VALUES & RETURNS

Just Kidz centres deliver quality education for children and families

Just Kidz is a quality opportunity for active investors and people passionate about children

Just KidzThe value of Just Kidz turn-key approach to developing new Early Childhood Education centres was proved yet again when the newest opened in the Auckland suburb of Beachlands in late December 2022.

Part-owned by 26-year-old franchisee Freddy Jiang, the brand-new, purposebuilt, fully-equipped site is run by centre manager, Petronella (Petra) Shum and licensed for 86 children from weeks-old babies to 6-year-olds. By the beginning of March, 20 families had already registered. ‘That shows Beachlands parents are recognising Just Kidz is more than just another ECE provider, and it also says a lot about the drive and enthusiasm of Freddy and Petra,’ says Just Kidz operations manager, Vanessa Henry. ‘Our whole environment is based upon supporting and nurturing others to reach successful outcomes, both in quality education and care for our children and families, and business/career success for our staff and owners.’

The Just Kidz approach is based upon the world-renowned Italian education philosophy, Reggio Emilia, which values the child as central to their own learning – not simply an empty vessel waiting to be filled with knowledge.

‘We also incorporate the ideals of RIE, Resources for Infant Educarers, that encourages deep respect for infants, and we value and work within Te Whāriki, the national curriculum document for early childhood education,’ says Vanessa. ‘We set high standards, including better than the governmentrequired teacher-to-child ratios.

‘This approach, of not being just another pre-school, is a key driver of growth and success for Just Kidz,’ says Vanessa. ‘This is reinforced by strong wordof-mouth parent referrals across our six centres to date, along with positive feedback from both the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Education Review Office (ERO).’

Investor + manager = results

Despite Freddy coming from an engineering background in construction, he could see the great business opportunity that came with the Just Kidz Beachlands site. With the highly supportive model and in-depth training provided, he has been able to be actively involved, promoting and helping to develop the business through its early stages.

Vanessa explains, ‘Buying into the Just Kidz franchise is such a wonderful way to navigate the many compliance and safety factors within ECE, while regular communication and support from our office reassures business owners that they are meeting all regulations.

‘The model is created for business partners with an ECE background who may want to take on the centre manager role themselves, or for franchisees like Freddy who may have little or no experience but work closely with an experienced centre manager recruited through us.

We also recruit initial teaching staff, as well as provide intensive, ongoing support. Each active investor goes through due diligence and, if accepted, must complete our training programme so they have a total understanding of the business. We recommend having access to $750,000 of funding, much of which is invested in assets with cash flow and tax advantages.

‘It’s also possible to start with a lower investment in some cases. Just Kidz can help establish a payment plan in line with the strong profitability of the business.’

Opportunities for new centres

Freddy is keen to achieve 100 percent ownership as soon as possible and already has plans for buying a second Just Kidz where his partner, Sara, an early childhood teacher, would ideally be manager. Born in China, Freddy has lived both there and in New Zealand, including studying construction engineering at AUT.

Freddy jiang: 'It's working very well'

‘It was through my father that I first found out about the Just Kidz opportunity,’ says Freddy. ‘The more I found out, the more interested I got. As an ECE provider, Just Kidz is head and shoulders above the others, as the feedback shows. And the investment model with a centre manager is very attractive. It’s working very well.’

Vanessa says that Just Kidz is now looking for more franchisees to partner in new centres throughout New Zealand, particularly cities such as Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. ‘We find the right site, design the centre, negotiate the lease, oversee the interior and playground fit-out with all the right resources and, of course, find the manager and staff for you.

‘Contact me now to find out more about the Just Kidz opportunity.’

Advertiser info

Just Kidz

www.justkidz.co.nz

Contact Vanessa Henry

P 0-9-393 8085 or 021 204 3410

vanessa@justkidz.co.nz