Meet Dianna Moore, Jelly Bean Junction Area Manager

Meet our area manager, Dianna Moore! At Jelly Bean Junction Learning Centers, we strive to find the best in the business to care for the children in our centers. Dianna is just that, with over 24 years of experience with Jelly Bean Junction, and many more as a childcare provider, she is a wealth of knowledge and a wonderful team member for our Cincinnati, Ohio centers.

1. What first inspired you to join Jelly Bean Junction, and what has kept you here all these years?

“I worked at another center when my children were going off to school, then became a director and bought a small daycare. When my husband and I purchased property in the eastern part of Ohio, I took a step back but eventually wanted to get back to the kids. Jelly Bean has been a great company to work for, they always put the children, and staff interests ahead of everything.”

2. How have you seen early childhood education evolve during your time as area manager?

“Parents want to keep their kids active, entertained and evolving. Many parents turn to camps, sports, and other activities to fill the gaps in time over the summer or on the weekends. A lot of the centers have pivoted to offer those activities to fulfill family needs. Jelly Bean Junction offers soccer, dance, stretch and grow, and summer camp, to name a few. The goal is to keep children busy and entertained while also letting them have fun with the activities. “

3. What do you think makes Jelly Bean Junction different from other childcare centers in the community?

“Our teachers do not have phones or smart watches in the classroom, so they can concentrate on childcare and teaching. It is an important policy implemented to allow for the interactions and relationships between teachers and students to flourish. There also is no TV, video, etc. in any of our rooms. This helps to keep children balanced and engaged in our daily curriculum and activities.”

4. How do you support families during big transitions, like starting preschool or adjusting after summer break?

“Since we are a Step-Up center, we have transition forms that the teacher completes and shares with parents, telling them what the child is doing as they move to the next level. The children are then shown to their new room, so they know what to expect in that room as far as behavior and curriculum. If a child is struggling with the transition, they go back to their old classroom, they are not forced to move within a certain time.”

5. What role do the Ohio Step Up to Quality Star Ratings play in the care and education provided here, and why are they important for families to know about?

“The program is a three-tier quality rating and improvement system for Ohio’s early learning and development programs, as described on the Ohio Department of Children and Youth website, found here. Jelly Bean was meeting the Ohio Step Up to Gold Star Rating before ever qualifying for the recognition. As part of the program, teachers must have goals, a continuous improvement plan, certain credentials, align with state rules, follow content standards, and have a certain amount of training and assessments. It is a program that we are proud to have excelled at and be recognized for!” 

6. What qualities do you look for when hiring teachers and caregivers at Jelly Bean Junction?

“Responsibility! We look for teachers that are responsible and are going to be there for their students. The kids get attached to their teachers quickly, so they want teachers that will be dedicated and ready to come to the classroom each day. The kids can get so attached to a teacher that often parents plan vacations around teachers' vacation to ease the stress of their child missing them.”

7. How do you see children benefit most from Jelly Bean Junction’s play-based and creative learning approach?

“The center’s approach allows for the children to develop many great life skills and various aspects of learning. They approach conflict consciously, which helps children be aware of what is happening. For example, if a child takes a toy away from another child, the teachers direct them to explain to the other child what they did, how it made them feel, and work out a resolution between the two children. The relationships/bond between the teachers and the parents are strong, we have more parents coming to conferences than ever, parents want that teacher/parent partnership.”

8. What advice would you give to parents who are nervous about choosing the right childcare center for their child?

“Communication is key. Transitions for kids are not always easy, so discussing issues with the center director before making drastic decisions or moving to another facility is a great start. Don’t let the little things build up, communicate with your provider to resolve any issues.”

9. Can you share a favorite memory or story from your years leading the center?

“It’s simple, I love being around kids and working with the staff. Kids brighten the day!”

If you’re looking for a learning center that is dedicated to teaching, encouraging, and nurturing your child, we have 5 locations in and around Cincinnati, OH. Book your tour today!