Run your own educational franchise

What is the business? Kumon Educational provides after school maths and English individualised study for children of all ages and abilities. Kumon has been established in the UK for 15 years and has over 50,000 students enrolled on the programme across 560 study centres.

Kumon Instructors can help children:

• develop a mastery of basic skills in maths and English
• build a lasting confidence and self-belief
• develop excellent concentration skills and study habits

Investment required: £400 licence fee

Earning Potential: Unlimited potential

Is there training/support for franchisees? Our initial Instructor training lasts five full days and takes place in one of our regional offices. The five days are divided into two parts with around 4-5 weeks between each part. After opening your study centre there are two more formal training days as part of your first year's training. Every Instructor has a dedicated Area Manager who will support and guide you where necessary.

All worksheets and the materials required to run your centre are available from Kumon Book Services.. There is a start up package of 10,000 leaflets plus marketing subsidy for your first open event and a 40% subsidy up to a maximum of £100 per month for hall rental in the first year. Kumon Educational runs national promotion activities and offers a 60% subsidy on all approved marketing activities at the local level. Seminars, workshops and conferences are organised throughout the year.

Best suited to: If you have a passion to work in education and to see children grow and develop as individuals Kumon is for you. You need to be highly organised, to communicate effectively and be proficient in both maths and English. Running a Kumon centre can fit in easily with your own time schedule and family life as the hours are mainly flexible (apart from the study centre times twice a week).

For more information: Contact the Franchise Recruitment Manager on 0800 854 714 or visit our website www.kumon.co.uk/franchiseopportunities

Name: Jo

Location: I am Instructor at the Gosforth Kumon study centre (Newcastle)

Family: I am married with two girls, aged 8 and 5, both at school

How often do you work?
I work between 20 - 25 hours per week

How does the job fit around your family life?
The family/work balance is excellent. I take my children to school, which is their comfort blanket! I pick them up 3/5 afternoons. The fact that you can fit Kumon in and around school assemblies/plays, parents communication meetings etc..is the satisfaction factor. I so enjoy developing my children too! Their own Kumon achievements give me immense pride in that the work I have chosen is also supporting their education! I am enjoying the balance the job provides.

How much roughly did the franchise cost you?
£400 franchise fee

Do you get support/training?
You are well supported through an organized timetable of training days and home/class visits. The regional office is open Mon-Fri for contact and advice. Local and regional meetings are available to attend, including an annual conference. This introduces a support network with other Instructors which is extremely beneficial and supportive in the first year in particular.

Are there on-going costs?
Ongoing costs include rent (hire of venue for three hours twice a week), assistant wages, royalties, stationery, postage, telephone calls, promotion, use of car/home.

How much do you earn (roughly)?
Naturally, this varies depending upon whether you are opening a new location or are in a take-over position. Your income should grow more steadily once you have introduced at least 30 students on a continuing basis.

Do you advertise?
The Kumon website and leaflets/adverts in the school magazine Primary Times provides the majority of responses. However, when your centre grows beyond 30-40 you do get many students joining as word of mouth generates interest. Yellow pages and Yell.com can also be effective. We use A-boards outside centres, and targeted leaflet drops too.

What is the best thing about Kumon Educational for you?
I can go back to work, contribute to my family financially and educationally, whilst feeling personally rewarded in running my own business. Overall, apart from compulsory class times, I decide my daily priorities.

Are there any downsides to the job?
More hours invested per week than I would like. Be prepared to consider real effects of working from home i.e. storage/office space and the need to switch off from your office!

Would you recommend this franchise opportunity to other Mums?
Would absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoys working with young people and where flexibility in organizing your working life around children is a priority.