New childcare philosophy launches in London
New childcare philosophy launches in London
After 40 years of extensive growth in the US, The Learning Experience (TLE) opened its first UK branch this week, in East Finchley, London.
TLE acquired the East End Road site, formerly the Pardes House Primary School site, and Bobath centre, and has designed a building and fit-out project specifically to complement the infrastructure of the 170-year-old listed schoolhouse.
The school received its Ofsted certification in October 2020 and having been held up by COVID-19, the preschool and nursery facilities unveiled on October 26, include:
- 14 nursery and preschool rooms with a capacity for 150 children aged 12-weeks to 5 years
- state-of-the art interactive touch screen boards
- a ‘make-believe boulevard’ area for dramatic play
- individual security fob system
- a drive-up entrance for drop offs and pick ups
- outdoor playground for all ages.
On opening day, an excited Fiona Smith, Managing Director (SVP), told us it “has felt a long time coming”. She explained: “We’ve been looking at expansion in the UK for a couple of years and took on the first site in the autumn of last year. It’s been a long build-out process, which we should have completed before the summer, but with COVID, we experienced some delays with our contractors.”
That is all behind TLE now, however, so what level of interest had there been in the new offer pre-opening. “The majority of the interest we have had to date is for threes and under, which is no great surprise,” said Fiona. “We had about 20 signed before we opened and several registered on the first morning. All in all, I think that’s a decent start.”
East Finchley was chosen primarily for its volume of chimney pots and excellent transport links, but the fact that the building TLE purchased had historical significance as a school since 1847 added something extra to the mix. “It just seemed a really interesting way to launch in the UK with this really historical building. We’ve rebuilt it from the inside, but very sympathetically and with the heritage and charm of the building in mind. It’s a really interesting space,” said Fiona.
The site will build on the foundations of a business established in 1980, in Boca Raton, Florida. TLE now has 275 locations across the US, each built on the same effective early childhood programmes developed by its private owners, the Weissman family. It’s L.E.A.P.® (Learning Experience Academic Programme) curriculum has been adapted to the EYFS and uses fun, hands-on activities throughout early education to help children develop intellectually, socially and cognitively. Or as TLE says, to Learn, Play and Grow.
From the vibrant colours to the furniture and floor plan, TLE® centres “foster an early childhood care environment where children feel comfortable and where their curiosity and creativity are rewarded”. Their age group structure is: Infant – 12-weeks to 1-year; Toddlers – 1-2; Twaddlers – 2–2.5; Preppers –2.5-3; and Pre-schooler – 3-5.
TLE® also has a cast of unique, beloved characters, each one designed to engage and teach children a new value or activity. Lionstein (Science), Tito Toro (countries and cultures), Phoebe (reading), Miss Chevious (sports and movement), Two Plus Toucan (maths), Pablo (art), Bubbles the Elephant (TLE Mascot) - more details of the characters and their origin can be found here.
“We pride ourselves on being very child-focused, from how the centre is built, through the thought that goes into the layout, everything is done from the child’s perspective. How we use the characters to engage the children and help them to learn is interesting too – right from the start the children were coming in and shouting ‘Bubbles!’ as soon as they saw them. I’ve never seen anything like that from any other childcare brand; it really seems to resonate.”
TLE aspires to establish itself as an integral part of the community and already has 12 local employees, all with childcare and education backgrounds apart from the business manager who was deliberately recruited for their non-childcare expertise. “We’ve concentrated on getting strong lead teachers for our inaugural team and we’ll look to hire more as we grow,” Fiona said.
The business will begin its UK expansion in 2021. “There is lots of potential and I see no reason why we can’t be as big as many other operators. Now really feels like the right time. The US company has expanded very quickly in recent years, through franchising. The East Finchley site is corporately owned. It’s our pilot site and it’s where we will learn everything about the brand.”
“We aim to do one more as a corporate business, before beginning to engage with potential franchise partners next year; talking to them about their brands and expansion plans,” Fiona explained. “I’m happy to talk to anybody who wants to express interest [in becoming a franchise partner].”
The views expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the views of Morton Michel.