With a reputation so strong that its only marketing campaign was a one-liner in the Yellow Pages, a waitlist of students recently capped at 150, and teachers that have been with the center since its opening in 1985, Dozier’s Early Learning Center stands out as a trusted cornerstone for early childhood education in East Point. Family-owned and rooted in faith, Dozier’s is more than just any other daycare. Mr. Reginald “Ray” Dozier was inspired by his mother’s passion for education to open a center for children where the “it takes a village” philosophy takes full form as all staff, parents, and students are treated like members of the Dozier family. For nearly 40 years, this hidden gem of East Point has set the standard for early learning with the highest overall 3-star rating from Quality Rated Child Care.
When students come to Dozier, from infancy, they are immersed in an environment of learning. Mr. Dozier’s mother believed in the power of education, especially for young Black children, and they refused to be merely another center for babysitting. Instead, the robust curriculum for their students includes reading, writing, spelling, phonics, and music—all before they get to Kindergarten. The Dozier impact is so substantial that elementary teachers can easily spot a Dozier alum due to their accelerated skills and confidence in the classroom.
The children are the clear priority at Dozier’s, from their open-door policy and commitment to their academic success and overall well-being. With an extensive menu that changes every week, students are fed home-cooked comforting dishes like chicken, salmon, collard greens, and rice and can eat as much as they need—no wonder there’s such a long waitlist.
High turnover rates with staff and enrollment may plague other centers, but at Dozier’s, it is quite the opposite. Four teachers have been with the center since Dozier opened its doors in 1985, while most staff have been with the center for at least 15 years. The dedication of the staff at Dozier’s can be attributed to how they are valued beyond the classroom. The Dozier family is known for their giving spirit, offering interest-free loans to their staff, writing off enrollment fees for parents who’ve fallen on hard times, and even changing flat tires for their teachers. “God has blessed us so we can bless others, Mr. Dozier shares. This is not just a daycare or a workplace for the Doziers—it is their family.
As Dozier’s Early Learning Center will celebrated 40 years this July, the next chapter is expanding beyond its current facility. The center has been in the Dozier family for three generations, with Mr. Dozier’s daughter, Brionna, and her husband, Kendall, stepping up as the new CEO and CFO in 2022 since Mr. Dozier and his wife’s retirement. Brionna and Kendall intend to carry on the spirited legacy of their family as they have purchased a building across the street from the center that will be home to their newly founded nonprofit organization, Beyond Boundaries. The expansion further solidifies Dozier’s Early Learning Center as a pillar of service and commitment to the children and parents in the East Point community.
Mr. Dozier sums it up best: “We’re not perfect, but we strive for it every day.” With such a commitment to excellence, Dozier’s Early Learning Center hopes to serve for generations to come. It’s clear the question isn’t why every parent wants their child at Dozier—but when will they ever have an opening?