Lansing Child Care Ecosystem Grows Stronger with Expansion of a Center

Lansing, MI – (October 30, 2024) – In a move that will help ease Lansing’s child care shortage, Little Dreamers Daycare Center is undertaking a major expansion of its early childhood education facility. This development will significantly increase the center’s capacity, enabling it to serve a greater number of children and further its mission of providing exceptional, nurturing care.

A ribbon cutting for the expansion will be held at Little Dreamers, located at 3620 S. Waverly in Lansing, at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1.

Since its inception in 2015 as a home-based child care service, Little Dreamers has grown into a thriving center known for its commitment to high-quality, personalized care. The expansion project will include 30 new childcare slots, 15 new employees, and 3,000 square feet of additional space. The project encompasses the addition of new classrooms, a larger outdoor play area, and enhanced learning spaces, reflecting the center’s ongoing dedication to supporting the developmental needs of young children. Little Dreamers plans to provide more services including the Great Start Readiness Program and before- and after-school care, and has additional expansions planned.

The expansion will create new job opportunities within the center, allowing Little Dreamers to bring on additional staff members to maintain its high standards of care and education. This investment not only demonstrates the center’s commitment to its mission but also contributes to the local economy by generating new employment opportunities.

LEAP’s long-standing partnership with the City of Lansing makes projects like this possible. LEAP’s ability to provide navigation services to Lansing entrepreneurs can expedite processes that enable business owners to realize their dreams more easily.

“Lansing residents need access to more quality, affordable childcare options. I am thrilled that Little Dreamers Daycare is able to expand and grow, offering their services to more families,” said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor.

“Access to affordable, high-quality child care options is crucial for the economic growth of our region,” says Bob Trezise, CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP). “When parents and caregivers are assured that their little ones are being cared for, it expands the workforce talent pool. It decreases workplace absenteeism and it increases productivity. When we make sure our youngest minds are nurtured in a creative-based teaching environment like they’ve cultivated at Little Dreamers Daycare Center, we’re strengthening the talent pipeline for the next generation. This daycare expansion is more than just about creating new jobs and providing care to 30 more families—it’s a crucial building block for so much more for our whole community.”

Little Dreamers Daycare Center is owned by Jacqueline Taylor, an alumni of LEAP’s Black Business Accelerator program Elevate. The Elevate program is designed to help Black business owners improve operational efficiency and business sophistication to drive increased profitability and revenue. Taylor’s dedication to enhancing early childhood education and her commitment to professional development have been key drivers behind the expansion. As an alumni of LEAP’s Elevate program, Taylor was eligible to receive special funding from the Ingham County Sunrise Small Business Grant Program, which is earmarked as working capital to eligible small businesses and nonprofits in Ingham County. Those funds ($5,000) were used for expansion of a classroom—with LEAP providing guidance during each step. Taylor is also a member of the Capital Area Childcare Coalition (CACCC).

“We are deeply passionate about providing exceptional care and are thrilled at the opportunity to extend our services to even more families in our community,” Taylor said. “Our dedicated team is committed to creating a nurturing environment where every child can thrive, and we are excited to contribute to the well-being of more families through this initiative.”

The expansion of Little Dreamers also aligns with the goals of the Capital Area Child Care Coalition (CACCC), a group co-led by LEAP, Capital Area Michigan Works!, and the United Way of South Central Michigan, with support from Public Sector Consultants. The CACCC is dedicated to increasing the supply of high-quality child care in Eaton, Clinton, and Ingham Counties. With over 70 members, the coalition has developed a comprehensive action plan to address issues such as the inaccessibility and high costs of child care, as well as challenges faced by providers.

“ECIC is honored to partner with the Capital Area Child Care Coalition,” said Alicia Guevara Warren, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, which funds the coalition. “It is exciting to see the Coalition’s regional child care plan coming to life. The level of commitment and intentionality is addressing a critical need to expand access to early care and learning opportunities for families in the community while also supporting child care small businesses.”

For more information about Little Dreamers Daycare Center and the upcoming expansion, please visit LittleDreamersDaycare.com.