OUR STAFF is the foundation that gives Kangaroo Kids our outstanding reputation. They are chosen for their:
- Positive, Nurturing Manner
- Experience and Education
- Excellent Teaching Skills
- Leadership Abilities
I want to thank the entire Kangaroo Kids staff for making one of the hardest decisions we have to make as parents, one of the easiest and most rewarding. You are Special People and should be applauded.
All staff members are put through a rigorous interview procedure, complete with criminal background checks, health checks, references and working interview sessions and trial teaching sessions under the direction of an experienced staff member, so we can evaluate their ability to interact with children.
Kangaroo Kids is proud to say that seven of our teachers have been awarded, “Teacher of the Year”
The Executive Director was awarded the National Honor of “Director of the Year”
Why are they special?
Teachers at Kangaroo Kids are energetic, patient, and enthusiastic. They look for teachable moments, whether it’s a butterfly going by or a leaf falling or a chance to teach positive social interactions.
- Each room has one to two lead teachers who are responsible for coordinating and managing each individual classroom.
- Lead Staff are the teachers who coordinate and manage each individual classroom. They have an average career of 15+ years at Kangaroo Kids.
- Education but crucial to providing for a secure and stable environment for children.
- Our extensive orientation process with opportunities for on-going training. This is almost unheard of in Early Childhood Education but crucial to providing for a secure and stable environment for children.
- We exceed all licensing regulations.
- The majority of our staff is First Aid and CPR trained.
The greatest single factor in your child’s education is the adults they interact with on a daily 
basis! Did you know the national average of turnover in child care staff is 30%!!! At Kangaroo Kids we are so fortunate to have an outstanding staff who year after year have demonstrated their commitment to children and families! We proudly boast that every lead teacher has been with Kangaroo Kids 7 or more years! Therefore our turnover rate among our lead teachers is Zero.
According to Child Research.net a key to providing quality programs is retention of child care staff, the average annual turnover rate for child care is 30% in the United States. Consequently, there have been a large number of studies conducted to wrestle with the issues of turnover.
“Among the research examining the quality of early childhood programs, rate of job turnover for child care staff seems to be a strong indicator of program quality (Cassidy, Lower, Kintner-Duffy, Hegde, & Shim, 2011; Mims, Scott-little, Lower, Cassidy, & Hestenes, 2008). Raikes (1993), for example, explained that frequent turnover among early childhood teachers prevented children from developing a secure attachment with teachers. In addition, teachers’ high turnover negatively affected children’s social, emotional, and language development (Korjenevitch & Dunifon, 2010). Not only the relationship between teachers and children, but the relationship between teachers and parents also suffered from high turnover (Cassidy et al., 2011).
It is well documented that the turnover rate for the early childhood workforce is very high in the United States. The average annual turnover rate is more than 30% for all teaching staff (National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2004). This rate is pretty much consistent with a recent report by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA), showing a turnover rate of between 25 and 40 percent (NACCRRA, n.d.). This high rate is alarming considering its’ apparent impact on the well-being of young children.”
Our staff is one of the most important reason Kangaroo Kids stands out as a leader in early childhood education. They are chosen for the love of children, their willingness to continue to learn, and their high standards and credentials. Their dedication to children, families and Kangaroo Kids has earned 20 staff members a position in the Kangaroo Kids Hall of Fame!
About Our Teachers
Executive Director, Kathy Feigley, Founder of Kangaroo Kids Child Care & Learning Center – is President of the NJ Child Care Association, has served on the advisory board for RVCC and is Public Relations Chairman for the Branchburg Rotary. She has led the school to being one of only 7% of schools nationwide to earn accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Her awards include Outstanding Business Person of the Year for Somerset County, Somerset County Economic Vitality Award, recipient of Governor Whitman’s Bright Beginnings Grant, Rotary Public Relations Award, Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, Somerset County Freeholders “Women of Achievement,” & Somerset County Diversity Award. She was awarded Director & Child Care Center of The Year by the National Assoc. of Child Care Professionals, and Rotary Vocational Service Award.
Lisa Mirra, Director – Lisa graduated from Lock Haven University with a Bachelors Degree in Special Education, and is pursuing her Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology. she is also an active volleyball player and travel volleyball coach. Lisa leads by example with her winning smile, positive attitude and solution-oriented approach. “It’s such an honor to have become part of the Kangaroo Kids community, where everyone is instantly so thoughtful, loving, and cheerful. I’m so thankful to be able to work with the most incredible and inspiring staff there is!”
- Discovery Preschool – Lead Teacher – Diana Flores started in 2001
- Preschool – Lead Teacher – Peggy Jones started in 2000
- Prek – Lead Teachers – Misse Turner 2005, Jody Emery in 2016
- Kindergarten – Lead Teacher – Melissa Reilly-Grecco started in 2010
- Young Explorers – Lead Teacher Veronique Berrios started in 2018
- Waddlers Co– Lead Jackie Russano Weiss started in 1999
- Waddlers Co– Lead Fatima Pidany started in 2000