Step inside Kiddi Kollege Falcon Ridge and you’ll quickly notice something special: the laughter echoing through the halls, the calm confidence of teachers, and the warm smiles of children eager to learn. At the center of it all is Mrs. Jess Aguilar, the dedicated director who has made Falcon Ridge a shining example of what early childhood education should feel like.
With more than a decade of classroom experience, a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and a director’s license, Mrs. Jess brings both expertise and heart to her role. Her leadership is built on connections: knowing every child, supporting every parent, and guiding every teacher with genuine care. She’s doing far more than managing a building. She’s building a family.
In this feature, you’ll discover how Mrs. Jess:
- Creates a nurturing, family-centered culture where every child and parent feels at home.
- Uses innovative approaches like Conscious Discipline to empower children with tools for emotional growth.
- Transformed Falcon Ridge into a place where staff thrive, parents feel supported, and children flourish.
- Shares her perspective as a seasoned expert in early education, offering valuable advice to parents choosing a preschool.
Whether you’re a parent considering Kiddi Kollege, an educator curious about best practices, or simply someone who loves an inspiring story, Mrs. Jess’s journey is one you won’t want to miss.
A Family-Centered Philosophy
Ask Mrs. Jess what makes Falcon Ridge unique, and her answer is simple: family. From the moment you step into the building, you’re more than a visitor. Mrs. Jess and her staff make sure you’re part of a community where children, parents, and staff all feel supported and cared for.
At Kiddi Kollege, the sense of family starts at the very top. Owners and administrators are a regular presence, walking the halls, chatting with teachers, and greeting families. That open-door spirit flows straight into Falcon Ridge under Jess’s leadership. “When our staff feel supported, they can give their very best to the children and parents,” she shares with a smile. “And when families feel supported, kids grow in incredible ways.”
Jess has built an atmosphere where teachers thrive, parents are heard, and children shine. Every parent has direct access to her, every child is known by name, and every teacher feels the encouragement of a leader who believes in them. The result is a joyful, thriving center where families know they belong. This is only possible because of Mrs. Jess’ deep love for children and her experience in early education.
Mrs. Jess’ Journey in Early Childhood Education
Every great leader has a story, and Mrs. Jess’s journey is filled with passion and perseverance. After marrying young, she chose to stay home with her two children during their early years. Those moments at home sparked a calling she couldn’t ignore. Helping children learn and grow became a huge passion in her life.
Determined to follow that passion, Jess returned to school and earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Soon after, she began teaching preschool, spending more than twelve years guiding curious three- to five-year-olds through their first steps in education. During this time, she discovered her core belief: children thrive when they are truly known, and parents thrive when they feel connected.
Jess eventually earned her Director’s License and stepped into leadership roles at other centers, learning how to balance administrative responsibilities with her heart for families. Then, in 2022, she was recruited to join Kiddi Kollege as an intentional, five-star hire. For Jess, Falcon Ridge was more than a new role—it was an opportunity to create a place where children, parents, and staff would all feel deeply valued.
Today, she brings her classroom wisdom and leadership experience together, guiding Falcon Ridge with both expertise and warmth. Her story is one of dedication, connection, and a vision for building a preschool that feels like family.
A Day in the Life of a Child Care Director
Every day at Falcon Ridge begins with intention and ends with connection. Mrs. Jess isn’t running a preschool or daycare—she’s orchestrating an early education rhythm that keeps children, parents, and staff thriving. Her schedule is more than routine; it’s a blueprint for creating a nurturing, consistent, and joy-filled environment.
Here’s what a typical day looks like for Mrs. Jess:
- 8:00 AM – Building Check: Jess starts by walking the center, ensuring teacher-to-student ratios are correct, classrooms are calm, and everyone has what they need to start strong.
- Morning – Classroom Visits: She spends about ten minutes in each room, playing with children, greeting teachers, and making sure every child feels supported and joyful.
- Mid-Morning – Operations and Support: After checking in with the kitchen and reviewing state regulations, Jess partners with her assistant director to balance schedules, rotations, and staff needs.
- Late Morning to Afternoon – Communication Hub: Jess handles parent calls, responds to emails, and leads tours for new families—always taking time to explain the curriculum, showcase classrooms, and build personal connections.
- Afternoon – Pickup and Parent Connection: From 3:00 to 6:00, Jess is out front, greeting parents, answering questions, and making sure families leave with peace of mind.
- Evening Wrap-Up: Before heading home, she debriefs with staff, resolves any lingering concerns, and ensures the team ends the day feeling confident and cared for.
Why This Schedule Matters
This daily rhythm is unique compared to many standard daycares. Instead of being tucked away in an office, Mrs. Jess is constantly present to support teachers, engage with children, and connect with parents. Her hands-on approach creates a sense of consistency that children crave, reassurance that parents love, and a supportive culture where staff feel valued.
For families, this means their child’s director isn’t some name on paperwork. She’s a familiar, trusted presence who knows their child by name and is invested in their growth. For teachers, it means having a leader who listens, equips, and celebrates them. And for children, it means every day is filled with stability, encouragement, and joy
Creating a Nurturing and Regulated Preschool Learning Environment
At Falcon Ridge, learning goes beyond ABCs and 123s. Under Mrs. Jess’s leadership, children also discover how to navigate emotions, build resilience, and develop confidence. The secret? A proven approach called Conscious Discipline.
Conscious Discipline begins with the teachers. Jess ensures her team is trained to stay calm, regulated, and present, even when emotions run high. That calm presence then extends to the children, giving them a model of how to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.
Each classroom has safe, cozy spaces filled with pillows, family photos, and calming tools. Children are taught calming strategies like “blowing up a balloon”—taking slow, deep breaths and then “popping” the balloon with a big exhale. It’s simple, fun, and incredibly effective. Jess laughs that even her husband calls it “magic,” because the results are so immediate and powerful.
What makes this approach special is the way it gives control back to the child. When little ones realize they can manage their big feelings, they grow in confidence and self-awareness. Instead of frustration or powerlessness, children experience empowerment: a gift that supports both emotional health and academic success.
Parents often notice the difference, too. Children come home with new tools for calming themselves, ready to face challenges with confidence. For Jess, these moments are the heart of her work: watching children grow not just in knowledge, but in life skills that will serve them for years to come.
Building Trust with Parents
At Falcon Ridge, parents quickly notice that Mrs. Jess’s leadership style feels different: personal, transparent, and always open. She describes it simply:
“My parents can always reach me. They have my personal cell phone number if they need me. It creates a security. They know that like they’re going to be answered. They know that if they have an issue, the issue is going to be solved.”
That peace of mind is priceless. Parents leave knowing their children are cared for not just by teachers, but by a director who knows them by name, understands their backstory, and values their voice.
“If you have somebody that’s at the top that really does know your kid and cares, it lowers their anxiety of leaving their kids with us.”
For Jess, connection isn’t an extra; it’s the foundation. By building strong relationships with parents, she fosters a community where trust and comfort flourish.
“[Child care] should start with that connection. And then, you know, I’ve got long-term families now who say that they love it. Just the informality of it all.”
This open-door philosophy benefits everyone: children feel secure because their parents do, staff feel supported because their leader is approachable, and families become long-term partners in the Falcon Ridge story.
How Mrs. Jess Turned Falcon Ridge’s Preschool Problems Around
When Mrs. Jess stepped into the director’s office at Falcon Ridge, she knew she wasn’t just taking on a job—she was taking on a mission. The center had incredible potential, but it needed new energy, a fresh perspective, and a leader who could bring out the best in both staff and families. With her trademark warmth and determination, Jess embraced the challenge head-on, determined to create a place where children could thrive, parents could feel secure, and teachers could truly shine.
The Problem
When Mrs. Jess first arrived at Falcon Ridge, the center faced real challenges. Families didn’t always feel heard, staff morale was low, and the culture lacked the warmth and openness that Kiddi Kollege is known for. Teacher turnover was at a staggering 136%, making it difficult to create stability for children or confidence for parents.
The Solution
Jess brought in her signature leadership style: connection, transparency, and a focus on people first. She greeted every parent personally, took time to know every child by name, and made herself approachable for staff at all levels. With her assistant director, Krista—who has more than 25 years of experience at Kiddi Kollege—Jess brought in great to staff to form what she proudly calls a “dream team.” Together, they rebuilt trust by prioritizing open communication, family-friendly culture, and staff support.
Falcon Ridge Today
The turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable. In less than a year, teacher turnover dropped from 136% to just 7%, creating the stability children need to build lasting bonds with their teachers. Parents now describe Falcon Ridge as welcoming, transparent, and warm. It has become a place where they feel confident their children are receiving both exceptional care and a nationally accredited education. The center has grown enrollment, strengthened its reputation, and reclaimed its place as a vibrant, trusted part of the community.
What Sets Falcon Ridge Apart from Kansas City Daycares
Falcon Ridge isn’t just another ho-hum preschool. It’s a place where children thrive, families feel at home, and education is built around joy and discovery. Under Mrs. Jess’s leadership, the center has grown into a model of what early childhood education can be.
At Falcon Ridge, families experience:
- A Nationally Accredited Curriculum: From infants through pre-K, children learn through hands-on, engaging activities that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. Teachers work tirelessly to create weekly lesson plans that blend care and education seamlessly.
- Active Learning, Not Worksheets: Children learn by touching, exploring, and experimenting. Every day is full of age-appropriate and engaging active lessons.
- Welcoming Culture: Parents describe the center as warm and approachable. Whether it’s greeting parents at pickup or taking time to know every child, Jess and her team make families feel valued.
- Transparency and Trust: From open communication to welcoming parents into classrooms, Falcon Ridge builds confidence through honesty and connection.
For Jess, these qualities aren’t optional—they’re essential. She envisions Falcon Ridge as a place where children graduate not only with strong academic skills, but also with the confidence and joy that comes from being part of a nurturing community.
Mrs. Jess’ Perspective on the Childcare Industry
With decades of experience both in the classroom and in leadership, Mrs. Jess has developed clear convictions about what truly helps children thrive and what doesn’t. She isn’t afraid to challenge outdated ideas or question industry trends when she knows there’s a better way.
One of her strongest beliefs is that children should never be confined to worksheets or silent classrooms. Instead, she champions active, hands-on learning. “Kids don’t learn in chairs. They learn when they’re outside, seeing, touching, and doing,” she emphasizes. That philosophy comes to life at Falcon Ridge, where lesson plans are filled with sensory play, exploration, and creativity.
Jess also pushes back against the idea that “bigger is better.” Large corporate chains may have more locations, but she’s seen firsthand how children can become numbers and staff can feel replaceable. At Falcon Ridge, the opposite is true: children are known individually, staff are celebrated, and families feel connected.
She’s even spoken candidly about popular educational models that don’t always fit today’s world. For example, while Montessori once revolutionized education in the 1800s, Jess believes many programs have stayed frozen in time, with methods that don’t meet the needs of modern children.
Through it all, Jess returns to one guiding principle: connection matters most. Whether it’s a child finding confidence, a teacher feeling supported, or a parent feeling heard, she believes genuine connection is the heartbeat of great education.
Advice for Parents on Picking a Preschool from a Preschool Director
Choosing the right preschool is one of the biggest decisions a parent can make, and Mrs. Jess knows exactly what matters most. With years of experience and countless conversations with families, she encourages parents to look beyond brochures and truly experience a school before enrolling.
“Ask permission to observe classrooms. Spend some time in the facility and really look. You will learn a whole lot real quick if you’re able to watch and see how things operate.”
For Jess, transparency is key. She believes parents should expect open communication about curriculum, care, and even staff. If answers feel hidden, it’s a signal to look elsewhere.
“If they’re paying staff under $15 an hour, run away. That means scraping the bottom of the barrel to get in cheap labor, and that’s not the place you want your kid.”
She also highlights the importance of staff training and education. At Falcon Ridge, every teacher is CPR certified, KDHE trained, and participates in 16 hours of continuing education each year. Parents can feel confident knowing their children are learning from passionate, well-prepared educators.
Above all, Jess encourages parents to trust their instincts. The right preschool should feel warm, welcoming, and alive with joy. When parents feel comfortable, children flourish.
Find Your Child Care Connection at Falcon Ridge
At the end of the day, Mrs. Jess’s story isn’t about her impressive experience or her leadership success. It’s about the connections she builds for kids. From the giggles of children in the classroom to the reassuring conversations with parents at pickup, everything she does comes back to one guiding belief: connection is everything.
Parents trust her because she listens. Teachers thrive under her care because she supports them. And children flourish because they are surrounded by consistency, love, and joyful learning. Falcon Ridge, under Mrs. Jess’s leadership, isn’t a preschool or a daycare. It’s a family where every child is known, every parent is valued, and every teacher is celebrated.
Now, it’s your turn to experience it for yourself.
Schedule a tour at Kiddi Kollege Falcon Ridge today and see firsthand the warmth, care, and education that make this center truly special.
