For nearly three decades, Tiny Tots Tigers Preschool and Daycare has endured by caring for children with intention and leaving parents with a sense of care and ease that stays with them throughout the day. Founded and led by Crystal Vincent, the Ohio-based Gold-Rated Step Up to Quality preschool keeps hands-on involvement as an imperative for early childhood care. Every classroom, every hire, and every decision carry Vincent's imprint.
"I'm in the building, I'm involved, and everything comes through me," she says. "I try to make sure that every decision feels right for the children and the families. It's not just a business for me. It never has been."
At Tiny Tots, Vincent finds importance in maintaining an environment shaped by pedagogical discipline, and equally, by warmth. Teachers across all subjects are supposed to hold formal degrees in early childhood education and related fields, with ongoing training built into the expectations of the role. "All of our lead teachers have a relevant degree, whether it's child development, early education, or higher. And if they don't have exactly what we need yet, they're required to continue and complete that. We don't stop learning here, because the kids don't stop growing," she explains.
Communication between staff and parents extends well beyond scheduled hours to establish responsiveness and immediacy. "I keep my phone close, even late into the night," she says. "Parents don't stop being parents after 5 pm. If I can answer their queries and give them peace of mind right then, I will. It matters to them, so it matters to me."
Inside the preschool, Vincent highlights that the physical space mirrors that attentiveness. It encompasses three indoor playgrounds, a full gymnasium with a stage, and a growing list of immersive environments with an aim to build an engaging and explorative setting.
A new addition, Tiny Towns, is currently under development. It will offer an indoor streetscape designed for children aged three to five, complete with miniature buildings and interactive elements.
"There's going to be a house, a diner, a barn, a fire station, and even little roads with stop signs and benches," Vincent says. "The idea is to give them a place where they can walk in and create their own world."
Open-ended play defines the preschool's approach as activities are designed to encourage interpretation and originality. Even art projects, Vincent notes, begin with materials, so they don't limit their imagination and creativity. "I don't want to hand a child something pre-cut and tell them exactly what it should look like," Vincent explains. "I'd rather give them the tools and let them decide what they want to make. That's where you start to see their personality come out."
Studies have shown that imaginative and creative play increases neurological brain activity in children by activating brain neural networks, which can have a strong impact on emotional experience and well-being. Vincent believes such effects are visible in environments where children are given space to explore, experiment, and direct their own engagement.
She has observed a noticeable shift in how children interact with the world today, particularly as digital exposure has increased. "Kids have access to so much now, and that part is amazing," she says. "But I also see how easy it is for them to become dependent on it." She highlights that this dependency is contributing to limiting their world and eliminating their ability to be present in classrooms, at dinner tables, and with family and friends. "There has to be a right balance," she insists.
Tiny Tots strives to strike that balance. Vincent highlights that screen time is limited and earned, while hands-on activities and social interaction take priority across all age groups. Even infants are introduced to sensory experiences early, so that they can build awareness through tactile and olfactory stimuli. "We start with the basics, textures, sensory play, interaction," Vincent says. "Everything builds from there."
Support extends to children with varying developmental needs. While not positioned as a specialized center, Vincent points out that Tiny Tots works with visiting professionals who provide guidance and training twice a month. Those sessions, she notes, inform how teachers continue supporting each child day to day. "They come in and work with the children, but they also work with us," Vincent says. "They show us what to look for, what to do, and then we carry that forward when they're not there."
Parents, she notes, rely on instinct more than anything else. A child's expression at pickup, the way they interact with their teachers, the feeling in the room, these details carry weight. "Even if your child isn't talking yet, you can tell. You can see if they're happy, if they feel safe, if they're comfortable where they are. That's what we see too," she says.
The standard Vincent sets returns to the idea of trust that holds throughout the day, even after parents leave the building. "When you drop your child off and go to work, you shouldn't be worrying about what's happening here," Vincent says. "You should feel like your child is in good hands, and you should be able to focus on your day knowing that. If the parents of our students can do that, then we know we're doing something right."
