Welcome to our franchise family
Join a community of lifelong learners dedicated to providing quality childcare across Victoria for over 25 years.
Why we founded Kool Kidz
Phillip and Sylvia Hortis established the very first Kool Kidz Early Learning Service in Rowville, Victoria, in 1994. After 12 successful years and growing demand, they decided to expand the Kool Kidz brand.
Noticing that other chains of childcare services often spread themselves too thin, Phillip had an idea. He set out to deliver purpose-built, quality childcare centres that provided a high level of care.
Building on the success of the Kool Kidz model, Phillip developed and launched the very first childcare franchise model in Australia. Phillip understood that the strength of a high-quality childcare service was largely correlated with the owner’s presence, direct involvement in running the service and forming relationships with the families.
Our mission
To help children become independent learners in society through quality care and educational programs delivered in a loving, caring and nurturing environment by a team of passionate, dedicated and committed professionals.
We aim to ensure that all children, families, staff, and visitors feel safe and secure and are supported to become all they can be.
Testimonial
“Joining Kool Kidz was the right decision for us as a family. We have been provided with opportunities to learn about the sector and how to effectively manage our successful business. The direct support from the Kool Kidz team has been invaluable. I have been able to work hands on in my centre the whole time I have been with Kool Kidz and have received direction and guidance along the way to ensure we provide the best level of education and care to our community.
As a long time Approved Provider with Kool Kidz, I’ve not only grown myself, I have able to assist new Approved Providers to the network to settle much quicker by providing them with my own experiences over the last decade. I also collaborate with the Approved Providers within the network to ensure we continue to provide quality outcomes for all children within our services.”
– Nicole Llewellyn, Franchisee of Kool Kidz Mill Park
Make a lasting impact
As one of the most trusted names in early education and childcare services, owning a Kool Kidz childcare franchise is an exciting opportunity for you, your family and your local community. Our Kool Kidz business model is built on a simple idea: to offer the highest quality service, which always delivers the best possible quality of care and educational outcomes for children.
Building on the success of the Kool Kidz model, Phillip developed and launched the very first childcare franchise model in Australia. Phillip understood that the strength of a high-quality childcare service was largely correlated with the owner’s presence, direct involvement in running the service and forming relationships with the families.
- Through careful analysis, we grant all franchisees an exclusive trade territory with services licensed from 130 places and larger in some cases.
- We negotiate leases, work alongside developers and their builder to liaise around all building works and fit-outs, provide you with the necessary training, assist you with your approvals, and help you find the best, highly qualified staff to ensure that your Kool Kidz service is up and ready to welcome its first families.
- The central team will provide you with the training necessary to become an Approved Provider and once you are approved by the Department of Education and Training you will then receive additional training to run a Kool Kidz service in our unique model.
- To kick-start your occupancy and initial opening, our marketing department will launch a local marketing campaign.
- We help you with the initial recruitment for your service and teach you how to conduct interviews and recruit the best staff.
- For the first 6-12 months, we are hands-on and assist you with your service's operations as you learn how to operate your business with shoulder to shoulder coaching from our expert team of Operations Specialists.
- For any HR-related enquiries, franchisees are encouraged to make use of HR Legal, who are HR Lawyers on retainer for the entire Kool Kidz network.
Childcare industry analysis
With exponential growth forecasted, the Australian childcare industry is one of the largest in the country, worth $14.5bn. We have experienced steady gain over the past ten years, with 16 sites currently operating in Victoria. Our network will expand to 30 licensed services in the next five years.
Several factors have combined to make the childcare sector a buoyant one, including:
- The trend for both parents needing to work
- The number of single parents in the workforce
- The Federal Government’s childcare subsidy
Choosing an outstanding childcare service is extremely important for families, which is why Kool Kidz has succeeded
Franchisee support
As a member of our Kool Kidz franchise family, we provide each one of our centres with:
Branding
Your business will benefit from the use of the well-known Kool Kidz brand and all associated intellectual property.
Dedicated Franchise
Operations Manager
Franchise Operations Manager (FOM) available to you throughout your journey, your FOM is your main contact who provides professional guidance and support on your business’s overall strategic planning.
Training
As a new franchisee, you complete a two-week individually tailored training program to achieve a minimum level of competency and understanding of all Kool Kidz operations. Your initial team will also complete a training program for the first six months of operation, including a staff induction and three formal training sessions (one every second month).
The Kool Kidz difference
Kool Kidz childcare service facilities are purpose-built and designed to provide engaging learning and play environments for all children, from infants to kindergarten.
All children’s classrooms have a spacious play area, abundant age-appropriate furniture and educational experiences, fun toys, art and craft supplies, appropriate books and lots more.
Our kindergarten classrooms offer an art expression space, allowing children to explore their creativity.
All centres have dedicated safe sleeping areas and easy access to baby change tables and toilet facilities.
Every centre also features an E.A.R.T.H. room (Empower agency to regulate and thrive in a holistic environment), a multi-purpose space complementing our curriculum.
Each service also offers well-equipped outdoor play areas.
A separate kitchen leading to a children’s dining room allows staff to provide healthy, nutritious and balanced meals throughout the day while catering for special dietary needs.
Own a Kool Kidz
Crn Pink Hill Boulevard & Fairwood Rise, Officer, VIC 3809
P: 1800 566 554
E: info@koolkidzchildcare.com.au
690 – 717 Barwon Heads Road,
Armstrong Creek, Victoria 3217
P: 1800 566 554
E: info@koolkidzchildcare.com.au
Franchise enquiries
Our vision is to position Kool Kidz as the premium childcare service in Victoria. If you’re ready to join us, fill out the form and we’ll be in touch shortly.
Frequently Asked Questions
The number one incentive for joining the Kool Kidz childcare franchise is minimising risk. The childcare industry in Australia is highly regulated and requires a deep level of understanding in order for an operator to be granted with service approval. Kool Kidz childcare has over 25 years of experience in the childcare in Melbourne, and have never had a childcare service fail to achieve a license from the Department of Education and Training. All Kool Kidz daycare services are designed with efficiency in mind, and above all else, achieving the best outcomes possible for children. In addition to this level of assurance, franchisees will benefit from the goodwill that will come with being a part of a recognizable brand with an established reputation in Victoria. Becoming a part of the Kool Kidz early learning family also provides franchise partners with unique networking and learning opportunities that would otherwise not be available to them.
In order to claim childcare subsidy (CCS) from the government, you need to be an Australian citizen. Without revenue from CCS, the profitability of your Kool Kidz childcare would be severely hampered.
The investment to own a childcare centre is largely determined by the licensed capacity of the service that you are purchasing. For example, for 130 licensed places the minimum investment is approximately $1.5 million, for 168 licensed places the minimum investment is approximately $1.9 million.
Yes, all prices provided by Kool Kidz childcare at the time of signing the franchise agreement are estimates only. The prices provided are based on the most recent services we have fitted out. If your service is 2 years away from opening, you will need to be aware and consider the potential impact of inflation on the prices that you have been provided.
It is possible to crowd-fund the initial investment. However, it is important to note that Kool Kidz will only have a contractual relationship with the franchise partner. For example, if you have secured funds from family and friends, they will be considered as silent investors. They will have no control or influence over the operation of the Kool Kidz childcare service. It is also important to note that Kool Kidz has seen franchise partners achieve 50% finance in the past from major banks, and this is an avenue that we encourage franchise partners to explore.
You do not need any formal qualifications in order to be granted Approved Provider status, however, it is a Kool Kidz’s expectation that Franchise Partners are at least working towards a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care within the first two years of operating your service.
Kool Kidz invests a lot of time and resources into assessing a potential Kool Kidz site. All Kool Kidz childcare for sale go through a comprehensive site analysis, demographic study, and overall business feasibility study prior to making any commitments.
All Kool Kidz business for sale are typically at least 12 months away from operating, and as far as 24 months away. Kool Kidz prefers Franchise Partners to get involved earlier in the process as it allows more time for achieving government approvals as well as completing training that is necessary prior to opening your service.
Yes, a Kool Kidz license can only be granted when a license agreement is signed. There is a very extensive process prior to signing, including lots of discussing and exchanging of information. Kool Kidz strongly advises Approved Providers to seek independent legal advice to ensure a full and comprehensive understanding of all their obligations and responsibilities.
The Licensor company Hortis & Associates Pty Ltd will be responsible for the head lease and will enter into a sub-lease arrangement with the Franchise Partner.
Our License Agreements mirror our Lease Agreements which typically run for a minimum of 15 years, as well as the subsequent options on the lease.
Franchise Partners are obligated under the Licensing Agreement to spend a minimum of 38 hours per week in their business at the premises to ensure high quality. However, the reality of running your own business is that there may be additional hours required. Once your business is out of the establishment/development phase, typically after 12 months, solid service routines backed with well-trained educators will allow your contact hours to become more flexible and annual leave may also become a possibility.
Kool Kidz businesses can be sold at any time. However, to ensure continuity for educators and families, any potential Approved Provider must be approved by the Kool Kidz Licensor.
Once you have been confirmed as an Approved Provider, you will be required to attend training at our Central Support location. Approved Providers will have access to Kool Kidz operations manuals and attend focused training sessions covering the Approved Provider role and service operation.
Kool Kidz Central Support delivers bespoke support and guidance based on the needs of the Franchise Partner. Support is typically quite involved and frequent in the first 6-12 months of operation, and then can be scaled back according to the needs of the Franchise Partner. Kool Kidz Central Support Staff are continually conducting policy reviews and updates, as well as delivering trainings to educators and dedicating time to innovation in the curriculum and pedagogy space. On an ongoing basis, Kool Kidz Central Support Staff are always available to assist and advise on any operational queries.
Yes, part of your responsibility when entering into the Kool Kidz License Agreement is to adhere to all prescribed policies and procedures when operating your service.
Each Kool Kidz business comes with its own exclusive trade territory. It is our policy to protect Approved Providers from a potential oversupply of childcare and Kindergarten places, however, we cannot guarantee other competition is not introduced from other operators.
Kool Kidz businesses can be sold at any time. However, to ensure continuity for educators and families as well as protection of the wider brand, any potential purchaser must be approved by the Kool Kidz Franchisor.
On this page, you can fill out the Kool Kidz Franchise online enquiry form. Our Franchise Operations Manager will then contact you to ask a few questions and assess your suitability to become a Kool Kidz Franchise partner. If successful, you will proceed to an interview process.
