It can be difficult to start a business when you have a family to take care of and you don't want to leave your family behind, especially for mothers. That is why it is worth considering a women entrepreneurs' preschool franchise.
Preschool is a blend of education, community involvement and entrepreneurial practice. More significantly, the operational framework could be more predictable than that of businesses that are in operation 24/7 or late at night. But it is important not to think that being a preschool teacher is easy or malleable. It remains a people-intensive operation with the need for good leadership, financial planning, compliance, marketing and day-to-day involvement.
It is supported by the growing significance of ECCE in the education system of India. Indian National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 focuses on preschool education as part of the five-year Foundational Stage and upholds play-based, activity-based and inquiry-based learning approaches.
So a preschool franchise may be a consideration for women who are thinking about having a baby and becoming entrepreneurs, but the best strategy is to create a business model that can function around the family, as opposed to forcing the entrepreneur to do it all herself.
Why Are Women Choosing Preschool Businesses?
Women have been playing an important role in early childhood education for a long but today, many women are becoming entrepreneurs in this sector as owners and operators.
A study conducted by the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) in the field of preschool franchises in India revealed that the majority of the franchise preschool owners are women. In its study, 87 percent of the sample preschool franchise owners were women and 65 percent had no previous franchise-operation experience.
That's a big deal.
It implies that women need not have a traditional business background to pursue preschool entrepreneurship. The key is whether she has the management, financial and leadership skills necessary to effectively operate the centre.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) also recorded the role of the women edupreneurs in India's preschool education industry, including Women who run preschools in franchise models offering the centres branding, education curriculum and standard operating procedures.
What Makes A Preschool Franchise Attractive For Women?
The franchise model may help to mitigate some of the complexities of establishing a stand-alone preschool.
Rather than making everything your own, you can get assistance in:
This includes curriculum, teaching method and technology.
Teacher training
School branding
Infrastructure planning
Learning materials
Marketing
Admissions
Operational procedures
Technology
Parent communication
Ongoing academic guidance
Support levels differ by business and prospective franchisees should read the agreements carefully to understand exactly what support will be provided.
The strength of the brand isn't its only benefit. It's about the prospect of having a working environment to begin with, instead of creating every system from scratch.
1. You Don't Have To Be An Education Expert
This is a common misconception that a woman has to be a trained teacher to begin a pre-school.
That isn't necessarily the case.
A main duty of the franchise owner is to manage the business and be sure the centre meets the necessary educational and safety requirements.
The following are examples of a strong preschool team:
Centre head
Teachers
Assistant teachers
Administrative staff
Admissions coordinator/counsellor
Support staff
The owner can concentrate on:
Business planning
Team management
Parent relationships
Admissions
Marketing
Finances
Quality monitoring
Nevertheless, it is important to be knowledgeable about early childhood education. An owner should understand what a good quality education would look like in an age appropriate setting, and be able to determine if the centre is providing quality learning.
2. A Franchise Can Reduce The Learning Curve
If you're thinking of opening your own preschool, you're about to do just that:
Brand identity
Curriculum
Teaching resources
SOPs
Marketing strategy
Admission process
Teacher-training system
For many of these, a franchise can offer a few of these.
The research conducted by NIEPA reveals that the benefits of franchise preschools include support in operating the school, a well-defined curriculum, and brand recognition, but the franchisee may also face costs of investment and potential royalties.
This is particularly helpful for women entrepreneurs in preschool business, especially in the initial stages of becoming a business owner.
But franchise support should not be considered as management.
3. Can A Preschool Franchise Help With Motherhood?
If it's set up the right way (but not necessarily).
Preschool hours are more regular than other businesses like restaurants, retail stores, health care, etc.
This can help planning to become easier:
School hours
Family time
Children's routines
Household responsibilities
Meetings
Administrative work
There is a key difference, however:
Predictable hours aren't hours with no work.
The owner of a preschool might still have to deal with:
Staff emergencies
Parent concerns
Admissions
Fee collection
Vendor management
Marketing
Compliance
Financial reviews
Recruitment
Thus, the objective should not be to operate a Pre-School 100% on your availability.
Rather, create a plan to manage without being physically there all the time.
The Smart Motherhood + Business Model
If women are considering a preschool franchise for moms, they should consider it in terms of three levels
Level 1: Owner Responsibilities
These are the places where you can make the most of your personal involvement:
Business strategy
Financial decisions
Hiring key employees
Local marketing
Parent relationships
Franchise coordination
Monthly performance reviews
Level 2: Centre Manager Responsibilities
A competent centre manager is able to manage:
Daily staff coordination
Attendance
Parent queries
Classroom schedules
Operational issues
Inventory
Daily reporting
Level 3: Teacher Responsibilities
Staff should concentrate on:
Classroom activities
Child engagement
Lesson implementation
Observation
Parent updates
Learning documentation
This can enable a mother to be engaged in the business and not be the only one able to run the preschool.
How Much Investment Is Needed?
Investment is a lot different based on the brand, city, property, centre size and business model.
In a recent study by NIEPA, it was observed that the investments made in opening a franchise preschool are around ₹10–20 lakh in the cases studied.
But do not expect that ₹10–20 lakh is the standard price.
The actual preschool business for women might need to spend on:
Franchise fee
Property deposit
Rent
Interiors
Furniture
Play equipment
Teaching materials
All CCTV and safety equipment is functioning properly.
Technology
Signage
Staff recruitment
Salaries
Marketing
The process of registering and obtaining local approvals.
Working capital
Most importantly:
Avoid putting all your capital into setting up.
Maintain adequate working capital during the first few months after admissions are initiated.
Preschool Franchise With Daycare: A Potentially Useful Option For Mothers
A variation on this is a preschool-plus-day care format that can be considered by women entrepreneurs.
Why?
It can enable daycare to offer service hours beyond the preschool schedule and an extra revenue stream.
A combination of both models might provide:
Preschool programmes
Extended daycare
After-school care
Activity programmes
Holiday camps
This can be especially applicable in those neighbourhoods where both parents are in the workforce.
However, there are also responsibilities that come with daycare.
You may need:
More staff
Longer operating hours
Additional safety procedures
More supervision
Additional infrastructure
Higher operating costs
So, do not use daycare just because it looks like it is a good business opportunity.
Decide if there is a need in your local market for it.
How To Choose The Right Preschool Franchise
Not all franchise opportunities will be appropriate for all entrepreneurs.
Prior to choosing one of the preschool franchise opportunities for women, compare the following.
1. Brand Reputation
Check:
The duration of the brand's existence..
The number of centres that are currently open.
Parent reviews
Franchisee feedback
Centre closures
The reputation in your city.
Do not take the franchisor's marketing material as the sole basis for making your decision.
2. Franchise Agreement
Please read the agreement very carefully.
Pay attention to:
Initial franchise fee
Royalty
Marketing fee
Renewal fee
Agreement duration
Territory protection
Exit conditions
Mandatory purchases
Training charges
Technology charges
Recurring charges can make a “low-cost” franchise costly.
3. Training And Support
Ask:
What are the consequences of paying the franchise fee?
Identify tangible support in:
Teacher recruitment
Teacher training
Curriculum implementation
Admissions
Marketing
Parent engagement
Operations
Centre audits
4. Location Matters More Than Many Entrepreneurs Realise
No matter how good the brand, a bad location can make up for it.
Prior to entering into a property agreement, research the surrounding catchment.
Look for:
Residential apartments
Young families
Preschool children (2-6)
Working parents
Household income
Competitor preschools
Competitor fees
Parking
Accessibility
Safety
Future residential development
10 schools that compete with preschools is not necessarily a problem.
It could mean there is strong demand.
The real issue is:
Do you have a need for another centre and how could you be different in your preschool?
How Mothers Can Manage Time More Effectively
Systems, not superhuman effort, is the key to running a preschool and managing a family.
Create A Weekly Schedule
Place specific blocks for:
Centre visits
Staff meetings
Financial reviews
Marketing
Parent meetings
Franchise communication
Family responsibilities
Use Delegation
Don't personally handle every minor problem.
Create clear escalation levels.
For example:
Teacher → Centre Head → Owner
This helps you to not receive all the little problems.
Use Technology
Technology can help to alleviate administrative burden by:
Digital attendance
Fee management
Parent communication
Staff attendance
Lead tracking
Digital marketing
Online enquiries
Create A Backup System
This is especially for mothers.
Have someone who can take responsibility when:
Your child is sick
You have an emergency involving your family.
You are travelling
The centre is not accessible.
If a business fails the day the business owner takes a day off, then it's not a well-run business.
Don't Make These Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Choosing A Franchise Only Because It Is Cheap
Low investment doesn't necessarily mean good economics.
Use full cost structure.
Mistake 2: Assuming Franchise = Guaranteed Admissions
While a brand can offer marketing support, local execution is the key.
Mistake 3: Using All Your Savings
Maintain a working-capital bank account.
Mistake 4: Trying To Do Everything Yourself
This can lead to burnout.
Build a team.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Education Quality
Parents may be attracted at first because of the brand, but they will stay for their child's experience.
The focus of NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework is on play based and activity based, developmentally appropriate learning, not on formal academic pressure being put on young children.
A Practical 90-Day Plan For A Woman Entrepreneur
Days 1–30: Research
Shortlist 3–5 franchise brands
Compare investment
Understand royalty
Study local competition
Identify potential locations
Discuss with the current franchisees
Days 31–60: Prepare
Finalise the franchise
Secure the property
Complete necessary documentation
Plan interiors
Begin recruitment
Create the marketing plan
Days 61–90: Launch
Complete setup
Train teachers
Start local marketing
Provide activities for parents' involvement.
Have an open house.
Begin admissions
Set up operating systems for the day.
Specific dates are subject to change depending on the franchise, property and local approvals.
Why This Business Can Be Meaningful Beyond Profit
Women entrepreneurship in preschools is one of the most compelling arguments because of the possibility for social impact and entrepreneurship.
A quality pre-school can foster the development of children's abilities in:
Communication skills
Social skills
Emotional awareness
Motor skills
Early literacy
Early numeracy
Creativity
Independence
Confidence
India's education policy explicitly recognises the importance of quality ECCE and aims for children to develop cognitive, physical, socio-emotional, communication and early literacy/numeracy capabilities during the foundational years.
This is different to simply running another retail business.
You are developing a business—and you are a part of the local early-learning community.
Final Thoughts
Being a female business owner could find a preschool franchise to be a promising business opportunity – especially if they are seeking a level of structure to their family responsibilities and want to build a business in their local community.
However, the best way is not necessarily to think:
“I am a mother, it's gonna be easy for me to have a preschool.”
Instead, think:
"I am a business owner and a mother, so I need to build a business that is strong enough to operate without depending entirely on me."
Select a franchise that has a curriculum, support, economics, and reputation, and agreement terms. Select the location where a parent needs it. Develop a strong team. Maintain a suitable level of working capital. Create mechanisms that enable you to take a break when family needs call.
It is a combination of purpose, planning, delegation and financial discipline that can make a preschool idea a sustainable business for women who want to be mothers and businesswomen at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a preschool franchise a good business for women entrepreneurs?
May be an appropriate match for females interested in community-based entrepreneurship and education. Some of the requirements for starting a business on your own can be alleviated by the franchise model by providing curriculum, branding, training and operational support. Profitability is dependent, however, upon location, admissions, fees, costs and management.
2. Do I need teaching experience to start a preschool franchise?
Not necessarily. There are some franchise models that will take entrepreneurs from a background that is not in the teaching profession. But the owner must be familiar with early childhood education and employ suitably qualified staff and teachers. Business and people-management skills are just as vital.
3. What is the investment required for a Preschool Franchise in India?
No single figure can be used for all the franchises. As per NIEPA's recent study, the average investment in the franchise preschools studied is of the order of ₹10–20 lakh, although it can vary from brand to brand, city to city, property to property and format of the centre to centre.
4. Can I maintain a preschool franchise while taking care of my kids?
It can be feasible, specifically if the centre has a trustworthy manager and responsibilities are well defined. While operating hours for preschools can be more settled than for some businesses, there is still a need for regular involvement as an owner. The idea is to create systems, not to personally oversee each and every day activity.
5. Should women choose a preschool franchise with daycare?
The preschool plus daycare model may be appealing in areas where there is a high demand for preschool childcare among working parents. But daycare needs more hours of operation, extra staffing and more supervision. Do some local demand research before adding day care.
6. What should women check before investing in a preschool franchise?
Look at the overall investment, franchise fee, royalty fees, recurring fees, curriculum, training, marketing support, territory rights, length of agreement, renewal period, and exit terms and feedback from franchisees. Most important, talk to current franchisees and check out the claims made by the franchisor before committing any money.
