FAQ















Frequently asked questions by Parents
Question:Are you a Nursery, a Day Care Centre, a Pre-School or a Kindergarten? I’m confused!
Answer:The answer is that we’re all of them. Here at Gurusthanam Playschools, we cater for children between Eight months and six years old, of all States, backgrounds and cultures, and in different states and cultures terms like ‘kindergarten’ and ‘preschool’ can mean slightly different things. Everything we do is age-appropriate and designed around the needs of your child, helping him or her to feel welcome, cared for and secure, to have fun, but also to learn and to develop new skills.

Question: What programs does Gurusthanam Playschools offer?

Answer:We’re open throughout the standard Indian working week, Monday through Friday from 7:00 am/8:00am till 8:00 pm. You can select the timings that suit you and your child’s needs – there’s the standard day program, or you can enrol your child for a half-day or an extended day program

Question: What language is used at Gurusthanam Playschools?

Answer:The main language used is English and all our main classroom teachers are native English speakers. Regional Language is also available on an extra-curricular basis.

Question: Is there any standardized approach across all the Playschools.

Answer:One of the key strengths of Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool is its consistency across teaching patterns – both academic and non-academic.

Question: What kind of curriculum do you follow?

Answer:Gurusthanam is dedicated to taking extra special care of all your preschooler's early learning needs. We realize each child is special and we will help and encourage your child to learn and develop. Our Playschool Curriculum is based around the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework incorporates methods from Montessori. We teach languages, mathematics, social studies etc through a series of activities like games, songs, free play, gardening, construction activities etc. The learning is not just limited to cognitive development, but also for the overall development of the child. A few methods and techniques included in this method are Role plays, Projects; Theme based learning, Field trips, Puppetry etc. At our Playschools we also follow some level of formal learning as well, to ensure that the child is ready for the primary education.

Question: What are the school timings?

Answer:Pre-Nursery and Nursery can be operated in one or two shifts depending on Findings of feasibility survey report. In normal case school timings start from 9.00 AM to 12.30 noon. The L.KG and U.KG are run in one shift only. The franchisee can make an adjustment in the timings based on local conditions and seasons. We also provide day care facility at our pre-school for children and various activity programs. The day Care timings start from 8.00 in the morning to 8.00 in the evening. Early Morning activities like Yoga, Zumba etc starts from 6.00 in the morning to 8.00 AM Evening Activities like Art & Craft, Handwriting, Calligraphy, Language Tutions, Abacus, Dance are carried out from 4.00 to 8.00 PM.

Question: What is the academic year followed at Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool?

Answer:Our academic year runs from June to March, divided into three terms of 4 months each.

Question: What is the admission procedure at Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool?

Answer:For our valued parents, we have streamlined the entire process of admission. Visit us and become a member of the Gurusthanam Playschool’s family by enrolling your child. Steps in the admission process:
Step 1: Completing the Online Application Form
Please complete the Online Admission Application form, ensuring that all the fields are completed accurately. Click here for Online Application form
Step 2: Interaction Session of Applicant
In consultation with the Admissions Department, an interaction session will be scheduled on a specified date and time with a Teacher at Gurusthanam Playschool’s. The teacher will ensure that your ward enjoys the interaction which takes place through playful activities and also meets the baseline expectations as per age appropriate Year groups. At this session, the teacher will assess your ward’s readiness for playschool.
Step 3: Admissions Counselling and Enrolment
Following a successful interaction session, the Admissions Department will contact you with an offer of admission for your child. On receipt of this offer letter, you are requested to secure your ward’s seat of admission at Gurusthanam Playschool’s with submission of all the necessary documents mentioned and complete the payment of relevant School fees within 10 working days – as per school’s guidelines.

Question: What is the age criteria for the admission at Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool?

Answer:Age Guidelines for Admissions
Minimum age limit prescribed for Admission is as follows:
Pre Nursery: 2 Years as on 31st July of the year of admission.
Nursery: 3 Years as on 31st July of the year of admission.
LKG: 4 Years as on 31st July of the year of admission.
UKG: 5 Years as on 31st July of the year of admission.

Question: Is the fee structure same across all your schools?

Answer:No, the fee structure varies across different localities. Contact the Branch Manager at the nearest Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool for more details (schedule a visit).

Question: Is Transport facility provided at Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool?

Answer:The school provides transport facility to children. Though adequate measures are taken to ensure safety of the children. The school is not responsible for any mishap or injury which may occur in and around the school or in the transport.

Question: Should my child be toilet trained?

Answer:No. Your child need not be toilet trained, as our trained Housekeeping dept will ensure that your child is kept clean at all times, with regular checks.

Question: What is the teacher-child ratio at Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool ?

Answer:At Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool , we maintain a healthy teacher-child ratio:
Pre-nursery- 1:6
Nursery-1:8
L.KG-1:15
U.KG – 1:15
Additionally, we have well-trained Housekeeping department who support the teachers in their daily routines.

Question: What measures will be taken to ensure the Health, safety, security and well-being of my child?

Answer:Gurusthanam::Enlighten Childhood: The Play School believe that the health and safety of children is of paramount importance. We make our playschool a safe and healthy place for children, parents,staff and volunteers.
Gurusthanam Playschools has developed innovative solutions to tackle the health and safety of the children. We have paid attention to every little detail throughout the Playschool to ensure safe and secure practice for staff, students and parents. We have touched upon all aspects of safety right from child proofing the entire nursery to hygiene, health care, and CCTV access and Mobile App to all the parents.

Question: Are Housekeeping trained in first aid?

Answer:All staff are First Aid trained. This is a Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood Policy. We aim to minimise any pain or discomfort suffered by a child or member of staff whilst in our care and will do all in our power to make them comfortable as quickly as possible..

Question: Will my child face any problems when he/she joins a local school in Grade 1?

Answer:We use the National Curriculum Framework as a guideline, ensuring that children graduate from U.KG and are fully prepared to go on to Grade 1 in a local school.

Question: Is there a uniform for children at Gurusthanam::Enlighten Childhood: The Play School and is it compulsory?

Answer:At Gurusthanam playschools the uniforms are a distinct representation of the school, its values and ethos. It represents a sense of discipline, freedom and the vibrancy of a child.

Question: What are the facilities for day care/ child care program?

Answer:Gurusthanam::Enlighten Childhood: The Play School provides the best full day care program (Relaxing Home) for children between the age group of 12 months to 12 years.
Facilties:
One touch connected with parents through mobile app.
100% Surveillance CCTV cameras. 
Hygiene and Safety.
AC rooms
Day Care programme includes schooling in the morning till 12.30/1.30 and Art, Craft, Dance, Karate, Yoga, tutions etc in the afternoon programme.
The full day care program has been designed to provide a facility for parents who like to see their child be comfortable and safe, while they are at their workplaces.
child be comfortable and safe, while they are at their workplaces.
We have touched upon all aspects of safety right from child proofing the entire nursery to hygiene, health care, and CCTV access and Mobile App to all the parents.

Frequently asked questions by Franchise

Legal
Question: Is any approval required from any education board or municipal authority for running the Playschool/Preschool?
Answer:No approval is required for running a Play School. In most cities, a "Shops and Establishment Certificate" from the local Municipality may be required.

Qualification
Question: Is it necessary that the Play school be run by a Society or can it be run by an individual?

Answer:It is recommended that you should run a play school under any Non Profit Trust /Society. But one can run a Playschool as an individual also.

Question: What qualifications/Experience are required to start Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool at your location?

Answer:You should possess entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to succeed. You should be enthusiastic about providing quality education to children. You must have reasonable financial resources and the ability to channel them. You do not need any prior pre-school experience to start a Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool.
No prior experience is required, as our training and support programmes will provide you with all that you need to run your Playschool.

Investment
Question: What is the estimated total initial Investment of a Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool ?

Answer:The total initial investment will be approximately 15 Lacs- 18 depending on the location.

Question: How much working capital is required in addition to this?

Answer:The working capital amount will vary depending on each location.

Question: How can we get associated with Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool ?

Answer:We are working for four different business models
1. Company Owned Company Operated (Rent a Building, Sit Relax and Earn Profits. We will run the show and you will earn the profits.)
2.Franchisee Owned Franchisee Operated (We will support in Academics/Marketing/ Admissions and you will manage the playschool.)
3. Franchisee Owned Franchisee Operated (We will support in Academics/Marketing/ Admissions and you will manage the playschool.)
4. Company Owned Franchisee Operated (We will setup playschool as per our standards and lease to franchisee for daily operations.)

Question: What kind of property is required to set up a Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool ?

Answer:An independent property or ground floor area with outdoor space located in a good residential society will be ideal for setting up Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool.

Question: What are the requirements in terms of space and area?

Answer:
• 2000 sq. ft. covered area on ground floor.
• 500-1000 sq ft of open area for outdoor activities.

Question: We have shortage of fund. Will we get any kind of support regarding fund from your side?

Answer:We do support /Fund depending upon the business model you are looking for.

Question: Is it compulsory that the land should be owned or we can use rented land?

Answer:There is no compulsion like that and you can also use leased land as well. However, the lease has to be irrevocable and for minimum 5 years.

Question: Is there any survey required for the premises & locality, where I wish to start Play School?

Answer:As per standard procedure of the company we do not allow to set any Gurusthanam:: Enlighten Childhood playschool without “Feasibility Survey” of the premises & locality. We have well equipped professional, experienced team, who visit the locality & see the premises irrespective of any distance or geographical location. After getting satisfactory Feasibility Finding Report, then only we sign the MOU. In case our team doesn’t found the premises suitable & commercially viable for operating school, we refund the feasibility amount.

Question: Would you provide us support in constructing the infrastructure such as building, etc.?

Answer:We would make available architect plan and all construction work should be completed as per given specifications.

Question: How long will it take to open a school?

Answer:It entirely depends on the availability of resources which include building, school infrastructure, equipments, furniture and allied materials. As soon as everything is available and installed, you are ready to open a school.

Teachers & Training
Question: What is the policy for recruitment of staff including teachers, care takers, Front Office and managerial staff?

Answer:The quality of education truly matters and apart from best of the facilities, the quality can only be brought by quailed teachers. Hence, our professionals will personally help you for arranging qualified teachers and other staff members. So it would be a joint effort of both franchisee and company. Teachers should have basic qualification in Early Child Care Education and experience.

Question: What would be the salary and remunerations of the staff?

They are paid as per the city standards and it also depends on their qualification and experience.

Question: Where is the Franchisee training done?

Answer:The training is conducted on site as well as at the Head Office.

Question: Please let us know the training cost.

Answer:Initial Training Cost is already included with the License Fee. Items not covered are own travel, accommodation and food expenses. Additional trainings will be chargeable.

Operations
Question: What form of continuing operational guidance will I receive?

Answer:We have a school support team to provide guidance and extended support to our business partners for infrastructure set up, class observations, curriculum implementation, quality checks and conducting training programs for teachers at regular intervals.

Question: Do you provide supplies such as books, uniforms, equipments for the school?

Answer: Yes, we provide everything. We have our own suppliers and you have to buy the prescribed books and uniforms etc .from them only. However, if your local suppliers are cheaper than ours, then you are free to have all stuffs from them too.

Question: Is a franchisee allowed to offer additional services including sports coaching, tuitions, and hobby classes?

Answer: We have right to provide approval for additional services you are wising to offer apart from education. It also depends on availability of space, infrastructure, etc.  The franchisee is free to conduct any activity after school hours with prior permission of the HO, keeping in mind that the equipments should not get damaged while choosing the activity to conduct. We encourage and advertise some activities like Abacus, Vedic Maths, Summer Camps, tuition classes & other after School activities. Our aim is to make the Playschool/Preschool financial viable in the first year of operation only.

Financials
Question: Please let us know the fee that will be charged from parents?

Answer:Our fee structure is made of Registration Fee, Admission Fee, Annual Charges, and Monthly Fee. There is no fix fee structure as there are a number of factors which can affect fee structure.  The fee structure is decided after recordation of feasibility Team, keeping all ground condition, local competition in mind, we discussion all aspect with the franchisee and decide. It depends on the paying capacity of parents in the neighbourhood, fees charged by competition and facilities offered by the Pre-School.

Question: How much will it cost per month to run such a school?

Answer:The cost will be an accumulated amount of teachers’ salary, salaries of other staff members such as Principal, Drivers, Attendants Etc, Security Guards, Administration, Accounts, Telephone Bills, Electricity Bills, Property Tax, Maintenance of Building, and Marketing & Advertisement Expense.

Question: How many students a franchisee of your school can expect?

Answer:This entirely depends on you and your infrastructure, you capability, competition, investment, site location, size, you local market, advertising, promotion of school, etc.

Agreement
Question: Who will be responsible to sign agreement from our side?

Answer:The agreement will be signed by the Chairman of your Society/Trust along with a copy of a resolution by Trust /Society confirming the approval of the same. We will send 2 copies of the agreement and you will return both of them, with 2 copies of: (a) Address Proof of the Trust/Society (b) proof of the authenticity of the signature of the person signing the agreement (c) the initial licence fees.

Question: Is there any obligation of agreement if I don’t want to continue after the period of signing agreement?

Answer:In such as case, you can no longer go with our brand name, our school systems, syllabus, system, etc.

Question: What is the tenure of the contract between the Franchisee and Gurusthanam::Enlighten Childhood?

Answer:The initial tenure of the contract is 4 years. Under normal circumstances subject to satisfactory performance of the Pre-School, the contract will be renewed.

Question: Does Gurusthanam::Enlighten Childhood offer a master franchise or unit franchise?

Answer:Yes we do give unit as well as master franchise.

Question: Can we start with more than one franchise?

Answer:Yes you can but we advise you to do so after 6 months. This is why because you are supposed to give all your efforts to kick start the first one.