Care A Lot Childcare Center

What Care A Lot Childcare Center does

Care-A-Lot Childcare Center, legally Care-A-Lot Childcare Centre, Inc., is a privately held, family-owned childcare operator headquartered in Lockport, New York, founded in 1985 by Patricia DePan as the first woman entrepreneur in the town of Evans, NY. The company operates five licensed physical locations across Western New York — Derby, Grand Island, Lakeview, Kenmore-Tonawanda, and West Seneca — with an aggregate licensed capacity of 386 children spanning ages 6 weeks through 12 years. Service delivery is organized into age-tiered programs (Nursery, Waddlers, Toddlers, Preschool, School Age), with supplemental offerings including Inclusive Classrooms for children with special needs, Universal Pre-K (UPK) in partnership with two local school districts, and the Camp C.A.L. summer program.

The product stack combines a Creative Curriculum framework from Teaching Strategies, Inc. with the proprietary Music Rocks! enrichment program, which embeds Board Certified Music Therapists across all age groups and is included in standard tuition. Inclusive Classrooms are operated in collaboration with Bloom Creative Arts, a co-owned entity founded by Care-A-Lot co-owner Megan Coltoniak that delivers Speech, Occupational, Physical, and Music Therapy on-site. Supporting technology is exclusively third-party SaaS: Brightwheel for parent-teacher communication and emergency SMS notifications, Amherst Alarm for monitored security, and Spotify for music therapist-curated playlists. CACFP participation supports an on-site baby food preparation program.

Revenue is generated through direct-to-consumer tuition fees billed weekly on a subscription basis, with location-specific, quote-based pricing that is not publicly disclosed. The business accommodates both full-time and variable part-time schedules. Go-to-market is local and relationship-driven: families schedule tours through the company website, inquire by phone, or arrive via word-of-mouth referrals. Marketing is concentrated on the company Facebook page, Google Reviews, and the brand heritage emphasizing nearly 40 years of family ownership. Leadership is second-generation: founders' daughters Jessica Tollar (M.Ed., School Building Leader credential) and Megan Coltoniak (Board Certified Music Therapist) serve as co-Heads of Operations, supported by credentialed program directors at each location.

Name

Care A Lot Childcare Center

Legal name

Care-A-Lot Childcare Centre, Inc.

Website

https://care-a-lot.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Care-A-Lot Childcare Center is a family-owned childcare provider operating five licensed locations across Western New York, serving children ages 6 weeks to 12 years through age-tiered programs, integrated special education via Bloom Creative Arts, UPK district partnerships, and the Music Rocks! music therapy enrichment program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Childcare Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Full-Day Nursery Programs (EDACACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Toddler-Focused Childcare Centers (EDACAAAG), Infant-Focused Childcare Centers (EDACAAAF)

Keywords

• Childcare services
• Early childhood education
• Preschool programs
• Before after school care
• Inclusive special education

Headquarters

HQ city

Derby

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Childcare Tuition: Full-day and part-time childcare services for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Revenue generated through weekly/monthly tuition fees. Accommodates variable schedules that change week to week.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Care-A-Lot is a family-owned childcare center operating five licensed locations across Western New York that delivers full-day, part-time, and variable-schedule care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Core offerings include age-segregated programs (Nursery, Waddlers, Toddlers, Preschool, School Age), inclusive special education classrooms delivered via Bloom Creative Arts, Universal Pre-K in partnership with local school districts, and a summer camp called Camp C.A.L. The Music Rocks! program, led by board-certified music therapists, is included in standard tuition across all classrooms.

Product overview

Care-A-Lot is a family-owned childcare center operating five locations across Western New York (Derby, Grand Island, Lakeview, Tonawanda, and West Seneca), providing full-day childcare and educational programs for children from 6 weeks to 12 years old. The core offering combines high-quality daycare and a developmentally appropriate preschool curriculum meeting NYS Department of Education and NAEYC standards. Programs include age-specific classrooms (Nursery, Waddlers, Toddlers, Preschool, School Age), special education Inclusive Classrooms (in partnership with Bloom Creative Arts), and Universal Pre-K (UPK) partnered with local school districts. Enrichment is delivered through the Music Rocks! program (board-certified music therapy), included in standard tuition across all classrooms. The Summer Camp C.A.L. program extends care during summer months for school-age children with themed weekly activities. The company was founded in 1985 and is currently operated by the founders' daughters Jessica Tollar and Megan Coltoniak.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Music Rocks!: A hands-on music enrichment program that supports social-emotional growth and development through in-person instruction from board-certified music therapists. Classes are offered as part of tuition for all age groups.

Products and services

• Nursery Program Age-appropriate infant care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 months, focused on bonding, nurturing, safety, language development, and physical well-being using the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos. Available across all five Care-A-Lot locations in Western New York.
• Waddlers Program Care for children ages 12 to 24 months focused on continued developmental growth, early social skills, and language development using the Creative Curriculum framework. Available at Care-A-Lot's five Western New York locations.
• Toddlers Program Program for 2-year-olds that builds positive self-esteem, encourages language development, introduces social skills, and supports independent toileting through teacher-guided play using the Creative Curriculum. Available at Care-A-Lot's five Western New York locations.
• Preschool Program Program for children ages 3 to 4 years using the Creative Curriculum with emphasis on whole language, emergent curriculum, social-emotional development, and kindergarten readiness. Available at Care-A-Lot's five Western New York locations.
• School Age Program Before and after school care for children kindergarten-bound through age 12, featuring STEAM-based projects and activities. Available at Care-A-Lot's expanded locations capable of serving school-age children.
• Inclusive Classrooms Integrated special education classrooms providing Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Music Therapy in collaboration with Bloom Creative Arts for neurodiverse children and those with IEPs, developmental delays, ADHD, or autism. Housed at the Derby, Kenmore-Tonawanda, and Grand Island locations.
• Universal Pre-K (UPK) Universal Pre-Kindergarten program offered in partnership with the Grand Island and West Seneca school districts, following NYSED and district guidelines with play-based learning and optional wrap-around full-day care at the same facility. Available at the Grand Island and West Seneca locations.
• Camp C.A.L. Summer camp program for children ages 5 to 12 offered across all five Care-A-Lot locations, featuring weekly themed activities, daily meals, yoga, water play, reading time, and STEAM learning.
• Music Rocks! Hands-on music enrichment program delivered by Board Certified Music Therapists that supports social-emotional development through in-person instruction, included as part of standard tuition for all age groups across all five Care-A-Lot locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 40 years of continuous operation since 1985
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Bloom Creative ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBloom Creative Arts provides Special Education Services, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Music Therapy services. Megan Coltoniak, owner and founder of Bloom Creative Arts, is also co-owner of Care-A-Lot. Integrated and self-contained preschool classrooms housed at Derby, Kenton, and Grand Island locations.
• CACFP (Child and Adult Food Care Program)supportingOthersCare-A-Lot participates in CACFP which encourages serving healthy foods in childcare based on USDA recommendations. This program supports the center's nutrition initiatives and food quality standards.
• Amherst AlarmsupportingTechnology or IntegrationFire safety systems and security monitoring provider for all Care-A-Lot centers. Supports locked door policy and security code entry systems.
• BrightwheelsupportingTechnology or IntegrationParent communication app used for daily updates, newsletters, and emergency notifications via app and SMS text message. Used for parent-teacher communication and real-time updates.
• Teaching Strategies, Inc.supportingTechnology or IntegrationProvider of Creative Curriculum framework used across all Care-A-Lot classrooms for infant, toddler, and preschool programs. Supports developmentally appropriate practice and assessment tools.
• West Seneca School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUPK partnership providing Universal Pre-K program at Care-A-Lot West Seneca location. Care-A-Lot provides classroom space and follows NYSED and district guidelines.
• Grand Island School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUPK partnership providing Universal Pre-K program at Care-A-Lot Grand Island location following district guidelines.
• Help Me Grow NYsupportingOthersResource partner connecting families with community resources and child development information. Available as resource for Care-A-Lot families.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Primrose Schools: National franchise system of accredited private early childhood education schools serving infants through school-age children with proprietary Balanced Learning curriculum. Directly comparable as a multi-site private-pay childcare brand with differentiated proprietary curriculum — Care-A-Lot's Music Rocks! and Creative Curriculum stack plays a similar differentiation role.
• The Goddard School: Play-based early childhood education franchise with ~600+ schools across the US serving children 6 weeks to 6 years. Closely comparable as a private-pay, multi-site childcare brand emphasizing proprietary curriculum and family experience; differs via franchise model vs. Care-A-Lot's direct operation.
• Crème de la Crème: Private-pay early childhood education and care operator with ~20 locations, known for premium programs including STEM, foreign language, and music enrichment. Comparable as a private-pay multi-site operator using distinctive enrichment programs (e.g., music) to differentiate from commoditized daycare.

Broad incumbents

• Learning Care Group: Operator of multiple childcare brands including Childtime Learning Centers, Tutor Time, and La Petite Academy. Comparable as a large multi-brand full-day childcare portfolio serving ages 6 weeks to 12 years; differs significantly by scale and corporate ownership.
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions: NYSE-listed multinational operator of employer-sponsored childcare and early education centers. Comparable as a scaled multi-site childcare platform; however, Bright Horizons is significantly larger, publicly traded, and primarily serves employer-sponsored care rather than direct-to-consumer families.
• KinderCare Learning Companies: One of the largest private childcare and early education providers in the US, operating more than 1,500 centers. Comparable as a multi-site full-day childcare operator serving working families; differs by national scale and corporate ownership versus Care-A-Lot's regional family-owned model.

Regional players

• The Malvern School: Family-owned operator of ~30 private early childhood education schools concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic (PA, NJ, DE). Comparable as a regional family-owned multi-site childcare platform with proprietary curriculum and similar age range; relevant analog for Care-A-Lot's regional roll-up potential.
• Little Lukes: CNY-based Upstate New York childcare operator with multiple locations serving infants through school-age children. Comparable as a regional New York State multi-site full-day childcare provider in the same regulatory and demographic environment as Care-A-Lot, particularly relevant for regional roll-up dynamics.
• Brightside Academy: Mid-Atlantic and multi-state childcare operator serving infants through school-age with UPK and PreK Counts partnerships. Comparable as a multi-site childcare operator with mixed UPK + private-pay enrollment model and similar age range; differs by geographic footprint.
• Nobel Learning Communities: Was a multi-brand private education and childcare operator (Merritt Academy, Chesterbrook Academy) acquired by Spring Education Group. Comparable as a regional private-pay multi-site childcare platform; differs by being part of a larger corporate roll-up. Useful as a precedent for PE roll-up of family-owned childcare networks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WNYCareALot
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/care-a-lot-childcare-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Care A Lot Childcare Center