Our Hours

Mon 7am - 5:30pm
Tue 7am - 5:30pm
Wed 7am - 5:30pm
Thu 7am - 5:30pm
Fri 7am - 5:30pm

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Join Our Team

We're always looking for positive, energetic people with a passion for educating children.

Careers at Des Peres

What Makes Our Kiddie Academy Special

Our Life Essentials® curriculum is uniquely focused on the development of the outcomes that prepare children for life. At Kiddie Academy of [ACADEMY], your child will grow socially, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Our highly trained educators are there every step of the way to guide, nurture, and cultivate your child’s development.

What You Can Expect

Kiddie Academy makes every day fun and educational for your child and convenient for you.

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What You Can Expect

Kiddie Academy makes every day fun and educational for your child and convenient for you.

Request Information

What You’ll Love

  • Nutritious lunch and snacks provided
  • State-of-the-art classrooms designed around children’s needs
  • Schedules that are convenient for full-time working families
  • Communications and photos about your child’s day through our Academy Link® app

Highlights of Our Academy

    [AMENITIES]

Our Awards & Accreditations

Meet the Owners

Tom Keller

Tom is a father and grandfather who knows what it’s like to have a little hand reach for his, and loves to hear the inquisitive questions asked by young children. He has been asked on many occasions why he has chosen to go into the child care business. His response is because early childhood education is where children begin developing their foundation for how they will live as lifelong learners. Professionally, Mr. Keller was CEO and President of Keller Laboratories, Inc., a dental laboratory group with offices and manufacturing in Missouri and four surrounding states. He is a firm believer in continuing education through professional leadership and personal development. A University of Kentucky graduate, Mr. Keller has participated in numerous leadership development programs and has been invited to speak at professional conferences. He lives in West St. Louis County with his wife, Marsha. They have two children and five grandchildren.

Laura Eads

Laura loves observing the activities, interaction and learning of young children. Their curious minds and robust spirits are a joy to nurture. She especially enjoys a delightful conversation over the meaning of a favorite book or the virtues of growing a garden. Her personal experience with a structured and educationally-based pre-school and the positive experience that process created for her family, is something she wants to duplicate at Kiddie Academy. “The opportunity to impact young children with the resources of the Life Essentials program is very exciting to me.” As a working parent, she understands the level of responsibility the academy has to provide a nurturing environment to our families’ most precious assets. She will work hard to meet the whole family’s needs and will build relationships that last well beyond the preschool years. Laura has participated with PTO boards and programs throughout her children’s education. She has taught religious education at the elementary school level and helped create a weekly faith program for families. Laura has worked in professional and leadership training and human resources for more than 20 years, ten of which were with Tom at Keller Laboratories. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of Colorado and resides in Wildwood. She is married and has two adult children.   

Meet Our Team

Ms. Elyce

Academy Director

Ms. Elyce has been with Kiddie Academy since 2016. She earned a​ bachelor of arts in elementary education, with an emphasis in special​ education, and an ​associate degree in nutrition.​  "If a child...   Read More

Ms. Elyce, Academy Director

Ms. Elyce has been with Kiddie Academy since 2016. She earned a​ bachelor of arts in elementary education, with an emphasis in special​ education, and an ​associate degree in nutrition.​  "If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn" - Ignacio Estrada

Ms. Tori

Assistant Director/ Academy Support Coordinator

Tori has been with Kiddie Academy since July 2016. Having her Child Development Associate, Tori started as a Preschool Unit Lead at...   Read More

Ms. Tori, Assistant Director/ Academy Support Coordinator

Tori has been with Kiddie Academy since July 2016. Having her Child Development Associate, Tori started as a Preschool Unit Lead at our O' Fallon location where she served for 7 years. She was excited to extend her excellent relationship and communication skills with a move to our Des Peres location as the Academy Support Coordinator in February 2024. 

Ms. Vanessa

Assistant Director/Infant Toddler Supervisor

Ms. Vanessa joined Kiddie Academy in May 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Educational studies. She currently supports Kiddie Academy as an...   Read More

Ms. Vanessa, Assistant Director/Infant Toddler Supervisor

Ms. Vanessa joined Kiddie Academy in May 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Educational studies. She currently supports Kiddie Academy as an assitant director, helping our infant and toddler program thrive. Her passion for the children's safety and educational success shines bright. The children, and teachers, love getting to spend time with Ms. Vanessa!

Ms. Adrianna

Assistant Director/ Preschool Supervisor

Adrianna has received her Child Development Associate Credential, (CDA) and plans to continue her education in ECE. She was born and raised in...   Read More

Ms. Adrianna, Assistant Director/ Preschool Supervisor

Adrianna has received her Child Development Associate Credential, (CDA) and plans to continue her education in ECE. She was born and raised in Rockford, IL and moved the St. Louis area to pursue a career in the Early Childhood Education field. She started at KA in 2021 as an Assistant Teacher for the two-year-old program and has continued to grow within the company. Adrianna says the most enjoyable part of her job is having the ability connect families to an education program that supports the development of the whole child while building a sense of community.

Ms. Melissa

Food Service Management Supervisor

Ms. Melissa has been cooking at Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since February 2016 & holds her Missouri ServSafe Manager Certificate. "One...   Read More

Ms. Melissa, Food Service Management Supervisor

Ms. Melissa has been cooking at Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since February 2016 & holds her Missouri ServSafe Manager Certificate. "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." - Virginia Woolf

Ms. Gina

Operations Director

Gina started teaching with Kiddie Academy of St. Louis in November 2014 & holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology & Education....   Read More

Ms. Gina, Operations Director

Gina started teaching with Kiddie Academy of St. Louis in November 2014 & holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology & Education. "Every child is "GIFTED"; they just unwrap their packages at different times."

Ms. Elayne

Director of Education

Ms. Elayne has been with Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since February 2014 & has 30+ years of experience wearing several hats...   Read More

Ms. Elayne, Director of Education

Ms. Elayne has been with Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since February 2014 & has 30+ years of experience wearing several hats within the world of Early Childhood Education. Elayne won Kiddie Academy's National Director of the Year Award in 2016!

Yuree Jeong

Recruiting Manager

Yuree has been recruiting for Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since May 2021. Yuree has been in the education industry for over...   Read More

Yuree Jeong, Recruiting Manager

Yuree has been recruiting for Kiddie Academy of St. Louis since May 2021. Yuree has been in the education industry for over 15 years between the US and Korea. “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” -Albert Einstein

Mrs. Leah

Instructional Coach

Leah has been teaching with Kiddie Academy since June 2020. She began as a lead preschool teacher before becoming an assistant director...   Read More

Mrs. Leah, Instructional Coach

Leah has been teaching with Kiddie Academy since June 2020. She began as a lead preschool teacher before becoming an assistant director in our Chesterfield location. Today she serves as an Instructional Coach for all three academies where she is the chess instructor for the JK program, maintains and grows usage of our educational technology and provides teaching/training to our team on several aspects of curriculum delivery.  In 2019, she graduated Cum Laude from Maryville University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.   “Children are not things to be molded but are people to be unfolded.” ~ Jess Lair