To move forward and start up your own Joy School, click HERE to see step-by-step instructions as well as the forms that you'll need to print out, fill out and send to us in the mail along with your start-up fee.  

Please send us a quick email to let us know your application is on its way so we'll watch for it in the mail.  And please note that we have a NEW ADDRESS: The Joy School Company, 2532 Jefferson Avenue, Odgen, UT 84401. Old forms may have the old address.  Please use this new address to mail applications and checks.  

OR, if you want to make things really quick and easy, you can get started via email and PayPal.  Read over all of the step-by-step instructions on doing this below.

Starting Your Own Joy School

To apply for your own Joy School franchise, follow these simple steps:

1. Read through EVERYTHING below.
2. Complete the “Registration Form for Joy Schools” and the “Joy School Franchise Application” by cutting and pasting them (below) into a document or email, filling in your answers, and sending them back to us via email.
3. Read carefully the “Joy School Franchise Agreement” and "Joy School Quality Guidelines."  In your email with your registration form and application, include this statement: "I heareby declare that I have read and agree to the Joy School Franchise Agreement and Joy School Quality Guidelines."  This will serve as your electronic signature. 
4. Upon receiving your emailed materials, we let you know if you've been accepted as a Joy School Operator and send you a PayPal invoice for your start-up fees and first semester franchise fee plus 5% to cover the fees PayPal charges us.
5. You make your payment via PayPal.
6. As soon as we get your payment, we email you your Start-Up Kit, mail you your music CDs, and get you all set up for on-line access to the full year of lesson plans.
7.  Contact us at any time during this process if you have any questions or concerns at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Joy School Fees for 2010-2011

ONE-TIME START-UP FEE

This one-time fee provides new Joy School Operators with the Joy School Start-Up Kit which

includes materials for advertising, suggested supply lists, templates for visuals you use throughout the year, a parent handbook, forms for registration including emergency contact forms, liability waiver forms, etc.

• $150 for those who are not yet valuesparenting.com members

• $100 for valuesparenting.com members (includes a new lifetime membership)

YEARLY FRANCHISE FEES

This fee provides Joy Schools with the lesson plans and music CDs as well as ongoing support from The Joy School Company. After the your first year as a Joy School, the fee decreases as you already have your CDs and likely won't need as much support from us.

• First Year Full-Year Franchise Fee: $145 (save $25 off old price of $170 for 2 semesters @ $85 each)

• Second Year (and thereafter) Full-Year Franchise Fee: $120

YEARLY STUDENT DUES AND CD FEES

Each Joy School can choose whether to paying the regular dues/CD fee for each child or simply pay for dues for each child and offer parents the option of purchasing the CDs for an additional charge (a form is provided in the Registration Forms in the Start-Up Kit so that you can offer parents the CD option). We do ask that all Joy School operators STRONGLY encourage all parents to purchase the CDs for their children and pass out these forms at registration. Children really get more out of their Joy School experience when they have the music CDs to listen to at home.

• Full Year Per-Child Dues/CD fee for groups with 8 or fewer children: $83

• Full Year Per-Child Dues/CD fee for groups with 9-15 children: $80

• Full Year Per-Child Dues/CD fee for groups with 16 or more children: $75

• Full Year Per-Child Dues-Only for groups with 8 or fewer children: $50

• Full Year Per-Child Dues-Only for groups with 9-15 children: $47

• Full Year Per-Child Dues-Only for groups with 16 or more children: $42

Dues are typically covered by registration fees you charge parents when they enroll their children.

VALUESPARENTING.COM MEMBERSHIPS

We ask that all Joy School operators urge the families in their program to purchase a lifetime membership to Valuesparenting.com (if they are not already members).  A membership to this website offers wonderful ideas for enhancing all that their child is learning in Joy School as well as many other practical ideas and programs to help parents be the parents they really want to be.  Parents get a special discount to the website when they sign up through you and you get a small commission on the memberships that you sell.  A regular lifetime membership to Valuesparenting.com costs $50 but parents can get this membership through you for $40.  Then you pay us $35 for the membership and keep the extra $5 as your commission.  We provide you with forms for parents to sign up for Valuesparenting.com.

_____________________________________________

Registration Form for Joy Schools

(cut and paste into an email or document, fill out and email in)

Director/Teacher’s name: 

Your preschool’s name (should include “Joy School” in the title if you’re starting a new program):

Your Mailing Address:

_____________________________________________________________________

Street City State Zip

Phone Number including area code:

Alternate Phone Number: 

Email Address: 

How often do you check your email?

Date you plan to begin using Joy School materials:

Are you comfortable with the Internet? Will you be able to easily download lesson plans from our website (they’ll be in PDF format, generally very easy to download)? Please explain any concerns about this.

Joy School Franchise Application

(cut and paste into an email or document, fill out and email in)

Your answers to the following questions will help us determine whether you're likely to be successful as a Joy School franchise and help us understand more about you so that we can provide you with appropriate support. We want to be sure that each and every Joy School that we help to start has the basic qualities that we've found lead to success. The most important qualifications for Joy School operators are experience with children, love for children, an understanding and appreciation of the Joy School curriculum, and commitment to providing a high-quality program for children. If you feel that you meet these criteria, you should be in good shape!

1. What experience do you have working with young children?

2. Why do you want to run a Joy School?

3. Have you taught Joy School before (with a group of other mothers)? When? How many years did you do it?

4. Where will your Joy School be located? (i.e. in home, in rented space, etc.)

5. Please describe the rooms/space you plan to use when running your preschool.

6. How many days/week do you plan to hold your preschool? How many hours a day?

7. What ages of children will you enroll? Will you mix 3, 4 and 5 year olds or have separate classes for different ages of preschoolers?

8. Do you plan to use any other curriculum/materials along with the Joy School curriculum? If so, what else are you thinking of using?

9. What methods (notes, emails, events, meetings) do you plan to use to keep informed and involved?

10. How do you plan to recruit children to join your preschool? Do you already know some people who are planning to send their children to your program?

11. How much are you thinking of charging per month for tuition? How much do other in-home preschools in your area charge? How much do non-home-based preschools in your area charge?

12. What are your biggest concerns about running a Joy School?

13. What are you most excited about when you think about running a Joy School?

14. Is there anything else you'd like to add that we should know about you?

If for some reason, your application is not accepted, we will not bill you.

Please return to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Joy School Franchise Agreement

1. I understand that The Joy School Company has agreed to supply my Joy School with:

• The Joy School Start-Up Kit: includes materials for advertising, suggested supply lists, templates for visuals you use throughout the year, a parent handbook, forms for registration including child information forms, emergency contact forms, liability waiver forms, etc. (see "Start-Up Kit Table of Contents" later in this packet for more information)

• Lesson plans via the Valuesparenting.com website: detailed instructions and ideas for crafts, stories and activities for two sessions of Joy School a week for every year that I pay my franchise fee

• Music CD’s for myself (the teacher) with all the songs involved in the lesson plans

• Music CDs for each family involved in my program if I opt to purchase CDs for students or if families opt to purchase the CDs for themselves (10 CDs for the year to go with each Joy)

• Access to the Joy School Company website and blog where I can network with other Joy School operators and advertise my program

• Ongoing support and ideas for running my Joy School via email

2. As payment for the above materials and services I agree to pay:

• $150.00 for my one-time start-up fee (covers my lifetime membership to Valuesparenting.com and my start-up kit as explained above. If I've already paid my $50 lifetime membership fee to Homebase or to Valuesparenting.com, I will provide my membership number and pay only $100 for the start-up kit).

• $145/year for my franchise fee for the first 2 school years that I operate a Joy School (covers my right to use the Joy School name and use lesson plans, CDs and other materials; entitles me to support and ideas via the Joy School Company website and emails). After my first 2 years of running a Joy School, I understand that my franchise fee will be decreased to $120/year from the third year forward.

And I agree to pay the following fees per students/family (I understand that parents are usually charged these fees as part of the Registration Fee they pay when their child enrolls):

• Dues/CD fees per student. Dues give children the legal right to participate in a membership-only program like Joy School. If I opt to purchase CDs for all of my students, the Dues/CD fee is bundled and discounted. If I do not wish to purchase CDs for my students, I understand that I can pay “no-CD dues,” but that I should still offer parents the option of purchasing the music CDs (using the forms provided). (See Price Sheet for different levels of pricing based on number of students enrolled).

• Lifetime memberships to Valuesparenting.com if parents want them. I agree to encourage all parents of children enrolled in my program to purchase a lifetime membership to Valuesparenting.com so that they can enhance what their child learns at Joy School with the rich resources there. I understand that the regular one-time lifetime membership is $50 but families involved in my group pay a special group rate of $40/each. I will keep $5 from each membership sold as my commission for selling the membership and send $35 per membership to The Joy School Company. I understand that membership forms for parents to fill out are included in the Start-Up Kit.

I understand that franchise fees and dues for each school year must be paid before that school year commences and that I should pay for CDs at least 2 weeks in advance of when I'd like to receive them (to allow time for shipping and handling).

3. I understand that I am responsible for ensuring that I pay dues for every child involved in my program. I know I can charge for dues and CDs and memberships as part of the registration fee students pay when they enroll. If a new child joins my program, I will contact The Joy School Company to determine appropriate dues to pay for the new child. If a child leaves my program, I will not be reimbursed for their dues but I can use their dues for a new child taking their place. I recognize that legally, children and their families cannot participate in the Joy School program unless they have paid their dues. I also recognize that legally, I cannot use the Joy School name or Joy School materials if I have not paid my franchise fee for the current year.

4. I will ensure that any teachers or regular paid aids in my program are members of Valuesparenting.com

5. I agree to do everything possible to ensure that parents are fully informed about the Joy School program, recognizing that children get the most out of Joy School when their parents are as actively involved as possible. I will send notes home with children, ensure that parents receive newsletters and CD’s, and hold periodic parent meetings to discuss the curriculum if possible. I will encourage families to visit the Valuesparenting.com website frequently to gain new ideas and get support in their parenting.

6. I will do everything in my power to run a high-quality Joy School, adhering to the "Joy School Quality Guidelines." I will carefully prepare lesson plans and build positive relationships with every child and family involved in my school. I understand that The Joy School Company may revoke my franchise if I do not maintain a high quality program. The Joy School name should not be associated with programs that do not meet the “Joy School Quality Guidelines” (listed on a separate document).

7. I understand that I have the right to use the Joy School name and materials but I am not an official part of The Joy School Company. Therefore, The Joy School Company has no liability with or in connection with my school or program.

8. I will go to the Joy School Company website/blog frequently to contribute my ideas and offer feedback on lesson plans as well as read the comments and ideas of others who run Joy Schools. I understand that I have the right to contact The Joy School Company for support and ideas whenever I need it.

Create your electronic signature by indicating that you have carefully read and agree to this upon emailing your application.   

Quality Guidelines for Joy Schools

Following are basic guidelines that all Joy Schools should follow. You would probably do most of these things without needing this list, but we hope that these guidelines will help reinforce your abilities to run a high-quality program. By following these guidelines, you will help to ensure that your school will be popular and will be able to maintain your Joy School franchise. We do not foresee this happening, but if a Joy School was not following guidelines, we would have to revoke their Joy School franchise. To preserve the good name of the other Joy Schools out there and of the Joy School Company, we need to do what we can to ensure that all Joy Schools offer children and families a high-quality preschool experience.

Relationships with Children

• Teachers help children feel welcome and comfortable.

• Teachers get down on children’s level and listen to them with acceptance, appreciation, and respect.

• Teachers engage with children in interactive play, conversation, projects and learning.

• Teachers serve as positive role models for children, forming friendly relationships with them and encouraging positive behavior through example.

• Teachers understand and respond appropriately to individual needs of children.

• Teachers use positive techniques to guide the behavior of children, making sure that children understand the rules and being consistent with consequences. Children are taught to resolve conflicts and understand each other’s point of view on conflicts. (See “Discipline Ideas” in the start-up kit for ideas).

• Teachers regularly give children opportunities to help with such things as setting out snack, setting up activities and cleaning up.

• Teachers encourage friendship among the children, helping them see opportunities to help each other and helping them notice good things about each other.

• Teachers always encourage children to be polite and courteous to the teacher, to other adults, and to each other.

• Teachers make a point of telling parents something positive that their child did that day when parents come to pick up children.

• Teachers are knowledgeable and respectful of the cultures and home languages of children.

Relationships with Families

• Teachers work closely with parents to understand and meet the special needs of children.

• Teachers ensure that parents receive the Joy School CDs, newsletters and notes so that parents can reinforce the Joy School curriculum at home.

• Teachers meet individually with parents at least once a semester to take about the children, offering positive reports and talking through issues together.

• Teachers hold regular meetings for parents to talk about the curriculum, address their concerns and inform them about upcoming events.

• Parents are invited to volunteer in the program at least once a semester so that they can see how their children interact with others and see for themselves how the program works. (A sample sign-up sheet is included in the start-up kit.)

• Parents know that they can easily talk to teachers about ideas or concerns.

Schedule, Curriculum and Materials

• Program offers children a stable routine so that they know what to expect each day (as outlined in the Joy School lesson plans).

   

• Every session offers children a variety of activities including stories, songs, crafts, snacks, indoor play and outdoor play (as outlined in the Joy School lesson plans).

   

• Teachers carefully prepare each session so that materials are set out in advance and things can run smoothly.

• Teachers follow lesson plans. They add their own ideas and adjust activities to the needs and interests of their group, but they cover the basic ideas in each lesson and ensure that children have adequate opportunities to develop each unit’s Joy.

• Teachers move at the pace of the children. When children seem bored or restless, teachers are able to move on or change the manner of presenting an activity to capture children’s interest.

   

• Program prepares children for success in school by helping them get excited about learning. Through integrating the simple “Academic Learning Activities” provided by the Joy School Company, children have many opportunities to get excited about books, numbers, letters, colors, and shapes.

• Teachers take every opportunity to maximize the “learning moments” that arise, deviating from the planned lesson sometimes to help children notice and learn about an event going on in the lives of one of the children, events going on in the world, or an event that happened at Joy School.

• Age-appropriate toys are readily accessible to children during free-play time and toys and equipment used by children are kept in good repair.

• Program uses different areas for different activities. Areas used are clean, neat and appropriate for the activity at hand. The atmosphere is cheerful and child-friendly.

• Nutritional snacks are provided on a daily basis and nutrition is addressed in an informal way as part of snack time.

I certify that I have read the above guidelines and will do everything in my power to run a Joy School that adheres to these guidelines.

Create your electronic signature by indicating that you have carefully read and agree to this upon emailing your application. 

Signed: ______________________________________ Date: __________________

Start-up Kit Contents

You will receive these materials via email attachments as soon as we receive your payment via PayPal. 

Setting up Running a Successful Joy School

• Setting appropriate registration fees and tuition prices

• Determining group size

• Deciding on criteria for students (age requirements, potty training requirements, etc.)

• Suggestions on lesson planning

• Suggested daily schedule

• Suggested yearly schedule (vacations, order and timing of units)

• Discipline ideas

• Ideas for setting up your home (different areas for different things)

• Suggested supplies

• Suggested parent orientation meeting agenda

• Ideas on involving parents and community members

• Ideas on integrating academic skill-building activities

Recruiting Students

• General recruiting tips and ideas

• Holding effective Open Houses

• Sample Flier

• Sample Newspaper Add

• Parent Information Sheet/brochure

Registration Forms

• Child info sheet – interests, allergies, special needs, etc.

• Emergency contact information

• Liability waiver

• Permission forms

• Sign up sheets for parent volunteers, snacks, etc.

Information on the Ongoing Support Provided by the Joy School Company

Suggested Start-up Timeline

(for a September start-up)

January- April:

• Fill out your Joy School Company start-up forms and send them in with your check for your start-up fee so you can receive your Start-Up Kit.

• Determine how many children you'll be enrolling (check any city or state requirements that may limit your numbers).

• Research whether you need a day care/preschool license to run your preschool. If your state requires that you get a daycare license even though you're running a part-time educational program rather than a daycare, start the process of getting that license. It's usually quite an easy process, but you should be aware of various dates for required meetings and deadlines for different parts of your application.

• Start spreading the word to friends and relatives that you'll be starting your Joy School in the fall. Let them know a little about the curriculum and tell them what a great program it will be. Invite them to pass the word along to anyone who's looking for a preschool program for their child. Pass out or email the Joy School Information Form (provided in the Start-Up Kit) to anyone who might be interested.

• Start saving $20-$30 a month to go towards your Joy School Company fees and the supplies you'll need to start your preschool.

• Think about the space in your home that you'll use for your preschool and consider how to rearrange things. Think about what pieces of furniture or supplies you might like to have (look at the list of suggested supplies on in the start-up kit for ideas). Keep your eye out for good deals at stores, garage sales, etc. on items you'd like to have.

March-April:

• Decide on your tuition prices, determine criteria for accepting students, etc.

• Get going on advertising/recruiting using the materials and tips provided.

• Keep working on gathering materials, furnishings and supplies.

• Find out about getting your business license.

• Adjust the registration forms provided in your Start-Up Kit to fit the specifics of your program and make copies so that you'll have them ready to give interested parents.

May:

• Finalize what your tuition prices will be and whether you'll offer a discount to parents who are willing to be regular aids in your program.

• Do some hard-core advertising.

• Many preschools offer an open house in May and start registration before families get busy with their summer activities. An open house can include an informal opportunity for parents to come in and meet you and see your facilities and/or it can include a brief meeting for parents at just about any location where you explain your program and answer any questions. Be sure to have lots of copies of the "Joy School Information Sheet" and/or your own advertising materials to hand out at any open house or meeting.

• Find out if there are any community newspapers, other publications or Internet sites that list all the preschools for your area. Get your preschool on those lists.

• Post more fliers in schools, grocery stores, libraries, etc. and talk with parents before school gets out for the summer about your program. Put a small add in local papers if you like (use sample adds and fliers in start-up kit).

• You may choose to have an "early bird" registration deadline in May or early June, offering families a slight discount for registering early for your program. The sooner you have people registered, the more you can relax over the summer!

June – July:

• Personalize the Joy School handbook so it's ready to pass out to parents of registered students before school starts.

• Continue to recruit students via word of mouth, fliers posted, ads in newspapers and magazines

• Continue to work on gathering materials for your school and planning out the areas you'll be using

• Complete any final requirements involved in any licenses required for you to run your preschool. Get your business license.

August :

• Do more recruiting if necessary. Hold an open house and/or parent meeting.

• Finalize the set-up of the space you'll be using for your school and complete your gathering of materials and decorating.

• Make the Joy School House, Calendar, Weather Chart, circle mat and other basic materials you'll be using throughout the year (using the templates and instructions provided in the Intro Unit of the Lesson Plans).

• Gather in registration forms, registration fees and first month's tuition from all students by about two weeks before school starts. Check over forms and get any missing information from parents.

• Two weeks before you wish to receive your CDs and gain access to the semester's lesson plans on line, send us your franchise fee, dues, CD fees and membership fees for your students. If you send us the number of students you'll be enrolling, we will send you an invoice with your total – then you can send us your check.

• About a week before your program starts, hold an introductory meeting for parents of registered students (using the meeting outline and parent handbook provided). You may also want to hold an open house for children so that they can come with their parents and become familiarized with the set-up in your home and get to know you and the other children a little bit in advance of the first day of school.

September (or late August):

• Start Joy School!

• Most programs start about a week after the public schools start so that parents can get their older children going and not have to start everything at once – but do whatever works for the parents in your group.