Keith and Lisa Alt Expand Childcare Services with New Facility in Ohio

COLUMBUS GROVE — Keith and Lisa Alt, long-time proprietors of childcare facilities in Ohio, have announced their plans to meet growing childcare needs with the opening of a third center. The new institution, dubbed Little Bulldogs Learning Center, is set to open its doors in Columbus Grove in early 2025. Located at 211 Veterans Highway, the facility occupies a building previously used as a funeral home, constructed in 2013. Once operational, it will be licensed to accommodate approximately 100 children.

“It’s a huge need for the community,” stated Keith Alt, highlighting the increasing demand for childcare services, as evidenced by long waiting lists at their Ottawa location. “We have seen a huge waiting list at our Ottawa location, and we know that need extends to other rural areas across Ohio.” This need for expanded childcare options has prompted the expansion initiative by the Alts.

The couple currently owns Loving Care Learning Center in Ottawa, designed for 160 children, and Little Panthers Learning Center in McComb, which can host 84 children. The Alts emphasize the significance of preparing children for kindergarten. “We’ve seen the level of education needs at the pre-kindergarten level before the kids get to kindergarten increase every year,” added Keith Alt, discussing their commitment to educational outcomes achieved by segregating children by age.

Efficient communication with parents is a cornerstone of the Alts’ operational strategy. According to Keith Alt, 96% of parents whose infants join the program opt to continue through to kindergarten. “Communication is very important daily with parents,” noted Lisa Alt. The Alts offer tours of their facilities, explaining the curriculum, and ensuring that parental concerns regarding safety and child-staff ratios, which average ten to one, are addressed comprehensively.

Keith Alt also recognizes the role of partnerships with local businesses. “If parents have child care available to them, and they don’t have to leave work for a sick child, it helps companies with job retention, employee turnover and overall production,” he explained. However, like many post-COVID businesses, they face challenges in staffing and are committed to refining employee compensation packages to attract and retain high-quality staff. “Updating the compensation package is something we’re trying to do,” he confirmed.

Lisa Alt expressed her enthusiasm about their expansion into Grove. “It’s exciting for us to go to Grove and do this for their community,” she said, underlining their dedication to serving the community’s childcare needs.