YoKID

About YoKID

YoKID, legally known as Beijing Youer Toyou Service Group and formerly as Winnovator Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., operates as a comprehensive childcare and early education service provider in China. Established in March 2015 by Dr. Timothy So, a University of Cambridge psychology PhD, the company targets the mid- to high-end market, serving children from ages one to six. Dr. So founded YoKID to address a gap in China's early education sector, aiming to shift the focus from purely academic goals to a more holistic development approach that includes mental wellbeing, social and emotional intelligence. His background in psychology and experience providing parenting coaching to numerous celebrity families have shaped the company's educational philosophy.

The firm's business is structured across three primary segments: offline childcare centers, corporate childcare services, and online parenting advisory and training. The core of its revenue is generated by its network of offline centers, which operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to accommodate working parents. These centers provide a bilingual environment, with each classroom staffed by both a native-speaking foreign teacher and a local teacher to foster cognitive development. The curriculum focuses on six key areas: physical movement, language and cognition, artistic innovation, scientific intelligence, emotional and social skills, and international culture. Beyond direct-to-consumer services, YoKID partners with corporations to establish and manage on-site childcare facilities, helping employees balance work and family responsibilities. It also engages with local governments to create 'public-private partnership' nurseries, offering accessible childcare services to the broader community.

Financially, YoKID has attracted significant investment from notable backers including SoftBank China Capital, Prometheus Capital, and Ming Capital. The company has undergone several funding rounds, including a Series A in October 2017 and has raised a total of $26.1M. This capital has been directed towards curriculum development, talent acquisition, and the expansion of its physical footprint in first-tier cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. Strategic milestones include the acquisition of Yimi Childcare in Hangzhou in 2021 and partnerships with entities like the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city. The company has received multiple awards, such as Tencent Media's 'Most Famous Brand of Child Education in China'.