Going Above and Beyond with Kiddie Academy Franchising

Going Above and Beyond

Jill and George Malanga opened their first franchised Kiddie Academy in July 1996 in Sparta, New Jersey. Becoming fueled by their overwhelming success with their franchise, they opened their second location in West Milford, New Jersey, in September 2004. Unlike owners of the variety of other child care concepts in the area, the Malangas strive to treat each parent and child as they would a member of their very own family, regularly going above and beyond to provide the best service possible.

Background: Jill was already a franchisee for NutriSystem, but after the birth of her first child, wanted to shift her attention to her son. When it came time to select a child care facility for him the options in the area were not up to her parenting standards. As a result, she then decided to open a Kiddie Academy franchise. The decision was based not only ob her son’s needs but for other parents in the community looking for a better option as well. George, a former high school teacher and 30-year veteran of the music industry, realized the success of his wife’s venture and decided to follow in her footsteps with a second location shortly after his retirement in 2003. Even now, each time they see a satisfied parent or hear a student’s laugh, the Malangas know that their decision to become Kiddie Academy franchisees was the right one.

Goals: For both George and Jill, giving parents a peace of mind is their top priority. They regularly consult with parents to provide the best possible service to their children. They even go as far as waiving the tuition for any student with a parent deployed overseas. With enrollment at both academies nearing capacity, the Malangas are now considering opening a third location in the area.

Challenges: Since Jill operates one of the largest Kiddie Academy facilities in the United States, maintaining the company’s cozy, nurturing atmosphere has always been, and remains, one of Jill’s top concerns. Kiddie Academy’s innovative curriculum and hands-on approach to educationally-based child care keeps the academies inviting and personal. Jill and George want each parent and child to maintain that special feeling of being part of their Kiddie Academy community.

Results: Jill’s constant drive to make her academy the best it can be has paid off  for her and the franchise over the years. Events such as date nights and shopping days, as well as pancake breakfasts and end-of-the-year recitals, continuously receive rave reviews from parents and children alike. Not only has Jill received numerous awards from both her franchisor and the local community, she has also made quite a difference in the lives of the children who attend her academy. This achievement cannot be measured by a certificate or plaque, but instead by the smile on a child’s face.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post and have a relationship with Kiddie Academy. However all opinions are 100% my own.