Tammy Young, owner and operator of Tammy’s Little Tikes, opened for her first day of business Monday at her new location at 1332 Pike Hill Road.
Young left her location of many years on Sparta Street and moved her day care to her home.
Despite being mistakenly listed as going into retirement in the Sunday issue of the Southern Standard due to the demolition of her former location, Young says she is still doing exactly what she loves doing, taking care of her beloved “tikes,” who currently number 15, down from the 40 she used to care for.
“I boxed in my garage,“ Young said. “And I moved it into my home so I’m definitely not retiring, not for a long time. I’m just slowing down a little bit. In fact I’m still in the same rocking chair. It’s just at a different location.”
Young says she has other responsibilities that are claiming some of her attention, particularly her current efforts to get a degree as a non-traditional college student.
“I’m still attending Tennessee Tech to obtain my bachelor’s degree,” Young said. “I am two classes away from my associate’s degree, so someday I’ll retire, but it’ll be a long time from now.”
Young is being assisted by Donna Muncey, her employee of 10 years. Treva Noll is the facility’s substitute teacher who works when Young and Muncey have their days off during the week.
Young says she is very pleased with her new location.
I’ve been thinking about doing this for about a year now,” Young said. “And it’s really worked out well. I love it here.”