In this interview, Jennifer Clements-Dorothy, owner of Crèche Day Schools, shares her experience of using 1Place.
Jennifer, could you start by telling us a bit about yourself, your team, and what you’re aiming to achieve at Crèche Day Schools?
Absolutely. I’m Jennifer, the founder and CEO of Crèche Day Schools in Kansas. We began with just one location back in 2012 and have since expanded to three locations, with plans to keep growing throughout the Midwest. Starting from scratch, we built everything ourselves—from enrollment processes to documentation. Over these past 12 years, we’ve come a long way, and growth remains our primary goal.
Prior to using 1Place, what were some challenges you and your team faced?
As we grew, one of my biggest questions as an owner was, “How can I ensure consistency across multiple locations?” I can’t be everywhere at once, and I wanted to ensure each child receives the same high-quality care. I’d been searching for a tool like 1Place and was introduced to it through a coach. When I learned about 1Place, it was exactly what I’d been looking for—a platform that provided checklists and standard operating procedures. I needed a way to ensure consistency even when I couldn’t be physically present, and 1Place offered that structure and support.
Once you decided to implement 1Place, how did you initially start using it?
We started using 1Place during COVID, initially focusing on the basics like cleaning checklists for our classrooms and facilities. At that time, the early childhood landscape was uncertain, and there was a lot on our plates, so we kept it simple at first. Working with Laura from the 1Place team really helped us get going, and we gradually expanded our use.
Over time, my team and I created scorecards for classroom audits, Procare audits, and other evaluations. Each member of our leadership team now has a scorecard with a monthly bonus structure, and I’ve become quite passionate about developing these! We recently discussed how these scorecards help us work together more effectively—whether it’s in training or identifying areas for growth. It’s helped us maintain consistency and align our team’s focus.
Have you noticed any significant changes or improvements since implementing 1Place?
Absolutely. It’s had a big impact on collaboration, training, and our team’s overall cohesion. For example, those involved in training can now review classroom audit scorecards to identify gaps and monitor consistency, which supports targeted training for both new and experienced teachers. By highlighting areas for development, 1Place has really become an integral part of how we support our team’s growth and keep improving.
With your multiple locations, has 1Place helped you feel connected to each site, even when you’re not there?
Yes, 100%. I’m only on-site a couple of times each month, so 1Place really gives me peace of mind and keeps me connected. I can check classroom audits, planning checklists, and photos submitted by staff. It allows me to gain insight into our daily operations and helps my team understand exactly what to look for during their site visits. I honestly don’t know how we’d maintain this level of connection and oversight without it. It’s been a game changer.
