Meet Our Founder & Lead Consultant
Antaya “Taya” Cathey
Early Childhood Education Consultant
Taya is a dedicated early childhood professional with a passion for strengthening programs, supporting educators, and helping providers turn quality standards into sustainable practice. With over a decade of experience across multiple early learning settings, she brings both hands-on expertise and strategic insight to the work she does alongside child care providers and early childhood leaders.
Taya holds a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies from the University of North Texas at Dallas and is a credentialed Child Development Associate (CDA). She also serves as a CDA Professional Development Specialist with the Council for Professional Recognition, supporting educators through the credentialing process with both professional knowledge and lived experience.
Her professional background includes three years as a preschool teacher with Head Start of Greater Dallas and more than five years as Director of a before- and after-school child care program, where she led staff development, supported licensing compliance, strengthened classroom environments, and partnered with families to enhance program quality.
Taya is a registered early childhood trainer listed on the Texas Trainer Registry and previously served as a Quality Mentor and Coach with Child Care Associates in Hurst, Texas. In this role, she supported both home-based providers and child care centers through the Texas Rising Star initiative by conducting assessments, mentoring directors, facilitating professional development, and providing individualized coaching focused on quality improvement and operational readiness.
In addition to her work in early childhood education, Taya is a licensed life insurance agent with a specialized focus on educators and child care professionals. This work allows her to support providers not only in their programs, but also in building long-term personal and professional stability through informed financial protection and planning.
Taya is also the owner and director of Dream Big Child Development Center, a licensed early childhood program. Her continued role as a provider keeps her closely connected to the daily realities of child care operations, compliance expectations, and quality standards — ensuring the guidance she offers through consulting is practical, relevant, and grounded in real experience.
Today, through Heart to Hands Educational Services™, Taya partners with early childhood providers, directors, and educators through consulting, coaching, professional development, and program support. She is also the owner of Hand to Heart CPR & First Aid Training, supporting programs in meeting essential health and safety requirements.
Taya’s work is grounded in her Christian faith, which guides her commitment to integrity, service, and excellence. She views her work as a calling to serve others with care, purpose, and stewardship, while honoring each individual she supports. She is deeply committed to meeting providers where they are — offering clear guidance, strong systems, and encouragement that empowers educators to grow with confidence and purpose.