Written By: Khushboo Verma

You have ₹10 to ₹15 lakhs to invest. You want something that holds up even when the economy gets uncertain. And you want to keep the risk manageable from day one.

A preschool franchise under 15 lakhs checks all three of those boxes. Among the brands operating in this space right now, Temple Bells Play School is one worth evaluating seriously.

This blog covers the investment, the revenue model, the risks, and what running one actually looks like on the ground.

Why the Preschool Sector Is Growing Right Now

The numbers are clear. According to IMARC Group, India's preschool and childcare market was valued at USD 4.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 11 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9.54% between 2025 and 2033. Expert Market Research puts the 2025 market value at USD 5.59 billion, forecasting it to reach USD 15.17 billion by 2035.

What is driving this? A few things that are not going away anytime soon:

• More nuclear families and dual-income households
• Rising number of working mothers in Tier-II and Tier-III cities
• NEP 2020 pushing structured early education from age 3 onwards
• Growing parental awareness of early childhood development
• Higher disposable incomes in smaller cities, fuelling demand for organised preschools

Private preschools currently hold over 80% of the organised market share. That means there is still significant room for branded, structured players to grow, particularly outside metros.

That is precisely the gap Temple Bells is built to serve.

What Is Temple Bells Play School?

Temple Bells Play School is an early education franchise offering Playgroup, Nursery, LKG, and UKG programs. The brand focuses on semi-urban and Tier-II and Tier-III markets across multiple Indian states.

What makes it different from premium metro chains:

• Curriculum aligned with NEP 2020 guidelines
• Activity-based and play-based learning methods
• Teacher training and operational support from the brand
• Standardised branding and marketing materials
• Compact setup model suited to smaller city infrastructure

Most premium preschool chains ask for ₹25 to ₹40 lakhs in investment. Temple Bells is built to operate as a preschool franchise under 15 lakhs, which means lower risk, a lower entry barrier, and a faster path to breakeven.

Full Investment Breakdown

Here is where your money goes, broken down clearly:

Always keep a 10-15% buffer over your planned total. Fit-out costs and local approvals can vary significantly depending on your city and locality.

This cost structure is what makes Temple Bells a genuine preschool franchise under 15 lakhs, not just in theory but in actual setup practice.

Space and Setup: What You Actually Need

Unlike K-12 schools that need large land parcels, Temple Bells runs on a compact format:

• 1,000 to 1,500 sq. ft. of space
• Ground floor preferred for child safety and accessibility
• 2 to 4 classrooms with proper ventilation
• A safe indoor play area with child-proof flooring
• A small administrative or reception area

This works well in residential localities, near apartment clusters, or in growing suburban areas. Because the space requirement is modest, rental costs stay manageable, which directly protects your monthly margins.

Revenue and Profit: The Real Numbers

This is what most investors want to know. Here is an honest picture.

Typical Fee Structure (Tier-II / Tier-III Cities, 2026)

Fee ranges will vary based on city, locality, and competition. Do your own local benchmarking before finalising numbers.

Revenue Estimate at 100 Students

A 1,200 sq. ft. centre can handle 80 to 120 students across batches, depending on scheduling.

• Annual tuition revenue at ₹35,000 average: ₹35 lakhs
• Admission and activity charges: ₹3 to ₹5 lakhs
• Total estimated annual revenue: ₹38 to ₹42 lakhs

Annual Operating Expenses

Net Profit Margin: 25% to 35% at healthy occupancy

Breakeven Timeline: 18 to 24 months

These numbers explain why investors looking for a preschool franchise under 15 lakhs find this model attractive. The revenue is predictable, the costs are manageable, and the breakeven timeline is faster than most retail or food businesses.

Temple Bells vs. Premium Preschool Brands

For investors specifically focused on an affordable preschool franchise, Temple Bells fills a gap that premium chains simply are not built to address.

Why 2026 Is a Reasonable Time to Enter

Several things are working in favour of organised preschool investment right now:

• NEP 2020 implementation is actively pushing structured early education from age 3 to 6
• Parents in Tier-II and Tier-III cities are enrolling children earlier, many from age 2.5 years
• Organised preschool brands are expanding into cities that were previously served only by unorganised local centres
• The market is growing at roughly 9.5 to 10.5% CAGR through 2033-35 (IMARC Group, Expert Market Research)

Moreover, early education is largely insulated from short-term economic slowdowns. Parents may cut back on discretionary spending, but they rarely reduce school fees. Fee payments are typically prepaid, quarterly or annually, which means more predictable cash flow compared to most businesses.

That said, 2026 is not a guaranteed good time for every investor. Your city selection, local competition, and execution quality matter more than market timing.

Who Is This Suited For?

A preschool franchise under 15 lakhs works best for a certain kind of investor. Specifically:

• Homemakers entering entrepreneurship for the first time
• Retired educators or school administrators
• Tuition centre operators expanding their offering
• Small business owners looking to diversify income
• Investors who want a community-rooted, semi-managed business

That said, this is not a passive investment. Preschool success is tied to local trust, parent relationships, and consistent quality. If you are not willing to be involved on the ground, at least in the early years, this may not be the right fit.

Operational Realities You Should Know Before Investing

Staffing: Teachers ideally need early childhood education qualifications. Attrition is a real issue in smaller cities. Factor recruitment and retraining costs into your planning from day one.

Parent Communication: Regular parent-teacher meetings, daily app updates, and community events build admissions faster than any advertisement. Parents talk to each other. Word-of-mouth is your most powerful marketing tool.

Child Safety: Non-negotiable. Child-proof furniture, gated entrances, CCTV coverage, and hygiene standards are baseline requirements, not add-ons. Any lapse here can permanently damage your reputation locally.

Local Marketing: Pamphlets alone will not fill your classrooms. Apartment society tie-ups, neighbourhood events, and a basic social media presence are important from the launch phase itself.

Temple Bells provides operational manuals, teacher training, and launch support. But everything at the ground level, execution, relationships, and daily quality, is your responsibility.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Submit a franchise enquiry through Temple Bells' official channels
2. Discuss city availability and territory details
3. Share financial readiness documentation
4. Location evaluation by the brand team
5. Sign the franchise agreement (typically 3 to 5 years, renewable)
6. Complete centre setup and attend training
7. Launch with brand-supported marketing

From enquiry to launch, the process typically takes 2 to 4 months depending on location readiness and approvals.

Key Risks to Assess Before You Commit

No business is risk-free. Specific risks in this model include:

• Low first-year enrollment: Building local trust takes time. Do not expect full classrooms in month one.
• Local competition: Unorganised preschools operating at lower fees can affect your pricing power early on.
• Teacher attrition: Common in smaller cities due to a limited qualified talent pool.
• Wrong location: A demographic mismatch between your target parent profile and the neighbourhood will directly hurt admissions.

Before signing anything, visit 2 to 3 existing Temple Bells centres. Speak to current franchisees independently, not just the ones the brand puts forward. Study the residential density and income profile of your shortlisted area carefully.

Scope for Growth Beyond Year One

Once your centre is stable, there are natural ways to expand revenue without opening a second location:

• Add a daycare or after-school care program (high demand from working-parent families)
• Run summer camps and holiday activity workshops
• Introduce skill-based classes in art, music, or early coding
• Open a second centre in a nearby locality once the model is proven

Many investors who start with one Temple Bells centre go on to open a second within 3 to 4 years, once they understand the model and the local market.

FAQs

Q1. Is a preschool franchise a good investment in 2026? For the right investor, yes. India's preschool market is growing at roughly 9.5% CAGR through 2033 (IMARC Group, 2024). However, success depends on location, execution, and your personal involvement, not just market growth.

Q2. How much does a Temple Bells Play School franchise actually cost? Total investment typically falls between ₹10 and ₹15 lakhs, covering the franchise fee, setup, learning materials, licences, and working capital. Actual costs will vary based on your city and space.

Q3. How long before I start making a profit? Most well-run preschool centres in Tier-II and Tier-III cities reach breakeven within 18 to 24 months. Profit margins after that typically range from 25% to 35%, depending on occupancy and cost management.

Q4. Do I need prior experience in education to run a preschool franchise? Not necessarily. Temple Bells provides operational training and curriculum support. That said, a genuine interest in early childhood education and willingness to engage with the local community will make a real difference to your numbers.

Q5. What is the biggest risk in a preschool franchise under 15 lakhs? Location selection and first-year enrollment are the two biggest risk factors. Picking the wrong area, low residential density, wrong income profile, or too much existing competition, can significantly delay your breakeven. Due diligence before signing matters more than anything else.

Final Take

Temple Bells Play School offers a structured, low-to-moderate-risk entry into India's growing early education market. The investment sits between ₹10 and ₹15 lakhs, the market fundamentals are strong, and the Tier-II and Tier-III focus addresses real and underserved demand.

The word "recession-proof" needs context. The sector is stable, and preschool admissions hold up better than most businesses during slowdowns. But your unit's performance will depend on three things: the right location, genuine community involvement, and consistent quality delivery. No brand can guarantee those for you.

If you are seriously evaluating a preschool franchise under 15 lakhs in 2026, Temple Bells deserves a place on your shortlist. Visit existing centres, speak to real franchisees, and check the numbers against your specific market before signing anything.

Disclaimer: The brands mentioned in this blog are the recommendations provided by the author. FranchiseBAZAR does not claim to work with these brands / represent them / or are associated with them in any manner. Investors and prospective franchisees are to do their own due diligence before investing in any franchise business at their own risk and discretion. FranchiseBAZAR or its Directors disclaim any liability or risks arising out of any transactions that may take place due to the information provided in this blog.