Newspaper Page Text
Owner keeps day-care costs low
Sugar Plum Day Center offers variety of care
programs for youths 6 weeks to 12 years
By Torey Jolley
Hom Joummal Staff
Owning your own busi
ness is a dream for
many. And in the case
of Natalie and Chip Lollis, that
is exactly what happened.
“In May of 1998, my husband
had a dream that we bought the
Sugar Plum Day Care Center."
said current day-care owner
Natalie Lollis.
She said she just laughed
when her husband told her
about the dream. After all, her
former in-laws, the Nippers,
owned the day-care facility then.
They had not given anyone the
slightest idea they were in the
market to sell.
However, when Natalie Lollis
visited with the Nippers that
fateful day. Lollis told Nipper the
dream. Nipper said she was
stunned because they were
thinking about putting the day
care up for sale.
“She told me that she had
prayed to God to send someone
to buy the day-care business if
that was what He wanted. She
prayed the same night my hus
band had the dream." said Lol
lis, “It must be Divine interven
tion."
Sugar Plum Day Care Center
became the property of Natalie
and Chip Lollis in February
1999. It is located at 1821
Macon Road in Perry.
“We’re right across from Con
ner’s Carpets and next door to
Hammock Machine Shop." said
Lollis.
Currently, the day-care center
has 63 children enrolled, but
the center is licensed for 70.
“We take children in ages 6
weeks to 12 years," said Lollis.
“We have several programs avail
able. such as DFACS children
and state food program."
The center is fully licensed by
the state. Lollis said, “Our
employees have 10 hours of
training of state mandated
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requirements in areas such as
CPR, First Aid, child abuse and
neglect prevention, environmen
tal health and safety, and infec
tion control.
“We are always looking for
ways to improve." Lollis said.
“We want our employees to have
the latest training. The better
the training we have, the better
the working conditions and that
is best for the children,” said
Lollis.
In addition to training, the
day care center performs crimi
nal background checks on all of
its employees.
“Our before and after school
program is great for parents.
The children can be dropped off
here early. We will feed them
breakfast and take them to
school. After school, we pick
them up and give them a
snack,” said Lollis.
The day-care center offers
breakfast, lunch and an after
noon snack to the children.
“Audrey Spires is our cook. She
is wonderful,” said Lollis.
“When school starts, we will
have even more openings avail
able than we do now. We have
drop-in space too," said Lollis.
Sugar Plum Day Care Center
hours are Monday through Fri
day, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rates are
$67.50 for potty-trained children
and $77.50 for those not, per
week. Discounts are available
for two or more children in a
family.
After School children pro
grams are $47.50, per week.
Drop-in spots are sl7 per day.
"Our rates are the lowest in
the area and we offer a nurtur
ing atmosphere for children," ,
said Lollis.
“I know how it feels to have to
work all day and then give your
paycheck to the day-care
provider. That is why our rates
are so value-oriented. We really
mean our motto, "Your Child is
Special to Us," she said. !
PERRY HEATING & COOLING
2128 HWY. 41 NORTH, PERRY 987-2335
AIR CONDITIONING ASSOCIATES, INC.
100 CONSTITUTION DRIVE, WARNER ROBINS 953-4986
“I know how it feels to have to work all day and
then give your paycheck to the day-care provider.
That is why our rates are so value-oriented.” Natal
ie Lollis
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Home Journal Photo by Torey Jolley
ALL TOGETHER Natalie Lollis, new owner of Sugar
Plum Day Care Center, holds two of the center's little
ones, Robert Williams and Lyman Thomas Prickett,
white little Roger ’Nae Veda sits nearby,
Wed., Auf;. 4, 1999, Houston Home Journal 1999 and Beyond Seaton-
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County Development
Authority moving
force for rapid
industrial growth
ftnaSTmteMMl
The Houston County Development
Authority, headed by Executive Director
Tim Mar
tin. is the
primary
moving
force in
the steady
growth of
Perry’s
industrial
district.
Working
closely
with city.
■pi - w*£ /
■|bL
Tolleson
county
and state officials, as well as educational
leaders, Martin and his staff, Jill M.
Buchanan and Lucy Green, coordinate
visits to this area by industry leaders
seeking new sites, help with details of
site selection and also provide valuable
assistance to existing businesses.
A major recent accomplishment of the
Development Authority, working with
other regional authorities as well as the
Middle Georgia Technical Institute, the
Georgia Department of Industry', Trade
and Tourism and Macon State College
was the hosting of the state's first work
force development summit.
This was a meeting at Middle Georgia
Tech which gave major employers a
chance to share their concerns and
employment needs with educators, Mar
tin said.
Martin is enthusiastic about Perry's
economic growth in the coming years
because of the rapid development of the
Perry Parkway and four-lane access from
1-75 to the Perry industrial district.
Serving on the Development Authority,
which is presently supported by both
county and city governments, are Chair
man Mell S. Tolleson 111.; vice-chairmen
Draper Watson and Mike Houston; trea
surer Neal Rearden; directors, Steve
Byrd, Jim Mason and Neal Talton. Mike
Long serves as legal counsel.
The Authority’s offices are located at
151 Osigian Boulevard in Warner
Robins. Information about the Develop
ment Authority’s activities can be
obtained at www.hcda.net.
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Page 3C
Martin