Taking the advantages of international preschool names

William Shakespeare might well ask: "What is in a name?" But in this age, a name is quite important, especially in the world of business.

That's why franchising has become an attractive business opportunity. Many restaurants, beauty salons, sundries shops and educational institutions are established here under franchising agreements, either local or international.

Among the internationally franchised early childhood education centers are Tutor Time, Tumble Tots, Kinderland, Kinderfield, Fastrackids, Montessori, The Little Skool and High/Scope.

There are many advantages of opening a school under a franchise agreement. The franchisee will have the right to use the name and receives technical support in running the business. The franchisee can also apply the curriculum that is created by the franchiser.

They are based in different countries in the world like the United States, England and Singapore. The U.S.-based Tutor Time has been franchising since 1990 and currently operates in 20 states in America, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Canada and Indonesia.

The franchise fee is US$50,000 and the royalty is 6 percent, according to its website www.tutortime.com. A typical location is 10,000 plus square feet of interior space, with playgrounds encompassing about 5,000 square feet. Locations may vary in size due to state, county and city zoning laws.

From the time you are granted a franchise agreement to the time your center opens can vary. It currently takes an average of nine months for franchisees to find or be matched with an approved location.

The initial training program is an aggregate of 30 days on- site training at a Tutor Time currently in operation. During the training you will learn the various systems and procedures for operating your center including critical areas such as accounting and financial controls, marketing registration procedures, quality standards, etc.

Tutor Time Indonesia has schools in Kemang and Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, in Kelapa Gading, East Jakarta, in Puri Indah, West Jakarta, in Pluit, North Jakarta and in Bandung.

Another U.S.-based school is High/Scope Institute Indonesia, which was established in 2000 after the first-established preschool program exhibited proven results for parents with children in the program.

Since then, High/Scope Institute Indonesia has spread throughout Jakarta. It has trained over 200 teachers and more than 1,000 children have benefited from the program.

It offers three educational program levels form the implementation of the High/Scope approach: early childhood educational program, elementary and junior high. The early childhood educational program is offered at High/Scope on Jl. TB Simatupang and Kuningan, South Jakarta; Bintaro, Tangerang; Kelapa Gading, East Jakarta; Pluit, North Jakarta, Alfa Indah, West Jakarta, and in Medan.

In terms of numbers, the Montessori schools might be the biggest among the other franchising schools. Some of the schools are based in America; others are based in England.

The Montessori method, introduced by Italy's first woman medical doctor Maria Montessori, is a philosophy that emphasizes the unique individuality of each child. Dr. Maria Montessori believed in the worthiness, value and importance of children.

The London-based Modern Montessori International has both international and regional networks. Established with the purpose of maintaining the Montessori tradition, MMI offers a full business format and professional expertise to assist international and regional business partners to venture confidently into the challenging and fast expanding market of Montessori Education.

As a franchisee, you will have unlimited growth opportunities to expand your own operation. The franchise fee for preschool education in kindergarten/child care is $30,000.

Kinderland, which is franchised from Singapore, was first opened here in 1978 when Yamaha Music School Singapore launched its first kindergarten project. Over the years, Kinderland has steadily expanded its operations which now include a regional network of over 30 established direct and franchise centers, a teacher training institute in early childhood education with over 5,000 graduates and affiliation with overseas universities.

Kinderland centers can be found in Pondok Indah and Bona Indah, both in South Jakarta, in Pulo Mas, East Jakarta, and in Sunrise Garden, West Jakarta.

Another preschool from Singapore is The Little Skool, which has opened in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, and in Surabaya. The Little Skool-House, which claims to be one of the most progressive preschool care and education centers in Singapore and Asia, offers the Whole Learning Curriculum, adopting the brain- based learning theory that promotes the active stimulation of both sides of the brain.

Tumble Tots, the play program for children from 6 months to 7 years, has been operating a franchise network since 1979.

To become a franchisee, experience in working with children is not essential. But to run such a business individuals should enjoy working with children and their parents.

Like all businesses Tumble Tots is demanding and initially it is very much hands-on. It requires the franchisee to have qualities that are common to all successful businesspeople: confidence, enthusiasm and good interpersonal skills. Self- motivation and commitment, business acumen and the ability to manage staff are also important in running the business. T. Sima Gunawan