Kiddie Academy of Colonia

Ms. Joanne

Administration: Center Director

Ms.Joanne serves as Director of the Colonia location.She brings with her over 25 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She holds her BA in English from Rutgers University and her MOL from Manhattan University. Ms.Joanne began her career as a ECE Teacher, working with each age group we serve.She has held roles as a Center Director, Program Director, Admin Mentor, ECE Trainer and Teacher. Ms. Joanne's Director experience includes corporate/client-based childcare, nonprofit and community-based settings. She carries with her the unique experience of having worked for KA previously as both an educator and administrator, for over 10 years.  Ms.Joanne fosters a first school experience for her students where faculty focus on the space between the minutes, because that is the space where lasting bonds, memories, and attitudes about learning, are born. She believes in respecting and appreciating childhood and celebrating everything that makes each child in her care unique and special.

Ms. Nicole

Faculty: Educational Support, Administrative Support, KACO Street Team Member

Ms. Nicole has been with the center since shortly after our opening day! During her tenure, she has worked with every age group we serve. She loves working with her students and seeing them happy as they learn and grow. Ms. Nicole uses her patience and care giving personality to form relationships with her students while helping to develop them in to caring young people ready to learn. In addition to supporting our classrooms, Ms. Nicole serves as Administrative Support, providing additional support to our families and leadership team members. In her spare time, Ms. Nicole loves listening to music, Boba Tea and spending time with her fiancé! Ms. Nicole can most often be found at Kiddie Academy doing projects with her students and providing them with a host of learning opportunities in her classroom! You can also find Ms. Nicole at our community events with the KACO Street Team!

Ms. Tammy

Faculty: Preschool Teacher, Administrative Support

Ms. Tammy serves as our Preschool Teacher and has worked with multiple age groups since joining the Academy team shortly after we opened!  She brings with her over 20 years of experience working with children all ages.  She loves engaging a child's natural curosity of learning, teaching new concepts, and watching children reach their developmental milestones and gain independence.  Ms. Tammy enjoys spending time with her family which includes her three children and her dog, Hazel and cooking. Ms. Tammy also supports the families, faculty and administrative team as a member of our Administrative Support team. Ms. Tammy looks forward to working with your child!  

Ms. Soni

Faculty: Teacher Mobile Infants

Ms. Soni serves as the Lead Teacher to our Mobile Infant class. She works closely with our Infants as they move into the start of their second year of life. This is an exciting time where Ms. Soni focuses on strengthening motor skills, growing cognition, strengthening bonds and expanding her students world through exploration! She brings with her a wealth of experience working in the field of ealry childhood care and education. Ms. Soni adores working with children of all ages but her Mobile Infant class is near and dear to her heart.  She is also the adoring mother of two lovely daughters! Ms. Soni looks forward to supporting your child on their educational journey. 

Ms. Shreyashi

Faculty: Infant Teacher

Ms. Shreyashi serves as our Infant Teacher, working with our youngest learners, ranging in age from 6 weeks through 1 year old. Ms Shreyashi began her tenure at the Academy not long after the center opened. She is passionate about infant care and building loving bonds with her students. Ms. Shreyashi takes time to get to know each child to ensure that she is best meeting their individual needs. She also places a large focus on getting to know her students families. Ms. Shreyashi adores reading and singing to her students and works diligently to ensure that their very first school experience be a warm and loving one where they feel safe, comfortable, loved and ultimately flourish. She is also the loving mom to her daughter! Ms. Shreyashi looks forward to meeting your family and giving your little one a wonderful first school exprience! 

Ms. Fallon

Administration: Assistant Center Director

Ms. Fallon has been in the childcare field for over seven years. She has served in a variety of roles from teaching Pre-Kindergarten to serving as Buisness Manager. Ms. Fallon holds her Master's Degree in English from Montclair State University. She is also a local to Colonia, NJ.  With a heart full of dedication and a vision for excellence, Ms. Fallon is committed to creating a nurturing, joyful, and safe environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive. She believes every child deserves a space that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and celebrates individuality. Her goal is to bring fresh ideas, strong organizational skills, and a collaborative spirit to help Kiddie Academy of Colonia continue to exceed it's potential. 

Ms. Alaja

Faculty: Support Staff

Ms. Alaja serves in a supportive teaching role with our Toddler class! She is a ray of sunshine who adores working with her todds! Ms. Alaja comes to use with several years of experience teaching children in an Early Childhood setting. Ms. Alaja focusses on providing her students with positive experiences where they feel supported as they continue to learn, grow and take steps towards growing their independance. Ms. Alaja looks forward to partnering with your family and working with your child! 

Ms. Nicole

Faculty: Teacher Pre-K

Ms. Nicole serves as our centers Pre-K Teacher! She works with our 4-5 year old students to prepare them for Kindergarten. Ms. Nicole has taught for Kiddie Academy for over 10 years! She loves working with her students and has extensive experience focused on students Pre-K aged. She focusses on strengthening her students skills to ensure each student has a strong foundation to build upon while introducing new concepts to expand upon throughout the school year. Ms. Nicole works closely with her students to ensure that each child is positioned strongly academically, socially and emotionally for their transition into Elementray School. 

Ms. Fajr

Faculty: Support Faculty

Ms. Fajr serves as a member of our centers Faculty support team! She has been with the center for several years and has had the opportunity to work with and support all age groups. Ms. Fajr knows each child and family at the center and adores working with all ages from our infants through our school aged students! Ms. Fajr can frequently be heard in the background of our students Daily Report videos chearing her students on as she records them reaching milestones or growing their skills! Ms. Fajr looks forward to working with your child!  

Ms. Brooke

Faculty: Infant Teacher

Ms. Brooke works with our youngest learners, supporting our students throughout their first year of life. Ms. Brooke works side by side with Ms. Shreyashi to ensure that each one of their students has the support they need to reach their developmental milestones and have all of their care needs met. Ms. Brooke focusses on building strong bonds with her students and remaining available to their families. Ms. Brooke looks forward to working with your baby and sharing in the start of their educational journey! 

Ms. Alyssa

Faculty: Support Faculty

Ms. Alyssa serves as a member of our Faculty support team! She works with students of all ages from infants through school age. Ms. Alyssa adores children of all ages. She can be found rocking babies to sleep, playing with our Preschoolers, potty training our Twos or running around the playground with our Pre-K students! Ms. Alyssa does it all!

Ms. Destiny

Faculty: Toddler Teacher

Ms. Destiny leads our Toddler program. She works closely with her students as the transition from infancy into Toddlers with gorwing independance. During her tenure at the center Ms. Destiny has also taught our Pre-K students, She holds a special place in her heart for her todds and celebrates every new milestone reached! Ms. Destiny works tirelessly to ensure each of her students are fully prepared to grow into our Two year old program. It's always a bitter sweet moment for Ms. Destiny but she always makes time to check on and maintain relationships with her students even after they transition out of her classroom. 

Toby Turtle

Social Emotional Puppet

Meet Toby Turtle, one of our Social and Emotional Puppets! Kiddie Academy of Colonia has a group of puppets that are also "on staff" at our facility! Each puppet has a different personality. Our puppets are frequently brought out to interact with students who might need some additional support. Toby Turtle is very shy, but loves to make new friends. He often visits with students that might be feeling shy or nervous and helps them to connect with their emotions and surroundings by mirroring their feelings and slowly acclimating to their classroom space. Sometimes students feel more comfortable interacting with a puppet friend first, who will help to connect with them and set them at ease. Toby and his puppet friends live at Kiddie Academy of Colonia and are always available any time they are needed. Families interested in learning about Toby can see a brief video about him on the school Instagram (kiddieacademyofcolonia) Fun Facts About Toby Turtle: Toby is 12 inches tall, his favorite food is pizza, his favorite song is "Wheels on the Bus" Toby's favorite story is Yertle the Turtle, his favorite color is lime green, he enjoys being read to, getting hugs, giving high-fives, making new friends, visiting the playground and helping the office.