Considering a Franchise in Melbourne? Here’s What Our Newest Kool Kidz Owner Wants You to Know

Surprisingly, many people who enquire about a childcare franchise with Kool Kidz aren’t from the early learning sector. And one of our newest franchisees, Pooja, wasn’t either.

She moved from India to Australia in 2013, worked in banking and project management, then spent four years running a Laser Clinics Australia franchise. Today she’s the Approved Provider of Kool Kidz Fraser Rise, seven months into running her own centre in Melbourne’s west.

Here’s how she got there with support from our team.

What Led Her to a Childcare Franchise

The idea started at a childcare drop-off at another centre group. “When my daughter was born, I began to think about childcare and saw firsthand what could be improved. As a parent, I also wanted to be able to have my daughter with me at work,” Pooja explained.

Coming in from outside the sector, she wanted structure behind her. “I was not from the industry”, “so I went with Kool Kidz because of the support they provide franchisees.”

Kool Kidz stood out early. “Kool Kidz has a good brand presence with great reviews and 23+ years of experience in the industry. They’ve been in the industry for a long time, and I wanted that support.”

What Actually Happens After Your First Franchise Enquiry

Pooja’s first contact was in 2023. She sent an email, and the process moved from there. “They set up a meeting and interviewed me as a candidate and provided so much helpful information so I felt confident within the first meeting.”

Her impression of those early conversations was that nothing was hidden. “They were very straightforward, very clear, and the documentation was very clear. There were no hidden costs, and everything was very transparent.”

She had real concerns about her lack of industry experience, but felt confident every step of the way. “It’s a heavily compliant space. You need to hire the right people. Safety for children was my main concern, and I felt like Kool Kidz would help me achieve high safety standards.”

The answers, and the documentation behind them, were what convinced her. “I was given an agreement with costs, timeframes and information on how to become an Approved Provider, how to study, and how to log in. Everything was provided. They even included the whole booklet in the first meeting, which gave me a lot of confidence. They were very quick to respond, which also signalled that they were organised.”

She’d met with several franchise groups by that point, and Kool Kidz was the most impressive. “I met with quite a few franchises, and in terms of support, the approach and their plan were excellent.”

Pro Tip: The Approved Provider Licence Is the Stage to Plan For

If there’s one thing Pooja would tell a future franchisee, it’s this: give the Approved Provider process the time it deserves, and start studying early.

Her tip for anyone starting now is to block out study time early and treat the reading as part of running the business, not a hurdle. “The more you read and understand, the better for the business.” It is an investment to ensure you provide a quality service that meets all the laws and regulations.

The upside is that the wait ends with a moment worth having. The most exciting stage, she says, was “getting the service approval so we could have a start date.”

A Kool Kidz Centre Arrives Ready to Open

Pooja opened with a centre that was genuinely finished.

“One thing I really liked was that the fit-outs are part of the franchise package, and A-Z everything is included. iPads, furniture, office supplies, everything you need at the centre, including the toilet paper, was ready to go with two months’ supply. The set-up is done really well. The quality of materials is also great. Even the dishwasher in the kitchen is really good.”

Behind the physical set-up sat the operational side. “policies and procedures, hiring, setting up the centre to be ready from day one, with the stock included, was all provided.”

Support didn’t stop on opening day. A Kool Kidz team member is on site every day for the first six weeks, then three days a week. “It’s been seven months, and all I have to do is make a phone call, and they always answer. I’ve worked with other franchises in the past, and Kool Kidz is great in terms of support.”

The Part Nobody Warns You About: The Emotions

Her centre differs from her first franchise in two ways: the emotional energy it takes to run well, and the size of the team.

“In this industry, you always need to maintain a ratio. You are looking after at least 30 to 40 people on staff. It was a big jump from my other franchise where I would be managing 8 to 10 people max.”

And the relationships are different. “You have a lot more emotional involvement because it’s someone’s child. You are much more involved. You aren’t just running the business, you are very emotionally involved in the business.”

That’s exactly why the backup matters. “As a new centre, I was worried about incidents. It’s an essential service, and it’s a very rewarding industry, but you need that support as a new franchise in this industry, and Kool Kidz provides it.”

Her Advice If You’re Still Deciding

“I’m very happy with Kool Kidz. You are trained for everything from start to finish.”

One practical note on timing: Kool Kidz now brings franchisees in once development approval is in place, cutting the runway from three or four years down to roughly 18 months. So that’s great news if you’re looking to get into the industry.

Get in touch with the Kool Kidz team to learn more about the costs, timeframes and the Approved Provider process today.