When I began looking for an early childhood education program for my child nine years ago, I was unable to find an option that went beyond basic daycare. As I pondered what was missing, I realized I wanted three things: a Spanish language immersion program that would foster early cognitive development and teach respect for diversity; fresh-cooked organic meals and snacks to encourage healthy eating habits; and a commitment to sustainability with policies like using cloth diapers.
Those three elements became the cornerstones of Tierra Encantada (Spanish for “enchanted land”), the Spanish immersion daycare and preschool that I created to serve the community where I live. Today, we have eight locations in Minnesota, with new centers opening in Chicago and Dallas, as well as franchise partnerships across the US in Minnesota, Virginia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas.
As the pandemic has made abundantly clear, childcare is a critical service in which demand far outstrips supply. Families in metropolitan areas already see months – if not years-long waiting lists for high-quality daycare. Tierra’s own Minneapolis locations see waiting lists well over a year long. This alone makes our franchises a good business opportunity for people who love children and want to see them thrive. Daycare
Our sweet spot – our language immersion curriculum – takes it a giant step further with our teaching, songs, games, and conversation all occurring in Spanish. Study after study has shown that learning a second language at a young age has tremendous benefits in areas such as improved cognitive functioning, verbal and math standardized test scores, and empathy in understanding another’s perspective. Other studies have shown that starting to learn a new language before age 10 dramatically increases the chance of fluency. Daycare
Parents are increasingly aware of these benefits and frequently choose Tierra Encantada over other options for that reason. I saw my own daughter’s Spanish speaking, reading, and listening skills surpass my own fluency before starting kindergarten, and I hear the same thing from other parents whose children have attended our program. Daycare
Our fresh and organic meals also offer a key competitive advantage, thanks to the growing number of families for whom healthy eating is a priority. Each Tierra Encantada center has an on-site commercial kitchen with dedicated chefs who prepare fresh breakfast and lunch daily. Breakfast might be organic scrambled eggs with fresh peppers, onions, and corn tortillas, while lunch might be pasta salad with vegetables, apples, and fresh-baked whole grain bread. Snacks are equally healthy. (Rice cakes and carrots, anyone?) Daycare
This not only encourages healthy eating and expands young palates, but it also serves as a strong draw for parents who emphasize organic or plant-based eating or both. With organic food sales in the U.S. more than quintupling to $56.5 billion from 2005 to 2020 and almost 40% of Americans reporting eating more plant-based foods, Tierra Encantada’s food program is another pillar that sets us apart from standard childcare offerings. Daycare
Finally, Tierra Encantada offers a full spectrum of site development, training, operations, and marketing support as well as ongoing partnership and resources ranging from weekly branded curricula for each age group to nutritionist-designed healthy recipes designed to expand young palates. Daycare
Tierra Encantada is perfect for entrepreneurial-minded individuals interested in ESG investing, who want to build generational wealth in a recession-proof sector with a concept that benefits the employees, the clients, and the community. Interested in seeing the numbers? Connect with us at https://franchise.tierraencantada.com to learn more. Daycare
By Kristen Denzer