OUR TEAM
Where collaboration and inspiration work together. Meet our experienced and caring team of professionals
Leadership team
Subha Vajja
Owner On-site
I am Subha, the onsite owner of Kids 'R' Kids of Olentangy, where childcare isn't just a job—it's my passion. My commitment to providing a safe, secure, healthy, and educational environment for children is steadfast. When you walk into our school, you'll immediately notice our stringent security measures, ensuring your child's safety is our top priority.
We take pride in our top-notch STEAM-based curriculum, enhanced with integrated ABCmouse.com®, making learning both engaging and fun. Our onsite chef prepares nutritious meals, incorporating whole foods to ensure children in our care receive a balanced diet.
But it's more than just a daycare—it's a nurturing environment where we prioritize 'hug first then teach' philosophy. What truly sets us apart is our culture, which encourages creativity among our teachers through supportive leadership.
I'm genuinely excited to welcome you to Kids 'R' Kids of Olentangy, where we're dedicated to the holistic development of every child in our care. Can't wait to meet you all soon!
Amy Seibert
Director
Welcome to Kids ‘R’ Kids of Olentangy! I'm Amy Seibert, the Center Director at our Olentangy location. My husband and I reside in Westerville with our three wonderful sons. As parents, we've witnessed our boys grow into outstanding young adults, and we're thrilled to announce that our family will be welcoming grandchildren in early 2024.
With over 30 years of experience in childcare, I have dedicated the majority of my career to serving as a Center Director. Over the past 25 years, I've successfully managed corporate childcare centers and, more recently, a smaller family-owned center. My educational background includes studies at The Ohio State University with a focus on Early Childhood Education. I also hold a CDA credential in child development, specializing in Infant and toddlers.
My passion lies in creating a nurturing environment where children can learn and thrive. I believe that learning should take place in a loving setting, and it's crucial to me that everyone in our learning community feels comfortable and embraced as part of our Kids ‘R’ Kids family.
I am thrilled to be part of the team alongside Subha, Lenin, and Kids ‘R’ Kids as we embark on the journey of opening our Olentangy location. Your trust and partnership mean a lot to us, and I look forward to fostering a positive and enriching experience for all the children in our care.
Leigh Hall
Assistant Director
I am Leigh Hall, the Assistant Director at Kids 'R' Kids of Olentangy! I graduated from West Virginia University in May 2020 with my bachelor's degree in Child Development/Family Studies and Special Education. Since then, I’ve become an approved Ohio instructor for toddlers and preschool-age children, with a special focus on children with special needs and fostering inclusion in the classroom.
I’ve always had a deep passion for working with young children of all abilities, and nothing brings me more joy than seeing them thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment. I’m so proud to be part of a team that values every child’s potential and uniqueness!
Alissa Holbein
Office Manager
I'm Alissa Holbein. I'm a proud mother of six children. With such a large family, I've learned that organization is key to keeping everything running smoothly. They definitely keep me busy around the clock.
Over the past eight years, I've been involved in childcare intermittently and also pursued a Medical Assistant degree, which has proven invaluable in my childcare career. Working in childcare is incredibly fulfilling for me. I find joy in witnessing children socialize and make friends at daycare, and I take pride in helping the timid ones break out of their shells. Observing their growth and development over time brings me immense satisfaction.
In my administrative role within childcare, I get excited about the relationships I build with families and not only the children. Despite having experience in other fields such as doctor's offices, warehouses, and customer service, I've found that childcare is my true calling.
Brooke Palmer
Chef
My name is Brooke Palmer, I am currently putting my Bachelor's degree in Human Nutrition at The Ohio State University on hold to pursue a career in cooking. Growing up when I stayed home from school because I was “sick,” I would watch cooking shows all day and even recreate Chopped challenges for my parents to judge. I graduated from High School in 2018 and when I went to college I worked as a Student Chef at OSU Newark. In this position I worked under a full-time chef helping prepare daily meals for the line and prep for future catering events. When I transferred from Newark to the Main Columbus campus I worked as a Barista. After working on campus, I sought out other jobs through a temporary work service in various college kitchens where I prepared dinner with a head and sous chef for the students. I currently live with my best friend (whom I met in Newark before the semester even started) Gina. We have an apartment in the University District in Columbus where she and I have two cats, Rigatoni (Toni for short) and Salem (nicknamed: beans). Gina also has a variety of arachnids, isopods, and aquatic pets! I have a passion for nature and hiking, reading, painting, and obviously cooking. This will be my first year cooking for the younger crowd and I cannot wait to see their smiling face’s each and every morning!
Maggie Hardestys
Curriculum Coordinator
Maggie Hardesty is our new Curriculum Coordinator at Kids ‘R’ Kids of Olentangy, bringing extensive experience in early childhood education and childcare leadership. She has worked with children of all ages, served as an Assistant Director, and supported individuals with developmental disabilities. As both an education professional and former stay-at-home mom, Maggie offers a strong understanding of child development and family engagement. She is excited to support students, families, and staff while helping enhance the school’s high-quality preschool curriculum.
INFANT TEACHERS
Jenna Engberg
Infant Teacher
Hi, I’m Ms. Jenna! I’ve been working in early childhood education for 9 years, and caring for infants has always been my passion. There’s something so special about nurturing babies during their earliest stages of development — I love helping them grow, feel safe, and meet new milestones every day. I’m a compassionate and patient teacher, and I treat every child in my care with love and attention as if they were my own.
When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll find me outdoors — gardening, mushroom hunting, and fishing are some of my favorite ways to relax and connect with nature. I’m so grateful to be part of this amazing team and look forward to helping your little ones thrive!
Susie Jacobus
Infant Teacher
Hi, I am Susie. I grew up in Central Ohio and love spending time with family here. I have a daughter, Dally and a son Eli. I have been an infant teacher since 2020. I enjoy being around infants and helping them explore through play.
Madi Simmons
Infant Float
Hello, my name is Madi, and I have the joy of working with children every day. I’ve been working with kids for about two years and currently attend the Delaware Area Career Center (DACC), where I study Early Childhood Education to further develop my skills and understanding of child development. I truly enjoy creating a safe, warm, and nurturing environment where children feel supported, valued, and excited to learn and grow.
Ms. Radha
Infant Teacher
Hi, I’m Radha! I am a Toddler Teacher with 10 years of experience working with children. Caring for little ones is my passion, and I find so much joy in watching them grow and develop new skills each day.
As a proud mom of two daughters, including one with special needs, I bring a unique perspective and deep understanding to my role. I have specialized training in working with children with special needs, and I’m committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child can thrive.
Gracie McCaulley
Infant Teacher
Hello, my name is Gracie, and I have the joy of working in our older Infant classroom. I’ve been in childcare for several years, and I’m very passionate about what I do. Watching little ones grow, learn, and reach their milestones is such a rewarding experience, and I feel grateful to be part of those special moments. I truly enjoy being here at Kids ‘R’ Kids of Olentangy and love creating a warm, caring environment where every child can thrive.
Abigail Scheitler
Infant Teacher
Hi, my name is Abigail, and I’m so happy to be an Older Infant Teacher here at Kids ‘R’ Kids of Olentangy. I truly love being part of this school because of the warm and positive culture that makes it easy to give my very best every day. Working with older infants is such a joy—I love watching them grow more independent, curious, and confident as they reach new milestones. Being part of a team that creates such a supportive and uplifting environment makes my work even more rewarding, and I’m proud to contribute to it each day.
Kavitha
Infant Teacher
Ms. Kavitha brings one year of childcare experience, providing nurturing, high-quality infant care in a safe and engaging environment.
She is patient, enthusiastic, and passionate about supporting early childhood development while helping babies reach important milestones.
She fosters cognitive, social, and emotional growth every day.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys gardening and spending time outdoors, reflecting the same nurturing care she brings to her students.
Aysia Smith
Infant Teacher
Aysia is a dedicated and nurturing childcare professional with over three years of experience working with children from infancy through preschool. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where children feel confident to learn, explore, and grow. Aysia finds great joy in watching each child reach important milestones, celebrating their progress while helping them build independence and self-confidence along the way.
Outside of the classroom, Aysia enjoys spending time at the zoo, where she loves learning about animals and connecting with nature. Her warm personality, patience, and genuine love for children make her a valued and trusted member of the Kids ‘R’ Kids family.
TODDLER TEACHERS
Scarlet Diaz Lawson
Toddler Teacher
Meet Ms. Scarlet, a dedicated mother of two with several years of experience in childcare. She is thrilled to provide quality care for the children in her classroom and contribute to their growth and development. In addition to her passion for early childhood education, Ms. Scarlet loves painting, reading, and creating customized art. She is also a professional singer and enjoys expressing her creativity through music. Her favorite animal is the dragon, reflecting her vibrant and imaginative spirit!
Cara Allen- Diggs
Toddler Teacher
Hi, I’m Ms.Cara! I have four years of experience in early childhood education, and I truly love being part of each child’s growth and development. Watching children learn new skills, build confidence, and reach milestones is the most rewarding part of my work. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors, which inspires me to encourage curiosity and exploration in the children I care for every day.
Heather-Ann Barclay
Toddler Teacher
Meet Ms. Heather!
Originally from California, Ms. Heather moved to Ohio after her parents completed their military service. She has been working in childcare for about five years, but with two brothers and two sisters, her passion for caring for children began long before that. Ms. Heather loves working with kids and helping their minds grow every day. Her favorite quote perfectly reflects her philosophy: “The best way to make children good is to make them happy.” – Oscar Wilde
Laura Timm
Toddler teacher
Hi! I am Laura and I graduated in 2019 from Hayes high school. I completed by Early childhood education program with 3 year of childcare experience before I started at kids 'R' kids of Olentangy in 2025. My favorite age group is TODDLERS! I live with my grandparents where I help take care of our 2 big hound dogs - Rusty and Hank. I am here to make amazing new memories!
Maggie Croop
Toddler Teacher
Hello, my name is Maggie, and I’m excited to be a Floater Teacher here at Kids ‘R’ Kids of Olentangy. I am currently pursuing my education at Mount Vernon, and I love being around children of all ages. Helping them learn, grow, and reach their milestones is something I truly enjoy. The curriculum here at Kids ‘R’ Kids is wonderful, and it gives me so many opportunities to teach and support children in fun and meaningful ways. I’m grateful to be part of such a caring school family!
Preschool Teachers
Indu Timmareddigari
Early Preschool Teacher
I am Indu, and I couldn't be more thrilled to become a part of the wonderful Kids 'R' Kids family here at Olentangy! Joining this community feels like a perfect fit for me because the values that Kids 'R' Kids stands for resonate deeply with my own.
One aspect that truly stands out to me is the commitment to providing fresh and nutritious food to children. I believe that a healthy diet is essential for both physical and cognitive development, and I'm excited to contribute to creating a caring environment where children can thrive.
Moreover, I am passionate about fostering creativity in children. I firmly believe that creativity is the key to unlocking a child's full potential, and I am eager to explore new ways to inspire imagination and innovation in the classroom.
Another value that I hold dear is the importance of teaching kindness and empathy. At Kids 'R' Kids of Olentangy, I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to help children learn to communicate kindly with each other, fostering a culture of respect and understanding.
I am truly honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of guiding your children's early learning journey, and I can't wait to embark on this exciting adventure together!
Samantha Brucker
Early Preschool Teacher
Welcome to my bio! I am an aspiring and enthusiastic teacher ready to start on my teaching journey. I enjoy kids and love watching them grow and learn. I took a leap of faith and started teaching at Kids 'R' Kids and I am loving every minute of it.
Makayla Grace
Preschool teacher
Hello, my name is Makayla. I have six years of experience working with children and am currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. I am passionate about creating hands-on learning experiences and believe in letting my actions speak for themselves in the classroom. I also have a love for painting, a passion I enjoy sharing with the children I teach, fostering creativity and self-expression.
Sally Moreno
Preschool Teacher
Hi, I’m Sally! I’ve been working in early childhood education since 2013, and I truly enjoy supporting children as they learn, grow, and discover new things each day. Watching their curiosity turn into confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I’m passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child feels encouraged to succeed. Outside of work, I enjoy running, which helps me stay energized and ready for each fun-filled day in the classroom.
Tae
Preschool Teacher
Mr. Tay brings four years of childcare experience and truly loves what he does, providing high-quality preschool and daycare education in a safe and nurturing environment. He is passionate about early childhood development and supporting children’s growth, learning milestones, and daily progress.
Mr. Tay deeply values building strong, positive relationships with every child, fostering trust and emotional security in the classroom. Through creative play, storytelling, and imaginative learning, he helps build confidence, curiosity, and kindness in every child. Outside of school, he loves singing and sharing his passion for music, bringing extra energy and enthusiasm to his early learning program.
Pre-k and Kindergarten Enrichment
Bagyalakshmi Arunjunai
Pre-k Teacher
Hello everyone! I'm Bhagya, and I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Kids 'R' Kids family as a preschool teacher. Working with children brings me immense joy, and I couldn't be more excited to embark on this journey of learning and growth together.
One of my greatest passions is creating new crafts and activities with the kids. There's something truly magical about watching their faces light up with excitement as they dive into a new project or discover something new. I believe that through creativity and play, we can unlock endless possibilities for learning and development.
But beyond just teaching, I see myself as a partner in shaping the minds of these young learners. Every day, I am inspired by the curiosity, energy, and boundless imagination of children, and I am committed to providing them with a nurturing and enriching environment where they can thrive.
I am truly honored to be a part of your child's journey, and I look forward to getting to know each and every one of them as we learn and grow together. Let's make some unforgettable memories!
Jenny Zamora
Pre-K Teacher
Born and raised in East Palo Alto, CA I moved to Ohio in the Summer of 2016. My love for child care started in my teen years when I babysat after school and during summers, although I grew up to have a background in accounting my true passion always seemed to lead me back to Early Child Development. For the past 10 years I have worked full time in Childcare/Early Child Development. As a Preschool/Pre-K Teacher I get to create bonds with my students and see them reach everyday milestones and it warms my heart to be able to be a part of it. Thank you for entrusting me with your child’s education! I look forward to being part of your child’s learning journey!
Snehal Joshi
Pre-k Teacher
Hi, I’m Snehal! I love being part of the Kids ‘R’ Kids family and working with our amazing Pre-K stars. Helping them grow, learn, and get ready for success in Kindergarten and beyond is the best part of my day. Every moment spent with them is filled with fun, learning, and excitement for the future!
Zalese Rushing
Kindergarten Enrichment teacher
My name is Zalese, and I have 11 years of experience working with children, along with 25 years of experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. I am passionate about fostering a love for learning and helping children grow and develop each day. Nothing brings me more joy than walking into a room filled with excited children eager to learn. Their enthusiasm and progress inspire me every day.
Sirisha Arangi
Pre-K Teacher
Ms. Sireesha is a dedicated early childhood educator with a year of experience in childcare, passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment. She enjoys supporting children’s social, emotional, and academic growth during their important early development years. Ms. Sireesha loves watching each child explore, build confidence, and reach key developmental milestones. Her warm and caring approach helps children feel happy, secure, and excited to learn each day. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending quality time with her two children, which strengthens her commitment to compassionate, high-quality childcare.
float staff
Elana James
Float Teacher
Hi, I'm Elana! I love being around children and spending time with my own child, especially going to parks. Recently, I've started to get a little taste of hiking, which has been a fun new adventure. I'm also an artist and enjoy painting art on things like shoes and shirts—it’s a great way to express my creativity. I'm really excited to be part of the Kids 'R' Kids of Olentangy family and to help out wherever I’m needed!
Nadira Latif
Float Teacher
I am Nadira Latif, and I am so happy to be a Floater Teacher here at Kids ‘R’ Kids of Olentangy. I love that my role gives me the opportunity to work with children of all ages, from our littlest infants to our big preschoolers. Every day is different, and I enjoy bringing a warm smile, patience, and care wherever I’m needed. Supporting classrooms and helping children feel safe, happy, and excited to learn is what I love most. I’m grateful to be part of this wonderful school family!
Georgie
Float Teacher
George is an early childhood education student at DACC and a childcare professional at Kids ‘R’ Kids with over two years of experience in child development. She is passionate about creating nurturing learning environments, passionate about early learning and she loves celebrates children’s “lightbulb moments.”
In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with his cats, and being with his younger cousins.
Alexa Dills
Float Teacher
Ms. Alexa has been working in child care for four years and brings both experience and heart to the classroom. She is passionate about creating a nurturing, positive environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.
Building strong relationships is one of Ms. Alexa’s favorite parts of her job. She loves connecting not only with the children in her care, but also with their families, believing that teamwork and open communication help every child thrive.
In her free time, Ms. Alexa enjoys singing and spending quality time with her family. Her joyful spirit and caring nature make her a wonderful addition to our school community!