About Little Scholars in Ohio
We are a curriculum-based early childhood education facility in Lake County, Ohio, dedicated to caring for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. Our programs provide a range of age-appropriate resources and activities designed to encourage development right up until they are ready to join primary school.
Our Philosophy
Little Scholars Early Learning Center’s mission is to provide affordable, high-quality childcare that serves a diverse community of children and families.
Our beliefs are based upon standards established by the NAEYC, Ohio Department of Children and Youth, SUTQ, knowledge of child development, theories of child behavior, and best practices for educating young children
Four important components of our program are:
Recognizing that each child has a unique personality, learning style, and developmental needs.
Understanding children’s play and the teacher’s role in guiding children and facilitating cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Building relationships with children and families through dialogue, understanding, and interactive experiences.
Collaboration with a variety of state and local agencies and partners that support family and child development.
Who We Are
Little Scholars Early Learning Center got its start in Willoughby, Ohio in 1993 by Michelle Lewis. Her vision of providing affordable, quality childcare for families took off! She soon realized she was making a difference in the community, and expanded to an additional facility in Mentor, Ohio.
In 2013, Michelle’s son Ian Lewis joined the family business, after serving in the United States Marine Corps, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, and working In various business and leadership roles both in for-profit and non-profit entities. Since then, the mother and son duo have worked together to build an organization that fosters early learning in a fun and safe environment where children can explore the world around them.
This has all been made possible by understanding that early learning educators are essential in our communities, and by creating an employment culture that emphasizes leadership, continuing education, development and growth. They have made the commitment to hiring and training the very best teachers and administrators, which allows Michelle’s original vision of providing affordable, quality childcare to come to fruition on a much larger scale.
Get Our Free Parent Pack
Choosing the right childcare can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help! Request our FREE parent pack for detailed information about our programs, facilities, and why parents trust Little Scholars.
About Our Locations
When you visit us at any of our Little Scholars Campuses, you’ll see first hand what makes us different!
Our setting includes:
Something For Everyone
We offer diverse, well thought out learning environments that are adaptable to our community’s needs, whether you’d prefer to be close to home or work.
Here For A Good Time
Outside of our classroom environments, each campus will feature indoor and outdoor large motor spaces to encourage movement, play, and fun!
Security in Mind
Each of our campuses are designed with the safety and security of our families and staff in mind, featuring monitored access, secured entry points, and robust communication measures.
Community Impact
You’ll quickly notice the children-focused collaborations we have with our community partners! Local libraries, emergency service personnel, officials, and non profits are just a few examples of partners that make their mark throughout our facilities!
We offer a wide variety of activities, including gardening, music, dance, and more.
Get your Free Guide
We know how hard it can be choosing the perfect place for your little ones to learn and grow. So, we have made it simple for you to find out exactly what to look for when choosing the perfect daycare. Get your copy now…
Merging Teaching and Childcare
We offer full-day programming that is expertly curated to fulfill your need for childcare AND your child’s need to prepare for school! Our curriculum begins as early as 6 weeks old and is tiered up as your child grows with us! Our teachers are educated and continuously trained on what is appropriate for your child to be learning, and our lesson plans are executed with their progression in mind. By developing our programs with curriculum experts and childcare specialists, we’ve been able to hone in on what makes early education a success and have created a learning program that allows our children to enter school seamlessly, and thrive as they progress!
Whether your family is in need of infant care, preschool, or latchkey, Little Scholars has you covered!
What to Expect from Little Scholars
Our mission is to provide affordable, high-quality childcare that serves a diverse community of children and families.
As part of our commitment, we provide all of our children with:
Top Notch Teachers
A teaching staff that is certified, trained, and fully committed to the education and care of your child.
Healthy, USDA-Approved Meals
Daily meals that meet dietary standards for children including breakfast, lunch and a snack, all included.
Consistently Reliable Hours
Little Scholars is open Monday through Friday 52 weeks a year, closing only on 6 major holidays and 2 training days.
Enriching Events
Activities like career days and guest speakers that help kids learn about the world around them.
Outdoor Play
Teaching little ones how to respect and interact meaningfully with nature.
Summer Programming
Our summer program offers the opportunity to explore our community with educational field trips that are age-appropriate and fun!
A Diverse, All-Inclusive Environment
Where all cultures and traditions are honored and respected.
We would be thrilled to have you join our family at Little Scholars! Contact us with any questions at or click the button below to schedule a tour!
What to Expect from Little Scholars
Our mission is to provide affordable, high-quality childcare that serves a diverse community of children and families.
As part of our commitment, we provide all of our children with:
Top Notch Teachers
A teaching staff that is certified, trained, and fully committed to the education and care of your child.
Healthy, USDA-Approved Meals
Daily meals that meet dietary standards for children including breakfast, lunch and a snack, all included.
Consistently Reliable Hours
Little Scholars is open Monday through Friday 52 weeks a year, closing only on 6 major holidays and 2 training days.
Enriching Events
Activities like career days and guest speakers that help kids learn about the world around them.
Outdoor Play
Teaching little ones how to respect and interact meaningfully with nature.
Summer Programming
Our summer program offers the opportunity to explore our community with educational field trips that are age-appropriate and fun!
A Diverse, All-Inclusive Environment
Where all cultures and traditions are honored and respected.
We would be thrilled to have you join our family at Little Scholars! Contact us with any questions at or click the button below to schedule a tour!
About Our Team
The Little Scholar’s family includes a diverse team of passionate educators who are committed to your child’s success.
Ian Lewis - Owner
Ian Lewis is the dedicated owner of Little Scholars Early Learning Center, bringing a unique blend of discipline, leadership, and passion to early childhood education. A former United States Marine, Ian discovered his love for the childcare world in 2013 when he joined the family business. Inspired by the warmth and commitment of an established Little Scholars team, he has worked tirelessly to create a supportive environment in which educators can focus on and continuously develop their passion for early education. Ian’s vision focuses on providing exceptional care, fostering growth within his team, and making a positive impact on the children, families, teachers, and community.
Michelle Lewis - Owner
Michelle Lewis founded Little Scholars, Inc. in 1993 when she was less than impressed with the childcare options that were available to her for her boys. As an accountant, Michelle immersed herself into the world of early childhood education to create a program that working families could be comfortable and excited to entrust their children with. The foundation that she built in the Lake County is incredibly strong, having built an organization that families have trusted for over 30 years. For the past 10 years, Michelle has gone back to her financial roots, working to ensure stability within the organization by constantly improving the benefits and compensation packages for her staff.
Mandi Wells - Executive Director
Mandi Wells has dedicated her entire adult life to early education, first as a teacher and then as a Campus Director when she came on board with Little Scholars in 2015. In her current role as Executive Director, Mandi oversees all operations of Little Scholars, and continues to leave her mark on the experience of everyone who steps foot on her campuses. Between creating her Leadership Training Program, her in-house Child Development Accreditation (CDA) program, or her “boot camps” that she runs with her leadership team, Mandi is always pushing forward to ensure that Little Scholars is at the forefront of what a childcare program should look like in Lake County!
Schedule a Tour at Little Scholars
The best way to see what makes Little Scholars unique is to experience it firsthand! Book an engaging tour at any of our 8 Lake County locations today.
