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Little Tigers Learning Center Adel

Little Tigers Learning Center is nestled in the heart of Adel, Iowa.  Our facility offers a nurturing environment with eight dedicated classrooms catering to children aged six weeks through pre-kindergarten. At Little Tigers, we believe in fostering holistic development, providing a play based, social-emotional learning rich curriculum tailored to each child's unique needs. Our commitment extends beyond the classroom, offering convenient transportation to and from public preschool, ensuring seamless transitions for your little ones. Join our community and embark on a transformative educational experience where your child will be happy, healthy, safe, and thriving with us at Little Tigers Learning Center.

Monday through Friday 6:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Closures are updated annually and include these holidays:

New Year's Day

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Thanksgiving (2 days)

Christmas Day

Semi Annual Closures for Professional Development

 

Little Tigers Learning Center - Adel
1720 Nile Kinnick Drive South
Adel, Iowa  50003

Phone: 515-993-1038
Fax: 515-993-3329

Email: director@littletigerslearning.com

Michelle Heater

Office Manager

Michelle joined the Little Tigers team in January 2020. She has one adult daughter, who currently lives in Iowa City with her partner, Emerson. She and her husband, Rob are central Iowa natives. They moved to their rural Dallas County home with their American Bully, Mickey & Red Tabby, Sam, in October 2017, after living in the Des Moines area for 22 years. Her "job" for 18 months was organizing the remodel of their home, which they inherited in 2016 (it was definitely a labor of love!) They are the 5th generation of family to own the land!  

Michelle has many years of experience with children, including working in several different centers & operating an in-home daycare in her Windsor Heights home for nearly 5 years. Michelle's prior work experience also includes working in an administrative assistant or bookkeeper role at several semi-truck dealerships, a costume shop, a local bank, and a retirement community.  Michelle has thoroughly enjoyed her time thus far at Little Tigers, especially getting to know and loving the children.  We have an awesome group of kiddos! 

Angela Thrailkill

Co-Director

Angela joined the Little Tigers team in September of 2024 and is honored to be a member of the Little Tigers family. She is a natural caretaker and loves the daily hugs from kiddos at Little Tigers. Angela and her husband, Berry, are former childcare owners and Angela has been an area childcare director since 2019. They have three unique daughters (Claire, Darcy & Emily) and are highly involved parents with their active kiddos.  The Thrailkill  family has a passion for travel and spent 5 weeks roaming Hawaii together while celebrating Angela and Berry’s 20th wedding anniversary. Anika and Angela met at a PBIS course in 2017 just as Little Tigers opened! Angela brings working knowledge, education, and experience in the industry to project partnerships with Anika & Doug. 

Angela is a Waukee High School graduate and Dallas County girl!  She has seen the county grow and change as the Dallas County two-lane rural road she lived on as a child is now four lanes of pavement with a multi-lane stoplight. She left the state to earn her bachelor’s at University of Arkansas and master’s at Missouri State University in Computer Information Systems with a passion for processes and improvement.  Angela joined the childcare industry in 2014 after spending years in computer based and corporate training and teaching college level technology courses.  Her career in educating adults led to a realization of the importance of early childhood experiences. Since then, she has been combining her passion, education, and mindset to be an amazing leader who loves families and working with dynamic teams.

Emaleigh Barber

On site supervisor

Emaleigh joined the Little Tigers team in November of 2024 and have loved every minute of this new adventure! She and her husband, Blaine moved to Linden back in 2023 when they inherited his grandfather's home. Since then, they have completely remodeled and have taught themselves how to do just about everything under the sun when it comes to home renovation! In April 2024, they welcomed their son, Ezra, to the world and have fallen in love with being parents! Emaleigh spends a lot of her free time with family, friends, and two fur babies; Tucker and Delilah.
 
Emaleigh is an Iowa State Alum ( Go Clones!!) and holds a degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a focus in early childhood development. Before getting into childcare, she had taken a different route and worked with kiddos in residential treatment as well as crisis management. While very rewarding, she really missed working with younger kiddos, so she found herself here! Emaleigh has loved getting to know each and every child in our care as well as their unique personalities. They truly never fail to put a smile on her face!
 

Anika Blum

Executive Director & Program Owner

 

Doug Blum

Program Owner

Programs at this Location

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