Anyone with a genuine desire to have a positive impact on children’s lives should seriously consider opening a preschool franchise. Research shows that 90% of brain development occurs when the child is 5 years of age. It is the positive experience that the child goes through that helps make connections between the brain cells. The right early education, therefore, can go a long way in aiding brain development. Of course, the rewards you will experience as an educator to see your students thrive will be priceless.

However, several factors must be considered when running a successful preschool franchise. The one critical factor, of course, is the preschool’s location. With the right location, you can be assured that you will attract enough students and have steady enrollment.

Let us look at why location is the most important aspect in determining the success of your playschool and what to keep in mind while making the choice of location.

1. Visibility

It goes without saying that a location with high visibility is critical. That way, it becomes one of your biggest marketing tools since it will naturally attract the attention of parents.

Ensure also that the place is easily accessible since your business requires parents and children to come and go, daily. The state of approach roads, ease of parking, and more are some of the factors that help you score high on the accessibility quotient.

2. Proximity to a Residential area

Long commutes to school are a strict no-no for young children. Preschools should be at an approachable distance so that the commute does not tire them out.

Ensure, therefore, that when making the choice of location, you keep in mind the fact that you are located close to a residential area. That way, parents find it convenient to pick up and drop off their wards. Given their satisfaction levels, they would also tend to recommend the school to others in the vicinity, and you will benefit from the community.

3. Demographics

When choosing a location, you must consider the demographics of the area. For one, you must ensure that the area is populated by young families with school-going children. Failure to consider this factor and setting up a school hypothetically in an area inhabited by a large retiree population, for instance, can prove disastrous.

Additionally, you would want to ensure that the families in the area have the requisite mindset and disposable income to invest in good-quality early childhood education.

4. Safety

A big factor to consider in making the choice of location is safety for students, as that is the most crucial concern of parents. As far as possible, you need to avoid a location that is on a busy road with a lot of traffic. That way you could be compromising the safety of young children. Ideally, a location with a patch of green should be sought.

Ensuring safety features such as CCTV cameras, diligent dispersal techniques, robust visitor management, background checks for employees, and more are not just good to have but must-have features that enhance parent confidence.

5. Space and Infrastructure

While real estate costs can seem prohibitive, the success of your venture demands that you have enough physical space to accommodate both indoor classes and outdoor activities. A well-designed, welcoming play school is half the battle won. Aspects like sanitation and child-friendly infrastructure need to be paid attention to. With young children, you cannot be overcautious when it comes to keeping them safe.

6. Long Term Lease

If you are leasing the space, you need to negotiate a long-term lease. There can be nothing more disheartening than putting in the hard work to make the playschool successful and then having to move out and repeat your efforts.

In drawing up the lease, remember to check that the local regulations allow you to set up a preschool franchise in the property. You do not want to go through all the paperwork only to realize that you cannot legally operate a preschool from the said location.

7. Competition

Last but definitely not least, when conducting your due diligence for space, check to see if there are already any pre-existing playschools running in close proximity. Underserved areas offer you a big advantage, as you can capture a larger share of the market since there is likely to be unmet demand.

To Sum Up

The right location can be the number one factor that can go a long way in making or breaking your business opportunity. Ensuring you evaluate the area from all the perspectives listed above will ensure you are all set to embark on a fulfilling career path. While a location may not score equally high on all the above parameters, you must carefully evaluate the location and ensure that you do not compromise on the basics. For instance, safety and security is one area that you cannot afford to compromise on.

With the right location, you will ensure immediate enrollment and build a positive reputation, setting yourself up for long-term success.

At Footprints Preschool, one of the largest chains of play schools across India, we are looking for passionate individuals keen to make a mark in early childhood education. If positively impacting young lives is your calling, get in touch with us. As long as you are committed to the well-being of young children, we can handhold you through the various steps of the journey. Let us give young children the wings they deserve and be a preferred parenting partner!