Page 17 - LRCC December 2024 Focus

ATHENA PowerLink Award
Recipient Jacqueline Taylor:

Early Childhood Education
Advocate Grows Local

Presence

The Lansing Regional Chamber of
Commerce has named Jacqueline
Taylor, owner and founder of
Lansing’s Little Dreamers Daycare
Center, as the 2025 ATHENA
PowerLink Award (APL) recipient.

APL is a national mentoring
program connecting women
business owners with their own
Taylor
dream team of advisors. The
Lansing-area advisory panel will donate an estimated
$25,000 worth of business consultation services over the
next calendar year to help Taylor attain the next level of
her daycare’s success.

Taylor began Little Dreamers in 2015 as a home childcare
provider with six students.
Lansing region, emphasizing the need for young learners
“So I grew from a family facility to a group, and then from to have access to play-based curricula, nutritious meals,
a group to a center in 2021. It’s been a beautiful process and comprehensive support for families.
of growth,” said Taylor. “We are in this very fragile but
exciting time in our business. I’ve grown things as far as In October, Little Dreamers hosted state legislators
I know how to do on my own, so I’m excited to have this and the nonprofit Early Childhood Investment Corp. to
wise council.” discuss the systemwide needs of childcare professionals
in Michigan.
On November 1st, Little Dreamers Daycare Center held a
ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the recent expansion “We want to continue to be a part of the solution
of its facility on S. Waverly Road, growing by 3,000 square because we recognize that — not just in Lansing, but
feet and three classrooms. really in our country — we’re having an issue with
childcare.”
The larger space means the daycare can increase its
child headcount from 30 to 60. Taylor and her team are For more information about Little Dreamers Daycare
working through the student waiting list while hiring Center, visit www.littledreamersdaycare.com.
and training an additional 15 employees. Before the
expansion, Little Dreamers had 13 employees.
Jacqueline Taylor ATHENA PowerLink
“We’re excited to welcome more families,” Taylor said. Advisory Panel
“I’m really passionate about bringing high-quality, early Thank you to the following business leaders who
childhood education to our community.” have agreed to serve on Jacqueline’s APL advisory
panel in 2025.
Little Dreamers Daycare Center is licensed to care for • Rathbun Insurance: • Maner Costerisan:
children from birth to 12 years old. The latest business Heather Kim Jessica Fleet
expansion means the daycare will be able to offer before- • Lansing Economic Area • HRS: Alissa Parks
and after-school supervision, as well as drop-in services. Partnership: Tony Willis & • Foster Swift
Jazmin Anderson Collins & Smith:
“We’re trying to be creative about solving the needs that • InVerve Marketing: Gabrielle Lawerence
our community has,” Taylor said. Angelique DuPhene
*Please note the advisory panel is still being created and
Over the course of her career, Taylor has become an additional business leaders will be added.
advocate for early childhood development in the Greater

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