Tech Kids – Franchise Brings Technology Programs To Day Care Centers And Elementary Schools
Bizwomen.com:
Before kids know how to spell, Karen Eichorn (photo), 37, wants to teach them the keys on a computer keyboard. She is the owner of Computertots/Computer Explorers in Clifton Park, part of a national franchise based in Cypress, Texas. The company introduces children to technology before they enter their 1st classroom, and continues the curriculum through elementary school. Students learn about computers, robotics, engineering and digital applications. Eichorn’s students range in age from 3 to 12. Computertots / Computer Explorers works with local school districts and day care providers.
Computertots brings the program to the younger children at their day care centers. Kids are taught in groups of three for half an hour. The cost for the program is $38 a month. Eichorn’s goal is to sign up the day care providers so that the center, rather than just individual children, are the clients. ‘We try to push to be a part of the day care center, she said. Computertots already is in 20 local day care centers and has more than 200 students.
Computer Explorers is in a number of public and private schools – including 11 elementary schools – as well as the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology in North Greenbush. It holds Saturday morning classes and summer camps. Camp offerings include Robotics I and II, where students build rides and homes of the future; Amusement Park, where students build a bumper car, a haunted house or a merry-go-round; and Alien Invasion, where students build robots similar in concept to those used to explore other planets.
I would love to own my own business
Running Computertots/Computer Explorers is a return to the business world for Eichorn. She previously worked at Accenture, a management consulting firm, where she was finance manager. ‘I ended up having a baby and after my baby was born, my job was still requiring me to travel. That just wasn’t doable for my lifestyle.’ She left the job to focus on her daughter, Sabina, now 3. But Eichorn was still thinking about work. ‘The whole time I thought, I would love to own my own business. And I love technology.’ She wanted to buy a franchise to minimize the risk, and did a lot of research on what was available. The staff at Computertots told Eichorn she did not need to be a teacher to operate a franchise; she needed to be a businessperson. Get to know how Eichorn is Making robots.
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