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Meet the Founder
Deja Slaughter
My name is Deja Slaughter, and I am honored to be the Founder and Director of David’s Kingdom Academy.
The vision for David’s Kingdom Academy was born during one of the most uncertain seasons of my life. In September 2024, when I learned I was pregnant with my son, I was experiencing homelessness, felt lost, and did not know what my future would look like. I did not feel adequate or prepared for what God was showing me. Yet, in the middle of that uncertainty, God gave me the vision for David’s Kingdom Academy.
At the time, I remember wondering, “God, how am I going to do this?” The vision seemed so much bigger than my circumstances. I could not see how I would get from where I was to where God was showing me I could be. But even though I did not have the answers, the vision gave me hope for what was to come.
Education was not even part of my plan at that time. I had attended college in the past but had not finished, and after being away from school, I did not see a reason to return and complete what I had started. The vision God placed in my heart changed that.
I realized that if I wanted to build the kind of program I envisioned for children and families, I needed to grow too. I returned to school with a new sense of purpose—not simply to earn a degree, but to become the educator, leader, and director I believed God was calling me to be.
That decision became another important part of my journey. I went on to earn my Associate degree in Child Development from Los Angeles Pierce College and am now pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development at California State University, Northridge. After completing my bachelor's degree, I plan to pursue my master's degree, continue advancing professionally toward my Child Development Director Permit, and deepen my knowledge of child development, leadership, and early childhood education.
Why David’s Kingdom Academy Exists
As a single mother of four, I understand firsthand that raising children is filled with tremendous joy, but it can also come with very real challenges. Parents work late, attend school, build careers, pursue dreams, and do what is necessary to provide for their families. Unfortunately, traditional childcare hours do not always reflect the realities of families' lives.
That is why David’s Kingdom Academy was intentionally created to provide quality evening and weekend childcare during non-traditional hours.
I wanted to build more than a place where children are simply watched while their parents are away. David’s Kingdom Academy is a Christian, play-based learning environment where children can experience God's love, develop strong character, build friendships, explore their creativity, and gain hands-on experiences across different areas of learning.
Our Christian faith is incorporated into our program as we encourage children to develop qualities such as faith, kindness, compassion, honesty, responsibility, respect, perseverance, and love for others. Through play-based and creative experiences, children are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, use their imaginations, move their bodies, explore different subjects, and develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, physically, and spiritually.
The Vision Is Bigger
Opening David’s Kingdom Academy is not the end of the vision it is the beginning.
My long-term goal is to expand from my family childcare program into a childcare center, and eventually establish multiple David’s Kingdom Academy locations nationwide, allowing the mission to serve families and children far beyond my own community.
When I think back to September 2024, I could not have imagined how much my life would change. I was facing homelessness, preparing for another child, uncertain about my future, and not even considering returning to school. I questioned whether I was capable of accomplishing what God had shown me.
But the vision came before I could see the resources, education, experience, or path to accomplish it.
Today, every class I complete, every child I teach, every family I support, and every step I take toward growing David’s Kingdom Academy is another piece of that vision becoming a reality.
What began as hope during one of the most difficult seasons of my life has become purpose.
My mission is to extend that hope, compassion, and support to the families I serve. I want parents to know that while they are working, learning, building, or simply navigating life, their children have a place where they are safe, loved, encouraged, learning, playing, and being poured into.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve your family and honored to partner with you as we inspire your child's curiosity, nurture their heart, strengthen their character, and build a foundation for a bright future.
Welcome to David’s Kingdom Academy where faith planted the vision, purpose built the foundation, and we are just getting started!
Our Mission
At David’s Kingdom Academy, our mission is to provide a nurturing, faith-based environment where children are inspired to grow spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally. Guided by the Word of God, we are committed to fostering a love for learning, building strong moral character, and equipping each child with the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive throughout every stage of development.
We strive to create a safe, loving, and supportive environment where every child feels valued, encouraged, and empowered to explore their unique gifts and talents. Through play-based learning, hands-on experiences, creative expression, age-appropriate educational activities, and Bible-based teachings, we encourage children to explore, discover, create, problem-solve, and develop a lifelong curiosity for learning.
Our goal is to nurture confident, compassionate, responsible, and God-centered individuals who demonstrate kindness, integrity, respect, faith, and love for others and who are prepared to make a positive impact within their families, communities, and the world.
At David’s Kingdom Academy, we believe every child is a blessing, and it is our honor to partner with families in laying a strong foundation for a lifetime of faith, character, learning, purpose, and success.
Our Philosophy
Play-Based Early Childhood Philosophy (Ages 0–5)
At David’s Kingdom Academy, we believe young children learn best through play, exploration, meaningful relationships, and hands-on experiences. Our Christ-centered approach recognizes each child as a unique blessing from God and supports their spiritual, cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
Faith Through Daily Experiences
Faith is naturally woven into children's everyday experiences through simple Bible stories, worship songs, prayer, and conversations about God's love. Children are encouraged to practice Christian values such as kindness, compassion, patience, honesty, sharing, and respect for others.
Play-Based, Hands-On Learning
We believe play is an essential part of early childhood learning. Through purposeful play and developmentally appropriate activities, children explore early literacy, language, mathematics, science, sensory experiences, creativity, fine- and gross-motor development, and social-emotional skills.
Children are encouraged to ask questions, make choices, experiment, create, solve problems, and learn through their own experiences.
Whole-Child Development
Every area of a child's development is important. Our environment encourages curiosity, creativity, communication, independence, problem-solving, movement, and positive relationships. Daily routines and experiences provide opportunities for children to practice new skills while developing confidence and a love for learning.
A Nurturing & Safe Environment
Children learn best when they feel safe, loved, respected, and valued. We strive to provide consistent, responsive care while recognizing each child's individual personality, abilities, interests, developmental needs, and pace of growth.
At David’s Kingdom Academy, our youngest learners are given opportunities to play, discover, create, build their faith, and develop a strong foundation for kindergarten and beyond.
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School-Age Philosophy (Ages 6–12)
At David’s Kingdom Academy, we believe school-age children continue to learn through exploration, creativity, relationships, responsibility, and meaningful hands-on experiences. Our Christian environment complements their school-day learning while providing opportunities to discover their interests, strengthen their character, and develop greater independence.
Christ-Centered Character Development
Through age-appropriate Bible studies, devotionals, prayer, discussions, and everyday experiences, children are encouraged to understand and practice Christian values such as faith, integrity, compassion, respect, responsibility, perseverance, and service to others.
We encourage children not only to learn biblical principles but also to understand how those principles can guide their choices and relationships.
Academic Support & Enrichment
School-age children have opportunities for homework support and enrichment in areas such as reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, art, language development, and other areas of interest.
Rather than recreating the traditional school day, our program uses engaging activities and hands-on experiences to reinforce learning, encourage curiosity, and allow children to explore subjects in meaningful ways.
Real-World, Creative & Leadership Skills
We believe children benefit from opportunities to apply what they learn to everyday life. Through creative projects, STEM experiences, home economics, problem-solving challenges, group activities, games, and leadership opportunities, children can practice communication, teamwork, decision-making, responsibility, and independence.
A Positive & Supportive Community
Every child deserves an environment where they feel heard, respected, included, and encouraged. We strive to build positive relationships with children and families while giving school-age children appropriate opportunities to express themselves, make choices, develop friendships, and discover their individual gifts.
At David’s Kingdom Academy, we seek to help school-age children develop wisdom, character, confidence, independence, and a continued love for learning—while keeping Christ at the center of their growth.
Our 4 Pillars
🙏 Faith & Character
We nurture children's spiritual growth and character through biblical principles, prayer, Christian values, and opportunities to practice kindness, integrity, compassion, responsibility, and respect.
🎨 Play-Based Learning
We believe children learn through doing. Hands-on activities, creativity, exploration, movement, and purposeful play allow children to develop new skills while discovering their individual interests and abilities.
🤝 Family Partnership
Families are an essential part of a child's development. We value open communication, mutual respect, and collaboration with parents and caregivers to support each child's individual needs and growth.
🛡️ Safety & Wellness
Children thrive when they feel safe, secure, cared for, and valued. We prioritize nurturing supervision, healthy routines, physical and emotional wellness, and an environment designed to support children's overall well-being.
Our Core Values
Faith
We are rooted in the Word of God, teaching children biblical principles that guide their moral and spiritual growth, laying a strong foundation for a life of faith and purpose.
Excellence
We are committed to fostering a love for learning and providing high-quality education to prepare children for success in every stage of their academic and personal development.
Compassion
We cultivate an environment of kindness, understanding, and empathy, encouraging children to respect and care for others while building strong, supportive relationships.
Integrity
We emphasize the importance of honesty, accountability, and strong character, inspiring children to make ethical and responsible choices in all areas of life.
Growth
We are dedicated to nurturing the whole child spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and socially empowering them to discover their potential and reach new heights in their development.