About Us

 At Little Tigers, we believe in nurturing the "whole child", which is why we chose the Frog Street curriculum to utilize in our classrooms. This research-based program is tailored to the specific developmental needs of each age group, addressing academic growth, as well as social-emotional, physical, cognitive, language, and literacy development. With a focus on providing experiences which set children up for later educational success, our teachers instill the basic building blocks of education, ensuring that your child is ready to succeed.  Social emotional learning is strengthened through the integration of Conscious Discipline, a research based approach to give children the foundation they need to succeed.

Hello, my name is Anika Blum, owner of Little Tigers Learning Center and Clubhouses. But, before my new adventures began, I am first and foremost, mother to Thea, Allison, Ashleigh and Paisley! 

My husband, Doug, and I moved with our 3 oldest children to Adel, from Ankeny, in August 2016. Paisley made us a family of six, making her forever home, with our family, in March 2017. What an adventure parenthood has been!  

After high school, while attending college, I worked for ChildServe.  During my 9 years at ChildServe, I worked with children with special needs in a few different roles. I worked with children and their families by providing respite and SCL services; aimed at supporting the children to be able to continue living at home. I also provided direct care for children living at the residential units. I followed some of the children and their families to other agencies as they got older, and was able to be supportive to many families for a continuous 15 years!  

I graduated from Grand View College (now University) with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Human Services and Criminal Justice and minoring in Psychology and Sociology. After graduation, I worked for Mosaic, as a supervisor for group homes that served adults with disabilities. Later, after finding out that we would be expanding our family, I found a job better suited for my new role as mother. I spent 10 years with John Deere, wearing many hats, but finally ending up in IT.  My husband Doug still works for John Deere.

Doug and I are not strangers to center based childcare. Our children have spent over ten years in a center based learning environment. When we moved to Adel, we became quickly aware of the gap between the need for quality child care and the availability. We were fortunate enough to find great support for our youngest daughters. We are excited to be able to provide the same support for the families that attend Little Tigers. We would like Little Tigers to be THE place where staff and children would like to spend their days playing and learning! We know what it’s like to be working parents, with children in care. We know what it means to trust and know our children are loved in our absence.  

We want the families that come to Little Tigers to know we understand that trusting us with your children is a big deal and we take on that responsibility with honor!