Small Strides on a big void: Early learning center expands to TRI

Ryan Nicole Putzer purchased Small Strides early learning center on Prototype Drive in South Meadows in 2008. With a waitlist currently numbering more than 700 kids deep at the facility, Putzer knew there was a critical need for more facilitiy options throughout the region.

That’s especially true at Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center, where thousands of workers must figure out plans for their children before beginning their commute, since there is a dearth of nearly all kinds of services at the massive industrial park 15 miles east of Sparks. In March, some of those workers — especially those at the Tesla Gigafactory — will be able to drop their children off at the first care facility constructed in the sprawling industrial park.

Small Strides will open at 1140 Venice Drive once construction is complete on the 12,000-square-foot building, which can accommodate 170 kids ages six weeks to six years old. The early learning center is being built as a partnership with The Red Ltd, which owns the land underneath the facility and also financed vertical construction.

The project is the realization of more than six years of planning and strategizing, Putzer said.

“There is no child care out there,” she said. “I knew there was definitely a need, and with no indication of any child care going in out at TRI, I knew it was such an untapped market. We hope to alleviate some of the waitlist we have in Reno because we can get some of those people into our TRI location.

“People get upset when they realize our waitlist is that long,” Putzer added. “We are trying to help out and alleviate a lot of stress in the workforce.”

An agreement with the nearby Gigafactory for discounted care at Small Strides for Tesla employees proved the difference maker. Tesla workers will receive a 15 percent discount at all Small Strides locations, while the electric vehicle manufacturer provides Putzer with a financial incentive for providing  care, Putzer said.

Courtesy Small Strides

Ryan Nicole Putzer opened Small Strides in the Rancharrah area in January 2023.

 

Small Strides is currently forming a waitlist for the TRI location, and to date more than 100 people have joined the waitlist. Putzer will start accepting deposits to confirm spots in a couple of weeks, she said. Part of the relationship with Tesla includes providing priority placement for Gigafactory workers, she noted.

Small Strides at TRI will differ from most facilities in that it will be open seven days a week from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. Most preschool facilities are open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

K2 Engineering was the architect on the TRI project, which is being built by BLC Builders, which also constructed a mirror facility at Rancharrah that opened in January 2023. Six months later, that second Small Strides facility was full. It currently has a waiting list of 18 months.

“It didn’t take very long to fill,” Putzer said. “We started with the plans for the TRI location, but that wasn’t moving fast, so we decided to pursue the one in Rancharrah. It was nice to be able to use the same floor plan for both locations.

“BLC Builders couldn’t have made this process smoother,” Putzer added. “Since they also built our Rancharrah location, it’s been really easy.”

Procurement delays have plagued the construction industry since the onset of the pandemic, but BLC was able to get out in front of ordering critical path materials since it had recently completed the Small Strides Rancharrah location, Putzer added.

Both locations have indoor and outdoor play areas and are equipped with surveillance cameras throughout the premises to ensure a high level of security.

Going from one to three facilities in under 24 months has brought about quite a few changes in management duties for Putzer, a self-described “hands-on” business owner.

“It’s been a bit challenging for me because I have had to delegate,” she said. “I have been successful at delegating, but it’s hard because I like to know every aspect of everything in my business. I have had to let that go a little bit, but my admin team and teachers are amazing, and know I couldn’t do this without letting go and delegating.”

She’s not one to rest on her laurels, either. Putzer said she plans on leveraging her hard-won relationships with the development community in order to continue providing facilities that alleviate unmet demand for facilities in greater Reno-Sparks.

“I always had plans to open more than one location, but I just needed to get to the point where I could build relationships with developers and contractors in order to do it. I now have these relationships, and I don't want to stop here.”