Dalauna Tillman is passionate about providing quality early learning education for children. Her dedication and commitment to this vision is apparent as she leads a nationally accredited center, Kids Care Academy (KCA).

     Her accomplishments while at the helm of KCA speak volumes:
Accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC ) in 2004 Qualified for and accepted by Ohio's Step Up to Quality Initiative -- which recognizes quality early learning centers in the state Affiliated with Champion for Children -- enabling low-income families to receive quality child care from an accredited center For Tillman, maintaining KCA's high standards is a priority. She emphasizes the importance of training to her staff by encouraging them to attend certification courses, take advantage of free course training, and enroll in degree programs. In fact, as of 2005, KCA teachers are eligible for financial aid assistance form the TEACH Early Childhood Project, which provides scholarships and other assistance for teachers.

     As of February 2006, KCA became one of eight centers to acheive a two out of three stars rating with the Step Up to Quality Initiative. The program and its rating system are designed to recognize the efforts of licensed early care and education programs that take steps toward improving quality.

     Tillman, a native of Columbus, Ohio, received her Bachelor's of Arts in Human Economics from Kentucky State University (1995) and her Master of Science in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University (1997).

     Tillman firmly believes in the KCA mission statement, Caring for our Future Today! She and her staff strvie daily to enrich the lives of each KCA student by providing an environment wherein children can develop the necessary skills that guarantee their future success.

     Kids Care Academy (KCA) offers an alternative for parents who desire safe, enjoyable, and quality care and education for their children. Organized and established as a nonprofit corporation in 1996, KCA is a licensed childcare center by the State of Ohio. The program is located on the northeast side of Columbus. The organization was created with the belief that children and parents are most secure when positive morals and values are reinforced in the classroom setting. The KCA staff always strives to be complementary to and supportive of the family, promoting the healthy development of both children and parents.

     KCA is more than a early learning center; it is an all-inclusive center of education, training, and development for children from infancy through youth. KCA prides itself on preparing these children for their future development. KCA also believes that the home is the most important factor in a childs development. Through several partnerships and community initiatives, KCA strives to be a resource for its families. By doing so, KCA exemplifies the importance of Caring for Our Future, Today!

     KCA's philosophy centers on the NAEYC's (National Association for the Education of Young Children) developmental guidelines. NAEYC exists to lead and consolidate the efforts of individuals and groups working to achieve healthy development and constructive education for all young children. Primary attention is devoted to assuring the accessibility of high quality early childhood programs.

     Accreditation is a powerful tool to raise the quality of early childhood education. It provides a method by which early childhood professionals and families can evaluate programs, compare them with professional standards, strengthen programs, and commit to making ongoing improvements.

Our goals are:

     KCA's enrollment policy does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.