In a novel move, Dublin-based animation company Jam Media has licensed its Picme brand to an early learning centre being launched by company founder John Rice and his wife, Sarah.

The couple, who have three young children, have renovated their home in Leixlip, Co Kildare, for the project and plan to run a year-round early learning centre for children over the age of two.

It is called the Picme Preschool, and the Rices are planning to add another five centres in the greater Dublin area by the end of 2008. Ms Rice, a psychologist and Montessori teacher, will manage the business.

The couple plans to cater for up to 15 children each morning and afternoon. The weekly cost will be about €120 a child.

Picme has been a huge success for Jam. RTÉ and Nick Jr in the UK have broadcast 104 episodes of the interactive animated series, which allows children to star in the episodes themselves alongside the animal characters.

Jam recently signed a deal with broadcaster PBS in the US that will take the show into 32 million homes. It gives the company a major foot in the door in this lucrative market. Jam also has a relationship with the BBC for its Funky Fables series.

Jam's success to date has earned John Rice a nomination in this year's Ernst & Young entrepreneur of the year awards.