We were lucky to catch up with Paige Jefferson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Paige , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The mission behind Tiny Explorers is something incredibly personal to me. From a young age, I’ve always had a natural connection with children, whether it was helping at church or being the person who always had a child by my side.
Over the years, that passion grew into a clear vision: creating a space where children aren’t just looked after, but where they truly thrive. Tiny Explorers began because I recognized the need for a high-quality, nurturing environment
where children could grow, learn, and feel supported. I didn’t want to offer just another childcare
center, I wanted to build a place where every child is treated with respect and has their
emotional, social, and educational needs fully met. For me, it’s all about giving children a strong foundation in these vital early years, so they can carry it with them as they grow.

What makes this mission so meaningful to me is knowing that we’re not just caring for children, we’re shaping their futures. The early years are so important in building who they will become, and being part of that journey is the most fulfilling part of my work. Tiny Explorers is more than a business to me, it’s my heart. I want every child who walks through our doors to feel safe, loved, and like they’re in a place where they can truly shine.
Together, we are shaping a brighter future—one Tiny Explorer at a time.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who don’t know me, I’m Paige Jefferson, the founder of Tiny Explorers, an early
childhood center with four locations in Indianapolis, Indiana, providing high-quality, nurturing
care for children from birth to age 12. My journey into this business started with a deep passion
for working with children, something I’ve loved since I was young. I attended Alcorn University for
two years before transferring to Ball State University, where I earned my B.A. in Child
Development. Later, I completed a director’s credential and a master’s certificate in teaching,
all of which have helped me grow as a provider and business owner.

It hasn’t been an easy road; building something meaningful takes a lot of discipline, patience,
and hard work. Being in this field requires not just commitment to the children, but also
dedication to constantly learning and evolving as a childcare provider.

At Tiny Explorers, we recognized the need that each age group needs separate care. We have
split our center by age group: infant/toddler care, preschool, pre-K, and afterschool/summer
camp programs for school-age children. What truly sets us apart is that we’re not just providing childcare, we offer a safe, exciting environments where children can explore, learn, and grow. This is the foundation for building strong, confident children who are ready to succeed in school and life. We’ve worked hard to identify and close gaps in childcare by creating an environment where children not only learn and explore but where they feel safe. We have found a strong passion in meeting each child’s emotional and social needs.

After being in childcare for so long I also recognized the need for early intervention services,
which is why I’m working towards starting a nonprofit that offers in-house support from
specialists like occupational and language therapists to detect and address learning or
behavioral disabilities early on.

What I’m most proud of is seeing the difference our center has made in the lives of families and
children. The smiles, the success stories, and the growth I’ve witnessed in the children we care for
make every challenge worth it.

To other childcare providers, I’d say: it’s not just about filling a need or seat, it’s about truly understanding what children and families need to feel supported and thrive. For families looking for quality childcare, I want you to know that we’re here to support you every step of the way, providing a loving and nurturing space where your child can explore,
learn, and shine!

Have you ever had to pivot?

A major turning point in my career happened when I was working as a director at a childcare center. I started to feel really detached from the whole experience because there wasn’t that strong a connection between the families and the learning environment. It felt like the center was just a place for children to stay while their parents worked, rather than a place where they could really learn and grow. That wasn’t my idea of an early center, and it didn’t sit right with me. Moving forward, I had a heart-to-heart with my parents about my frustration and shared my dream of creating a center that truly supported children’s development. With their support, I took a huge leap—I quit my job, cashed in my 401k, and used that money to start my own center. We literally turned their garage into the very first Tiny Explorers location. When I hosted an open house, the turnout was amazing—I had more families sign up than I could even fit in the garage. That’s when I knew it was time to find a bigger space, and that’s how Tiny Explorers started expanding. It was a big risk, but looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

think my reputation has been built on passion and consistency. From day one, I’ve been dedicated to creating a nurturing, high-quality environment for children, and that passion drives everything we do at Tiny Explorers. I’ve also stayed consistent with my brand, whether it’s in the care we provide, how we communicate with families, or supporting my staff. People notice when you genuinely care and follow through on your promises, and that’s what helped me earn the trust of my families.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tinyexploration.com
• Instagram: @tinyexplore
• Facebook: Tiny Explorers Center
• Linkedin: Paige Jefferson
• Other: TikTok: tiny.explorerscenter

Image Credits

Shayne Cureton