliates, an executed Affiliate Agreement,
substantially similar to the form attached hereto as Exhibit J, by which each
Affiliate of Earlychildhood and each Affiliate of SmarterKids agrees to comply
with the applicable requirements of Rule 145 (an "Affiliate Agreement").
Holdings shall be entitled to place appropriate legends on the certificates
evidencing any Holdings Common Stock to be received by such Affiliates of
Earlychildhood or SmarterKids pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and to
issue appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer agent for Holdings
Common Stock, consistent with the terms of the Affiliate Agreements (provided
that such legends or stop transfer instructions shall be removed, when such
shares of Holdings Common Stock are generally transferable without any
restrictions imposed by Rule 145, upon the request of any stockholder that is
not then an Affiliate of Holdings).

   Section 5.14 Nasdaq Quotation. Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall cause
Holdings to promptly prepare and submit an application to Nasdaq to quote the
shares of Holdings Common Stock to be issued in the Transactions and upon
exercise or conversion of the Earlychildhood Options, the SmarterKids Stock
Options and the SmarterKids Warrants, and shall use all reasonable efforts to
cause such shares to be approved for quotation on Nasdaq, prior to the
Effective Time, subject to official notice of issuance.

   Section 5.15 Stock Plans.

   (a) At the Effective Time, each outstanding Earlychildhood Option under the
Earlychildhood Option Plans and each outstanding SmarterKids Stock Option under
the SmarterKids Stock Plans, in each case whether vested or unvested, shall be
deemed to constitute an option to acquire, in the case of Earlychildhood, on
substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such
Earlychildhood Option and, in the

                                      A-42
<PAGE>

case of SmarterKids, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under
such SmarterKids Stock Option, the same number of shares of Holdings Common
Stock as the holder of such Earlychildhood Option or SmarterKids Stock Option,
as the case may be, would have been entitled to receive pursuant to the
Contribution or the SmarterKids Merger, respectively, had such holder exercised
such option in full immediately prior to the Effective Time (rounded down to
the nearest whole number), at a price per share (rounded up to the nearest
whole cent) equal to (y) the aggregate exercise price for the LLC Interests or
shares of SmarterKids Common Stock, as the case may be, purchasable pursuant to
such Earlychildhood Option or such SmarterKids Stock Option immediately prior
to the Effective Time divided by (z) the number of full shares of Holdings
Common Stock deemed purchasable pursuant to such Earlychildhood Option or
SmarterKids Stock Option, as the case may be, in accordance with the foregoing.
Prior to the Effective Time, each of Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall make
any such adjustments to the terms of the Earlychildhood Option Plans or
SmarterKids Stock Plans as may be necessary to give effect to the provisions of
this Section 5.15.

   (b) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Holdings shall deliver
to the participants in the Earlychildhood Option Plans and the SmarterKids
Stock Plans appropriate notice setting forth such participants' rights pursuant
thereto and the grants pursuant to Earlychildhood Option Plans or SmarterKids
Stock Plans, as the case may be, shall continue in effect on the same terms and
conditions (subject to the adjustments required by this Section 5.15 after
giving effect to the Transactions).

   (c) Holdings shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for
issuance a sufficient number of shares of Holdings Common Stock for delivery
under Earlychildhood Option Plans and SmarterKids Stock Plans in accordance
with this Section 5.15. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time,
Holdings shall file a registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor or
other appropriate forms), or another appropriate form with respect to the
shares of Holdings Common Stock subject to such options and shall use its best
efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement or
registration statements (and maintain the current status of the prospectus or
prospectuses contained therein) for so long as such options remain outstanding.

   (d) The Management Committee or Board of Directors, as the case may be, of
Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall, prior to or as of the Effective Time,
take all necessary actions, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the
Earlychildhood Option Plans and the instruments evidencing the Earlychildhood
Options, or the SmarterKids Stock Plans and the instruments evidencing the
SmarterKids Stock Options, as the case may be, to provide for the conversion of
the Earlychildhood Options and the SmarterKids Stock Options into options to
acquire Holdings Common Stock in accordance with this Section 5.14, and to the
extent required, obtain the consent of the holders of the Earlychildhood
Options or SmarterKids Stock Options in connection with such conversion.

   (e) The Board of Directors of SmarterKids shall, prior to or as of the
Effective Time, take appropriate action to approve the deemed disposition of
the SmarterKids Stock Options, as the case may be, for purposes of excepting
such disposition under Rule 16b-3(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act. The
Board of Directors of Holdings shall, prior to or as of the Effective Time,
take appropriate action to approve the deemed grant of options to purchase
Holdings Common Stock under the Earlychildhood Options and the SmarterKids
Stock Options (as converted pursuant to this Section 5.14) for purposes of
excepting such grant under Rule 16b-3(d) promulgated under the Exchange Act.

   (f) Prior to the Effective Time, Holdings shall adopt the stock plan (the
"Holdings Stock Plan") substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit K,
which Holdings Stock Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Time.

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<PAGE>

   Section 5.16 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

   (a) Prior to the Effective Time, Holdings shall adopt an Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Holdings Employee Stock Purchase Plan") substantially in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit L, which Holdings Employee Stock Purchase
Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Time, so that employees of
Earlychildhood and SmarterKids as of the Effective Time will be permitted to
participate in Holdings' Employee Stock Purchase Plan commencing on the first
enrollment date following the Effective Time, subject to compliance with the
eligibility provisions of such plan (with employees receiving credit, to the
extent permissible, for purposes of such eligibility provisions, for service
with SmarterKids).

   (b) Holdings shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for
issuance a sufficient number of shares of Holdings Common Stock for purchase
under the Holdings Employee Stock Purchase Plan assumed in accordance with this
Section 5.16.

   Section 5.17 Non-Employee Director Plan. Prior to the Effective Time,
Holdings shall adopt a Non-Employee Director Plan (the "Holdings Director
Plan") substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit M, which Holdings
Director Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Time.

   Section 5.18 Brokers or Finders. Each of SmarterKids and Earlychildhood
represents, as to itself, its Subsidiaries and its Affiliates, that no agent,
broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other firm or person is or will
be entitled to any broker's or finder's fee or any other commission or similar
fee in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
except Thomas Weisel Partners, whose fees and expenses will be paid by
Earlychildhood in accordance with Earlychildhood's agreement with such firm (a
copy of which has been delivered by Earlychildhood to SmarterKids prior to the
date of this Agreement), and Chase H&Q, whose fees and expenses will be paid by
SmarterKids in accordance with SmarterKids' agreement with such firm (a copy of
which has been delivered by SmarterKids to Earlychildhood prior to the date of
this Agreement). Each of SmarterKids and Earlychildhood agrees to indemnify and
hold the other harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities or
obligations with respect to any such fees, commissions or expenses asserted by
any person on the basis of any act or statement alleged to have been made by
such party or any of its Affiliates.

   Section 5.19 Indemnification.

   (a) From and after the Effective Time, Holdings agrees that it will, and
will cause Earlychildhood and the Surviving Corporation to, indemnify and hold
harmless each present and former director, Management Committee member and
officer of Earlychildhood and SmarterKids (the "Indemnified Parties"), against
any costs or expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or amounts paid in settlement (collectively,
"Costs") incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative,
arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to
the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the
Effective Time, to the fullest extent that Earlychildhood or SmarterKids, as
the case may be, would have been permitted under applicable law and its
organizational documents (including, in the case of Earlychildhood, the
Operating Agreement) in effect on the date hereof to indemnify such Indemnified
Party (and Holdings, Earlychildhood and the Surviving Corporation, as
applicable, shall also advance expenses as incurred to the fullest extent
permitted under applicable law; provided the Indemnified Party to whom expenses
are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately
determined that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification).

   (b) For a period of six years after the Effective Time, Holdings shall
maintain (to the extent available in the market) in effect a directors' and
officers' liability insurance policy covering those persons who are currently
covered by Earlychildhood's and SmarterKids' directors' and officers' liability
insurance policies (copies of which have been heretofore delivered by
SmarterKids to Earlychildhood and vice versa) with coverage in amount and scope
at least as favorable as Earlychildhood's and SmarterKids' existing coverage;

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<PAGE>

provided that in no event shall Holdings be required to expend in excess of
200% of the higher annual premium currently paid by Earlychildhood or
SmarterKids, as applicable, for such coverage (in either case, the "Current
Premium"); and if such premium would at any time exceed 200% of the Current
Premium, then Holdings shall maintain insurance policies which provide the
maximum and best coverage available at an annual premium equal to 200% of the
Current Premium.

   (c) The provisions of this Section 5.19 are intended to be in addition to
the rights otherwise available to the current officers, directors or members of
the Management Committee of Earlychildhood and SmarterKids, as applicable, by
law, charter, statute, bylaw or agreement, and shall operate for the benefit
of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the Indemnified Parties, their heirs
and their representatives.

   Section 5.20 Letter of SmarterKids' Accountants. SmarterKids shall use all
reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to Earlychildhood and SmarterKids a
comfort letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, SmarterKids' independent
accountants, dated a date within two business days before the date on which the
Registration Statement shall become effective and addressed to Holdings, in
form reasonably satisfactory to Earlychildhood and customary in scope and
substance for letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection
with registration statements similar to the Registration Statement.

   Section 5.21 Letter of Earlychildhood's Accountants. Earlychildhood shall
use all reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to SmarterKids and
Earlychildhood a comfort letter of KPMG, LLP, Earlychildhood's independent
accountants, dated a date within two business days before the date on which the
Registration Statement shall become effective and addressed to Holdings, in
form reasonably satisfactory to SmarterKids and customary in scope and
substance for letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection
with registration statements similar to the Registration Statement.

   Section 5.22 Post-Transaction Corporate Governance of Holdings. At the
Effective Time, the total number of persons serving on the Board of Directors
of Holdings shall be nine (9) (unless otherwise agreed in writing by
Earlychildhood and SmarterKids prior to the Effective Time), four (4) of whom
shall be Earlychildhood Directors, two (2) of whom shall be SmarterKids
Directors and three (3) of whom shall be Independent Directors (as such terms
are defined below), all of which Earlychildhood Directors, SmarterKids
Directors and Independent Directors shall be spread proportionately among
Holdings' three classes of Directors; provided, however, that one SmarterKids
Director shall be required to stand for election at the first annual meeting of
stockholders of Holdings after the Effective Time and one SmarterKids Director
shall be required to stand for election at the third annual meeting of
stockholders of Holdings after the Effective Time; the persons to serve
initially on the Board of Directors of Holdings at the Effective Time who are
Earlychildhood Directors shall be selected solely by and at the absolute
discretion of Earlychildhood's Management Committee prior to the Effective
Time; the persons to serve initially on the Board of Directors of Holdings at
the Effective Time who are SmarterKids Directors shall be selected solely by
and at the absolute discretion of the Board of Directors of SmarterKids prior
to the Effective Time; and the persons to serve initially on the Board of
Directors of Holdings at the Effective Time who are Independent Directors shall
be mutually agreed upon by Earlychildhood and SmarterKids prior to the
Effective Time. In the event that, prior to the Effective Time, any person so
selected to serve on the Board of Directors of Holdings after the Effective
Time is unable or unwilling to serve in such position, the Management Committee
or Board of Directors which selected such person shall designate another of its
members or another person to serve in such person's stead in accordance with
the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence. The term "Earlychildhood
Director" means any person serving on the Management Committee of
Earlychildhood on the date hereof or any other person so designated who becomes
a Director of Holdings at the Effective Time and any successor director
appointed or elected pursuant to the Bylaws of Holdings; the term "SmarterKids
Director" means any person serving as a Director of SmarterKids on the date
hereof or any other person so designated who becomes a Director of Holdings at
the Effective Time and any successor director appointed or elected pursuant to
the Bylaws of Holdings and the term "Independent Director" means any person who
becomes a Director of Holdings at the Effective Time and is not an employee of
Earlychildhood, SmarterKids or Holdings at any time during the term in which
they serve as an Independent Director, and any successor director appointed or
elected pursuant to the Bylaws of Holdings.

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   (b) Subject to Section 8.5, at the Effective Time, (i) Ronald Elliott, shall
hold the position of Chairman of the Board of Holdings, (ii) Al Noyes, shall
hold the position of Chief Executive Officer of Holdings, (iii) Judy McGuinn
shall hold the position of Chief Operating Officer of Holdings and (iv) Bob
Cahill shall hold the position of Chief Financial Officer of Holdings. If any
of the persons identified in the preceding sentence is unable or unwilling to
hold such offices as set forth above, his successor shall be selected by the
Board of Directors of Holdings in accordance with the Bylaws of Holdings.

   Section 5.23 Name of Holdings. Prior to the Effective Time, Earlychildhood
and SmarterKids shall use reasonable efforts to decide on a new corporate name
for Holdings.

   Section 5.24 Conveyance Taxes. Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall
cooperate in the preparation, execution and filing of all returns,
questionnaires, applications or other documents regarding any real property
transfer or gains, sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer and stamp
taxes, any transfer, recording, registration and other fees or any similar
taxes (together, "Conveyance Taxes") which become payable in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that are required or permitted
to be filed on or before the Effective Time. Earlychildhood shall pay with
respect to the Contribution, and SmarterKids shall pay with respect to the
SmarterKids Merger, without deduction or withholding from any amount payable to
the holders of LLC Interests or SmarterKids Common Stock, as the case may be,
any such Conveyance Taxes imposed by any Governmental Entity (and any penalties
and interest with respect to such Conveyance Taxes), which become payable in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, on behalf of
their stockholders or holders of LLC interests, as the case may be.

   Section 5.25 SmarterKids Minimum Closing Cash. As of the Effective Time,
SmarterKids covenants, agrees and commits that it shall have Cash on Hand (as
defined by GAAP) of not less than $18,000,000 after deducting (a) all of the
fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions
(including, without limitation, (i) attorney, accounting and other professional
fees and expenses incurred in the negotiation and performance of the
Transaction Documents, the preparation, filing and effectiveness of the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement and the consummation of the
Transactions and (ii) all fees of financial advisors incurred in connection
with the Transactions) and (b) all of the fees, costs and expenses incurred or
reasonably likely to be incurred in connection with realizing all contemplated
cost savings resulting from the integration of the businesses (including,
without limitation, costs associated with the integration of the respective
technologies) of Earlychildhood and SmarterKids (the "Minimum Closing Cash").
Prior to the Effective Time, SmarterKids shall provide Earlychildhood with
written verification satisfactory to Earlychildhood evidencing the Minimum
Closing Cash, and Earlychildhood shall have the right to investigate and
confirm the existence thereof in such manner as it deems necessary.

   Section 5.26 Blohm Consulting Agreement. At the Effective Time, Holdings
shall enter into a consulting agreement with David Blohm, substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit N.

                                  ARTICLE VI.

                         CONDITIONS TO THE TRANSACTIONS

   Section 6.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the
Transactions. The respective obligations of each party to this Agreement to
effect the Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver in
writing by each of SmarterKids and Earlychildhood prior to the Effective Time
of the following conditions:

     (a) HSR Act. The waiting period applicable, if any, to the consummation
  of the Transactions under the HSR Act shall have expired or been
  terminated.

     (b) Approvals.  All authorizations, consents, orders or approvals of, or
  declarations or filings with, or expirations of waiting periods imposed by,
  any Governmental Entity (including, without limitation, an SEC order of
  effectiveness with respect to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus) the failure
  of which to file,

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  obtain or occur is reasonably likely to have an Earlychildhood Material
  Adverse Effect, a SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect or a Holdings
  Material Adverse Effect (as defined below) shall have been filed, obtained
  or occurred.

     (c) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have become
  effective under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any stop
  order or proceedings seeking a stop order.

     (d) No Injunctions. No Governmental Entity shall have enacted, issued,
  promulgated, enforced or entered any order, executive order, stay, decree,
  judgment or injunction or statute, rule, regulation which is in effect and
  which has the effect of making the Transactions illegal or otherwise
  prohibiting consummation of the Transactions.

     (e) National Listing or Nasdaq Quotation. The shares of Holdings Common
  Stock to be issued in the Transactions shall have been approved for listing
  on a national securities exchange or for quotation on The Nasdaq Stock
  Market, subject to official notice of issuance.

     (f) Consents Under Earlychildhood Agreements. Earlychildhood shall have
  obtained the consent or approval of any person whose consent or approval
  shall be required under any agreement or instrument in order to permit the
  consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except those of
  which, if not obtained, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have
  (i) an Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect or (ii) a material adverse
  effect on the business, assets, properties, financial condition or results
  of operations of Holdings after giving effect to the Transactions (a
  "Holdings Material Adverse Effect").

     (g) Consents Under SmarterKids Agreements. SmarterKids shall have
  obtained the consent or approval of any person whose consent or approval
  shall be required under any agreement or instrument in order to permit the
  consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except those which,
  if not obtained, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have (i) a
  SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect or (ii) a Holdings Material Adverse
  Effect.

     (h) Corporate Governance. Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall have
  taken all actions necessary so that (i) not later than the Effective Time,
  the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Holdings shall have been
  amended to be substantially in the form of Exhibit E and Exhibit F attached
  hereto; and (ii) at the Effective Time, the composition of the Board of
  Directors of Holdings shall comply with Section 5.20 hereof (assuming
  Earlychildhood has designated the Earlychildhood Directors and SmarterKids
  has designated the SmarterKids Directors, in each case as contemplated by
  Section 5.20(a) hereof).

     (i) Transaction Documents. Each of the Transaction Documents shall have
  been executed by each of the parties thereto and shall be in full force and
  effect and legally binding against the parties thereto and no material
  breach by any party shall have occurred thereunder as of the Closing Date.

   Section 6.2 Additional Conditions to Obligations of Earlychildhood. The
obligation of Earlychildhood to effect the Contribution is subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions prior to the Effective Time,
any of which may be waived in writing exclusively by Earlychildhood:

     (a) Stockholder Approval. This Agreement and the SmarterKids Merger
  shall have been approved in the manner required under the DGCL by the
  holders of the issued and outstanding shares of SmarterKids Common Stock.

     (b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
  of SmarterKids set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of
  the date of this Agreement and (except to the extent such representations
  and warranties speak as of an earlier date) as of the Closing Date as
  though made on and as of the Closing Date, except for, (i) changes
  contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) inaccuracies which, individually or
  in the aggregate, have not had and are not reasonably likely to have a
  SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect or a Holdings Material Adverse Effect
  (without regard to any materiality limitations contained in any such
  representation or warranty), or a material adverse effect upon the
  consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; and Earlychildhood
  shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of SmarterKids by the
  chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of SmarterKids to
  such effect.

                                      A-47
<PAGE>

     (c) Performance of Obligations of SmarterKids. SmarterKids shall have
  performed in all material respects all material obligations required to be
  performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and
  Earlychildhood shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of
  SmarterKids by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer
  of SmarterKids to such effect.

     (d) SmarterKids Material Adverse Effect. No SmarterKids Material Adverse
  Effect or SmarterKids Material Adverse Change shall have occurred since the
  date of this Agreement and be continuing.

     (e) Minimum Closing Cash. SmarterKids shall have Cash on Hand (as
  defined by GAAP) of not less than the amount of the Minimum Closing Cash,
  verified as set forth in Section 5.24.

     (f) Tax Opinion. Earlychildhood shall have received a written opinion
  from Latham & Watkins, counsel to Earlychildhood, to the effect that the
  Contribution will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as a transfer
  of property to Holdings qualifying under Section 351 of the Code (it being
  agreed that Earlychildhood, Holdings and SmarterKids shall provide
  reasonable cooperation, including the delivery of such certifications as
  shall be reasonably requested, to Latham & Watkins to enable it to render
  such opinion).

   Section 6.3 Additional Conditions to Obligations of SmarterKids. The
obligations of SmarterKids to effect the SmarterKids Merger are subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions prior to the Effective Time,
any of which may be waived in writing exclusively by SmarterKids:

     (a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
  of Earlychildhood set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as
  of the date of this Agreement and (except to the extent such
  representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date) as of the
  Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except for, (i)
  changes contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) inaccuracies which,
  individually or in the aggregate, have not had and are not reasonably
  likely to have an Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect or Holdings
  Material Adverse Effect (without regard to any materiality limitations
  contained in any such representation or warranty), or a material adverse
  effect upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; and
  SmarterKids shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of
  Earlychildhood by its chief executive officer or chief financial officer to
  such effect.

     (b) Performance of Obligations of Earlychildhood. Earlychildhood shall
  have performed in all material respects all material obligations required
  to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date;
  and SmarterKids shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of
  Earlychildhood by its chief executive officer or chief financial officer to
  such effect.

     (c) Earlychildhood Material Adverse Effect. No Earlychildhood Material
  Adverse Effect or Earlychildhood Material Adverse Change shall have
  occurred since the date of this Agreement and be continuing.

     (d) Tax Opinion. SmarterKids shall have received a written opinion from
  Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, counsel to SmarterKids, to the effect that the
  SmarterKids Merger will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as a
  reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code or, taken together with the
  Contribution, as a transfer of property to Holdings qualifying under
  Section 351 of the Code (it being agreed that Earlychildhood, Holdings and
  SmarterKids shall provide reasonable cooperation, including the delivery of
  such certifications as shall be reasonably requested, to Testa, Hurwitz &
  Thibeault to enable it to render such opinion).

     (e) Transaction Documents. Earlychildhood shall have duly executed each
  of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and such Transaction
  Documents shall be in full force and effect and legally binding against
  Earlychildhood and no material breach by Earlychildhood shall have occurred
  thereunder as of the Closing Date.

                                      A-48
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VII.

                           TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT

   Section 7.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
to the Effective Time (with respect to Sections 7.1(b) through 7.1(f), by
written notice by the terminating party to the other party), whether before or
after approval of the matters presented in connection with the Transactions by
the stockholders of SmarterKids:

     (a) by mutual written consent of Earlychildhood and SmarterKids; or

     (b) by either Earlychildhood or SmarterKids if the Transactions shall
  not have been consummated by April 30, 2001 (the "Outside Date"); provided,
  however, that if the Transactions shall have not been consummated by the
  Outside Date due to the failure of the condition set forth in Section
  6.1(b), the Outside Date shall be extended to July 31, 2001; and provided,
  further, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this
  Section 7.1(b) shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill
  any obligation under this Agreement has been the cause of or resulted in
  the failure of the Transactions to occur on or before such date; or

     (c) by either Earlychildhood or SmarterKids if a court of competent
  jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity shall have issued a nonappealable
  final order, decree or ruling or taken any other nonappealable final
  action, in each case having the effect of permanently restraining,
  enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Transactions; or

     (d) by Earlychildhood, if, at the SmarterKids Stockholders' Meeting
  (including any adjournment or postponement thereof), the requisite vote of
  the stockholders of SmarterKids in favor of the approval and adoption of
  this Agreement and the SmarterKids Merger shall not have been obtained; or

     (e) by Earlychildhood, if (i) the SmarterKids Board of Directors shall
  have withdrawn or modified in any manner its recommendation that its
  stockholders vote in favor of this Agreement or the SmarterKids Merger;
  (ii) SmarterKids shall have failed to include in the Proxy
  Statement/Prospectus the recommendation of its Board of Directors in favor
  of the approval of this Agreement and the SmarterKids Merger; (iii) after
  the receipt by SmarterKids of an Acquisition Proposal, Earlychildhood
  requests in writing that the SmarterKids Board of Directors reconfirm its
  recommendation of this Agreement and the SmarterKids Merger to the
  stockholders of SmarterKids and the SmarterKids Board of Directors fails to
  do so within ten (10) business days after its receipt of Earlychildhood's
  request; (iv) the SmarterKids Board of Directors or any committee thereof
  shall have approved or recommended to the stockholders of SmarterKids an
  Acquisition Proposal, other than the Transactions; (v) a tender offer or
  exchange offer for 20% or more of the outstanding shares of SmarterKids
  Common Stock is commenced (other than by Earlychildhood or an Affiliate of
  Earlychildhood) and the SmarterKids Board of Directors does not oppose such
  tender or exchange offer; (vi) SmarterKids shall have entered into any
  letter of intent or similar document or any agreement, contract or
  commitment accepting or expressing an intent to accept an Acquisition
  Proposal; or (vii) SmarterKids fails to call and hold the SmarterKids
  Stockholders' Meeting by the Outside Date (provided that Earlychildhood's
  right to terminate this Agreement under this clause (vii) shall not be
  available if at such time SmarterKids would be entitled to terminate this
  Agreement under Section 7.1(f));

     (f) by SmarterKids, prior to the approval by its stockholders of the
  SmarterKids Merger, if (i) the SmarterKids Board of Directors reasonably
  determines in good faith (after consultation with a financial advisor of
  nationally recognized reputation) that (X) the Acquisition Proposal is more
  favorable or is reasonably likely to lead to an Acquisition Proposal that
  is more favorable to the SmarterKids stockholders from a financial point of
  view than the Transactions, and (Y) is made by a Third Party reasonably
  believed by the SmarterKids Board of Directors to be financially capable of
  completing such Acquisition Proposal, and (ii) the SmarterKids Board of
  Directors reasonably determines in good faith (after having consulted with
  and considered the advice of its outside legal counsel) that the failure to
  take such actions would cause the members of the SmarterKids Board of
  Directors to breach their fiduciary duties to the

                                      A-49
<PAGE>

  SmarterKids stockholders under applicable law; provided, that SmarterKids
  shall have given Earlychildhood three (3) business days' notice prior to
  such termination and otherwise complied with the provisions of Section 5.3;
  and, provided further, that such termination shall not be effective until
  the fee specified in Section 7.3(b) has been paid to Earlychildhood; or

     (g) by Earlychildhood or SmarterKids, if there has been a breach of any
  representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of the other
  party set forth in this Agreement, which breach (i) will cause the
  conditions set forth in Section 6.2(b) or (c) (in the case of termination
  by Earlychildhood) or 6.3(a) or (b) (in the case of termination by
  SmarterKids) not to be satisfied, and (ii) shall not have been cured within
  thirty (30) business days following receipt by the breaching party of
  written notice of such breach from the other party.

   Section 7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement as provided in Section 7.1, written notice shall be given to the
other party hereto and this Agreement shall, subject to the provisions of
Section 7.1(f), immediately become void and there shall be no liability or
obligation on the part of Earlychildhood, SmarterKids, Holdings or their
respective officers, directors, members, stockholders or Affiliates, except as
set forth in Sections 5.19 and 7.3 and except that such termination shall not
limit liability for a willful breach of this Agreement; provided that, the
provisions of Sections 5.19 and 7.3 of this Agreement and the Confidentiality
Agreements shall remain in full force and effect and survive any termination of
this Agreement.

   Section 7.3 Fees and Expenses.

   (a) Except as set forth in this Section 7.3, if the Transactions are
terminated, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring
such expenses.

   (b) If this Agreement is terminated by either party pursuant to Section
7.1(g) hereof, then the non-terminating party (the "Breaching Party") shall pay
the Expenses (as defined below) incurred by the non-Breaching Party up to a
maximum of $350,000; provided, however, that if this Agreement is terminated by
SmarterKids pursuant to Section 7.1(g) and, at the time of such termination,
Earlychildhood is permitted to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section
7.1(e), Earlychildhood shall not be required to pay any of SmarterKids'
Expenses pursuant to this Section 7.3(b). As used in this Agreement "Expenses"
shall include all reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including without
limitation, all reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, accountants,
investment bankers, experts and consultants to a party hereto) incurred by a
party or on its behalf in connection with or related to the authorization,
preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the preparation, printing, filing
and mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the solicitation of
stockholder approvals and all other matters related to the transactions
contemplated hereby.

   SmarterKids' payment of the Expenses incurred by Earlychildhood pursuant to
this subsection shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Earlychildhood
against SmarterKids and its directors, officers, employees, agents, advisory or
other representatives with respect to the occurrences giving rise to such
payment, except for liabilities or damages caused by the willful breach of any
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements herein by SmarterKids.
Earlychildhood's payment of the Expenses incurred by SmarterKids pursuant to
this subsection shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of SmarterKids against
Earlychildhood and any of its Subsidiaries and their respective managers,
directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors or other representatives with
respect to the occurrences giving rise to such payment, except for liabilities
or damages caused by the willful breach of any representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements herein by Earlychildhood.

                                      A-50
<PAGE>

   (c) SmarterKids shall pay Earlychildhood a termination fee (the "Termination
Fee") of $1,300,000 (a portion of which may be deemed to include the
reimbursement of Expenses) in cash if any of the following events occurs:

     (i) the termination of this Agreement by Earlychildhood pursuant to
  Section 7.1(d), and (x) at the time of such termination a definitive
  proposal for an Acquisition Proposal has been provided to SmarterKids by a
  Third Party and (y) within twelve (12) months of such termination, either
  SmarterKids shall have entered into a definitive agreement with respect to,
  or consummated, a transaction in connection with such Acquisition Proposal;

     (ii) the termination of this Agreement by SmarterKids pursuant to
  Section 7.1 hereof and at such time Earlychildhood shall have been
  permitted to terminate this Agreement under Section 7.1(e);

     (iii) the termination of this Agreement by Earlychildhood pursuant to
  Section 7.1(e); or

     (iv) the termination of this Agreement by SmarterKids pursuant to
  Section 7.1(f).

   (d) In the event of a termination pursuant to clause (i) above, the
Termination Fee shall be paid upon the earlier of the consummation or entering
into of a definitive agreement for an Acquisition Proposal, and in the event of
a termination pursuant to clause (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, the Termination Fee
shall be paid concurrently with such termination.

   (e) SmarterKids' payment of the Termination Fee pursuant to subsection (b)
above shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Earlychildhood against
SmarterKids and its directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors or other
representatives with respect to the occurrences giving rise to such payment;
provided that this limitation shall not apply in the event of a willful breach
of this Agreement by SmarterKids.

   Section 7.4 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto,
by action taken or authorized by their Management Committee or Board of
Directors, as the case may be, at any time before or after approval of the
matters presented in connection with the SmarterKids Merger by the stockholders
of SmarterKids, but, after any such approval, no amendment shall be made which
by law requires further approval by such stockholders without such further
approval. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.

   Section 7.5 Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, the
parties hereto, by action taken or authorized by their Management Committee or
Board of Directors, as the case may be, may, to the extent legally allowed, (i)
extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of
the other parties hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations
and warranties of the other parties hereto contained herein or in any document
delivered pursuant hereto and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements
or conditions of the other parties hereto contained herein. Any agreement on
the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only
if set forth in a written instrument signed on behalf of such party. Any waiver
or failure to insist on strict compliance with any obligation, covenant,
agreement or condition contained in this Agreement shall not operate as a
waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.

                                      A-51
<PAGE>

                                 ARTICLE VIII.

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

   Section 8.1 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. None
of the representations, warranties and agreements in this Agreement or in any
instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective
Time, except for the agreements contained in Sections 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 2.1, 2.2,
2.4, 2.5, 5.12, 5.15, 5.16, 5.17, 5.18, 5.19, 5.22, 5.24, and this Article
VIII, and the agreements of the Affiliates delivered pursuant to Section 5.13.
The Confidentiality Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement.

   Section 8.2 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied (which
is confirmed) or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address
for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

     (a) if to Earlychildhood, to

         Earlychildhood.com, LLC
         2 Lower Ragsdale Drive
         Suite 200
         Monterey, CA 93940
         Attention: Ronald Elliott
         Telecopy: (831) 771-5587

         with a copy to

         Latham & Watkins
         633 West Fifth Street, Suite 4000
         Los Angeles, CA 90071-2007
         Attention: Jeffrey L. Kateman, Esq.
         Telecopy: (213) 891-8763

     (b) if to SmarterKids, to

         SmarterKids.com, Inc.
         15 Crawford Street
         Needham, MA 02494
         Attention: Robert Cahill
         Telecopy: (781) 449-4887

         with a copy to:

         Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault
         125 High Street Boston, MA 02110
         Attention: Gordon Hayes, Esq.
         Telecopy: (617) 248-7100

                                      A-52
<PAGE>

   Section 8.3 Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
Sections, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless
otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words "include,"
"includes" or "including" are used in this Agreement they shall be deemed to be
followed by the words "without limitation." The phrase "made available" in this
Agreement shall mean that the information referred to has been made available
if requested by the party to whom such information is to be made available. The
phrases "the date of this Agreement", "the date hereof," and terms of similar
import, unless the context otherwise requires, shall be deemed to refer to
November 14, 2000.

   Section 8.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when two or more counterparts have been signed by each
of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all
parties need not sign the same counterpart.

   Section 8.5 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement
and all documents and instruments referred to herein (a) constitute the entire
agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written
and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof, and (b) except as provided in Section 5.19, are not intended to confer
upon any person (including, without limitation, the individuals identified in
Section 5.19 and 5.22) other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies
hereunder; provided that the Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect until the Effective Time. Each party hereto agrees that,
except for the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement,
neither Earlychildhood nor SmarterKids makes any other representations or
warranties, and each hereby disclaims any other representations and warranties
made by itself or any of its officers, directors, managers, members, employees,
agents, financial and legal advisors or other representatives, with respect to
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby, notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to the other or the other's
representatives of any documentation or other information with respect to any
one or more of the foregoing.

   Section 8.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to any
applicable conflicts of law.

   Section 8.7 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties
hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written
consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement
will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties
and their respective successors and assigns.

                            [Signature Page Follows]

                                      A-53
<PAGE>

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Earlychildhood, SmarterKids, Holdings and Merger Sub
have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective duly authorized
officers as of the date first written above.

                                          EARLYCHILDHOOD.COM, LLC

                                                  /s/ Ronald C. Elliott

                                          -------------------------------------
                                          By: Ronald C. Elliott
                                          Its: Chief Executive Officer

                                          SMARTERKIDS.COM, INC.

                                                   /s/ David A. Blohm

                                          -------------------------------------
                                          By: David A. Blohm
                                          Its: Chief Executive Officer

                                          S-E EDUCATIONAL HOLDINGS CORP.

                                                  /s/ Ronald C. Elliott

                                          -------------------------------------
                                          By: Ronald C. Elliott
                                          Its: Chairman of the Board

                                          S-E EDUCATIONAL MERGER CORP.

                                                  /s/ Ronald C. Elliott

                                          -------------------------------------
                                          By: Ronald C. Elliott
                                          Its: Chairman of the Board

                                      A-54
<PAGE>

                                                                       ANNEX A-1

                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                        CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN
                          OF REORGANIZATION AND MERGER

   AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND
MERGER (this "Amendment"), dated as of March 14, 2001, by and among
Earlychildhood LLC (f/k/a Earlychildhood.com), a California limited liability
company ("Earlychildhood"), SmarterKids.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("SmarterKids"), LearningStar Corp. (f/k/a S-E Educational Holdings Corp.), a
Delaware corporation ("LearningStar") and S-E Educational Merger Corp., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of LearningStar ("Merger Sub"). Capitalized terms not
otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Combination
Agreement (as defined below).

                                    RECITALS

   WHEREAS, Earlychildhood, SmarterKids, LearningStar and Merger Sub have
previously entered into that certain Contribution Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization and Merger, dated as of November 14, 2000 (the "Combination
Agreement"); and

   WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend certain provisions of the Combination
Agreement as more fully set forth herein.

   NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this
Amendment and the Combination Agreement, the parties agree as follows:

   1. Amendment of Section 1.2. Section 1.2 of the Combination Agreement is
hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

   "The Contribution. Upon the terms and subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, at the Effective Time, each holder of an outstanding membership
interest in Earlychildhood (such membership interests (other than
Earlychildhood Options (as defined below) and membership interests issuable
upon conversion of Earlychildhood Options) being collectively referred to
herein as the "LLC Interests") shall contribute to Holdings all of the right,
title and interest in and to such holder's entire ownership interest in
Earlychildhood, which ownership interest, in each case, is set forth next to
the name of such person in the Earlychildhood Disclosure Schedule (as defined
in Article III), and in exchange therefor (as described in Section 2.1), (i)
each holder of LLC Interests which is a Class A Member (as defined in that
certain Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Earlychildhood dated as of
May 5, 1999 (the "Operating Agreement") shall be entitled to receive 0.62439
shares of Holdings Common Stock Holdings Common Stock for each .00001% of an
LLC Interest held in such capacity, (ii) each holder of an LLC Interest which
is a Class B Member (as defined in the Operating Agreement) shall be entitled
to receive 0.58476 shares of Holdings Common Stock for each .00001% of an LLC
Interest held in such capacity, and (iii) each holder of an LLC Interest which
is a Class C Member (as defined in the Operating Agreement) shall be entitled
to receive 0.29206 shares of Holdings Common Stock for each .00001% of an LLC
Interest held in such capacity. At the Effective Time, the Operating Agreement
shall be amended and restated to provide that Holdings shall be the sole member
of Earlychildhood, holding a single class of membership interests."

   2. Amendment of Section 1.3. Section 1.3 of the Combination Agreement is
hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

   "The SmarterKids Merger. Earlychildhood and SmarterKids shall cause Holdings
to form Merger Sub under the laws of the State of Delaware. Earlychildhood and
SmarterKids shall cause Holdings to cause Merger Sub to execute and deliver
this Agreement. Upon the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
and in accordance with the DGCL, Merger Sub shall merge with and into
SmarterKids at the Effective Time,

                                     A-1-1
<PAGE>

and each outstanding share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
SmarterKids ("SmarterKids Common Stock") shall be converted into the right to
receive one-eighth of one share of Holdings Common Stock (as described in
Section 2.2(c)). Merger Sub will be formed solely to facilitate the SmarterKids
Merger and will conduct no business or activity other than in connection with
the SmarterKids Merger. The SmarterKids Merger, together with the Contribution,
collectively constitute the "Transactions."

   3. Amendment of Section 2.1. Section 2.1 of the Combination Agreement is
hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

   "Exchange of LLC Interests of Earlychildhood. At the Effective Time, subject
to Section 2.5(e), (i) each .00001% of an LLC Interest then outstanding and
owned by a holder of LLC Interests which is a Class A Member in such capacity
shall, by virtue of the Contribution, be exchanged for 0.62439 shares of
Holdings Common Stock (the "Class A Exchange Ratio"), (ii) each .00001% of an
LLC Interest then outstanding and owned by a holder of LLC Interests which is a
Class B Member in such capacity shall, by virtue of the Contribution, be
exchanged for 0.58476 shares of Holdings Common Stock (the "Class B Exchange
Ratio"), and (iii) each .00001% of an LLC Interest then outstanding and owned
by a holder of LLC Interests which is a Class C Member in such capacity shall,
by virtue of the Contribution, be exchanged for 0.29206 shares of Holdings
Common Stock (the "Class C Exchange Ratio" and, collectively with the Class A
Exchange Ratio and the Class B Exchange Ratio, the "Earlychildhood Exchange
Ratio"). Upon such Contribution, all such LLC Interests shall be transferred in
full, together with all right, title and interest in and to such LLC Interests,
to Holdings and each person who was formerly a holder of an LLC Interest shall
cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the
shares of Holdings Common Stock and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of
Holdings Common Stock to be issued or paid in consideration therefor, without
interest thereon."

   4. Amendment of Section 2.2(c). Section 2.2(c) of the Combination Agreement
is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

   "Exchange Ratio for SmarterKids Common Stock. Subject to Section 2.5(e),
each issued and outstanding share of SmarterKids Common Stock (other than
shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 2.2(b)) shall be converted
into the right to receive one-eighth of one share of Holdings Common Stock (the
"SmarterKids Exchange Ratio"). All such shares of SmarterKids Common Stock,
when so converted, shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be
cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a
certificate representing any such shares shall cease to have any rights with
respect thereto, except the right to receive the shares of Holdings Common
Stock and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Holdings Common Stock to be
issued or paid in consideration therefor, in each case upon the surrender of
such certificate in accordance with Section 2.5 and without interest thereon."

   5. Effect of Amendment. This Amendment is limited as specified and shall not
constitute a modification, acceptance or waiver of any other provision of the
Combination Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
Amendment, the provisions of the Combination Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect.

   6. Binding Commitment. The provisions of this Amendment shall constitute
binding commitments and agreements on the part of the parties hereto,
immediately upon the execution of this Amendment by each of them and shall be
effective as of the date hereof.

   7. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts,
all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become
effective when two or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties
and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need
not sign the same counterpart.

   8. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to any
applicable conflicts of law.

   [Signature Page Follows]

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<PAGE>

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the
date first written above.

                                          EARLYCHILDHOOD LLC

                                          By: /s/ Ronald Elliott
                                            -------------------------------
                                            Name: Ronald Elliott
                                            Title: President and Chief
                                             Executive Officer

                                             SMARTERKIDS.COM, INC.

                                          By: /s/ David Blohm
                                            -------------------------------
                                            Name: David Blohm
                                            Title: President and Chief
                                             Executive Officer

                                             LEARNINGSTAR CORP.

                                          By: /s/ Al Noyes
                                            -------------------------------
                                            Name: Al Noyes
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer

                                             S-E EDUCATIONAL MERGER CORP.

                                          By: /s/ Al Noyes
                                            -------------------------------
                                            Name: Al Noyes
                                            Title: Chief Executive Officer


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