Procedure for Starting a Preschool in India
Preschools have become a bourgeoning business in India. You will be able to locate a preschool with day care, crèche, playschool with after school activities so on and so forth in every nook and corner. Preschools have yielded high income and indeed are a lucrative business to invest in. Though preschools yield a high income it is also important to note that many preschools have failed to meet several ethical criterions along with key factors that would otherwise contribute towards a successful preschool business. The criterions to start a preschool in advanced cities will vary compared to the minor cities.
Business Plan
If you are planning to start a preschool or playschool, it is first recommended that a business plan be prepared. The business plan for a preschool should comprise of the details:
Registrations & Licenses
State Government have enacted laws like the “Private School Education Acts” which regulate the operations of a school. Therefore, prior to starting a preschool or school, it is important for the Promoters to know about the State Education Act and play to obtain the relevant registrations.
Preschools can be setup as a for-profit or not-for-profit enterprise. If the promoters wish to operate the preschool as a for-profit enterprise, then it is advisable to incorporate a private limited company or a Limited Liability Partnership. In case the promoters wish to operate the preschool as a not-for-profit enterprise, then a section 8 company or a Trust can be registered.
Loan for Starting Preschool
Arranging for funds to invest in your preschool business is crucial. Depending on how big or small your preschool is going to be you will need to arrange for funds accordingly. Banks are favorable for lending to establish a preschool, with Banks such as Bharatiya Mahila Bank operating special scheme for funding of Day Care Centers.
Bharatiya Mahila Bank: Parvarish – Loan For Day Care Centre:
Banks would typically provide loans for creations of items such as building, interior, furniture or equipment. Banks cannot fund operational expenditure such as staff salary, maintenance, rental, utility bill, etc., Therefore, it is important that the promoters draw out a cash flow statement for atleast one year and syndicate bank loan for investment in long-term assets (building, furniture, etc.,), which can be funded by the Bank. Any shortfall in operational expenditure would have to be supported by equity funds of the promoters.
Choosing the Right Location & Infrastructure
It is very important to invest time in looking out for the right location and adequate space to set up the preschool business. The preschool should be located in a child friendly area and the space should be adequate to set up infrastructure accordingly. For a school, cleanliness and hygiene are very important, so ensure that the location is well maintained and does not possess any health risk.
Also, in case the location where the preschool is setup is not a own premises, enter into a long-term lease or rental with the landlord to ensure that the investment in terms of infrastructure and business development are not jeopardized.
Service Tax Applicability for Schools
Once the school begins operations, compliance with tax regulations must be maintained. Each year, income tax on the profits of the preschool may be applicable based on the type of entity established by the promoters (viz., for profit or not for profit).
However, service tax is not applicable for a school as it is included in the negative list. The following items are a part of the service tax negative list and thus exempt from service tax:
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