B S Sujay on Growing Wonders approach to Montessori based education
B S Sujay explains the importance of Montessori education for the development of young minds
Please mention your name and position in GROWING WONDERS
B S SUJAY
FOUNDER DIRECTOR OF GROWING WONDERS
Please mention your time duration of association with the brand GROWING WONDERS and what inspired you to start it?
Growing Wonders was started from 2004 and since I am the founder, I have been with Growing Wonders from 2004.
Early childhood education was very unorganized and the crucial age of the child learning was not addressed effectively. Children were only spending time and learning was not considered to be important. With an exposure to Montessori in Australia where I lived to complete my MBA, I was keen to bring this approach towards education in a more organized manner to the children of India.
Please mention any unique characteristics of the brand GROWING WONDERS which makes the brand different from others.
Montessori education has become popular over the years and since it is a proper name, it has been used inappropriately. Schools that do not follow the approach fully are also using the terminology just to gain visibility.
Growing Wonders believes in the approach in its entirety and has seen the result over the years, where children come out being joyful, happy and academically well nurtured. The complete adherence to the method and 100% child centric approach has been the uniqueness of GW, backed by trained Montessori adults and helpers at all times, the understanding of the child’s physiological needs has been the focus in addressing the child and providing a nurturing learning environment.
Who can be a franchisee for GROWING WONDERS? (franchisee profile expectation)
Some of the criterion we are looking for to become a GW franchisee:
- Passionate to work with children
- Adhere to the philosophy that GW believes in and be prepared to work for the child
- Be an active participant in the franchise set up
- Invest time in participation to all the sessions of GW
- Good management and PR skills to interact with parents and adults
- Attitude of commitment, patience, dedication, perseverance
- Ability to hold on to the branch for a minimum period of 3 years financially. To be able to absorb all the running costs (This is only to understand the financial strength of the franchisee)
- Focus on growth and be willing to expand the franchisee based on demand
- Social Entrepreneur who understands the social responsibility in being an Entrepreneur
- Education and child is the focus while revenue is considered to happen automatically
Where do you want to see the brand GROWING WONDERS in the next financial year ? What are the planned target/goals the brand wants to achieve?
Growing Wonders has been incubated for over a decade now and it is time that we reach out to more children and make a difference in their lives. We are intended to change the way the child is seen, treated and educated in the interest of contributing to build a better, sustainable and peaceful future.
We should be having at least 15 franchisees in the next Financial / Academic year, with an exponential growth YOY. We should have touched the lives of at least 500 more children and have conducted awareness programs for at least 2000 parents.
We intend to focus in South India as of now both in T1 and T2 cities. The financials for these two has to be worked out separately.
Can you elaborate more about the products/services provided by GROWING WONDERS?
Growing Wonders is a focused Montessori House of children recognized by IMC since 2008. IMC is the only authorized Montessori organization in India that recognizes Montessories based on the adherence to the approach.
Yoga, Art and craft, Songs, Bhajans, sports are a part of the curriculum which encourages social interaction and better health.
GW has provided the complete set of Montessori Materials in each environment (class) consisting of 35 children. With three adults per environment personal attention is given to every child. The ratio being 1:15 max at any time.
The well defined process and procedures of GW helps to monitor the progress of every child and support them in reaching their true potential.
Sessions and Seminars on various child related topics for the parents has helped the parents to better understand the child so that they can support them in their growth.
How’s your experience with Franchise Alpha so far?
It has been professional and organized.
What are your expectations from Franchise Alpha?
Adherence to the commitment of ensuring a good number of franchisees for the first year to start will be key in evaluating the worthiness of this association.
- 12 – 15 franchisee for the academic year is the minimum ask
- Proper identification of the franchisee after due diligence to avoid redundancy of time and effort
- Hand holding throughout the association including advertising / marketing and legal aspects
- Position Growing Wonders as a primary premium band in the space of Montessori Education
- Growing wonders should be the FIRST RECALL name in the sector
Where do you see the brand GROWING WONDERS in the long run if you have Franchise Alpha by your side?
In the next 5 years, I see FA supporting GW in building a very successful brand known across INDIA and with atleast 70 – 100 franchisees.
FA supporting GW in building its associated brands and products that are planned to be introduced in time to come.
Making GW a name closely associated with children and child education.
