OUR TEAM
Experienced Professionals Dedicated to Your Child’s Growth
A group of passionate educators committed to excellence in care
Kiana Smith, Director of Operations
Kiana Smith brings over fifteen years of deep, hands-on experience in early childhood education and complex organizational administration to her role as Director. Her leadership at KIAS KIDS 2 CHILDCARE is defined by a fierce passion for creating environments where both children and staff can flourish and reach their full potential. Kiana holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from a top-tier university and has spent the entirety of her career advocating for higher standards in childcare safety, staff training, and curriculum innovation. She is widely known for her hands-on, interactive leadership style, often spending significant portions of her day in the classrooms to ensure that every child receives the exceptional quality of care that our organization promises. Kiana’s vision is the primary driving force behind our sustained success, and her commitment to the families of Cincinnati is unwavering and legendary. She believes that a truly effective director must be a mentor to staff, an expert educator to children, and a trusted friend to the community, and she embodies these multifaceted roles with grace, professional excellence, and a warm smile every single day. Under her guidance, our center has achieved numerous accolades for its commitment to educational standards and community involvement.
Maria Gonzalez, Lead Educator
Maria Gonzalez is a veteran teacher with a highly specialized focus on preschool developmental milestones, literacy, and creative learning strategies. With a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development and multiple advanced certifications in specialized teaching methods like Montessori and Reggio Emilia, Maria brings a vast wealth of knowledge to our educational programs. She is particularly skilled at identifying the unique, often hidden learning styles of each individual child and adapting her complex lessons to ensure that no child is ever left behind or feels overwhelmed. Maria’s classroom is a place of constant wonder and excitement, where science experiments, dramatic play, and immersive storytelling bring the world to life for her students. Her warm, inviting personality and remarkably patient demeanor make her a perennial favorite among both children and parents alike. She is deeply dedicated to the belief that every child is a natural-born scientist and artist, and she sees it as her sacred mission to provide the specific tools, encouragement, and space they need to discover and hone their own unique talents. Maria also mentors our junior staff, ensuring that her decades of wisdom are passed down to the next generation of educators.
Robert Chen, Developmental Specialist
Robert Chen joins our elite team as a Developmental Specialist, focusing specifically on the social and emotional growth of our older age groups as they prepare for the transition to primary school. Robert has an extensive background in child psychology and has spent the last decade working in various high-stakes educational settings to help children build resilience, empathy, and self-regulation. At KIAS KIDS 2 CHILDCARE, he works in close coordination with the teaching staff to integrate emotional intelligence and conflict resolution strategies directly into our daily curriculum. Robert is a recognized expert at helping children navigate the complexities of social interaction, teaching them how to communicate their needs clearly and resolve interpersonal conflicts in a healthy, constructive way. His presence ensures that our approach to childcare is truly holistic, addressing the mind, the body, and the heart in equal measure. Robert is also a vital resource for parents, providing regular workshops and one-on-one guidance on how to support their child’s emotional development at home during the critical early years. His calm, steady presence is a cornerstone of our center’s emotional safety net.
Sarah Jenkins, Early Childhood Assistant
Sarah Jenkins is a vital and vibrant part of our support staff, bringing boundless energy and a deeply nurturing spirit to our infant and toddler rooms. Sarah has an incredible, natural gift for connecting with our youngest and most vulnerable learners, providing the gentle care, physical comfort, and sensory stimulation they need during these incredibly formative first months of life. She is currently completing her advanced degree in education and stays meticulously up-to-date with the latest global best practices in infant care, nutrition, and safety. Sarah’s legendary attention to detail ensures that our nursery environment is always spotlessly clean, perfectly safe, and warm and welcoming for every baby. She understands the deep anxiety that can come with leaving an infant in care for the first time and goes out of her way to provide parents with frequent, reassuring updates and photos throughout the day via our secure parent portal. Her dedication to the comfort and safety of our babies makes her an absolutely indispensable member of the KIAS KIDS 2 CHILDCARE family, and she is often the first face parents see in the morning, greeting them with warmth and reassurance.
COMMUNITY AND ENGAGEMENT
Building Strong Connections with Families and Our Neighbors
We believe wholeheartedly that a child’s success is a collaborative, ongoing effort between the childcare center, the family, and the broader community. At KIAS KIDS 2 CHILDCARE, we actively and aggressively seek out ways to engage with our parents and the broader Cincinnati community to create a rich, supportive, and interconnected environment for our students. We host a wide variety of regular family events, such as seasonal harvest festivals, parent-child art nights, and expert-led educational workshops, where parents can connect with each other, share parenting tips, and learn more about their child’s specific progress. These events help to break down the walls between school and home, creating a single, unified support system for every child in our care. We also maintain strong, long-term partnerships with local organizations, public libraries, fire departments, and local businesses to bring unique, real-world resources and experiences directly into our center. Whether it is a visit from a local librarian for a special story hour or a field trip to a nearby community garden, these engagement efforts are designed to ensure that the learning that happens within our walls is reinforced by the world outside. We view ourselves as far more than just a service provider; we are a vital community hub where families can find support, resources, and a true sense of belonging. By working together in this integrated way, we can ensure that every child in our care has the comprehensive, multi-layered support system they need to reach their full potential and become a valued member of their own community.
JOIN US/WORK WITH US
Become part of a team that is shaping the future of our community
KIAS KIDS 2 CHILDCARE is always on the lookout for truly passionate, dedicated, and highly qualified individuals to join our professional team of educators and support staff. We offer a profoundly supportive, dynamic, and professional work environment where your unique contributions are valued, your ideas are heard, and your professional growth is actively encouraged and funded. Working with us means being a vital part of a community that is truly making a tangible difference in the lives of children and families every single day. We are proud to offer competitive compensation packages, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing professional development and training opportunities that are among the best in the childcare industry.Our workplace culture is built on the foundations of mutual respect, constant collaboration, and a shared passion for early childhood excellence. If you have a strong background in education, a genuine love for working with children, and an unwavering commitment to professional excellence, we would love to meet you. Our multi-stage application and interview process is designed to find individuals who not only have the right technical skills and certifications but who also deeply share our core values and our mission to empower the next generation. Join us in our journey to provide the best possible care and education for the children of Cincinnati and build a rewarding, long-term career that you can be truly proud of.
