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he children’s services industry is incredibly diverse, but broadly speaking we can divide brands into two categories: essential and non-essential. Parents are likely to see childcare nurseries (which often require the highest investment level) as the most indispensable among franchise brands on offer. The benefit here for franchisees is that the chances of creating a sustainable revenue stream are promising if you’re able to abide by government requirements and reassure parents. INDUSTRYANALYSIS Playtime profits: can the children’s services market keep the fun and finances balanced? T However, that’s not to say that other brands are unimportant – some parents will view services catered to developing children’s social skills, swimming abilities, and general wellbeing just as crucial. Plus, fees for these services are often more affordable than nurseries. From a franchisee perspective, these non-essential franchise brands can be ideal for anyone looking to enter the child services space because they usually require a lower investment level and can offer a more flexible working life in comparison to day care facilities. Franchises that operate a child-friendly environment can be particularly appealing to prospect franchisees who are working parents as they may need to incorporate their own childcare into their working day. For instance, if a franchisee runs an evening children’s club, they may be able to bring their own children to sessions, enabling them to earn while parenting. Another draw to investing in a children’s services franchise is the opportunity for a much bigger salary than what can be offered as a staff member. The average 12 WHAT FRANCHISE | ISSUE 19.3 CHILDREN’S SERVICES SPECIAL