Delanyo Smith
Laveen,AZ
Summary
Seasoned Early Childhood Education Executive with 20+ years of leadership experience and a proven record overseeing multi-site portfolios of childcare centers across Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas. Skilled in directing operations, managing budgets exceeding $10M, and building strong leadership teams. Recognized for securing licensure, achieving Quality First ratings, improving staff retention through innovative onboarding, and strengthening family and community partnerships. Dedicated to advancing program quality, compliance, and growth across large-scale organizations.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Center Director
Busy Bees Early Learning
Laveen, AZ
04.2025 - Current
- Serving as the founding Center Director for the upcoming Laveen location, supporting pre-opening operations and regional initiatives.
- Conducting family tours, following up on enrollment leads, and building community relationships in preparation for the center’s opening.
- Assisting other regional centers with licensing, compliance, and program quality to ensure alignment with company standards.
- Supporting new and current directors with onboarding, training, and operational guidance.
- Collaborating with regional leadership to plan staffing, classroom layouts, and curriculum setup for the new center.
- Ensuring all pre-licensing and regulatory documentation is completed accurately and on schedule.
Executive Director of Early Learning
Valley of the Sun YMCA
Phoenix, AZ
08.2021 - 03.2025
- Directed a network of 13 early learning centers, ensuring compliance, program excellence, and financial sustainability.
- Supervised leadership staff (Associate Director, Enrollment Specialist, Center Directors) while developing a strong pipeline of future leaders.
- Oversaw budgets over $10M annually, aligning enrollment, staffing, and operational strategies to organizational goals.
- Implemented Teaching Strategies Gold across all sites, standardizing child assessments and boosting family engagement.
- Expanded partnerships with DHS, United Way, and St. Mary's Food Bank to increase community impact.
- Enrolled all centers in Quality First, raising program quality ratings.
Training Manager
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
College Park, GA
03.2019 - 04.2021
- Designed and implemented a New Employee Orientation (NEO) program across multiple centers, reducing turnover and improving retention.
- Conducted training needs assessments and created quarterly professional development calendars.
- Delivered workshops, coaching, and technical assistance to improve program quality and compliance.
- Supported multi-site quality improvement initiatives across the region.
- Managed new employee orientation training process for over 80 employees annually.
Regional Manager (GA & SC)
Rainbow Childcare Centers / KinderCare
, Georgia & South Carolina
01.2018 - 02.2019
- Directed multi-site operations across two states, ensuring consistent compliance, enrollment, and program quality.
- Partnered with senior leadership to achieve strategic growth and retention goals.
- Conducted site audits, staff evaluations, and performance reviews to maintain high standards.
- Managed operating and capital budgets while mentoring center directors.
- Established and maintained operational standards for 12 locations.
Center Director / Regional Support Director
Learning Care Group (Tutor Time, Childtime, La Petite Academy, Children’s Courtyard)
Phoenix, AZ
07.2013 - 12.2017
- Directed center operations while serving as regional support leader for multiple brands across metro Atlanta.
- Coached directors on compliance, enrollment, staffing, and family engagement.
- Increased enrollment through targeted marketing and community partnerships.
- Oversaw DES billing, CACFP reporting, and third-party funding across assigned centers.
Early Childhood Development Director
Friendly House
Phoenix, AZ
05.2011 - 07.2013
- Directed daily operations of the Early Childhood Development Center.
- Supervised staff, managed budgets, and ensured licensing compliance.
- Oversaw DES billing and strengthened family engagement initiatives.
Center Director
YWCA (Roise K. Mauk)
Fort Worth, TX
03.2010 - 05.2011
- Managed licensed childcare center operations, ensuring program compliance and financial accountability.
- Oversaw CCMS billing and reconciled CACFP reporting.
- Supervised staff, improving instructional quality and family satisfaction.
Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) - Preschool
10.2026
Bachelor of Arts - Child Development
Morris Brown College
Skills
- Multi-Site & Regional Leadership
- $10M Budget Oversight
- Licensing & Accreditation (Quality First, State Agencies, NAEYC)
- Staff Training, Recruitment & Retention
- Program Quality & Curriculum Implementation
- Family & Community Engagement
- Strategic Growth & Operational Excellence
- Early childhood education
- Family engagement
- Program compliance
- Leadership development
- Budget management
- Staff training
- Child assessment
- Operational strategy
- Community outreach
- Family relations
Leadership And Community Service
First Things First – Regional Partnership Council, Council Member (Provider Seat), 01/01/22, Present, AZ, Appointed to serve as Provider Seat representative on the Regional Partnership Council, influencing investments in early childhood programs., Collaborate with community leaders, families, and providers to advance access to quality early learning, health, and family support services., Provide perspective and expertise from the field of early learning to ensure funding priorities meet community needs., Support initiatives that strengthen Arizona's Quality First program and expand opportunities for young children and their families.
Timeline
Center Director
Busy Bees Early Learning
04.2025 - Current
Executive Director of Early Learning
Valley of the Sun YMCA
08.2021 - 03.2025
Training Manager
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
03.2019 - 04.2021
Regional Manager (GA & SC)
Rainbow Childcare Centers / KinderCare
01.2018 - 02.2019
Center Director / Regional Support Director
Learning Care Group (Tutor Time, Childtime, La Petite Academy, Children’s Courtyard)
07.2013 - 12.2017
Early Childhood Development Director
Friendly House
05.2011 - 07.2013
Center Director
YWCA (Roise K. Mauk)
03.2010 - 05.2011
Child Development Associate (CDA) - Preschool
Bachelor of Arts - Child Development
Morris Brown College