Small Strides Preschool Featured For Closing Big Gaps
We are honored to be featured in KOLO’s recent report on our new Small Strides location at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRIC)!
The demand for quality preschools and daycares in our region has never been greater. So we are doing what we can to meet this need by adding new Small Strides locations.
Our new early learning center is the first in the TRCI, and is going to be a huge benefit to the thousands of employees there. They’ll finally be able to have a safe, nurturing environment for their kids conveniently located next to their work.
Read the news and watch the video below or check out the original article from KOLO!
Early education coming to Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (TRIC).
Accommodating the needs of childcare: 'Small Strides' is looking to close big gaps
KOLO | original article
By Taylor Burke
Published: Jan. 17, 2024 at 9:21 PM PST
RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - To accommodate the needs of parents looking for childcare, a new early learning center is coming to the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (TRIC).
Ryan Putzer, the owner of Small Strides, says even with two early learning center facilities, she is constantly turning families away.
“Our waitlist is well over 700 families,” Putzer said.
With a list that long, Putzer says the average wait time is a year and a half.
“People are upset that there aren’t more options for their kids, and they can’t get jobs because there’s no place for their kids to be,” said Putzer.
To help get that waitlist down, Putzer is building a new location in the heart of the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, set to open in March of 2024. Construction of the 12,000 sq. ft. building, featuring 11 classrooms, broke ground in June 2023. In addition to enhancing the educational landscape, the new center will contribute to the local economy by creating 30 new jobs.
To accommodate the unique scheduling needs of TRIC employees, Small Strides will open 7-days-a-week with extended hours operating from 5am to 7-pm. This flexibility aims to support the diverse work schedules of nearby businesses to offer exclusive benefits. Tesla employees will be offered priority and will even receive 15% off the standard tuition.
“We understand the challenges working parents face and we are dedicated to not only meeting but exceeding their expectations. The 7-days-a-week schedule is just one of the ways we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our local families,” added Ryan Putzer.
As a licensed daycare, the little ones will also enjoy a full day of curriculum.
“We learn through play. Kids have to be kids. They have the rest of their lives to be diligent students, so we want to make sure that with everything we’re doing, they’re learning,” Pitzer said.
Once the doors are open 170 new students will be taken on, which Putzer says will help, but she knows more needs to be done and is open to the idea of opening a 4th location in the future.
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Small Strides plans to open in March 2024 and are currently accepting enrollments. Reach out to reserve your spot!