Meet Our Staff and Guides
Children’s Safari Learning Center serves families interested in a more close-knit childcare setting. We provide a clean, safe, quality focused environment for children to grow their personalities and increase their independence. We value employees and families who respect and understand children to be little explorers and understand their future to be an adventure.
Important Values To Us:
Professionalism | Credibility | Integrity | Quality
Employee Focus | Family Focus
Kathy Balderrama
Owner & Creator
Hi, I am Kathy Balderrama. My passion for children has grown over the years. The center opened fulfilling a concept and a dream I had. The calming colors, the animal tie, opening with accreditation standards as our philosophy… The early childhood industry is the most impactful industry on an individual’s future. Research shows that the brain develops more in the first 5 years of life than at any other time in life. Early brain development has a long-lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn. Having that much influence over a child’s long-term success is priceless. I can provide a safe, quality-oriented play-based center but also need to manage staff to be a positive impact on children’s lives. I have my altered passion for running the center to include childcare advocacy, staff mentorship, and professional development.
I would be thrilled to give you a tour and answer any questions you have about our learning center. Please call 480-621-4031 or email admin@azchildrenssafari.com.
Steffany
Director
Power Location
Hi, I am Steffany, I started working with children in high school, through a child development class. I loved learning how children develop and grow and then seeing it in real life. When my son was born, I joined a military spouse program where I ran a home daycare through my home watching other military children. It gave me the option to stay at home with my baby and bring in income. My next career move was to work in a center to gain more experience. I started as a twos teacher and loved it. Their little smiles and willingness to learn and try new things won me over. I worked as a two’s teacher 2 years then was offered an assistant director position. I took the opportunity to grow my skills and knowledge and have been working in the office side for 5 years. I like the balance of being in a room when needed and being in the reception area to build the family relationships and support the staff.
Eldonna
Director
Greenfield Location
Hi, I am Steffany, I started working with children in high school, through a child development class. I loved learning how children develop and grow and then seeing it in real life. When my son was born, I joined a military spouse program where I ran a home daycare through my home watching other military children. It gave me the option to stay at home with my baby and bring in income. My next career move was to work in a center to gain more experience. I started as a twos teacher and loved it. Their little smiles and willingness to learn and try new things won me over. I worked as a two’s teacher 2 years then was offered an assistant director position. I took the opportunity to grow my skills and knowledge and have been working in the office side for 5 years. I like the balance of being in a room when needed and being in the reception area to build the family relationships and support the staff.
Jessica R.
Office Manager
Power Location
For most of my life I have been in childcare playing a role in children’s lives and making a difference has been extremely rewarding for me. Today’s children are tomorrows future. Early childcare has taught me how to see the world through their eyes with imagination and creativity. Every child is unique, and I love being able to explore with them as they grow at our center.
Caitlin
I have about 5 years of experience and have always loved being around children. My love for kids grew when I helped my aunt care for my cousins. My favorite part of the day is talking one on one with the children about their weekend or their previous day. I love hearing the excitement they have when they talk about something they enjoyed doing.
Cassidy
I have about 5 years of experience and have always loved being around children. My love for kids grew when I helped my aunt care for my cousins. My favorite part of the day is talking one on one with the children about their weekend or their previous day. I love hearing the excitement they have when they talk about something they enjoyed doing.
Charlene
My name is Ms. Charlene! I have worked as a paraprofessional specialist for Gilbert Schools for over ten years, and I have also worked as a daycare teacher for three years as well. I have a sister who is special needs and so that has led me to be interested in helping children. The funniest parts of working with children. Are all the random funny things they say and do! I most enjoy reading and singing songs to the kids. It is always nice to me when they are playing nicely and quietly. In my free time, I like to do crafts. I make jewelry, sewing, working with plastic, and baking. I am looking forward to getting to know your children.
Chris
My name is Mister Chris! I am from Jamaica, but I have lived in Arizona for many years now. I have been interested in childcare for a very long time. I have been working on my major at GCU in Early Childhood Education, and I also volunteer as a small group leader at m y church. My favorite thing to do with the children is free art; I like to see what they create and how they express themselves! In my free time, I enjoy taking walks, spending time with my nieces and nephews, playing video games, and hanging out with friends. One day, I would like to sky dive! I am looking forward to getting to know your children!
Jailene
Jessica B.
My name is Jessica B. I became interested in childcare when I started volunteering at the nursery in my church and babysitting. It was fascinating interacting with the children and watching them learn! In my spare time I love to go shopping, be with my friends and family, and complete fun arts and crafts projects. One of the best art projects I’ve done with a class was making a pig. One of my students turned it into a unicorn! It was the cutest pig-i-corn! My favorite part of the day is all day, I love watching the kids interact with each other and watching them learn.
Kaelie
Hey, I am Ms. Kaelie. I have been in childcare for 4 years now. My interest peaked for this career in high school when I was helping with kiddos with special needs and from my own childhood experience. I to use my spare time as an opportunity to hang out with my kids and family as well as dancing. I also really enjoy traveling to different historical places and seeing the different views. As far as one of my funniest and most favorite childcare stories, it would be when I first started working with kids in preschool, the kids would crack up laughing because one of them was mocking me and I had no clue!! During my day of working with my kids I really look forward to circle time with them. I love that the games also allow them to learn!
Madesyn
Hi, my name is Ms. Madesyn! I have been working with children for over two years. I have always loved being around children and being a positive role model in there lives mainly because who knows what they also could being going through. I absolutely love making crafts and watching kids create something new every day. On my spare time I enjoy hanging out with family, friends, or going shopping. Something I have always wanted to do is go skydiving and visit all fifty states and would love to visit Germany. I look forward on seeing the children proud on accomplishing new things and something new.
Marisa
My name is Marisa, and I am from Wisconsin. I do not have any kids, but I do have a dog! I have helped my mom for a long time with her at home daycare! My favorite part of the day is when the kids do art. It really shows their creativity and imagination. In my free time I enjoy reading drawing photography and dance. I started dancing at 6 and still dance today! One day I hope to be a children’s dance teacher.
Mr. Mike
Hi I’m Mr. Mike and I started childcare here at Children’s Safari. I became interested in childcare after volunteering at the local boys and girls club for my senior service hours. I really like watching the kids with their different personalities. In my spare time, I try staying active. I love playing basketball, going to the gym and swimming. My favorite part of the day is usually outside time; I see a lot of the kids getting creative with the games they come up with. The fresh air and the chance to burn energy is beneficial to both the class and the staff.
Sarah
I’m Miss Sarah and I love working with children especially doing different art projects with them. Allowing the children to express themselves and have fun while creating is rewarding for me. I have plenty of child care experiences but one that stands out for me is when a parent told me that her daughter would walk around their house with a clipboard and piece of paper and act like she was marking attendance. She would tell her mom she was being me.
Sedona
My name is Sedona. I was born in California and moved to Arizona at the age of 2. Right after high school I got started in childcare, and really enjoy what I do. I am an only child but married into a huge family and I love it. My husband and I have 5 kids together and my family is my world I’m proud to be a part of the Safari team and to have the opportunity to get to know your infants.
Stacy
I’m Stacy and after having children of my own, I opened an in-home day care so I could stay home with my children. I became certified through the state and loved having my own business. My favorite part of the day is snuggling the babies and watch them light up when we do art together. Painting their feet and giving them that sensory experience is fun!
Employee Reviews
We are proud to have a phenomenal staff whose passion is the children in their care. Each child brings so much joy to all of our days. Our staff is valued and it shows! Read what they have to say.
Children’s Safari is a great place to work.
Hi, my name is Brandie and I’ve worked at Children’s Safari Learning Center. Children’s Safari is a great place to work. All of the staff are respectful of each other and help each other out. Most importantly we all love children and go above and beyond to make sure they are safe, happy, and educated.
Brandie
We value the children and their families.
We value the children enrolled and their families. The best part of working for Children’s Safari Learning center is getting to see the children grow and learn. I would recommend our center to families looking for a safe, loving, environment for their children and to friends looking for employment.
Sarah
The staff feels important.
The love that everyone shows for each other is the best thing about this center! The staff feel important. The staff matter!
Nicole
We value the children and their families.
Children’s Safari Learning center is like a big family. I feel welcomed here. Respect to me is HUGE and I feel like everyone here has it for each other. I come to work and stay in a good mood all day. I would recommend this center to my sister and nephew. He is a year and at my old center. I’d love for him to be where I know he will be in good hands.
Ciara
Children’s Safari is a great place to work.
I’ve worked for Children’s Safari Learning Center for 5 years. Our center has an open door allowing parents to come visit their children throughout the day. The best part of our center is the separate infant rooms. We have one room for little infants and one room for those that are moving around. I love watching the babies learn and grow. I would recommend Children’s Safari to anyone looking for childcare. I also like that I can talk to the director and be comfortable!
Stacy