Rainbow Group acquires PORSE

In-home education provider PORSE has been purchased by Auckland-based The Rainbow Group of Companies, keeping the business independently owned and in Kiwi hands.

The Rainbow Group, established in 2006 and owned by Rrahul and Bhavini Dosshi, has substantial investments in both centre-based and in-home Early Childhood Education (ECE) businesses in New Zealand and overseas.

The company currently has four Rainbow Corner early learning centres in Auckland and one in Mumbai. A centre in Fiji and three new purpose-built centres in New Zealand are scheduled to open this year.

PORSE currently supports 1,100 educators around the country who care for more than 3,000 children, numbers Mr Dosshi is looking to increase.

“We know that PORSE is a strong brand and, with the right thinking and energy driving it forward, has the potential to grow within New Zealand and overseas. We are already involved in the home-based ECE sector with our own licences, so have a sound understanding of the sector,” says Mr Dosshi.

“PORSE has a very successful education and training programme and is the only provider to offer online qualification programmes – we see this as a very important advantage, especially considering the government’s Home Based Review suggests all educators will need a minimum Level 4 qualification in the future.”

For Mrs Dosshi (pictured), setting up an early childhood education business was a long-held dream.

“We believe that in our own unique way we can contribute towards the holistic development of a child – a future citizen of our country. PORSE shares the same values and philosophy as us, and that was an important consideration before purchasing the business. We are committed to focusing on the wellbeing of the child, and the role the first 1,000 days of a child’s life plays – a role that is crucial in forming meaningful connections with a primary caregiver that benefit them forever.”

Mr Dosshi, a former Maritime Captain left his marine career in 2017 to fully focus on The Rainbow Corner and Group businesses. He has held a Head of Faculty position at the New Zealand Maritime School and has a Level 6 qualification in Tertiary Teaching, while Mrs Dosshi has a Graduate ECE Diploma.

The Rainbow Group of companies is also developing BORIS, an integrated childcare business management app that connects parents, teachers and centre management, and provides online communication and compliance tools. A pre-school catering company has also been established to provide nutritious, balanced meal and snack options for early learning centres around New Zealand.

Mr Dosshi says the immediate plan for PORSE is to continue its expansion and recruit more educators to meet demand. “We will grow the business within New Zealand, expanding both in-home care and the tertiary education and professional development for educators.

“We are excited to also take the New Zealand curriculum Te Whariki offshore through new day care centres and offer teacher training programmes, which are globally respected to other countries.”

Mr and Mrs Dosshi are also the founders and Trustees of the More For Kidz Foundation Trust, a registered New Zealand charity working within the community to promote education, research and development of all-round facilities for children. 

The Rainbow Group of Companies formally took over PORSE on 30 November 2018. The PORSE head office will remain in Hawke’s Bay.