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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 NX) OR WEATHER BREAKTHROUGH “Introducing Puron-for ozone-friendly air conditioning. ” The world leader in home cooling has set a new standard for the new millennium. It’s called Puron, the environmentally sound refrigerant at the heart of the newest energy-efficient Carrier cooling systems. One day, all air conditioning will be designed this way. Ai an Enfhgy Stub® Partner. Carrier Corporation hat determined that thn product maett the Energy Star® gurdeimes lor energy efficiency. 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 ißMipifefe- mA §, 4 I • ■***. 's*■>••• ; %■ Jj W W. •'■ • I jxHb. jPv 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- ft WKlSLaCv'''• Mi< v , \ * MEL -4 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. <& Page 3C Martin