Meet The Voices Behind The Mission
we’re sharing the blueprints for growth, safety, and community.
Danielle Paige
Founder & Co-owner
Danielle’s journey in early childhood education began in high school as a teacher’s assistant, eventually leading her to establish her first group family childcare in 2014. As a NYS certified teacher with a Master’s in Early Childhood & Special Education, she brings expertise to her role as the visionary behind Academic Explorers. Known as "Dani Christine," she has built a community of over 25,000 subscribers on YouTube, where she mentors aspiring childcare entrepreneurs. Her transition from a home-based provider to the owner of a multi-location brand serves as the foundation for the Magnify Child Care mission. Danielle is dedicated to bridging the gap between high-level business strategy and the heart of the classroom. She remains a leading voice in the industry, consulting owners nationwide on how to scale with integrity and excellence.
Gaelle Volmar
Education Director
Gaelle serves as the Education Director of Academic Explorers, ensuring that our pedagogical standards remain second to none. Her passion for the field started early while helping her grandmother with childcare, a foundation that eventually led her to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Administration. Having been with the company for eight years, Gaelle has been a cornerstone of our growth, serving as the Center Director for two new location we’ve opened. Her hands-on experience in launching new centers gives her a unique perspective on maintaining educational quality during expansion. She specializes in curriculum development and staff mentorship, ensuring every classroom reflects our high standards. Gaelle’s leadership is instrumental in translating our brand’s vision into daily excellence for our students and families.
Rochelle Salandy
Executive Director
As Executive Director, Rochelle is the architect behind the systems that keep Academic Explorers running seamlessly across all locations. Her story is a testament to professional growth within the company, having started her journey with us as an assistant teacher. Over the years, she rose through the ranks as a Lead Teacher and Center Director, mastering every facet of school operations along the way. Today, she oversees the high-level management and operational workflows that allow our educators to focus on what matters most: the children. Rochelle’s deep "on-the-ground" experience ensures that our business systems are practical, efficient, and supportive of our staff’s needs. She is a vital leader dedicated to the sustainability and organizational health of the entire Academic Explorers brand.
Featured Episodes
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Why Tune Into Our Podcast?
For Parents: Get an insider's look at how we prioritize your child's safety, curriculum, and emotional growth.
For Educators: Discover leadership strategies and career paths within the ECE world.
For Entrepreneurs: Learn the raw reality of scaling a childcare brand from one location to four.
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Get Involved With Magnify Child Care
Have a story to share, a brand to grow, or a question for our team? We want to hear from you. Magnify Child Care is more than a podcast––it's a collaborative community dedicated to elevating the early childhood industry. Complete the form to connect with us.
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About Academic Explorers
Trusted Child Care for Long Island Families Since 2017
Academic Explorers was founded by Danielle Paige, an experienced early childhood educator who began her journey as a group family day care provider in her home. Guided by her passion for creating high-quality learning environments where children can thrive, Danielle partnered with her father, Rodney Paige, to expand child care services across Long Island. Together, they built a family-owned network of nurturing and educational child care centers designed to support children from infancy through school age.
Today, Academic Explorers proudly serves approximately 300 families in Nassau County through four conveniently located child care centers in Roosevelt, Merrick, Uniondale, and Old Westbury. Each center offers developmentally appropriate classrooms, experienced teachers, and a research-based curriculum that fosters curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
We operate year-round with extended hours to meet the needs of working families who require flexible, reliable, and high-quality child care in Long Island.
