<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.16

         CONSULTING AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 20, 2002 BETWEEN CHILDTIME
                   LEARNING CENTERS, INC. AND LEONARD C. TYLKA


CONSULTING AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated as of February 20, 2002 by and
between Childtime Learning Centers, Inc. (the "Company"), a Michigan corporation
with offices at 38345 West 10 Mile Road, Suite 100, Farmington Hills, Michigan
48335, and Leonard C. Tylka, residing at 1 Glen Court, Monmouth Junction, New
Jersey 08852 (the "Executive").

WHEREAS, The Company desires to retain the Executive as a consultant and,
therefore, in consideration of the covenants and agreement hereafter set forth,
the parties agree as follows:

         1.       ENGAGEMENT TERM- This Agreement shall terminate at the close
                  of business on June 30, 2002

         2.       DUTIES- Executive shall, during the Engagement Term, function
                  as the Company's interim Chief Financial Officer and shall
                  report to the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Through March
                  31, 2002, Executive shall work out of the Company's corporate
                  headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan for four (4)
                  business days each week with the fifth business day working
                  from his home. Effective April 1, 2002 through May 31, 2002,
                  Executive shall work out of the Company's corporate
                  headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan for three (3)
                  business days each week with the fourth and fifth business
                  days working from home. For the month of June, Executive shall
                  make himself available for telephonic conference calls during
                  normal business hours, Monday through Friday, but shall not be
                  required to travel.

         3.       COMPENSATION- Executive shall receive from the Company an
                  annual consulting fee in the amount of $175,000 payable
                  monthly in arrears on the last business day of each month plus
                  reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses, including
                  lodging and transportation. This annual consulting fee of
                  $175,000 shall be retroactive to February 1, 2002. Executive
                  shall not be entitled to any Company-sponsored employee
                  benefits including but not limited to payroll taxes and
                  medical benefits.

         4.       CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION- Executive agrees that he will not
                  commit any act, or in any way assist others to commit any act,
                  which would injure the Company or its business. The Executive
                  acknowledges that all information about the Company or
                  relating to any of its services or any phase of its
                  operations, business or financial affairs which is not a
                  matter of public record ("Confidential Information") is
                  valuable, special and unique

<PAGE>
                  to the Company. Accordingly, the Executive will not use any
                  such Confidential Information for his own benefit nor disclose
                  any such Confidential Information to any person, corporation,
                  association or other entity. Confidential Information shall
                  not include any information which is now or may become: (I)
                  generally available to the public or (ii) generally known in
                  the industry in which the Company operates.

         5.       ASSIGNABILITY- This Agreement shall not be assignable by the
                  Executive, but it shall be binding upon, and inure to the
                  benefit of, his heirs, executors, administrators and legal
                  representatives. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
                  inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and
                  assigns.

         6.       MISCELLANEOUS- This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
                  the State of New York.

This Agreement supercedes the Consulting Agreement dated January 19, 2001
between the Company and the Executive.


                                       Childtime Learning Centers, Inc.


                                       By: /s/ James A. Morgan
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           James A. Morgan, Chairman


                                       By: /s/ Leonard C. Tylka
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Leonard C. Tylka


                                       2