Little Steps DaycareBy: Zach Levy

Nichols CollegeBusiness & Society

(MGMT 100-01)

Introduction• Interviewed Lisa Levy

• Little Steps Daycare

• I know her because she’s my mom

Description• Sole Proprietor• This was the best option because she runs the daycare through

her home

• Service

• Little Steps Daycare has been in business since June 1999

Background of Business• Started the daycare business because she wanted to be home

with her kids• Need a daycare license through the state of Massachusetts• CPR & first aid certified

• License costs $100, renewed every 3 years• Home also needs to be inspected (Daycare certified)• Changes:

• Price of service has gone up• Hours have changed• Originally 7 AM – 6 PM, now 7:45 AM – 5:30 PM

• More clients now than ever before

Successes• Met some great clients who turn out to be good friends• Feels rewarding to assist parents in raising their children• Also rewarding that she got to be home with her own kids as

well• Having a good name amongst other local daycare providers

leads to success

Challenges• Most challenging aspect is having a child adapt to a daycare

environment• Make them feel comfortable

• Some parents have problems with hours• Especially picking up children late

• Overcome challenges by trying not to burn bridges with clients• Find a solution to the problem

Competition• No specific competitors, but any local home daycares are the

main competitors• Keeping communication open between daycare providers can

have help use each other as “referrals” • Many clients come from being referred to by another provider

• Keep clients satisfied by giving their children the best possible care• If the children are happy at the daycare, it makes the parent more

comfortable leaving their child there

Marketing/Staffing• Putting ads in the newspaper is a great way to gain knowledge

of the business• Leaving business cards at businesses around town also gain

knowledge of the business• Doesn’t have anyone working for her, easier for her to do it on

her own

Future• If Lisa continues what she’s done over the last 14 years, she

hopeful the daycare will continue its success• Plans to run her daycare until her own children are completely

done with college (5 Years)• Hopes to possibly get a realtor license and start in that

business once her daycare days are done

Unique Questions• What did you have to do to the house to make it “daycare

certified”?• Cabinet Locks (So kids cant get into stuff)• Gates put at all staircases• Cleans and safe environment

• Have you ever had a problem with another daycare provider?• One time a women pretended to interview for her child to be in

daycare, when in fact, she was just taking all Lisa’s daycare ideas to use as her own

• How long do your clients usually stay around for?• Usually until the child goes to pre-school or kindergarten is when the

children leave the daycare

Summary• Lisa’s advice to the class is if you truly have a passion to start

your own business, then go for it• You will have some bumps in the road but the process in a

whole is worth it• What I learned:

• Lisa was determined to build a highly recognized home daycare• It’s more than just the money• Assisting someone in something so important can make you feel

good about yourself everyday