Caitlin Searls
Vancouver,WA
Summary
Dynamic Child Care Director with extensive experience at Support For Early Learning & Families, excelling in lesson development and team leadership. Recognized for enhancing staff training and fostering parental engagement, I effectively created a nurturing environment that improved child development outcomes and maintained compliance with licensing regulations.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Care Director
Support For Early Learning & Families
Vancouver, WA
08.2022 - Current
- Developed multilingual and multicultural staff and curriculum to serve families from diverse backgrounds.
- Trained, managed and motivated employees to promote professional skill development.
- Maintained accurate records of children's attendance, health information and developmental progress.
- Provided guidance for parents on child development issues.
- Oversaw daily activities and programs to educate and socialize participants.
- Reviewed licensing regulations regularly to maintain compliance standards.
- Inspected facility and activities to monitor safety, sanitation and procedures.
- Maintained current knowledge of applicable codes and required procedures to optimize learning environments.
- Hired, mentored and monitored qualified childcare staff.
- Created and updated records to document employee and participant information.
- Created a safe, nurturing environment for children by providing appropriate supervision of their activities.
- Organized and supervised staff recruitment, training and performance management.
- Collaborated with other professionals including teachers, social workers and nutritionists to coordinate services for children in need.
- Developed, implemented and monitored policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all children in care.
- Worked with parents and staff to improve student behavioral and learning issues with proactive approaches.
- Resolved conflicts between staff members or between staff and families.
- Communicated with parents and fostered strong professional relationships.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss strategies for improving quality of childcare services.
- Enforced rules to promote positive behavior among children under care.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
- Managed household errands and other essential duties.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Updated and maintained databases with current information.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
Lead Teacher
Horizon Learning Center
Lacey, United States
08.2019 - 08.2022
- Chose optimum curriculum for my class and devised creative daily lesson plans to meet requirements and needs of different learners
- Guided student teachers and teaching aides in classroom management, leading by example and thoroughly answering questions
- Planned and implemented different daily activities to enhance overall development and growth of every student
- Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth
- Designed lesson plans for teaching staff and worked closely with administration for compliance with state curricula
- Coordinated field trips for my class and wrote detailed itineraries for student safety
- Worked one-on-one with students and student teachers to increase overall classroom success
- Observed and recorded teacher methods to suggest improvements and increase student interest
- Communicated frequently with parents about student growth and progress
Infant Specialist
KinderCare Learning Centers
Lacey , WA
07.2017 - 08.2019
- Observed and monitored children's play activities.
- Managed administrative program tasks such as taking attendance, updating logs and tracking supplies.
- Developed individualized plans for each infant based on their developmental needs.
- Created an atmosphere that was stimulating and encouraging for each infant's growth.
- Established and maintained safe, supportive and welcoming environments for children of all backgrounds.
- Conducted activities such as reading stories, singing songs, playing games, and helping with puzzles to promote learning and development.
- Identified signs of emotional or developmental problems in children to alert parents or guardians.
- Supported parents by providing feedback regarding their child's development and progress.
- Cared for children in institutional settings.
- Collaborated with other staff members in developing lesson plans for infants.
- Attended professional workshops related to early childhood education.
- Provided nurturing and appropriate environment for children of various ages.
- Maintained accurate records of each infant's daily activities including meals eaten, naps taken, diapers changed.
- Adhered to state regulations concerning health and safety guidelines for childcare centers.
- Assisted in diaper changes, feeding times, nap times, and other daily routines.
- Encouraged positive behaviors, including patience with teachers and fellow kids.
- Created and implemented developmentally-appropriate instructional and activity plans to promote learning.
- Provided safe and nurturing care to infants in a daycare setting.
- Instructed children in eating, resting and restroom habits.
- Ensured that all safety standards were met including maintaining cleanliness of the environment.
- Communicated with parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors and upcoming events.
- Maintained organized and clean classroom and play areas.
- Utilized knowledge of child psychology when interacting with infants.
- Helped develop motor skills by introducing age appropriate toys into the classroom.
- Encouraged language development through conversations with infants throughout the day.
- Monitored the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development of each infant.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
Lead Child Care Teacher
Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium
Vancouver, WA
09.2012 - 07.2017
- Developed engaging hands-on lessons for students using various multimedia tools.
- Implemented behavior modeling and positive reinforcement into daily routines.
- Communicated with parents regularly to maintain student progress, schedule meetings, and increase overall student happiness.
- Tutored struggling students one-on-one or in small groups.
- Created a nurturing atmosphere that encouraged respect between peers and adults.
- Supervised indoor and outdoor playtime activities while ensuring safety at all times.
- Attended workshops on early childhood education topics such as literacy development or behavioral management strategies.
- Participated in team meetings with colleagues to discuss best practices for teaching young children.
- Collaborated with administrators, faculty, staff, and families to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Organized creative and fun activities, enhancing children's physical, emotional and social well-being.
- Provided guidance to assistant teachers on classroom management, lesson plans, and other instructional strategies.
- Observed children to record development.
- Removed hazards and developed appropriate boundaries and rules to create safe environment for children.
- Encouraged creativity through art projects, music programs, dramatic play.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents and teaching staff.
- Implemented positive reinforcement techniques to motivate student achievement.
- Met with administrators and department team members to work on curriculum planning and assessment methods.
- Mentored new teachers by providing support and guidance in their daily tasks.
- Planned and implemented lessons using various teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs.
- Managed inventory of educational resources including books, toys, games.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations regarding safety standards of childcare facilities.
- Communicated regularly with parents regarding their child's progress or any concerns they may have.
- Observed children for signs of illness, injury, emotional disturbance, learning disorders, and speech problems.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
Education
Initial, Short, State Certificates - Early Childhood Education
South Puget Sound Community College
Olympia, WA05-2022
High School Diploma -
Mountain View High School
Vancouver, WA05-2011
Some College (No Degree) - Early Childhood Care And Education
Clark College
Vancouver, WASkills
- Lesson development
- Elementary education
- Student records management
- Classroom management
- Compliance understanding
- Key decision-making
- Safety awareness
- Team Building
- Staff training
- Record keeping
- Safety management
- Parent communication
- Conflict resolution
- Program supervision
- Behavior management
- Team leadership
- Licensing regulations
- Continuous improvement
- Parental engagement
- CPR certified
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Child Care Director
Support For Early Learning & Families
08.2022 - Current
Lead Teacher
Horizon Learning Center
08.2019 - 08.2022
Infant Specialist
KinderCare Learning Centers
07.2017 - 08.2019
Lead Child Care Teacher
Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium
09.2012 - 07.2017
Initial, Short, State Certificates - Early Childhood Education
South Puget Sound Community College
High School Diploma -
Mountain View High School
Some College (No Degree) - Early Childhood Care And Education
Clark College
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