About Daycare.com
Our Journey
Welcome to Daycare.com, the premier online marketplace for childcare services. Founded in 1997 by Sheri and Michael Castello, Daycare.com emerged from their personal journey of searching for the perfect daycare for their son. This frustration turned into a mission to create a comprehensive and user-friendly platform for parents and daycare providers alike. Daycare.com started as a solution to a common problem faced by many parents: finding reliable and suitable childcare options. This problem was transformed into a solution, creating a platform that now lists over 250,000 daycare facilities across the country. We continue to grow, with hundreds of new daycare centers joining our network each month. This growth is a testament to our commitment to connecting families with the best options available in the early learning marketplace.
Innovative Features and Continuous Improvement
We are excited to announce that Daycare.com is currently undergoing a comprehensive overhaul, spearheaded by our new CEO, Lindsey Steel, and Ryan North. Their vision and expertise are driving the development of new, integrated features designed to enhance the experience for families on our platform.
Among the upcoming features are integrated waitlist management, enrollment tracking, and payment processing, making it easier than ever for parents and daycare providers to manage their needs seamlessly. These advancements are just the beginning, as we continue to innovate and implement the latest technologies to improve our child care services. Lindsey and Ryan are dedicated to ensuring that Daycare.com remains at the forefront of the childcare marketplace, providing cutting-edge solutions that benefit both parents and providers.
Our Mission
At Daycare.com, our mission is threefold:
- Ease of Use for Parents: We strive to offer parents a straightforward and efficient resource for finding the ideal daycare. Our search engine is designed to be user-friendly, comprehensive, and reliable, ensuring that you can find the best care for your child with ease.
- Support for Daycare Providers of all Sizes: We aim to provide operators of daycares of all sizes with an effective platform to showcase their services. By joining Daycare.com, providers gain access to a vast audience of potential clients, helping them to grow their businesses and connect with families in need.
- Value-Added Information: We are committed to offering valuable information related to child care services and products. Our platform features a wealth of resources for both parents and providers, including articles, tips, and industry updates to help you stay informed and make the best decisions for your childcare needs.
Lindsey Steel - CEO
We are excited to announce that Daycare.com is currently undergoing a comprehensive overhaul, spearheaded by our dynamic new team members, Lindsey Steel and Ryan North. Their vision and expertise are driving the development of new, integrated features designed to enhance the experience for families on our platform.
Among the upcoming features are integrated waitlist management, enrollment tracking, and payment processing, making it easier than ever for parents and daycare providers to manage their needs seamlessly. These advancements are just the beginning, as we continue to innovate and implement the latest technologies to improve our child care services. Lindsey and Ryan are dedicated to ensuring that Daycare.com remains at the forefront of the childcare marketplace, providing cutting-edge solutions that benefit both parents and providers.
Ryan North - President
For 27 years, Ryan North has engineered multi-tiered inventory, database, and inventory
management solutions for medium-scale wholesale distribution corporations utilizing with a proven track record in tech startups, specializing in software development, web acquisition, and online platform management. As Co-Founder and President of Daycare.com Inc., he leads the creation of innovative tools to support families and childcare providers. His expertise in website development and digital innovation has positioned him as a key contributor to the growth and success of multiple startups in the tech ecosystem.
Ryan also worked as Director at CineMed Medical Solutions, where he facilitated medical production services and educational initiatives for organizations including the Louisiana Department of Health, Moderna, Gilead Sciences, and the U.S. Navy. His background also includes work as an Inventory Control Specialist for wholesale distributors, focusing on network engineering, RFID applications, and systems management, as well as ownership of a popular tourism and travel website, Tour.com, which drew 4 millions visitors a year.
Dakota Pitts-Price - CTO
Dakota is an accomplished technology leader with extensive experience in developing and
scaling innovative solutions for startups, including a Y Combinator-backed venture and a
successful company exit. At Precious, a YC-backed photo app leveraging AI, he was instrumental in driving product innovation, increasing output by 80%, and improving long-term customer retention, helping scale the business to over $4 million in annual recurring revenue. He also played a key role in the development and eventual exit of Hangout Games, where he led the launch of a multiplayer VR platform, designed an SDK for real-time game development, and implemented AI-powered gameplay features that boosted user engagement by 33%. He had additional startup experience in the child and family sector at Kidjo, where he was a Senior Developer in charge of the development of iOS, Android, and WebApps.
With expertise spanning backend development, AI, user experience, and product design, Dakota has consistently demonstrated the ability to blend technical expertise with strategic thinking. Currently serving as CTO at Daycare.com Inc., he brings a unique combination of technical acumen, leadership, and a passion for delivering scalable, user-centric solutions to drive growth in the tech ecosystem. His experience positions them as a key contributor to the success of high-growth ventures.
Michael Castello - Board Chair
Michael Castello is the founder of Daycare.com. Inspired by his own experiences as a father, he launched Daycare.com in 1997 with his wife, Sheri, to serve as a comprehensive resource for parents and daycare operators. That vision has grown into a platform where Michael now serves as Chairman of Daycare.com Inc. Michael Castello is also the President and CEO of Castello Cities Internet Network, Inc., which owns, manages, and develops some of the most recognized geo and generic domain name brands in the world, including Nashville.com, PalmSprings.com, and Traveler.com.
Michael has spoken internationally at numerous conferences, including TRAFFIC, the Borrell Advertising Conference, GEO Domain Expo, and the Internet Marketing & Domaining Conference in Punta del Este, Uruguay, among others. He was inducted into the Targeted TRAFFIC Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Geo Domain Hall of Fame in 2010. Michael also served on the Board of Directors for both Associated Cities and Geo Publishers and has been an active member of ICANN’s Business Users Constituency since 2008.
Karla Sester - Advisor
Karla is a dynamic sales and marketing specialist with extensive experience spanning the wedding industry and the learning technology sector. At The Knot and WeddingWire—two of the industry’s leading platforms—she played a key role in connecting vendors with engaged couples through strategic, targeted marketing initiatives.
Karla brings over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and strategic growth, with a strong focus on SaaS, EdTech, and marketplace solutions. As a former Learning & Technology Account Executive at Skillsoft, she drove adoption of professional learning platforms across diverse industries. Her tenure at The Knot Worldwide saw consistent top performance in digital sales, client retention, and account growth within the wedding and event marketplace. The Knot was purchased in 2018 by a private equity firm for 933 million.
Jennifer Scripps - Marketing
Jennifer is a results-driven leader with extensive experience in business development, sales strategy, and marketing. She has successfully driven revenue growth and managed complex projects in roles at Emprint Moran Printing, Inc., Onsite Design Inc., and the Alliance Safety Council, leveraging her expertise in strategic planning, CRM, and cross- functional collaboration. Known for her interpersonal communication and creative problem-solving, Jennifer excels at building strong relationships and delivering impactful results in dynamic environments.
Gabriella Killett - Media
Gabriella Killett is a dedicated journalist and communications professional who leverages her reporting background to foster meaningful connections between Daycare.com and a wide range of childcare organizations. Through her work, she helps source expert insights and coordinates with nonprofits, health professionals, and community leaders to create safety-focused content for parents and childcare providers. Gabriella’s passion for ensuring children’s well-being drives her commitment to highlighting the latest best practices, resources, and innovations in early childhood education. By bridging Daycare.com with new partners and thought leaders, she empowers caregivers and educators with the information they need to create safer, more supportive environments for young learners.
Join Our Community
Daycare.com is more than just a search engine; it is a community of parents and providers dedicated to ensuring the best care for children. Each day, thousands of visitors come to our site, trusting us to help them navigate the world of childcare. Whether you are a parent searching for the perfect daycare or a provider looking to expand your reach, Daycare.com is here to support you.
Thank you for choosing Daycare.com. We look forward to serving you and your family as we continue to grow and innovate in the childcare industry.