A history of what’s possible.
40 years and counting
The 1980s
A decade of firsts
Kiddie Academy founding and early growth
During the 1980s, Pauline Miller and Kiddie Academy brought her vision of combining fun with learning to life. Our original learning program served as a launching point for the developmentally appropriate curriculum, character education, health and fitness and technology education that was the original foundation of our proprietary Life Essentials® philosophy.
1981
Our nurturing history begins
The very first Kiddie Academy opens
As a mother and an educator, co-founder Pauline Miller passionately sought to provide better child care options. Her vision created an experience that went beyond typical child care, inspiring the possibilities in each child for his or her future. She developed the first version of Kiddie Academy’s proprietary curriculum with the opening of our first location in Baltimore County, Maryland. It had a capacity for 84 children and infinite promise.
1984
Dedication to amazing child care runs in the family
Michael Miller joins Kiddie Academy
Michael Miller, son of George and Pauline Miller, joins the team. Over the next 30 plus years, Michael becomes involved in all aspects of Kiddie Academy. That includes his current role connecting to families around the country who are looking for innovative learning options for their children.
1990s
More learning in more places
Sharing Kiddie Academy with more families
We further established and developed how we teach and serve children and their families and expanded into more communities around the country.
1992
Spreading our arms wider
First franchise opens
Parents expect more from their child care than babysitting. They want educational child care that nurtures and inspires—intellectually, emotionally and physically. The first Kiddie Academy franchise location opens to meet that demand.
1994
Never too young to learn
Infant and toddler education
We lead the way in expanding education-based child care to infants and toddlers. It’s an early example of how committed we are to anticipating the needs of parents.
1999
Welcoming more families
Kiddie Academy expands to over 50 locations
By the end of the decade, more families than ever are benefiting from our unique approach to education-based child care, with thousands of children learning at a wide variety of Academies.
The 2000s
Moving in one direction: forward
Progress and innovation
The new millennium marks an evolution in our industry-leading early education methods, along with the introduction of a unique summer learning program.
2000
Summer learning fun
CampVentures® summer program opens
Amazing teachable moments extend to the most fun-filled months of the year. We incorporate our summer program (now CampVentures®) into our main curriculum.
2001
Teacher guidance grows
Curriculum Advisory Board founded
Our Curriculum Advisory Board of early childhood experts makes its debut. Its purpose is to enrich our curriculum and give our teachers the tools they need to help children develop intellectually, physically and emotionally.
2007
Exceeding standards again and again
Multi-state accreditation
Kiddie Academy earns accreditation. We’re proud of this recognition for the quality and consistency of our curriculum, the high standards we set for our teachers and students and the healthy relationships we foster with families.
2008
Renowned curriculum gets a name
Life Essentials® debut
Our curriculum evolves to instill each age group with a rich appreciation for good citizenship, health and fitness and scientific exploration. We name it Life Essentials®, which incorporates STEM skills crucial to developing the next generation of physicians, engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians and critical thinkers.
The 2010s
Kiddie Academy turns 30
Building community into our third decade
After 30 years, we remain true to Pauline Miller’s vision of keeping play and community at the center of early childhood learning.
2014
Connecting parents with the classroom
We launch our AcademyLink digital communication tool
Parents get a firsthand mobile look at their classroom activities—including frequent updates about how their child is developing and teacher comments, photos and videos that capture can’t-miss learning moments.
2014
Exercise, nutrition and kids
A head start on a healthy life
In tune with the growth in childhood obesity, Kiddie Academy continues to integrate exercise and nutritious, family-style dining and snacks into its Life Essentials program.
2017
Meeting the demand for amazing
The opening of our 200th Kiddie Academy
In greater and greater numbers, parents are seeking out educational childcare that engages their children mentally, physically and socially. As we celebrate the opening of our 200th location, we remain driven by Pauline Miller’s founding vision: to inspire children to realize the amazing possibilities of their future.
2019
Inspiring a love of learning – now, always and everywhere
Learn OnSM launches
Kiddie Academy’s Learn OnSM campaign launches in January with new videos and a billboard display in New York’s Times Square. Learn On focuses on how our Life Essentials philosophy blends education with fun, sparking a passion for learning that children carry with them wherever they go, for the rest of their lives.
2021
40 Years of Serving Families and Educating Children
Kiddie Academy celebrates its 40th anniversary
To celebrate 40 years of strengthening and empowering our communities, Kiddie Academy made a $40,000 donation to our non-profit partner, Family Promise. This donation will help establish a new training program and provide scholarships focused on helping women achieve career growth in early childhood education.
2022
Kiddie Academy Opens 300th Location
Celebrating our 300th Kiddie Academy
Our 300th Academy milestone is a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and to look ahead. We look forward to nurturing, educating and inspiring thousands of children in communities across the country for years to come.
2023
Kiddie Academy publishes children's book
"Day One is Fun"
Kiddie Academy® Educational Child Care teamed up with New York Times bestselling children’s book illustrator Daniel Wiseman to create “Day One Is Fun!,” an age-appropriate storybook about what to expect on the first day of child care or preschool and to help families manage ‘first day of child care’ anxiety.
2024
Kiddie Academy launches new campaign
Where Outcomes Grow
Inspired by the reimagined Life Essentials® curriculum, Kiddie Academy launched a new campaign, which shows how children of all ages internalize developmentally appropriate skills at school and apply them in different contexts outside the classroom.
Now
We’re connecting more families to Kiddie Academy
Thinking about early education that nurtures what’s amazing in your child?
Find an Academy Near You
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care helps children make the most of learning moments in locations across the country. Discover one near you.
