Leading the Parade in Children’s Technology Education
Imagine a modern-day Professor Hill from the play The Music Man talking to a group of parents concerned about their children’s future. With our twenty-first century knowledge-based society depending so heavily on technology, I expect these days the “professor” would be touting computer training, not marching band, to enhance a child’s education. I can hear him shouting, “What do you have? Children! What do they need? Computer training!”
We know that kids trained to use computers do better in school and the earlier they receive that training, the better they learn. But they don’t always get the training they need. Enter a gem of a franchise system aimed at filling this very need: COMPUTERTOTS/COMPUTER EXPLORERS, a part of ICED (International Center for Entrepreneurial Development) of Cypress, Texas.
Karen Marshall, president and founder of COMPUTERTOTS, was a former teacher and stay-at-home mom who wanted to get back to work but did not want back into the school system. She and a friend saw a need for someone to teach computer skills to children and decided this might be a great home-based business. The company was founded in 1984 and began Franchising in 1989.
“The difference between COMPUTERTOTS and similar companies,” says Cyndee Perkins, director of franchise development, “is that we were founded by educators and that has always been our primary focus. We keep a team of educators on staff and our entire curriculum is reviewed and updated continually. COMPUTERTOTS uses a variety of software, some of it not even available in this country, to provide not only a diversity of education but also diversity in cultural awareness.” Perkins started out as a franchisee in 1992 and, with her husband, owns two franchises.
Franchisees actually get two Franchises in one. COMPUTERTOTS teaches children in daycare, preschool and kindergarten, usually ages three to five. COMPUTER EXPLORERS is for ages six through adult. They even have courses for seniors, who, as Perkins says, “got that computer from their children so they could keep in touch through email, but don’t know how to use it.”
COMPUTER EXPLORERS also has a Staff Training program to help teachers plan lessons, manage classroom information, and to integrate technology into the core subject areas. The COMPUTER EXPLORERS Resource Teacher can educate a teacher in a variety of software programs, enabling the teacher to, for example, create multi-media PowerPoint® presentations. The teacher will then be able to teach those same skills to students.
There are two models for a franchisee in the system – the owner/operator, who teaches the classes and operates the business; and the manager, who will hire a staff to assist in teaching and operating the business. Perkins says that about 40% o current franchisees are men and 60% wmen. Owner/operators generally come from an education background while manager franchisees have a background in business. However, you needn’t be a techno wiz to consider a CT CE franchise; they can teach you all you need to know.
“This is a low overhead, home-based business,” says Perkins. “Expenses grow as the business grows, so you can decide how large and how quickly you want to grow without risking a large initial outlay of money.”
“ICED has added some valuable resources to our business,” says Perkins, “along with fresh ideas. They lowered the investment fee for the manager model and even offer financing of up to 50% o the fee with zero interest. They’ve added personnel resources, including a marketing and public relations department, which will be available to our franchisees.”
Art Coley, president of CT CE since September, says he came on board because of the opportunity to work in a business centered around children and technology. “I couldn’t pass it up -- it’s a real opportunity to make a difference,” says Coley. “We’re filling a child’s heart and brain with “food” for life.” Coley, 33, has his own market research group at home: his wife is a teacher and he has three children, ages nine, seven and two.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for current and future franchise owners,” says Coley. “Chain day care centers are looking for staffing solutions. School systems have computers and internet access but cannot afford full-time teachers. We teach 25,000 children in 32 states every week.”
COMPUTERTOTS expects substantial growth over the next two years. They plan to double the number of franchises domestically from their current number of about 100, and are also looking into moving into other countries.
While your town may not have the same trouble as River City in Music Man, there is a universal problem in most communities and that’s lack of funding for education. School districts are finding it cheaper to outsource specialized education such as technology. According to Perkins, “A school buys a finished product [from CT CE] with the lesson plan already developed. We can incorporate these lessons into a teacher’s core curriculum, enhancing the learning experience while also teaching technology.”
Coley offers this example of the savings COMPUTER EXPLORERS can provide to a school: “When you add up the cost of a full-time technology teacher along with the software and curriculum, the cost per year can be $50-100,000. For that, each student gets maybe one hour a week of instruction. COMPUTER EXPLORERS can offer a better program, accomplish more and provide more classroom time for about $30-40,000.”
This is a real feel good opportunity, where the franchisee has a chance to give back to the community. But Coley emphasizes that there is also a substantial income to be made as well.
Franchisees in the system find they love their jobs. At a recent gathering of owners at the new Cypress headquarters, franchisees commented:
“I think we can prepare our children for tomorrow.” –Cate M, CT
These franchisees may be teaching academic skills, software and hardware, not trombones and coronets, but their excitement at working with children and technology is palpable. Franchisees have protected territories and claim great support from both the corporate office and other franchisees. If you’d like to learn more about COMPUTERTOTS/COMPUTER EXPLORERS, they invite you to request more information.
“It was the only career that I’ve been able to find that allows me to combine my love of technology with my love of children. The flexible schedule allows me to be a better parent.” –Robin K., VA
“I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children and also use my business background.” –Michelle H., FL
“I became a COMPUTERTOTS COMPUTER EXPLORERS owner so I could own my own business, be my own boss but yet not have to figure everything out myself.” –Dave S., MI
“It allows me to make a life for my family as well as a living.” –Joyce. M., NE
“Since childhood, I’ve dreamed of owning my own business and also leaving a legacy for my children. That’s the reason I do it.” – Kevin P., TX
“My fellow franchisees are essential to me in the work that I do.” – Yvonne B., CA
“I like being able to use my background in education and forming a partnership with a business that has unlimited potential and growth.” – Helen P., MS
“I was introducing a program to preschoolers called ‘McGee’s Farm.’ An excited three-year-old said to me, ‘I love COMPUTERTOTS! I’ve never been on a real farm before!’” –Sharon H., NJ
“The best part of being at COMPUTERTOTS COMPUTER EXPLORERS is the other franchisees.” –Diane O., IL
“The children love me and they love what we’re doing. It’s very rewarding.” –Angela B., CA
“The best part is to see the children learn and achieve something. The feeling is really great!” –Kenny N., Malaysia
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