David Henry, CEO of the firm, says plans are on the drawingboard to build or remodel 25 centers in the next two years. He toldGlobeSt.com that he hopes to put about 50 centers in the city inabout four to six years, each with about 30 employees. "Detroit isa perfect market for us. There are twice as many child care centersin the affluent areas surrounding the city than in Detroit itself.The poor are the ones that really need the service," he says.

He currently runs 24 centers in Philadelphia and nine inPittsburgh. "We hope to do at least that well in Detroit. MayorDennis Archer couldn't have been more friendly in welcoming us tothe city," Henry says.

Two more Detroit centers are in the renovation stage and shouldbe ready once the licenses are approved in about 60 days. One is atWyoming Avenue and Marygrove Road, and the other is at Eight MileRoad and Livernois.