Play Sense, an in-home preschool raises $460K to pivot to online classes

Play Sense, a small group, in-home preschool model has secured R8 250 000 ($458,000) from Enygma Ventures to enable an online pivot and rapid growth. 

The online Play Sense pre-school education will make the unique curriculum and pre-school version available to kids around the world. The platform will allow children to access their imagination-based play sessions virtually. 

According to Meg Faure, CEO and co-founder Play Sense, an occupational therapist, childhood development expert and author,“We pivoted our business two weeks ago to deliver an incredible home-based education solution, which includes virtual contact time for little ones with their teachers and activity ideas and learning support for parents. This will meet the critical needs of parents and their little ones during this period of isolation.”

Taking both a short view and a long view of the future, she adds, “We believe that the way families choose to educate their children will be impacted long term and the choice of at-home or small group setting will become the norm of the future. This funding means that we can roll our programme out internationally.” 

South Africa’s 21-day lockdown started on March 27th and all schools closed leaving parents and children out of choice but to turn to virtual tools for educating their children.

Like other offline ventures across the world, Faure pivoted their business to ensure they had a new, sustainable model ready to meet their parents’ needs and to prepare for the COVID-19 lockdown.

Play Sense will continue to offer both small groups in homes and the virtual home solution to their members. Play Sense is Enygma Venture’s first investment from an original cohort of female entrepreneurs.

Enygma Ventures General Partner and Co-Founder Sarah Dusek says taking Play Sense’s unique play-centric curriculum online is a great move and will greatly serve parents and children during this unprecedented time of schooling from home.

“We are exceptionally proud of the entrepreneurs we are working with, that even in the midst of this COVID-19 crisis, we are seeing amazing resilience, creativity, and ability to pivot their businesses and respond under pressure.” 

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