"All Day Adventures. All Summer Long."(R) at Kiddie Academy(R)

BALTIMORE, MD --(Marketwired - May 11, 2016) - Kiddie Academy, an early education child care provider, continues their "Amazing Starts Here" campaign this spring by introducing children in their classes and summer camps to the accomplishments of Sally Ride, America's first woman in space and a role model for courage, ingenuity and curiosity. The "Amazing Starts Here" campaign introduces children to iconic historical figures who are known for their exceptional leadership and character. The program aims to encourage a sense of curiosity, possibility and adventure as children reach for their individual potential. The current role model, inspired by Sally Ride, is also a perfect embodiment of the attitude Kiddie Academy promotes in children with Camp Adventure -- "All Day Adventures. All Summer Long."

"Sally Ride is the ideal inspiration for the 'Adventure and Exploration' theme of our 'Amazing Starts Here' program," said Richard Peterson, vice president of education for Kiddie Academy. "When the space shuttle Challenger launched in 1983, Sally Ride not only pushed her personal boundaries into space, she also pushed the boundaries of public perception of women's capabilities at the time. Our programs continue in this tradition, encouraging all children to discover what is authentic and unique about each of them so they can grow into the next generation of courageous and adventurous scholars, like Sally Ride."

Kiddie Academy recognizes that many parents struggle to reconcile their children's need to explore with their own anxiety about allowing their children too much freedom in what may seem to be an increasingly dangerous world. However, as Sally Ride said, "All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary." Kiddie Academy programs incorporate age-appropriate risk-taking important for both healthy physical development and the development of a sense of adventure. "When children explore, they begin to discover, and when they experience the joy of discovery, they want to experience that again," said Peterson. "The programs at Kiddie Academy help satisfy a child's urge to learn to master his or her environment." Kiddie Academy would like to know how you balance your children's drive to explore and take risks with your concerns about keeping them safe. Take our quick survey at http://bit.ly/KidsExploration.

The "Amazing Starts Here" campaign is designed to enrich Kiddie Academy's Life Essentials® curriculum and also inspires this year's Camp Adventure programs. Activities are age-appropriate, play-based, child-selected and teacher-facilitated, allowing teachers to plan activities around a theme while following the children's interests to expand upon topics. Kiddie Academy believes that when children are given the space to explore with support and guidance, they reap the benefits of both physical activity and social learning and revel in the freedom to act on their own amazing sense of adventure. 

For more information about why "Amazing Starts Here" at Kiddie Academy, please visit www.kiddieacademy.com.

About Kiddie Academy®

Since 1981, Kiddie Academy® has been a leader in education-based child care. The company serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs. Kiddie Academy's proprietary Life Essentials® curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities and techniques help prepare children for life. Kiddie Academy is using the globally recognized AdvancED accreditation system, signifying its commitment to quality education and the highest standards in child care. For more information, visit www.kiddieacademy.com.

About Kiddie Academy® Franchising

Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising. is based in Maryland and has more than 146 academies located in 24 states. Approximately 30 additional academies are in development, with more than 20 new locations slated to open in 2016. For more information, visit http://www.kiddieacademyfranchising.com/.