In this interview, Courtney Garrett, owner of Impressionable Years Childcare Center, shares her experience of transitioning from paper-based processes to using 1Place for operational efficiency. Below, you can watch the video or read the full transcript of our conversation.
Courtney, can you tell us a little about you and your team and what you are trying to achieve?
My name is Courtney. I own Impressionable Years Childcare Center, which has been open for about 17 years. It’s a family-owned business that my parents started. About five years ago, they decided to sell the business, and I chose to take over instead. Initially, everything was done on paper, but I knew we needed to change that. Over the years, automation has been a significant help, and 1Place has been crucial in standardizing our processes. As a family business, we don’t have a corporate structure to lean on, so having a tool like 1Place has been incredibly beneficial.
Prior to using 1Place, what challenges were you facing?
The biggest challenge was ensuring everyone followed the same standards. In childcare, we have various checklists for tasks like opening and closing classrooms or the building. If these aren’t done correctly, crucial steps can be missed. All of this was managed on paper, which was not efficient.
What led you to try 1Place?
We attend Chris Murray’s Childcare Success Summit every year, where we network with other professionals. At one of these events, someone shared how 1Place helped standardize their business and improve staff training. That conversation convinced me to give 1Place a try, as it promised to streamline our processes and ensure consistency in how tasks are performed.
How did you start implementing 1Place at your center?
We started with our closing checklist. Previously, this was done on paper, and honestly, we weren’t checking it every day. Implementing it in 1Place made it easier for staff to understand their tasks and ensured that everything was done correctly. This clarity and accountability were significant improvements.
Since implementing 1Place, what improvements have you noticed?
The most noticeable difference was the cleanliness. For instance, teachers need to refill their bleach water solution daily. After the first week of using 1Place, I could smell the difference – the place was cleaner. This indicated that tasks were being done properly. Another major improvement was accountability. Staff are now held responsible for their tasks, and it’s easier to track if something wasn’t done correctly. Overall, 1Place has significantly helped improve our operations and efficiency.
