Preschool Franchise is not a Business Model, it is a Crime
Gray, authoritative figure of Anatomy says that ‘Dissection is the best form of learning’. So, entire discussion of ‘Preschool Franchise Business Model’ has been dissected through several angles and thus, it has been discussed under several heads.
Introduction to Preschool Franchise Business Model –
Presently in Education business (and more-so in Preschool) one tends to hear ‘Franchising / Franchise’ more than ‘Entrepreneurship’ or ‘Enterprising’.
Franchising / Franchise as a method of doing business and administration, dates long back to 1600 AD, and like many other formats of doing business and conducting administration, was brought in India by British.
Franchising in India is predominantly found in Education Sector, however as a business format, is also prevalent in various sectors like Food and Beverage, Hotel Chains, Automobile, Medical and Pharmacy, Textile, Manufacturing and others.
Define Franchising …
Franchise / Franchising is generally identified by the format of agreement ‘as such’ entered into, and other covenants like Franchise Fee, License Fee, Royalty, and Revenue Share. Person who holds right over specific brand name / trade mark, grants the right to use it to others, is called ‘Franchiser’ and other person thus taking the rights to use such brand name, trade mark or process, is called ‘Franchisee’.
Simplest definition of Franchising is “replicating success”. Franchising connotes to the format of doing business whereby one transfers or shares his own right to do, already established and successful business under particular brand name, standardized business format, by commanding Franchise Fee, Royalty and other charges to any other person or business for a predefined term and territory.
There are no specific Acts or legislation in India to regulate Franchising.
Absence of such Franchise Act or direct Franchise legislation, has also contributed heavily into this ‘vicious cycle of cheating’ (Preschool Franchising is Vicious Cycle of Cheating).
Franchising should have been ‘Relationship-ising’, but in India ‘Preschool Franchising’ has become vicious cycle of Fraud and Cheating!
Understanding Preschool Franchise Business Model –
In Education Sector franchising is used in Preschool, School, Vocational education, Skill Development Education, IT education, Management education, Entrance Test Preparation. Franchising is also used in Online Education / E-Learning.
The big question is whether franchising has contributed positively into development of such education sectors or into increasing satisfaction of end consumers?
Challenges faced by Education Sector are –
1. Curriculum,
2. Trained Manpower,
3. Industry integration,
4. Delivery methodology and platform,
5. Intention and motivation of educational entrepreneurs and leaders.
We see that the biggest challenge being faced by education sector is “People” and not “Process”, franchising formats being practiced as of now in no way addresses that issue.
The end consumer of educational products in India is still uninformed or poorly informed, ignorant of various issues involved into education, little exposure to media, unemployed and from smaller towns and cities.
As a nation we are still lacking entrepreneurship, so obviously, education sector also has far less entrepreneurs.
Under such situation coupled with already poor law and order situation and absence of Franchise Act, “Preschool Franchise” has become a great tool to exploit end consumers as well as intermediaries, at the hands of those who have entered into Franchised Education Sector.
Sad state of franchised education sector could be gauged from the fact that in India there is no standard format of proposal or offerings to be shared with the prospective franchisees.
Now, let us pick up the terms being used by Preschool Franchisers to lure gullible prospective franchisee into the criminal cobweb of Preschool Franchise, and understand the fact along with each term –
(These terms are used by Franchise Sales Managers and also mentioned in Franchiser’s brochures / sales prospectus)
1. Reputed Brand
2. Quality Training
3. Standardized Business Model
4. Established Business Model
5. Business Know-how’s
6. Reality testing about the Quality of CEOs and Managers of these Preschool Franchisers
7. Continuous Support
8. Long Term Contract / Associations
9. Low Royalty
10. Sales & Marketing Support
11. Economy of Scale
12. Unique Business Model
13. No need to market the Brand
14. Well-known brand
15. Have been successfully running for last so many years
16. Materials, Toys and Equipment
17. Trainer
18. Marketing Materials
19. Just, the local awareness is required
20. Standardised and Fixed Interior Decoration and Design
21. “Sameness” throughout the Network
22. Part of a big corporate / large company
Before understanding and doing in-depth analysis of above mentioned 22 phrases, let’s understand the term “Preschool Franchise”.
Very naturally the phrase “Preschool Franchise” consists of two words –
First, Preschool;
Second, Franchise.
Preschool : The Definition
We will not enter into the definition side of “Preschool” from the Academic Road, but from the Business Road.
Preschool in India is referred to the place which conducts Academic & Non-Academic Programs for the children belonging to age group of One and Half Year to Five and Half Year.
As a matter of fact (some points are good, whereas some are bad or even worse) Preschool business in India has below mentioned signifying points:
1. No Legal Formalities
2. Requires Low Investment
3. Generally started by people who have vacant space, which in general nobody would be willing to take on rent, or it will become riskier for the owner to give it on rent (India is a dangerous place…just joking)
4. Most of the BIG (Plus Two Schools) Schools have started it.
5. Preschools, in certain areas could only be started at such earmarked place.
6. Most of the Preschool Teachers, those who are married and have somewhat sound savings, dreams of starting Preschool.
7. Preschool business is thought to be the safest business.
8. Preschool Business is considered to have lowest Break Even Point.
9. Most of the Preschool Operators / Owners, considers only Marketing as KEY and Important thing to be done.
10. Most of the Preschool Customers still think that Preschool Operators / Owners are highly Unprofessional and mainly do not know anything about Preschool Education.
11. Most of the Preschool Operators / Owners think that Preschool is a robust Show Business (even more than Hotel Business).
Preschool Franchisers thinks Franchising of Preschool is the easiest way to proverbially “Mint Money”.
Preschools in India can boast (???) to have the least paid staff in comparison with all other work / Industry (read our cause status in this respect here – click here) .
Franchise : The Definition
The only one way to enter into the definition side of “Franchise” is from the Business Road.
Franchised Education Industry in India has below mentioned signifying points:
1. Preschool Education Industry in India is having the maximum number of Franchisers.
2. Unlike any other Business in India, Preschool Franchisers generally come from small / medium investment capacity.
3. Just like MLM / Ponzi scheme, “Franchise” is also dreadful word among Investors / Business Community, but most of them considering ‘Quick’ Money enters into it.
4. Unlike other Franchise Business, Franchised Education Business in India attracts maximum number of Franchise from zero i.e. NO background of such business or any business.
5. Franchising, in India is considered to be the way (in certain cases, the only possible way) to become an Entrepreneur.
India, again, can boast to be a business place to have the least number of Legal Dispute between Franchisee and Franchiser.
India is a proud place to have maximum number of Criminal Cases between Husband and Wife (among all democratic nations of the world). God save Indian Families…
Why such disparity??? (so many husband and wife are filing cases over each other, but NOT a single case over Franchiser )
In simple terms, Franchise means ‘to transfer the right to use or carry on the business, having unique Product / Service Delivery or Manufacturing Process, using some proprietary mark. (™by Rewati Raman Vishewar).
For example, in case of IT Education & Spoken English Education, such uniqueness might be the Book / Curricular Material / Right to use software. In case of, Preschool Education such uniqueness might be the Book / Curricular Material / Specialized Toys etc.
Preschool Franchise : The Definitive Phrase or Oxymoron?
We hope that the readers must have understood in clear parlance and clearer sense, that the phrase “Preschool Franchise”, to satisfy its existence, Preschool Franchisers must have something unique, which nobody else would possess.
Let us now start dissecting, the above mentioned Twenty Two phrases, generally found in Sales Prospectus of Preschool Franchisers.
1. Reputed Brand –
Here, we will not get into the various definitions and elements of Branding and brand, because that cannot be covered even in 1000 pages. One of the Greatest Advertising and Marketing Guru, David Ogilvy’s definition of a Brand is: “The intangible sum of a product’s attributes: its name, packaging, and price, its history, its reputation, and the way it’s advertised.”
We think, the above mentioned definition of Brand encapsulates lot many aspects and gives a clearer picture about the word – ‘Brand’.
Generally, the prospective Franchisee thinks ‘Reputed Brand’, as something which will generate Quick and large Number of Admissions into his/her Preschool.
But, which Preschool Franchiser in India guarantees about number of admissions / revenue?
And, even if some guarantees, is having enough admissions in One Academic Year, a sufficient thing.
“Board outside is NOT equal to admissions and Revenue inside”.
2. Quality Training –
Quality Training into the Preschool education Scenario would require these:
1. Appropriate and Good Preschool Curriculum / Play School Curriculum
2. Appropriate Methodology to Train Teachers over such Curriculum
3. Quality and Dedicated Trainer
If you are a prospective Franchisee then you will easily see Big Question mark on Preschool Franchisers regarding above mentioned parameters.
Presently it is also very easy to know about Academic managers / Sales Managers of such Preschool Franchisers, you just need to go to LinkedIn.Com (professionals website), Facebook.Com and Google.Com.
A. Google the name of Academic managers / Sales Managers and see that how many online / web footprints such managers have on the web.
B. Go to LinkedIn.Com, get connected with that Academic managers / Sales Managers and watch his past / present performances, read article and posts published by him/her and see whether his/her performances are going to help you in your business.
C. Go to Facebook.Com, get connected with that Academic managers / Sales Managers and see whether he/she is connected with other Franchisee.
D. Checking online / web footprints of Academic managers / Sales Managers will ensure you about their behaviour / character.
Who runs away from ‘transparency’? Only cheaters and fraudsters.
That’s why you will easily notice that all of these Academic managers / Sales Managers are completely absent from entire social media and complete web. You will easily notice that even CEOs of such companies offering Preschool Franchise is completely absent from entire social media and complete web.
That’s why we always suggest – ‘Save yourself from useless Preschool Franchise Business Model’. ‘Preschool Franchising is vicious cycle of cheating’.
3. Standardized Business Model –
Although several necessary elements are needed to run and manage a proper preschool, Preschool Business is one of the easiest formats of business to be carried out.
Each elements of a preschool needs to be of a particular standard, so as to deliver a proper Education.
But, is standardization only limited to Toys and Equipment, Fee Structure, Look / Design of the Preschool / Play School? No.
Most importantly standardization should mean exact same standard of Curriculum, Teacher, Training, Assessment and Education.
By showing similar Toys and Equipment, Fee Structure, Look / Design of the Preschool, these Preschool Franchisers are showing that they will have similar things, and NOT ‘STANDARDIZED’.
These preschool franchisers are in fact lying when they say that they are having that ‘Standardized Business Model’. Preschool Franchise Business Models don’t have anything per say ‘Standardized’.
4. Established Business Model –
Firstly, please note that ‘Standardized Business Model’ and ‘Established Business Model’ are two completely different terms.
Preschools have been around since 1800. Since then, due to continuous research in this domain, preschools are continuously changing its form i.e. Curriculum.
As of now, ‘Preschool as a whole’ is entirely established EDUCATION model.
So, Preschool as a whole are established education model.
And, these preschool franchisers are in fact lying when they say that they are having ‘Established Business Model’.
What these preschool franchisers mean when they say that they are having ‘Established Business Model’? Do they mean that excluding their preschools none other preschool could run properly?
If you are discussing with one of these preschool franchisers then do ask them about “What makes them an established business model?” You will immediately realise their fraud and cheat behaviour.
5. Business know how’s –
Sharing “Business know how’s” means sharing ‘a to z things’ relating to business.
Preschool business is an Education business and only one know how’s this has is Education i.e. Curriculum.
Businesses know how’s into the Preschool education Scenario would require enabling Curriculum and enabling Curriculum would require these (these points are also discussed above):
1. Appropriate and Good Preschool Curriculum / Play School Curriculum
2. Appropriate Methodology to Train Teachers over such Curriculum
3. Quality and Dedicated Trainer
If you are a prospective Franchisee then you will easily see Big Question mark on Preschool Franchisers regarding above mentioned parameters.
Presently it is also very easy to know about Academic managers / Sales Managers of such Preschool Franchisers, you just need to go to LinkedIn.Com (professionals website), Facebook.Com and Google.Com. Read More about it here – Click Here.
6. Reality testing about the Quality of CEOs and Managers of these Preschool Franchisers –
Each elements of Preschool Business be it running preschool, maintenance and set up of a Preschool, daily nitty-gritties, and all such things essentially requires the Preschool Franchiser to have talented manpower, especially those who is in direct contact with the Franchisee.
We would suggest you to check about the CEOs and Managers of these Preschool Franchisers. You may follow these points to check about the quality of CEOs and Managers of these Preschool Franchisers – Click Here.
You will also note that all of these Preschool Franchisers are having Manager / Coordinator / CEOs who are capable of ‘Selling’ Franchise to Prospects and NOT of Supporting Franchisees / Entrepreneurs.
7. Continuous Support –
Setting up of Preschool is over with setting up with furniture, fixtures and some other civil works.
So, “Continuous Support” in case of Preschool would only be in relation to delivery of Preschool Education i.e. Preschool Curriculum.
There is no hiding fact that those who do not find job anywhere else comes to preschools to work as teacher. Those teacher who are better sales person than teacher, goes on to be promoted to become Admission Counsellor or Principal or Center Head.
Thus, “Continuous Support” in Preschool business would require enabling Curriculum and enabling Curriculum would require these (these points are also discussed above):
1. Appropriate and Good Preschool Curriculum / Play School Curriculum
2. Appropriate Methodology to Train Teachers over such Curriculum
3. Quality and Dedicated Trainer
Doing reality testing on above mentioned three points, one may easily decipher that none of Preschool Franchiser would be able to provide any “Continuous Support”. To Read More about Reality testing of CEOs and Managers of Preschool Franchiser – Click Here.
8. Long term contract / associations –
Preschool requires assistance in terms of Manpower, Training, Materials, Sales and Marketing support and others.
We suggest that the prospective Preschool Franchisee shall always consider “the REAL Support being received” and not only “the Contract / Associations on paper”.
One most highlighting point you will note about all such Preschool Franchisers is that although they have nothing to offer, but then ever they charge huge upfront franchise fee on a yearly basis.
Worst aspect of all such payment being made to Preschool Franchiser is that the ‘Vicious cycle’ of ‘cheat and fraud’ starts with this.
Having made such huge upfront payment to the Preschool Franchiser, very quickly Preschool Franchisee realizes that he/she has been made a great fool. Now, this fooling/cheating cycle must go on. So, preschool franchisee charges huge Fee from gullible parents. Not only this, these already cheated preschool franchisee also starts cutting various required expenses like Stationery, Salary, Safety, Security etc so as to maximize their profits.
That’s why we say “Preschool Franchising is vicious cycle of cheating”.
If you are the one who have already entered into such cheat and fraud business of Preschool Franchise, then we strongly suggest you to immediately remove their boards and be on your own. By doing this you will also realise that all parents came to your preschool because of availability (you preschool being there on location) and NOT because of carrying any particular ‘name’.
9. Low Royalty –
What all services a Preschool Franchiser provides to Preschool Franchisee?
Even by going through just some points mentioned above, you must have understood that none of the Preschool Franchiser is providing anything worthwhile.
But, for the sake of argument, let us accept what these Preschool Franchiser claim, that they provide ‘know how’s and continuous support’.
Now, what could be the ‘Charge’ of such services being received by the Preschool Franchisee?
To have precise answer, let’s simplify the heading of services being received by Preschool Franchisee. The services received by Preschool Franchisee is “know how’s” to do / carry out a particular business.
You want to start a small plastic factory of manufacturing small plastic toys, what should SIDBI charge you? Be mindful of the fact that SIDBI will also provide you the complete know how’s, help you in procuring machine and materials, help you in establishing contact with dealers and several other ancillary help. As an industry practice it is taken to be a standardized practice that ‘know how’s cost’ should never exceed 1% to 2.5% of total project cost or annual revenue, depending upon nature of business.
But, such Preschool Franchisers are charging on an average a Royalty of 20% (adding tax it comes to 25%).
Product cost of any FMCG goods are less than 40% and never more than 40%.
Now you must see for yourself, complete ‘soap’ is being manufactured at less than 40% of MRP, and you are paying 25% for getting ‘NOTHING’.
The reason that we are in huge pain because of such things is that, this entire useless cost is directly transferred to the gullible parents. (As we had already told you, “Preschool Franchising is a vicious cycle of cheating”).
The one learning which you must carry is that Preschool Franchisers are uselessly charging VERY HIGH ROYALTY. (Justifications of our statement have already been made).
Any ‘Royalty’ payment should be as per below mentioned chart –
1. Upfront payment (like Franchise Fee) should be only ONE TIME payment and must be in range of 1% to 4.67% of total Project Cost.
2. Monthly payment (like Royalty) may be a Monthly component and must be in range of 1% to 2.67% of total Monthly Revenue.
3. If there is ‘REAL’ Continuous Support coming in (not just on papers) then ever Monthly payment (like Royalty) should never exceed 2.67% of total Monthly Revenue.
4. If there is ‘NO’ Continuous Support coming in, then Monthly payment (like Royalty) should never exceed 1.27% of total Monthly Revenue.
10. Sales and Marketing Support –
Preschool might need one or more of such Sales and Marketing support as follows – Pamphlets, Hoarding, Wall Painting, Banners, Candles, News Papers Advertisements, Van Display.
However, the most important of all types of Marketing Support, is the Counsellor Training, which is in fact ‘SALES’ Training.
But, are these things required to such a great extent that some Preschool would need to take franchise of Preschool offerings?
Important elements to Market a Preschool are as follows:
1. Location – Parents would take admission only on the basis of comfort in commuting; so ‘Location’ is the key thing.
2. High Quality Curriculum – High quality Curriculum is in itself a great marketing tool. That’s why we say – “Quality Inside is Equal to Queue Outside”.
3. Some Local Marketing plans – Any preschool doesn’t need admission from across India. Each preschool has a very small catchment area and so marketing requires just small effort in very small area.
11. Economy of Scale –
The Concept of “Economy of Scale” has in fact, NO role to play into Franchising of Preschool.
Toys and Equipment required at Preschool being supplied by Preschool Franchisers are priced at higher than ‘normal rate’ than it is available from other dealers or directly from the manufacturers (One must also note that most of such toys and equipment are NOT that much required in present days).
Bags, diaries, notebooks, belts etc are also some materials which is jointly ‘procured’ by Preschool Franchisers and ‘sold’ to Preschool Franchisee. But, even all these items are priced at approximately double rate in comparison to normal market rate.
Rates of such so-called ‘Admission Kit’, ‘Welcome Kit’, ‘Curriculum Kit’ are priced in such a manner that it adds another 5% to 15% to ‘Royalty’. (Most of the Preschool Franchisee is also confused about this, that parents take admission only because of such Bag, Cap, T-shirts type kit items).
Thus, concept of “Economy of Scale” in NO way contributes to the welfare of Preschool, Franchisee or Parents.
The one and only “Economy of Scale”, which is being brought by Preschool Franchisers is ‘ability to commit crime on a large scale in an unfettered manner and in the process turn it into a vicious cycle’.
12. Unique Business Model –
When Preschool Franchiser says UNIQUE Business Model, then one just needs to scratch a bit to see the noticeable truth …
In any Education business the uniqueness naturally has to be related to Education, so it could be UNIQUE Teaching Methodology, UNIQUE Curriculum, and UNIQUE System to Train Teachers.
One may easily notice that NONE of the Preschool Franchiser has anything even remotely UNIQUE connected to Education.
13. No need to Market the Brand –
Preschool seeks students from vicinity i.e. immediate neighbourhood only.
Let us revise the ‘Sales and Marketing’ required to ‘Market’ any Preschool:
Important elements to Market a Preschool are as follows:
1. Location – Parents would take admission only on the basis of comfort in commuting; so ‘Location’ is the key thing.
2. High Quality Curriculum – High quality Curriculum is in itself a great marketing tool. That’s why we say – “Quality Inside is Equal to Queue Outside”.
3. Some Local Marketing plans – Any preschool doesn’t need admission from across India. Each preschool has a very small catchment area and so marketing requires just small effort in very small area.
Excluding above mentioned points, Preschools DO NOT require anything else to ‘Market’ itself.
Preschools are NOT some RETAIL concept (like Rice, Pulse shops, Cloths, Shoes, IT Hardware shops etc), so whatever happens in any Preschool is directly proportional to only LOCAL (for that preschool) efforts. Thus, whatever may the case ‘Marketing’ of ‘Brand’ is always required in the local area.
14. Well-Known Brand –
One must not confuse the phrase ‘well-known name’ with ‘well-known brand’. Even a local Kirana Shop is generally ‘well-known name’.
Firstly let us see some of the attributes a ‘name’ must carry to become a ‘well-known brand’.
A well-known brand will be ‘transparent’,’ honest’, ‘courageous’, ‘empathetic’ and ‘compassionate’.
A ‘name’ to become a ‘well-known brand’ must provide accessibility of information regarding its business practices, deals and other transaction and delivery related things.
None of the Preschool Franchisers are ‘transparent’ and ‘honest’ in their business dealings.
15. Have been successfully running for last so many years –
Some MLM and Ponzi scheme ran for more than 40 years, does that justify their presence or modus operandi?
‘Success’ is always measured in terms of ‘objective’.
Objective of preschool should be good ‘Preschool Education’, and good preschool education is achieved through good ‘Preschool Curriculum’.
Now, these Preschool Franchisers, when they DO NOT have proper Curriculum, proper Trainer, how can they claim that they are ‘successfully running’ their show.
They might be in existence for many years or even decades, but they are NOT successful.
Preschool Franchisers are ‘running’ due to ignorance of Preschool Franchisee, ignorance of gullible parents, ignorance of investors, but these Preschool Franchisers are NOT ‘successfully running’.
16. Materials, Toys and Equipment –
These Preschool Franchisers will claim in their prospecting meeting that they are providing you with properly sorted Toys and other materials at best available rates.
Whereas, the truth is completely opposite :
All such Materials, Toys and Equipment, if procured from other suppliers / distributors / manufacturers will be available at lesser rate by at least 30% to 50%.
Many Materials, Toys and Equipment, might not be required and is just ‘pushed’ to you so that Preschool Franchiser will earn extra money.
Many such Materials, Toys and Equipment are NOT at all synced to the daily routine, etc.
Many such Materials, Toys and Equipment would be poor in quality in comparison to other available substitutes.
17. Trainer –
Most of the Preschools face huge problem about teachers. Since, most of preschool teachers in India come from little or no background of ‘Early Childhood Care and Education Training’.
Each elements of Preschool Business be it running preschool, maintenance and set up of a Preschool, daily nitty-gritties, and all such things essentially requires good Teacher.
Teachers are not good and you do not have any other alternative, so naturally you need to have good trainers to train your teachers.
But, you will be able to immediately understand that even Preschool Franchiser has very poor team. None of the Preschool Franchiser has any proper ‘Trainer’.
Presently it is very easy to know about Academic Trainers / Academic Managers / Sales Managers of such Preschool Franchisers, you just need to go to LinkedIn.Com (professionals website), Facebook.Com and Google.Com.
By enquiring just be a bit, you will easily see Big Question mark on Preschool Franchisers regarding above mentioned parameters.
We would suggest you to check about the CEOs and Managers of these Preschool Franchisers. You may follow these points to check about the quality of CEOs and Managers of these Preschool Franchisers – Click Here.
Out of excessive greed, all such Preschool Franchisers pays a very low salary to their Team and thus they have very poor team.
The quality of Trainer, who is going to train your Teachers, is the most essential element you should always look for. Poor trained Teachers will perform poorly.
18. Marketing Materials –
Under the head – “Sales and Marketing Support”, we have discussed about marketing preschools.
Preschool Franchiser presents this point as one of their key USP: “We will supply you with Free Marketing Materials”.
You are strongly suggested to go through the head – “Sales and Marketing Support” to know the reality about ‘marketing preschools’. And, also see below mentioned points:
1. Enquire about rates of Pamphlets, Brochures, Banners etc from your local printer (or from printer in your nearest city), thus you will be able to calculate the total monetary expenses being incurred by Preschool Franchiser in the name of marketing materials.
2. Each area requires different type of marketing materials.
3. We suggest you to compare the Franchise Fee, Royalty, Admission Kit and Toys & Materials cost being charged from you, against the Cost of Marketing Materials being incurred by the Preschool Franchiser. You will notice that Cost of Marketing Materials is insignificant in comparison to the charges being paid by you under the head of the Franchise Fee, Royalty, and Toys & Materials.
19. Just, the local awareness is required –
You are strongly suggested to go through the head – “Sales and Marketing Support” to know the reality about ‘marketing preschools’.
Preschool needs admissions only from their immediate neighbourhood. So, only Local Marketing is required in case of any Preschool.
Whether, it is ABC Preschool or XYZ Preschool, only local awareness is required to be spread to seek admission.
To seek admission in a Preschool in Jhumri Tilaiya, do we need to advertise in Mumbai? No, we just need to spread awareness in local area i.e. do local marketing.
With this statement – “Just, the local awareness is required”, Preschool Franchisers will also tell you an additional lie, that – “Our Brand is already popular in such and such area, and now only Local Awareness would be required”. Truth is, be it good preschool or bad preschool, in any case only Local Awareness is required. Any Preschool attracts students from vicinity, so in all cases, only Local Awareness is required.
20. Standardised and Fixed Interior Decoration and Design –
In fact, having a fixed design of preschool is a big negative for the child, it shall always be avoided.
Everybody knows that the child gets bored with things very soon, so having fixed design, we will make the preschool a huge boring place for the child.
Thus, any ‘Standardised and Fixed Interior Decoration and Design’ being suggested by the Preschool Franchiser is a big no-no.
Preschool is a place for the CHILD and NOT for the Parents.
We should always endeavor to make Preschool an interesting place for the child.
These Preschool Franchisers are providing a design which is not at all appropriate for the child.
Preschool shall do everything from the child’s perspective. Interior design ideas having relevance for the Child, makes preschool beautiful and good to see, for the child.
Preschool Franchisers provides with Fixed Designs. The child gets bored from such fixed designs very soon.
Design provided by Preschool Franchisers is something which could be fancy, glamorous, and good to see for parents but holds no relevance with kids.
21. “Sameness” throughout the Network –
Preschool is a place for the CHILD. Such “Sameness” is not going to help child in any manner.
“Sameness” as a concept is being used by RETAIL shops to increase the ‘recall value’. Preschool is NOT a retail shop; it’s an entertainment paradise for the child.
Remember that you are starting an ‘Education’ Business not a ‘Retail’ Business, so “Sameness throughout the Network” shall not attract you towards Preschool Franchiser.
22. Part of a big corporate / large company –
Greed has no bounds!
Myriads of people and organization have started offering Preschool Franchise; see the Partial list of type of people having started Preschool Franchise here – Click Here.
There are several Preschool Franchisers who would try to enforce and exert their power through such statement – we are part of big corporate / we are part of large company.
Point is, what difference does it make to that particular ‘Preschool Franchise Model’ being a part of big corporate?
Being part of a large company doesn’t make any difference to that particular ‘Preschool Franchise Model’.
How does this association going to help your ‘CHILD’ at your ‘Preschool’?
How does this association going to help you Preschool at your specific geographical ‘location’?
How does this association going to help the EXACT PRESCHOOL PROJECT for which you are going to seek franchise?
Do not get swayed by out of place statements by the Preschool Franchiser.
What contribution would a big Book Publisher make into any Preschool Franchise Business Model? –
We know it would be nothing.
What contribution would a big TV company make into any Preschool Franchise Business Model? –
We know it would be nothing.
What contribution would a big Real Estate company make into any Preschool Franchise Business Model? –
We know it would be nothing.
What contribution would a big Bank make into any Preschool Franchise Business Model? –
We know it would be nothing.
Preschool is an ‘EDUCATION’ concept; it needs EDUCATIONISTS, and no one else.
Preschool Franchise Business Model is the Vicious Cycle of Fraud and Cheating –
Preschool Franchise Business Model is synonymous to ‘smart cheating’, and this done by carefully utilizing the business & legal tools available.
Preschool Franchising gives birth to a ‘vicious cycle of cheating’.
Most Preschool Franchiser, having instituted themselves as Corporate / Company / Trust / Professional Entity, and in the garb of Franchising, simply starts the vicious cycle of cheating.
Preschool franchise Business Model is not contributing to the most essential element i.e “Quality of Education”.
Everybody knows that India is lacking Entrepreneurial skills and attitude, and Franchising in Preschool Industry, instead of promoting ‘Entrepreneur’ is basically killing both – Entrepreneur and Education.
From the moment a prospective franchisee gets into contact with the respective franchiser, a vicious cycle of misrepresentation and fraud is started, which ends with the unknown and known sufferings of end consumer of such educational products.
How this cheating cycle becomes vicious –
Sales Brochure is the main selling tool used by Franchisers, which generally contains exaggerated numbers, hideous truths, fictional narratives, all presented in ‘sugar coated’ format. Several investors having heavily invested into such offerings see no way out for themselves. So, starts extending the same poor things to parents but at very high fee.
Investors being based out of their native place also have to fight for two things – save their investment and make the business successful to save their ‘Izzat’ (an Indian psyche that failed entrepreneurs will attract heavy disrespect).
’Cognitive Dissonance’ starts engulfing investors and in turn they also push the wheel of misrepresentation and fraud further to customer and end consumer. Poor educational products are delivered to gullible parents and the end consumer (i.e. Child) pays a heavy price in form of spoiled years, failed careers and unproductive youth and childhood.
In present time flagrant abuse of law is made, both by Preschool franchisers and Preschool franchisees.
Since, franchising helps in immediately increasing on the numbers of both ‘franchised centers’ and ‘end consumers’ and India being a nation having respect for ‘bigger the better’ , the more successful a preschool franchiser becomes, the more end consumer becomes vulnerable to exploitation.
Change is on the way … –
There are times one may ask this question as to “Why ‘Preschool For Child Rights’ is doing so much discussion on Preschool Franchise Business Model?
Answer is simple – In a democracy governed by the rule of law, any change can be brought about only through the process of law. That’s why we have started all these discussion on ‘Preschool Franchise Business Model’.
India is a country which lacks Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurship skills, also, India has very high rate of unemployment, un-employability and poor educational standards. That’s why many Entrepreneurs always wonder whether it is hard to Start Own Branded and Professionally Managed Preschool?
Although ‘Preschool Business is a simple thing’, only thing which is required to be done is to have a proper Preschool Curriculum; but, our answer is “Do not try to fit square peg in a round whole”. If preschool business is NOT for you then DO NOT enter into it. Being a Preschool Entrepreneur is a very important JOB that you are planning to take-up, one wrong step and you will fall flat on your face, also you will never be able to know why you failed or why you become a thug (cheater/fraudster).
Let us continue with our discussion about changes being coming in Preschool industry … –
Poor quality practiced by these Preschool Franchisers are impacting on such large scale that even Government of India, several High Courts, Civil societies are awakened to this reality and changes required to save Early Childhood Education are being discussed.
Now, all Preschool Franchisers are getting wary and have started feeling the heat, because, recently several states of India has introduced ‘Play School Laws’ / ‘Preschool Laws’, regarding Preschool Education and Preschool Curriculum.
Most of the Preschool Franchisers and Preschool Franchise Offers will now be forced to shut down their ‘cheat and fraud’ shop as India is awakening to ‘Play School Laws‘ / ‘Preschool Laws‘.
To know more about ‘Play School Laws‘ / ‘Preschool Laws‘, visit this page – Click Here.
Proper Early Childhood Care and Education Curriculum / Preschool Curriculum –
Preschool is a place where Education and Learning is delivered, and the greatest woe is that none ‘Preschool Franchise Opportunities’ has even this most basic element – the Preschool Curriculum.
The one and most important thing around which each aspect of preschool revolves is the Curriculum and this is entirely missing from individual Preschools, Preschool chains and Preschool Franchise offers.
Most of the Preschool Franchisers are having some Curriculum and that too only for name sake. Quality of such Curriculum is completely pathetic.
Having poor Preschool Curriculum means these –
- Poor Feedback from Parents
- Less Word-of-Mouth advertising
- Low admission
- Increased expense on Marketing
- Poor confidence among entire Team members
- Daily problem of handling Teachers
- Daily problem of handling children
- Daily Problem of handling Parents
- Increased expense on hiring Principal / Counsellor, who would be smart enough to convince new inquiries on Poor Curriculum
- And, Most importantly – Lost Purpose of opening up a Preschool / School
- many more…
By saying NO to Preschool Franchise Offers, Entrepreneurs will be saved from the problems of having invested in useless toys and equipment, problems of having planned the classrooms in a very poor manner, problems of having no understanding of Curriculum and/or Syllabus and copied anything from anywhere, and ultimately facing problem with New Admissions, Existing parents and poor word-of-mouth.
Are you the one suffering at the hands of Fraud and Cheat Preschool Franchisers or Preschool Franchisee? –
Now, the question is that whether we shall allow certain group of people to enter into ‘vicious cycle of cheating’, by carefully utilizing the business and legal tools available?
The answer is clearly a big NO.
Preschool Franchiser and Preschool Franchisee must clearly understand that misrepresentation and fraud could be easily proved in court of law. And once this ‘misrepresentation’, ‘cheat’ and ‘fraud’ is proved in court of law, they shall have to suffer huge penalties and punishment.
Entrepreneurs and Investor community should take care that all tangibles and intangibles discussed in various meetings and presentation of such discussion of franchise deal must be included in the agreement.
Investors must understand that Franchising is no substitute to Entrepreneurship.
Preschool Franchise is a Vicious cycle of Cheating!
Say a firm NO; remove Preschool Franchiser’s name plate / sign board; file a case in Police station / court; and be on right path.
Additionally, we suggest those Entrepreneurs planning to start Preschools, to go for a proper study on all related elements of Preschool.
Now, the information flow is quite good. Due to Mobiles, Internet availability has increased a lot. Thus, parents are also quite aware.
To target new age entrepreneurs, Preschool Franchisers have also adopted some new elements to lie about, let us check those elements as well.
In this category, we will cover Six phrases. Now a day, Preschool Franchisers have started writing these Six Phrases on their websites, brochures and advertisements etc.
–
1. Preschool Curriculum
2. Toys and Equipment
3. Worksheets
4. Pre-operational Support
5. Post-operational Support
6. Admission Support
Preschool Curriculum –
Recently many Preschool Franchisers have started writing on their websites, brochures and advertisements that they have Unique Preschool Curriculum.
You may easily notice that none of these Preschool Franchisers has written more than 50 words regarding their so-called Preschool Curriculum. If they would have had anything, they would have explained about it.
Truth is that, even these Preschool Franchiser claiming to have Preschool Curriculum, have ‘Curriculum’ and for ‘namesake’ only. Such Preschool Curriculum is not at all useful for teachers in any practicable manner .
Always remember that the most essential element of any Preschool is Curriculum and by going for Preschool Franchise Offers, you will entirely miss the most essential part – that is Preschool Curriculum.
Toys and Equipment –
Preschool Franchiser’s will force a particular Toys and Equipment List upon you. Relevant points which one shall always remember regarding these Toys and Equipment list are:
1. Toys and Equipment will be provided to you at an inflated cost
2. Toys and Equipment has to be procured from Preschool Franchiser only
3. Several changes have taken place in preschool domain, as per new researches in Preschool Curriculum and changing societal trends; these Toys and Equipment will have least usefulness – be it academic or non-academic.
Worksheets –
Preschool Franchisers have also started claiming that they provide Worksheets and this is the proof that they have proper Preschool Curriculum.
Truth about those Preschool Worksheets is as follows:
1. Approx. 50 to 120 casually made and Internet downloaded Worksheets
2. Worksheets having no relevancy
3. Worksheets having no connection with the curriculum
4. Quality of these worksheets is also quite low
5. Most of the worksheets are not at all Developmentally Appropriate
Also, remember that – Worksheets, if not academically planned for effective targeted learning experiences ends to promote ‘Rote Learning’.
Pre-operational Support –
Several Preschool Franchisers have started claiming that they will provide Franchisee with Pre operational support.
Observe the truth that, any kind of so-called support starts only after Franchisee has made all payments.
Suppose, during pre-operational exercise, Franchisee finds that Preschool Business might not be a suitable thing for him to do, will the Franchiser REFUND his/her money (Franchise Fee and/or other payments). Everybody knows the answer, not at all.
So, the truth is there is absolutely NO pre-operational support coming from Preschool Franchisee.
Post-operational Support –
Preschool Curriculum is the main element around which daily routine of preschool revolves.
So, post-operational support must be around ‘Curriculum’ and Preschool Curriculum, in one way or another, is entirely missing from all Preschool Franchisers.
Thus, no value service is provided by Preschool Franchisers in the name of post-operational support.
Admission Support –
Some Preschool Franchisers have started writing on their Brochure that they provide Admission Support to their networked preschools.
In their Admission support, they flash a Common Enquiry Number (Mobile / 1800 series numbers) where Parents / Enquiry may call.
Upon parents calling them, what these Preschool Franchisers do? They do this –
Collect initial details from parents and close the call with remark that nearest preschool will call them.
Initial details are also emailed to respective franchise and area managers.
Do we call this Admission Support?
Collecting data of enquiry is no brainy job, and in fact collecting data is also not some kind of Admission Support.
Also see that, having such process benefits Franchiser a lot more than the Franchisee. Through this process, Franchiser is able to keep a control over Franchisee, by putting him under a fear that ‘what if franchiser stops sharing data with me?’
Through such ‘one common number process’, Franchisee is also able to exert pressure on Franchisee that starting a new preschool is required as some enquiries are saying no to franchisee’s location (thus the old franchisee could be easily arm-twisted to either pay for second center or else drop his objection from cropping up of second center, which will cut his admissions)
Thus, Preschool Franchise is not a Business Model, it is a Crime
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