Franchise Focus
is a huge advantage … It really eases a stressful day to know that there is a strong and supportive team there to help me at anytime. “When I was researching franchise opportunities, I came across ComputerXplorers. I found the class plans, the continuous development of programmes and software, along with the professional development and support of the franchisor, to be a great package.” Stephen Hall, 35, was born in Omagh,
Northern Ireland, where he spent his childhood before moving to England in 1994. He has run ComputerXplorers Birmingham East with his partner, Fiona McGuigan, since January 2011. He explains: “I’m a self-confessed computer
Bold Xplorers
ComputerXplorers, an education franchise network, provides quality information technology for children
INVESTMENT LEVEL: £29,500
other community venues. The company offers classes to children aged
C
three to 13. For younger children classes help build academic readiness skills in language, literacy, maths, science, art and music whilst introducing them to problem-solving and computer operations. Older students gain improved learning, productivity and performance and develop technology skills. Experts today place ICT at the heart of every
child’s education and development. Having fun with technology and computers from an early age encourages children to be e-confi dent and e-competent, and moreover, the potential market in the UK is huge: • More than 11 million children • At least 34,000 nurseries and pre- school groups
• Over 24,000 primary schools • Numerous after-school clubs and holiday schemes
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Businessfranchise.com | April 2012
omputerXplorers is a home- based franchise delivering classes in a range of locations including nursery schools, playgroups, schools, holiday clubs, after-school clubs and
John McGill took on ComputerXplorers for south-west Scotland in September 2009. He says: “I was impressed by the ComputerXplorers concept and wish that something as innovative and fun had been around when I was at school! Having two kids of my own it has allowed me to kick- start their knowledge of ICT. Technology is
“There is great training and support, and also a network of fellow fanchisees sharing knowledge and experience”
so central to everything we do, yet many schools are under-resourced in this area. The ComputerXplorers franchise presents a chance for Scottish children to have access to unique ICT programs and give them a head start in life, and for me this is not just a need – it’s a necessity.”
Nicola Cosgrave became franchise owner for ComputerXplorers Dublin South in January 2009. She says: “The support of the franchisor
geek and love messing around with computers and new bits of software, so it’s right up my street. The idea of combining my interest in ICT with having fun with kids really appealed to me. “We met with the franchisor, Nigel Toplis, and went to see a class in action. That really sealed the deal. I wasn’t prepared for how brilliant the classes were and to see the children being so enthusiastic and absorbed really sold it to me.” “We planned for one of us working on the business and the other fi nding a job, but it’s taken off so quickly that we’ve both been full-time from the start. We’re way ahead of our business target and have maintained our standard of living, which is pretty amazing for our fi rst year in business. It’s the best job I’ve ever had and I loved my other jobs! I never feel like I’m going to work.”
A former telephone and web operations manager Nicola Petty took voluntary redundancy to start a ComputerXplorers franchise in the Cotswolds. She says: “I decided to buy a franchise business because of the many advantages – the business model has already been tested and proven, the time to get the business up and running is much quicker, there is great training and support, and also a network of fellow franchisees sharing knowledge and experience.” Nigel Toplis, managing director of ComputerXplorers Limited confi rms: “Our goal is to help children discover their own technology and computer skills through exploration. Above all though ComputerXplorers is about education with a small ‘e’ and fun with a capital ‘F.’ We are extremely pleased both with the development of the franchise and with the impact ComputerXplorers is making in schools.”
COMPUTERXPLORERS
WEBSITE:
www.computerxplorers.co.uk EMAIL:
jmatthews@computerxplorers.co.uk PHONE: 01530 513 308 CLASSIFICATION: Children’s computer tuition
Investment: £20k-£50k
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