Sandbox – 2 Women IITians’ Mission to Build Reliable Childcare for Working Mothers

We are publishing an interview of Ms. Abhisha Shrivastava, Co-Founder, Director, Sandbox.

About the founders

• Puja Das – B. Tech – IIT Bombay, MBA – ISB Hyderabad (Indian School of Business), Ex- Schlumberger.
• Abhisha Shrivastava – B. Tech, M Tech – IIT Bombay, Ex- Purple Squirrel Eduventures (IIT Bombay Incubated Ed-Tech Startup).
• Mentor – Prof. Sunil Handa (Professor of Entrepreneurship, IIM Ahmedabad), Founder – Eklavya School, Ahmedabad – estb 1997, Ranked 1st in Gujarat.

What is the problem you are trying to solve? Can you share with us any insights that led you to believe that this is a big enough problem? 
Problem: Women compromise on career due to inadequate childcare solutions
37% women quit working for childcare
33% working women have asked for creche in offices
Maternity Amendment Act 2017 mandates crèche for corporates

90% of child’s brain develops by the age of 5. The exposure they receive in the initial years creates a lasting impact on them.

Sandbox is a solution to this problem. Our primary focus is on building a reliable childcare facility for working parents while ensuring right exposure to the child for her all round development.

What is the uniqueness about your Startup? 
Existing childcare options highly inadequate:
Nannies: Hygiene/ Trust/ Skills questionable, Can’t provide learning exposure
Traditional Daycares: Limited training for child-care, Zero/Limited focus on early stimulation

Puja and Abhisha, having had a rich exposure at MNCs, IIT and ISB, realize the needs and challenges of today’s parents and the special care their children deserve especially at this nascent age, given their 90% brain development already happens by the age of 5.  They have worked very closely with the expert team at Eklavya School and created a chain of world-class high quality early-learning and child-care centres with Sandbox.

Sandbox Team has well researched curriculum delivered by motherly and trained professionals in a loving & protective environment. We operate Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm and all round the year.

What is the revenue model? 
Revenue model is subscription based model.

Who are the consumers that you are targeting? How is this going to affect them? 
Our customers are parents and consumers are their little ones. Customers are guaranteed a stress-free work life while we ensure that their children are growing in a healthy and joyful environment.

What is the big picture of your startup? Will it lead to something bigger? If so, how? 
Sandbox launched its first facility in Mumbai in 2016 and there has been no looking back since then. After receiving an overwhelming response in Raheja Vihar, Chandivali, and Powai Plaza, Hiranandani (Powai) Sandbox Team has opened their third centre in Chandivali, Andheri East, all within two years. Sandbox’s new facility is a sprawling 2500 sq.ft carpet area with well-planned interiors to enhance the child’s learning and exposure. Sandbox aims to support working parents across the country and plans to open more centres in the coming years.

What is the success story of your startup in your own words? 
In this age of nuclear families, Sandbox wants to be the joint family every child deserves, a home away from home, a happy, healthy and safe place. We don’t have just one but many success stories. We have been an extended family for many parents who are now a part of one big Sandbox Family! At our facilities kids stay for as long as 10-12 hours. Yes, all their basic childcare needs are very well taken care of. Along with this our team puts special efforts that the kids grow in a healthy, happy and enriching environment.

Here is what some of our family members have to say about us:

“Vivaan started going to sandbox when he was 6 months old and now he is about to turn 2 years in a few days. I couldn’t have been able to continue my career and focus on my work if I wouldn’t have chosen Sandbox. When I leave Vivaan at sandbox in the morning, I leave without any anxiety or worry. I know that my kid is at safe place and in good hands. I rarely call in the day to check upon him. This is the kind of trust parents should have with the daycare/caregiver for a peaceful life and sandbox gave me that. Thanks a lot sandbox for giving me that kind of trust. Vivaan has a completely another life in daycare and he loves that. He meets his teachers, friends, didis, Abhisha, Pooja. He likes to play with them and enjoys their company. In sandbox, they daily have activities and dance. He learns a lot in these activities. Sometimes he surprises me with completely new words/skills that he would have picked up at sandbox. Sandbox puts in a lot of effort in feeding the kids. He eats everything in daycare.Really happy with sandbox. Thanks a lot sandbox for taking care of our kids as your own!” says Vandana Gupta.

“My little one has been going to Sandbox since she was 8 months old.. As any mom I was very anxious about how she will be taken care of.. whether they will be able to meet my expectations..Sandbox’s staff has been a blessing for me.. the best thing I like about the place is that their care is customized based on needs of the little one instead of being the other way around.. the staff is very dedicated.. the place is clean and hygenic.. I get access whenever required.. most of all my little one loves the place and the staff.” says Nitu Agrawal.

Any other information about your startup that you would like to share with us.
More can be found on our website – www.sandboxcare.com
Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/sandboxcare/