Planning to start a Preschool? 7 Tips for Choosing the Right Location!
Are you a new entrepreneur willing to start your own preschool? You must be looking for various school franchise options and ways to start the business smoothly. When an entrepreneur makes the decision to start a preschool business they thoroughly explore various franchise-providing brands, and they analyze their budget and the curriculum of the preschool franchise brand. Amidst all the preparation, they often forget or ignore one of the most important factors– selecting a perfect location for the preschool. The location of the preschool is such an important factor that you should definitely consider if you want to skyrocket your business profits and achieve a high rate of enrollment for your preschool. Today we are going to share seven important tips with you through which you can easily navigate through the complicated journey of choosing the right preschool location.
1. Analyze the Demographics of the Location
Demographics is data based on statistics which shows the characteristics of a population. Demographics divides the population into various age groups, income groups, and educational and occupational levels. When you are looking for the best location for your preschool business, you should analyze the demographics of various locations. Opening your preschool business at a location with high demographics of children between the ages of 2-6 will be highly beneficial in comparison to opening a preschool at a location with high demographics of teens and adults.
When choosing the location for your preschool business, keep the occupational level of the demographics in mind. It is important to open your preschool business at a location with a high demographic of educated working parents, who would be willing to splurge on their child’s preschool education by enrolling them in a private preschool.
2. Evaluate the Accessibility of the Location
The location for your preschool business should be highly accessible. You must be wondering, “What makes a preschool location accessible”? It means that the location of your preschool should be near to the popular residential areas with access to various methods of transportation such as bus and metro. Parents would not prefer to travel a long distance for their child’s preschool as long distances make parents hesitant and concerned for their child’s safety and accessibility at the time of an emergency. The location near your playschool should be a safe locality with 24/7 CCTV surveillance to maintain the safety of the students enrolled.
3. Assess Safety and Security of the Location
When you are looking for various locations for your preschool, it is important to double-check the security and safety criteria. The preschool shouldn’t be located near unsafe spaces like a liquor store or tobacco shop. Research the crime rates of various localities and ask the locals about the safety reputation of the area. A low-crime neighbourhood for your preschooler’s location would ensure the safety of the students, their parents and the staff. It is necessary to ensure that your preschool is in close proximity to the emergency services such as hospitals, fire stations and police stations. Ensure that the locality near your preschool has adequate lighting in and around the premises, especially in entryways and parking lots, to avoid any suspicious activity.
(Also Read, Choosing Play School Franchise Over Starting your Play School )
4. Consider the Competition
When you are choosing the best location for your preschool, you should keep the market competition in mind. Make sure that the location you are choosing doesn’t have other preschool brands at least in 2 km of proximity. Choose a location that has a higher children demographic and lesser competitors to receive high enrollment and maximum profit out of your investment.
5. Review Local Regulations and Zoning Laws
Various locations and cities follow zoning laws. Zoning laws define what kind of business can be established at a particular location. To run thorough research on your chosen location and the zoning laws associated with it, you can do an online search or contact the local planning department. Preschools may have specific zoning classifications (such as “educational institution” or “childcare facility”). You can check if the chosen location falls under the permitted use category or if you need a special permit to open a preschool.
If you want to be extra cautious with the best location for your preschool, you can contact your city’s planning office. They can help you in making a decision about your chosen location by providing detailed information on restrictions and expected setbacks associated with the location.
6. Analyzing the Budget for the Location
The location of your preschool also depends on your estimated budget. Choose a location that aligns with your financial plans and goals. Opting for a premium location will cost you more but it might offer better returns in terms of convenience or visibility for your business. Cutting down on the budget of the location and opting for a cheap and deserted location for opening your preschool won’t be helpful in making your business successful. Try to make a balanced decision about the budget of your location by keeping all the other expenses in mind. It is important to evaluate whether the chosen location of the preschool justifies the cost in terms of what it offers.
(Also Read, Salient Points for choosing the best Preschool in 2023 )
7. Hygiene Plays an Important Role
When parents are choosing a play school for their child, hygiene is an important parameter they look for. When the location of your playschool is in a hygienic locality, it ensures not only the well-being of your students but also creates a positive impression in a parent’s mind. Opt for a location that is calm and clean and surrounded by greenery. Avoid opting for a location with dump yards and scattered waste as it might create a bad impression on parents eventually leading to lower enrollment rates.
Conclusion
Choosing the right location is the key to the success of any business which applies to selecting the best location for your preschool. By following the tips above and analyzing demographics, while also considering factors such as accessibility, safety, competition, local regulations, budget, and hygiene, you can set your preschool on the path to success.
At Bachpan Play School, we understand the importance of choosing the right location for the preschool business and provide our potential franchises with various such tips that help them in strategically establishing their own preschool in child-friendly locations ensuring a high ROI and increased enrollment rate. By following these tips, you can also build a successful preschool that parents trust, just like Bachpan.