How to Start a Preschool in Your Area?

How to Start a Preschool in Your Area?

Preschools is one of the bourgeoning businesses in India. Being recession-proof, Preschools are not only a lucrative business to invest in but is also an excellent method to yield a high income. This article will mainly focus on steps to start a play school in India and elaborate upon the various practicalities associated with it.

So, how do you start a preschool in your area in India?

Step 1: Draft a Business Plan

Decide the size of your preschool and how many children you would want to accommodate – 

Since your preschool will only be certified for a specific number of seats, it is very important to decide upon the size of your preschool. Also, for every 20 children, there has to be 1 teacher and 1 caretaker, so deciding the size is a crucial verdict that will not only affect your operating budget but also the per month salary budget.

Choose a catchy name for your preschool

Decide on a one-, two-, or maximum-event-syllable name for your preschool, and check whether the domain name is available. If available, register the domain name and later trademark your brand’s name.

Services that your Preschool would want to offer

You need to choose the business mode of your preschool whether it will be just a preschool daycare, or will be a playschool with after-school activities and would also have the amenities of a creche.

Budgeting

While making your budget, consider expenditures for the initial 3 years since you won’t be getting profits right away. Your potential expenditures will include the following main aspects–

• The rent of the preschool or the buying price

• Cost of the Interiors

• Electricity, Food, and Water supply

• Staff salary including teachers, support staff, and care-takers

• Games and Equipment for Fun Activities

Arrangement of Capital, Loans if Required

Check whether loans have to be arranged or if there are any government facilities to start a preschool.  As a woman, if you would want to start a preschool or a child daycare, Bharatiya Mahila Bank and PNB seem to be giving loans under the BMB Parvarish Loan scheme at 12% ROI that can be paid in 5 years. For more such schemes check here.

Also, Read All about AICTE

Calculation of Fees, Salaries, etc.

Once you have calculated your start-up and operation expenses, you can decide the fees that you can charge per student. Also, check for fees that the already established preschools are charging.

Step 2: Setting Up Your Entity

Choose a Structure – Profit/Non-Profit

Pre-schools can be set up either as a for-profit or a nonprofit enterprise. 

When setting up as a for-profit enterprise – Although you can start it as a sole proprietorship, it may be best to start it as a company either as a private limited company or as an LLP – limited liability partnership

When setting up as a non-profit enterprise – A company or a trust can be registered under section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.

Legalities – Registration/Licensing

For setting up a preschool/playschool in India there are no specific legislation or requirement of any certification. However, ‘the Private School Education Act’ decreed by the State Government should be thoroughly considered as it may entail registration and licensing of preschools.  

In addition, if you are setting up a preschool you will also have to consider a. the formalities related to the Municipal Corporation b. the Education department of the city and then fill out the application as well as pay the registration fees.  

Choosing the Location of Your Pre-School

The best place to locate your preschool is in a residential area so that parents can easily drop their kids off. Also, there are guidelines on the area of your preschool classrooms. Going by the national guidelines, a classroom must be at least 35 sq. m and the outdoor space must be at least 30 sq. m for a group of 30 children. There would be additional parameters of the state too.

Buying Furniture, Books, Games, and Other Equipment

You need to fill the preschool with appropriate benches and desks for kids. Also, according to the national guidelines, there has to be a library with age-related books and a health-care clinic on the premises that is equipped with first-aid material.

Curriculum

You will also have to set up the curriculum depending on the age groups. 

Hiring Teachers and Support Staff

At this stage, you will also have to start looking for teachers to run your preschool along with caretakers and support staff.

Step 3: Getting License and Certification

Contact your State Commission

Visit the NCPR website, locate your state commission, and fill out the self-declaration cum application form for a grant of recognition for preschool licensing and certification.

Apply for your Recognition Certificate

Before you start enrolling students, you will need a recognition certificate for your preschool. This certificate will verify that your preschool meets all the standards of running a school that is about early childhood education. Based on the state in which you reside, you will have to pay fees for this certificate. This fee will be inclusive of the inspection of your premises.

Have your location inspected by the visiting team

The state commission will review your application, and in case of corrections/mistakes, the staff will contact you. After the preliminary approval, the state commission will decide to inspect your preschool.

Get a Certificate of Recognition

After the inspection, the team will make a report and submit it to the commission. Once approved your preschool will get a certificate of recognition within a month. This certificate is however valid for 1 year only and so you’ll have to renew it every year.

Source and References:

NCPCR Framed Guidelines

NCPR – Regulatory Guidelines for Private Play Schools

Also, Read Know all about Fast Track Education