Welcome to Happy Feet Academy’s website. We, as a family, are so excited to bring a quality childcare center to the Kittitas Valley. There is an increasing demand for childcare in our community and our intention is to provide a high quality facility to enrich children’s early childhood emotional, physical, and cognitive development. We hire educated and energetic staff to make families feel secure that their children will be safe and have fun while they are learning and preparing to enter school. Thank you for visiting our site!

Meet The Owner

Meet The Owners

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Ms. Missy

Owner

Hello! My name is Melissa (Missy) Denlinger. I have always had a passion for loving children and have dedicated my whole life to caring for my own kiddos and any others that cross my path.

I pursued my education with a bachelor’s degree in Family Studies, a master’s and PhD in Human Development and Family Studies, and graduate certificates in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Family Diversity and Well-being, and Research Methods. My husband and I have five daughters, two biological and three adopted via foster care. We enjoy camping and traveling and spend most our time after work running to various extra-curricular activities. I can’t wait to get to know you and your family!

Ms. Missy

Owner

Hello! My name is Melissa (Missy) Denlinger. I have always had a passion for loving children and have dedicated my whole life to caring for my own kiddos and any others that cross my path.

I pursued my education with a bachelor’s degree in Family Studies, a master’s and PhD in Human Development and Family Studies, and graduate certificates in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Family Diversity and Well-being, and Research Methods. My husband and I have five daughters, two biological and three adopted via foster care. We enjoy camping and traveling and spend most our time after work running to various extra-curricular activities. I can’t wait to get to know you and your family!

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Mr. Logan

Administrative Coordinator/Owner

Hi there! My name is Logan Denlinger. I have always felt a strong connection with the Kittitas County Community and desire to serve here however I can. Other than 2012-2017, I have lived in the Ellensburg valley my whole life and will always consider this to be home. My early career consisted of the banking, nursing, and metal fabrication industries before I pursued formal education by getting a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management followed by a master’s degree in business administration. My wife (Missy) and I have five beautiful girls, two dogs, two pigs, twenty chickens, and way too many cats that all combined keep us incredibly busy running from one side of the state to the other.  

Mr. Logan

Administrative Coordinator/Owner

Hi there! My name is Logan Denlinger. I have always felt a strong connection with the Kittitas County Community and desire to serve here however I can. Other than 2012-2017, I have lived in the Ellensburg valley my whole life and will always consider this to be home. My early career consisted of the banking, nursing, and metal fabrication industries before I pursued formal education by getting a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management followed by a master’s degree in business administration. My wife (Missy) and I have five beautiful girls, two dogs, two pigs, twenty chickens, and way too many cats that all combined keep us incredibly busy running from one side of the state to the other.  

Meet The Team

Meet The Team

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Ms. Ashlee

Lakeshore Way Director

Hi there! My name is Ashlee Rogers. I am originally from Vancouver, WA but have been living in Ellensburg for about 7 years now, most of that time has been spent working in Childcare and earning my Bachelors in Family & Child Life! I started at Happy Feet in 2020 working mainly with our Toddlers and Preschoolers and I am so excited to be coming back as Director! In my free time I love to explore the outdoors with my boyfriend Richard, visit my family, bake and listen to music! 

Ms. Ashlee

Lakeshore Way Director

Hi there! My name is Ashlee Rogers. I am originally from Vancouver, WA but have been living in Ellensburg for about 7 years now, most of that time has been spent working in Childcare and earning my Bachelors in Family & Child Life! I started at Happy Feet in 2020 working mainly with our Toddlers and Preschoolers and I am so excited to be coming back as Director! In my free time I love to explore the outdoors with my boyfriend Richard, visit my family, bake and listen to music! 

Ms. Jodie

Enrollment and Family Care Specialist

Hello, my name is Jodie McCollum-Colazo. I am a Ellensburg local. I have been happily married for 16 years and am a mother of 3 amazing kids.I am so excited to take on the new role of Enrollment and Family Care Specialist. I am looking forward to all the fun, adventures and learning we will be doing and getting to watch your children learn and grow. I have worked in childcare for the past 17 years. And am still loving every minute of it. I recently got some of my certifications done in Early Childhood Education. In my free time I love to spend time with my family and friends, go swimming or movies, or take my dogs out for walks.

Ms. Jodie

Enrollment and Family Care Specialist

Hello, my name is Jodie McCollum-Colazo. I am a Ellensburg local. I have been happily married for 16 years and am a mother of 3 amazing kids. I am so excited to take on the new role of Enrollment and Family Care Specialist.

I am looking forward to all the fun, adventures, and learning we will be doing and getting to watch your children learn and grow.  I have worked in childcare for the past 17 years. And am still loving every minute of it. I recently got some of my certifications done in Early Childhood Education.  In my free time, I love to spend time with my family and friends, go swimming or movies, or take my dogs out for walks.

Ms. Meredith

Ruby Street Director

Hi!! My name is Meredith and I have been with Happy Feet for two years now and I love it! I have always had a passion for working with and advocating for children and families in our community and I am glad I can do that here at Happy Feet. I have been studying Child Development and Family Science at CWU for many years now and will be earning my master’s degree in December of 2023! During my time at Happy Feet, I have grown to love working with and caring for all ages so I am very excited to be working with our preschoolers! When not at work, I spend time outside, listening to music, and traveling. A fun fact about me is that I am a CASA! 

Ms. Meredith

Ruby Street Director

Hi!! My name is Meredith and I have been with Happy Feet for two years now and I love it! I have always had a passion for working with and advocating for children and families in our community and I am glad I can do that here at Happy Feet. 

I have been studying Child Development and Family Science at CWU for many years now and will be earning my master’s degree in December of 2023! During my time at Happy Feet, I have grown to love working with and caring for all ages so I am very excited to be working with our preschoolers! When not at work, I spend time outside, listening to music, and traveling. A fun fact about me is that I am a CASA! 

Core Values

Core Values

Creating Tomorrow

With boundless hope, we strive to create a strong and caring next generation, nurturing friendships, resilience, and a lifelong love for learning.

Consistent Connections

Every child, family, and staff member is part of our family-oriented approach, fostering genuine connections that uplift and inspire.

Chaos to Collaboration

In our chaotic yet collaborative atmosphere, we find beauty in the joyful chaos that children bring, turning every moment into a blessing.

Child Centric
Care

Child Centric Care

Child well-being is our utmost priority, driving every decision we make to ensure a safe, caring, and fulfilling environment.

Creative Imagination

Through imaginative play and exploration, we foster a space where children’s imagination is cherished, paving the way for endless possibilities.

Responsiveness

Freedom

Discovery

Responsiveness

Freedom

Discovery