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Wednesday, 13 Jun 2012


Childcarer painting with children.

“UKTI’s service is simply fantastic, and very good value for money. They have a lot to offer that can remove the risk of exploring new markets and improve your chances of success.”

Sarah Steel, founder, The Old Station Nursery

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Childcarer painting with children.

Childcarer painting with children.

Home from home

UK Trade & Investment helped The Old Station Nursery to identify investment opportunities in India, resulting in a partnership with atop local pre-school and day care chain in Hyderabad.

As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. This was certainly true for young mum Sarah Steel. Disappointed with the childcare available locally for her two children, she decided to set up a new type of nursery, offering a professional yet warm environment for children between the ages of three months and five years.

Company: The Old Station Nursery

Country: India

Industry: Childcare

UKTI Services: Passport to Export, Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS)

Website: www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk

In the summer of 2011, Sarah attended the Explore Export Event 2011 at the University of Western England, organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI). She took the opportunity to book one-on-one meetings with UKTI representatives from around the world, to discuss with them the potential for her business in different markets.

Having settled on India as the focus for her first export efforts, in September 2011 Sarah joined Passport to Export, the UKTI programme that gives exporting companies the tools they need to grow their business internationally. Sarah planned a trip to Bangalore and Hyderabad for October 2011, to explore the market in person. Before the trip, which was half-funded by UKTI, she commissioned an Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) report. The brief asked UKTI to provide information about the local market, including pay scales for staff and fee structures, details of visas and work permits, and a list of potential partners and investment opportunities. Sarah then contacted the people listed in the report and set up meetings with them.

Of the 12 or so local businesses that Sarah met, the Sunshine Preschool and Day Care chain (Sunshine) in Hyderabad shone through. Sunshine was looking for funding to help it make the most of local opportunities for growth that it had identified, and Sarah was pleased to offer her financial and consulting support. Sunshine and The Old Station Nursery will now be working together to share UK best practice in early years education.

Contacts

If you are interested in developing your business overseas please contact your local International Trade Advisor.