How Do I Start My Own Preschool

The first few years of a child are the most impressionable ones. Educationists believe that almost 90 percent of a child’s brain development has occurred till the age of seven. This is the reason preschool education plays a vital role in the initial years of a child’s education. Currently, there is only a mere 10 percent penetration of edupreneurs into preschool market as compared to that in developed countries where there is a reported 90 to 100 percent market spread.

There is a dearth of good market players due a huge gap in investments and a long gestation period in returns.

Be clear, be honest
If you are willing to invest in the preschool business, it is better that you be clear about the moral obligation it holds to parents and young children. Owing to the huge responsibility that it entails, be very clear that while you may not get instant returns on investments, the sense of satisfaction and fulfillment can be immense. Also, preschool owners are responsible for creating many good memories in these initial years of learning; both for parents and children alike. Once you have made up your mind about the long term endeavor, you can look at the other important aspects of getting into business.

Meticulous planning
Start from ensuring that you have land to build a school, or atleast land that is leased to you for a long duration. Alternatively, you could lease out a build-in school from an organization that is willing to invest into educational business. You should have enough liquid cash to equip the school with a reasonable infrastructure. Parents expect a preschool to have the right kind of toys, fitness equipment, reading room equipped with books, transport for safe pick and drop of children, trained and trustworthy manpower, etc .

Educational set-up
A robust and well tested learning system should be in place. You could look at pre-existing models which provide franchisee model and the facility of a regular enhancement and continuous curriculum support; or you could design your own curriculum, on the basis of set methodologies like Paige and Maria Montessori that have been known to have pioneered the preschool learning in the west. It is also a good idea to find out about various licenses or requirements to register a company or name of the preschool, under which you intent to run the educational facility. Keep in mind regular running expenses, the running fees and other trends in daycare or recreational facilities after the day.

Manpower planning
Teaching staff and manpower planning is a very important requirement of a preschool. Remember that the first impression about a playschool or preschool facility comes from the teacher. You will need to find comparatively well educated and warm and friendly working staff. The working class of maids and drivers must have had police verification and should be trust worthy with children. Also, maintain a file of prospective workforce because the attrition rate in this group of workers is high.

Other basic requirements
Ensure that your facility has child friendly toilets and is free of accidents. For example, have a facility on one floor and avoid the system of having multiple floors. The fire systems must be put in place and vehicles should be on check regularly. If need be, encourage the use of GPS in your vehicles. Ensure there is a doctor on panel which can be called in case of emergency.