The relationships that our teachers develop with you and your children are the cornerstone of our success.
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At Creative Imaginations, we invest a considerable amount of time and resources toward the recruitment, training, and development of our employees. We take great pride in our employees' performance and commitment to the education and care of your children.
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To be considered for employment, an applicant must pass an enhanced criminal background check through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare as well as every state they have lived in for the past 5 years. They must also be current with Pediatric CPR and First Aid training. Pediatric First Aid and CPR must be renewed every 2 years and background checks must be renewed every 5 years. Upon hire, a trainee is placed on a 60-day training period.
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Our center participates in the Professional Development System through the IdahoSTARS program. This program provides us with resources to assist our staff in securing scholarships to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Technical Certificate, Associate Degree, or Bachelor Degree in early childhood education. All lead teachers are required to obtain their CDA within 1 year of hire.
All employees take 20 hours of professional development each year in:
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Health, Safety & Wellness
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Business Practices
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Child Develpoment
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Environments
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Curriculum & Instruction
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Inclusion & Diversity
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Partnerships with Families & Communities
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​Our employees stay with us on average for at least 3 years. Several of our teachers have earned teaching degrees and successfully gained employment with local school districts. We are very proud of them!
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Our Creative Crew
Cofounder / Happily Retired!
~Linda
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"Creative Imaginations has been an absolute labor of love. I have truly been so blessed to be able to work along side my daughter caring for so many children over the years. The friendships we have developed with the families are so cherished.
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My husband and I are now enjoying our retirement. We love to camp and travel. We're becoming reacquainted with old friends and we love spending time with our family."
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Cofounder / Director
~Stacey
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Cofounded Creative Imaginations in 2013
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23 years of childcare experience
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Operated in home daycare for 12 years
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11 years teaching experience
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Bachelors Degree in Business Management
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Obtained CDA Credential 2023
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Obtained Director's Certificate 2023
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200+ Idaho Stars training hours
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"There is truth in the saying, “Do what you love and you will feel like you have never worked a day in your life.” My path through my entire adult life has led to this. What an incredible blessing to be a part of Creative Imaginations! I love what I do and am so grateful for everyone that has had a hand in helping to make this dream come true.
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My life is all about family: my Creative Imaginations family and my own. I am married to the most amazing man and we have four incredible children. We spend endless hours together enjoying our favorite pastimes: camping, boating, playing in the snow, chasing our children to all of their sporting events and spending time with family and friends!"
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Curriculum Coordinator
~Heather
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Joined our Cre8ive Crew in 2018
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33 years of childcare experience
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Operated in home daycare & preschool for 5 years
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11 years teaching experience
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Obtained CDA credential 2023
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125+ Idaho Stars training hours
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"I am a mother of four sons, a mother in law and a grandma to two grandsons.
As the oldest of five kids, my experience in caring for children began at a young age. I started my first job working after school in a child care center when I was 16.
My favorite pastime is reading and creating photo books of my family photos. I also enjoy road-trips and scrolling Pinterest for new preschool ideas.
As part of the creative crew, I am happy to work where a strong teaching and childcare philosophy matches my own ideals on nurturing and preparing children for kindergarten."
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Office Administration
~Natalyn
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Joined our Cre8ive Crew in 2019
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4 years of childcare experience
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2 year teaching experience
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Attending CWI for Business Management
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Currently pursuing CDA credential
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120+ Idaho Stars training hours
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"I've been interest in working with children ever since I was little. I feel intrigued to watch and learn the way children develop. I've learned that children's minds at these young ages are so vast and imaginative. They're extremely curious and there is no limit to what they can learn. It's all about that glow in their eyes when they see or experience something new that keeps me in this position. I feel honored to be a part of the Creative Imaginations crew.
I am the only daughter of 4 siblings. My mom and dad are my biggest supports. They have taught me to work hard for what I want, be empathetic towards others, and to be honest. My brothers have taught me to be strong, independent, and to always stand up for myself.
Some of my hobbies include, going on nature walks, photography, shopping and hanging out with my family and friends."
Cook/Floater
~Maria
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Joined our Cre8ive Crew in 2022
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30 years of childcare experience
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40 years preparing planning and preparing meals
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"Bio coming soon!"
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Prek Teacher
~Evonie
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Joined our Cre8ive Crew in 2020
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3 years of childcare experience
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3 year teaching experience
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Obtained CDA credential 2023
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125+ Idaho Stars training hours
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"I am a mother to a beautiful little girl. Together, we have a kitten and numerous plants. Before having my daughter, I wasn't sure what my life was destined for, but now there is no doubt in my mind that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. I love what I do and consider it more than a job.
I feel extremely blessed to be a part of so many children's lives. I consider every one of my past and present students to be a part of my family. Although I am a teacher of so many wonderful little humans, it's the children who are teaching me new life lessons every day. They have taught me how to be a better human being.
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Children are full of compassion, love and kindness. They remind me ever day of the importance of slowing down and being present in the moment. My job has given me insight into the importance of early childhood development and has blessed me with the knowledge to become a better mom. Creative Imaginations is more than a school, we are a forever family."
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Prek Teacher
~Miranda
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Joined our Cre8ive Crew in 2023
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1 year of childcare experience
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Currently pursuing CDA credential
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60+ Idaho Stars training hours
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"The children I get the pleasure of interacting with and teaching daily have helped me to feel more fulfilled than I ever thought I could! My greatest joy comes from watching the kids learn to communicate their needs and wants and reaching new milestones every day. Being a steppingstone in the beginning of these little lives that are filled with infinite potential is my greatest blessing!
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In my spare time I enjoy running, resting and relaxing, and spending time with my family!"
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Preschool Teacher
~Olivia
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Joined our Cre8ive Crew in 2021
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5 years of childcare experience
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2 year teaching experience
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Attending BSU for Early Childhood Education
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Currently pursuing CDA credential
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90+ Idaho Stars training hours
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"All of my life I have been told that I should become a teacher. I grew up being the "babysitter" of the family and of my parents' friends. My litter brother was born when I was 8 and I took on a bigger role with kids. I fell in love with taking care of him and watching all of the stages of his growth.
I have always loved helping and teaching people. However, I rejected the idea of become a teacher at first, as my hobbies being guitar, art and photography - I thought those were what I wanted to pursue. Once I got hired at Creative Imaginations as a floater when I was 16, it honestly and truly changed my direction in life. I discovered an even deeper passion for teaching young children and realized that it is what I am meant to do.
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I love seeing the pure curiosity and excitement in these kid's eyes. I want to do everything I can to help kids learn! I am grateful that I am even able to incorporate my hobbies of art and photography in it as well. It never feels like a day at work when I am at Creative Imaginations!
I am grateful for my parents for being my biggest supporters and for setting me on the path of becoming a teacher."
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Preschool Teacher
~Mikayla
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Joined our Cre8ive Crew in 2023
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1 year of childcare experience
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Currently obtaining CDA credential
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80+ Idaho Stars training hours
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"I decided I wanted to work in childcare when I realized that I have basically only grown up around kids. I have 4 little sisters and because I'm the oldest, I've always been the designated built-in babysitter:) I love working in childcare because I have been able to see the impact I have on these tiny minds! That is so inspiring and so rewarding! Teaching kids everyday has helped me to grow into a better teacher:) I have been so grateful and blessed being able to come into a job where everyone treats everyone with kindness and love. Our first priorities are the children and making sure that they hit all of their milestones before we send them off to kindergarten! Watching their creative imaginations is so fascinating! They inspire me to be better and have taught me how to be more patient and compassionate and caring. They've also taught me how to think outside the box and they test my knowledge everyday with all their little questions:)
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A little bit about me, I'm 23 years old and I have a husky named Tundra and he is the absolute love of my life. I moved to Idaho about 3 years ago by myself and I have not regretted the move at all! It has been the best decision in my whole life and I wouldn't change a thing. Moving here has taught me how to be independent and it has been so fulfilling. Some things I like to do whenever I have free time is spend time with my dog, relax and unwind with a good movie or a book, and in the summer you can always find me in a body of water!"
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Totschool
Teacher
~Leticia
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Joined our Cre8ive Crew in 2022
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Obtained CDA credential 2023
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10 years of childcare experience
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1 year teaching experience
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130+ Idaho Stars training hours
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"I find joy in working with children. I love fostering their creative imaginations with daily activities that help them develop and grow into happy children!
Growing up, I had an amazing childhood and preschool was one of my favorite memories. I enjoyed the friends I made and all of the learning. I absolutely loved my preschool teacher and to this day when I see her, I give her a big hug! I hope to not only teach, but to touch the hearts of every child I interact with."
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Totschool Teacher
~Chris
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Joined our Cre8ive Crew in 2022
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Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education
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Obtained CDA credential 2023
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40 years of childcare experience
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40 year teaching experience
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220+ Idaho Stars training hours
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"I have always loved working with and being around children. I volunteered in our church nursery and worked as an assistant director at YMCA for a children's performance group "Sunshine Generation".
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I have two daughters that I raised on my own and when I met my husband I gained 5 bonus kids! We then had 1 child together. I now have 8 children and 9 grandchildren!
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For years I was stuck at a job that I hated working in an office. I am so grateful and blessed to be a part of Creative Imaginations. Now I love coming to work and being able to help shape little minds. These children amaze me every day! I really do believe that each child has a different way of learning and I love that I get the chance to help them along the way and also to learn from them.
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In my spare time, I am usually spending time with my 14 year old daughter or crafting with my cricut!"
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