“Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school,” wrote Robert Fulghum in the well-read book of essays Everything you need to know you learned in kindergarten.
That is another way of saying that what we learn early in life – in the tender, formative years, when our minds are at its most impressionable and absorptive — will stay with us through our adulthood until old age.
Which is another way of saying that pre-school is of crucial importance in shaping up young people. This is the reason why the modern, enlightened parent make it a point to shop around very carefully when choosing a nursery school for their kids.
The institutionalization of the K to 12 program in the formal educational system has not and is not expected to eliminate the need for pre-schools.
Modern parents want their children to have a good headstart – to be able to know the basics of the 3 Rs before they step into formal schooling.
Thus the demand for pre-schools has not wanted.
Advantages
There are three major advantages of putting up a preschool.
It can give the business owner the psychic satisfaction of having contributed to the shaping up of young children who will be the leaders and the doers of the future.
The second advantage is that it is relatively easy to set up. It entails some but not too many legal requirements. Moreover, investment costs are not too steep. With the growing popularity of the franchise model (Montessori, for example), entrepreneurs can start one without too much sweat and risks.
Thirdly, with all the legal requirements in place, a nursery school that has built up a good reputation is just a few steps and years away from expanding into a full-fledged elementary and high school.
DepEd requirements
The main government institutions that regulate the establishment of preschools is the Department of Education (DepEd).
The following are the steps one has to take to register their proposed preschool with the Department of Education, as compiled by businesscoach.phil.com.
Complete the GPR-4 Form. This is the primary form provided by the DepEd for those interested in applying for a Preschool, Day Care Center, Primary or Secondary schools.
Submit the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws. You must first register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as you need to form a corporation and acquire a corporate name.
Present Copy of the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) and document of ownership of the school site or copy of Lease Contract (at least 10 years).
Find an acceptable location and determine the size of the preschool. The proposed site must not be hazardous to health or morality, and the location must be conducive to the learning process. The area must be a minimum of 500 square meters, although a minimum of 200 square meters is allowed if there is an open space to complete the requirement that is not more than 200 meters away. Note that classrooms used by preschool children must be on the ground floor only.
Present a certification of bank deposit. Besides the usual requirement of the SEC to show the paid-up capital, the DepEd requires certification that sufficient funds are available to run the school’s operation for at least one year.
Present a proposed budget. Create a planned budget and forecast of expenditures for the next year, as approved by the Board of Trustees/ Directors.
Plan on campus development and list of facilities. This would include all those necessary in order to properly teach the listed courses along with the support services. Note that pictures of the site, rooms and facilities are also required.
List of personnel and qualifications. This should include school administrators and both teaching and non-teaching personnel.
Bond Agreement. This is in the amount of 1,000 per course with a maximum of PhP5,000 per school regardless of the number of courses.
Be reminded that requirements change; do verify with the DepEd for the most current rules. Remember, too, that preschools must be handled not only as a business but also as a place where young minds are first formally molded. You must also have a passion to impart education besides the profit motive.
Photo: “Preschool” by Travelust, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved