A Database Design and Development Case:Smile Land Academy
Ranida Harris
rbharris@ius.edu
Ken Harris
harriskj@ius.edu
David Eplion
deplion@ius.edu
Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN
Abstract
This case describes the situation of Smile Land Academy (SLA), a real-world based childcare center.
SLA has grown from a very small company to a fairly large-sized organization (30 employees with 150
children). Unfortunately, its system for record-keeping, summarization of data, and reporting has not
kept pace. The hard copies and spreadsheet software programs that have been used to manage the
data are no longer effective or efficient. This case presents the situation SLA is in as well as the
desired system features and outputs that the organization would like in a new system.
Keywords: Case, Project, Database design, Systems Analysis and Design, Project-based learning,
Team project
1. INTRODUCTION
While attending classes at a local college,
Victoria Middleton had been working part-time
as a child caretaker at a daycare center run by
the university. After four years of experience
and a bachelors degree in early childhood
education, she obtained a State license and
started Smile Land Academy (SLA), a daycare
center, in her hometown. Her business has
steadily grown over the years. What began
with only one class of five children and a single
caretaker, SLA has grown to where it currently
provides services to more than 150 children and
employs over 30 part-time and full-time
caretakers.
Growing a business has required Victoria to be
more efficient with her resources. However,
much of her time is currently spent on
paperwork. She needs a better way to organize
her data and would like a computerized
database system to help manage her day-to-day
operational activities and provide summary
reports.
2. THE CURRENT SYSTEM AND SITUATION
Presently, most data is first recorded on paper
and later transferred to a computer file.
Victoria keeps a paper copy of all the
information in case there are problems with the
computer files. Parents and caretakers can
check in and out using one of the three
computers located at the building entrance.
Victoria also utilizes a spreadsheet software
program to keep track of employee work hours
and payroll information. This practice has
worked well until recently, when she felt she
needed a better way to organize data for easy
retrieval. In addition, she would like to be able
to see the overall day-to-day operations without