Team Support
Center Operations
Ongoing Operations Support
Discovery Point offers the franchisees continuing support with an in-house operations support staff that have over 100 years of experience in franchise education. Each child development center has an operations manager to assist with any questions you may have. They offer their expertise to assist you with the day-to-day operations of your center. We will also assist a franchisee with the accreditation program for that state. The operations staff offer regularly scheduled visits, monthly phone calls, ongoing training (virtual and on-site), and staff consulting.
Operations Software
Discovery Point centers utilize a computer operating system that is user friendly and that manages the family’s accounts, including medical records, immunization records, allergies, and contact information and attendance records. The program will also manage the center’s accounts receivable and provide accounting reports. This program can also be used as a tool to provide marketing trends for future reference in planning continuing marketing plans.
Real Estate & Financing
Our Real Estate Team
We assist the new franchisee with their site selection. We take into consideration the size of the property, zoning, visibility, parking and traffic. We also conduct demographic analyses of the surrounding area, which includes number and age of the children and the adult population, residential communities, household income, competitors, retail development in the area, and more.
Financing and Purchase Process
Banks are attracted to the child development industry and to Discovery Point specifically due to the stability of the children’s franchise industry and the record of success. Discovery Point has several loan options that we explore with you to secure the terms and any specific conditions of the lender.
Discovery Point Franchising, Inc, a leading franchisor of quality, affordable child development centers throughout the Southeast U.S. and currently expanding into the South Central States, has been selected for inclusion in the SBA Registry. To appear on the SBA Registry, Discovery Point submitted detailed operational and financial information, including the current FDD, to the SBA for review and approval as a Nationally Approved SBA Franchise Concept.
Contractor Evaluation & Construction
Discovery Point starts the new project using the proprietary Discovery Point building design and site layout. Our team will investigate the local government requirements for your location and building and will incorporate any required modifications into your plans. We can remove all of the stress from the construction process. The Discovery Point Construction Team will apply for and obtain all of the permits needed for your project. We will apply our knowledge and years of experience to qualify and hire the right contractor for your construction project. We oversee the entire project, including obtaining the Certificate of Occupancy (CO).
Shared Experience
Training
The Discovery Point training program is a detailed four week program that teaches our new franchisees state regulations, marketing and advertising, staff scheduling and other children business related topics. Initial training is also provided for the management staff and lead teachers in an operational Discovery Point training center. As a new Discovery Point Franchisee, you will also be able to experience the interaction between parents, children and staff in an operational Discovery Point as a part of the training program. An Operations Manager will also be on site at your center for your first week to support you in any capacity needed. The training is led by the Discovery Point Operations Team that has over 100 years of experience in the child care industry.
Child Care Licensing Requirements
Discovery Point establishes communications with the appropriate state child care licensing agencies to facilitate the center licensing. Discovery Point has developed long-standing relationships with the state licensing consultants. We assist the new franchisee with the written application for the state child care license. Discovery Point provides the new franchisee with the information regarding the required orientations and trainings required by the state.
Quality Assurance
Each Discovery Point center has an assigned Quality Assurance Specialist who visits each center every month. The Quality Assurance team offer centers individual support on operations, building and paperwork. Discovery Point franchisees receive monthly written assessments from the Quality Assurance team to ensure that the state licensing quality and operational requirements are being met and that the Discovery Point “High Five” Standards of Excellence are being met as well.
Solid Start – Center Start Up
Grand Opening/Open House Support
Discovery Point offers guidance and support in planning a new center’s Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting event. In addition, we offer assistance in planning for a new center’s Open House event as a part of the center’s marketing and advertising plan.
Pre-Enrollment Marketing Support:
Discovery Point offers assistance with market surveys, fee structures for new centers, initial set-up of website and business center, and the initial market advertising plan.
Equipment Package:
The equipment package supplies all the required elements for initial licensing requirements. The package is delivered to the center by a professional moving company, who will off-load the equipment and place it into specifically marked rooms of the center. Owners are provided with an initial floor plan for each specific area of the center and instructions on how to set up each classroom for initial licensing inspections. The equipment package includes state-required posted notices, including daily schedules for each classroom and weekly menus. Center owners will be provided a detailed equipment list upon the delivery of the equipment to the center.
Pre-State Licensing Inspection Support:
The Discovery Point Operations staff provide a pre-state inspection for the new center, prior to contacting the child care licensing agency to schedule the official inspection of the center. Staff will support the new franchisee on the day of the center’s state inspection and assist as needed.