Lauren Navakuku
Child Development Schools
Phoenix,AZ
4
Languages
1
Certification
21
years of professional experience
Results-driven Quality Assurance Specialist delivering impactful outcomes through effective team collaboration and adaptive strategies. Managed tasks to support organizational goals while ensuring consistent operations through strong communication and analytical skills. Focused on achieving objectives and driving success in dynamic environments.
Work History
Compliance Auditor
1 Month- Audited classroom documentation for licensing, health, and safety compliance.
- Reviewed incident reports, corrective actions, and policy adherence across sites.
- Tracked regulatory requirements and updated audit checklists for consistency.
- Identified compliance gaps and coordinated follow-up with center leadership.
- Onsite Audits: Travel to multiple assigned locations to review operational practices, documentation, and adherence to regulatory requirements and internal policies.
- Partner with Leadership: Serve as a collaborative partner and checks-and-balances resource for field leaders, offering objective feedback and actionable recommendations.
- Trend Analysis: Identify recurring patterns, systemic issues, and operational risks across different regions.
- Reporting: Prepare clear audit reports and escalate major compliance concerns to executive leadership.
- Serve as a collaborative partner and checks-and-balances resource for field leaders, offering objective feedback and actionable recommendations.
- Observed daily operations to ensure alignment with childcare standards.
- Guided staff on compliance procedures and documentation expectations.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure timely implementation of corrective actions, mitigating potential compliance issues.
- Analyzed all audit results and resolved all compliance issues.
- Improved financial transparency by providing clear communication of audit results to stakeholders through detailed reports and presentations.
- Promoted ethical decision-making within the organization by serving as a trusted resource for addressing complex compliance questions or concerns.
Quality Rated Specialist
1 Year 10 Months- The Quality-Rated Specialist ensured that products and services met established quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. This role involves developing and implementing quality assurance policies, conducting inspections and testing, analyzing data, and driving continuous improvement through training, corrective actions, and process audits. This position managed the Quality Rated Programs in Arizona, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.
- Design and establish quality assurance policies, procedures, and sampling systems.
- Perform regular product inspections, tests, and quality checks.
- Identify and document defects and deviations from specifications.
- Collected, analyzed, and maintained data on product quality, customer complaints, and process performance to identify trends and inform improvements.
- Use data insights to pinpoint areas for improvement.
- Investigate quality issues using root cause analysis.
- Develop and implement corrective and preventive action plans.
- Monitor adherence to internal policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
- Conducted audits to verify compliance with regulations and assess effectiveness of quality systems.
- Develop and implement process revisions to enhance product or service quality.
- Support initiatives aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing waste.
- Delivered training on quality standards and procedures to enhance knowledge and skills of Southwest Quality Team.
- Promote a culture of quality across the organization in the Southwest Region.
- Prepare and present reports on quality metrics, issues, and improvement initiatives.
- Communicate findings and recommendations to management and key stakeholders.
- Advised teams on best practices for child development program support, compliance, and family engagement.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals on time and within budget.
- Coordinated child care operations, maintaining compliance with licensing, safety, and state regulatory standards.
- Supported center leadership with enrollment processing, family communication, and documentation accuracy.
- Monitored daily workflows to ensure consistent classroom coverage, staffing coordination, and service continuity.
Quality Enhancement Coordinator
2 Years 10 Months- Monitor assigned programs for compliance related to childcare licensing, health/sanitation, program quality, Quality First, and/or accreditation as applicable in Arizona
- Train and coach teachers and directors on all areas of compliance applicable to assigned programs.
- Assist school management staff in attaining and/or maintaining compliance with all regulatory standards applicable to assigned programs.
- Coordinated application processes for Quality First and national accreditation to ensure compliance and uphold program standards.
- Planned and implemented preparations for Quality First and accreditation evaluations, focusing on creating safe environments, room arrangements, and materials selection while training and coaching teachers of children 0-12.
- Train and coach teachers and directors who need assistance with the quality in their classrooms and schools as related to licensing, quality rating improvement systems and accreditation as applicable.
- Share information with teachers and coach them on appropriate interactions and quality practices related to our developmentally-appropriate curriculum, safe and healthy environments for children, and nurturing and responsive interactions with children.
- Maintain communication with Education Coordinators (ECs) on a weekly basis, as well as coach, train, and host local quarterly meetings with ECs with content guided by Division and Company leadership.
- Implement short and long-range professional and program goals and objectives for self and others.
- Recommend new policies, procedures, and professional development to attain high-quality standards for self and others.
- Create training in various areas including but not limited to transportation, positive guidance, challenging behaviors, etc.
- Assisted with school acquisitions, school performance and achievement in Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas.
- Supported opening new schools by overseeing classroom setup, ordering materials, securing licenses, and ensuring quality assurance.
- Continued to commit to professional development by attending training and conferences both in and out of state.
Consulting
1 Year 2 Months- Consulted with owner, director, and management staff to develop and implement performance-based objectives and educational interventions.
- Conduct structured and direct observations to gather data for analysis.
- Provide but not limited to brief structured observations, direct observations, and optional survey instruments.
- Created training assignments/learning paths/training based on individual centers.
- Provided basic training on best practices relating to early childhood education.
- Provided follow-up services through resources such as assisting personnel with enrollment into classes outside of work.
- Assisted in marketing educational programming and core services throughout the institution.
Head Teacher (Management role)
1 Year 10 Months- Observed and assessed all classrooms on monthly documentation.
- Facilitated development of lesson plans, classroom management, and teaching strategies for teachers.
- Collaborated with management & teachers to create a cohesive network of ongoing standards for children within the center.
- Conducted new hire and ongoing training for all teachers.
- Created a model classroom reflecting Creatively Shine curriculum, Reggio Emilia practices, NAEYC qualities, and LSP core values and philosophies.
- Implemented training on interactions, emergent curriculum, and effective teaching strategies.
- Led training on interactions, emergent curriculum, and effective teaching strategies to enhance classroom effectiveness.
Education Coordinator
7 Months- Created monthly, weekly themes reflecting emergent learning curriculum.
- Kept progress notes evaluating behavior, development, and health changes.
- Maintained documentation and daily required paperwork.
- Met with parents to discuss progress and requirements.
- Prepared classroom materials and maintained clean, safe facilities and equipment.
- Provided children and parents with activity schedules and established classroom routine.
- Planned and executed monthly parent events to foster family engagement.
- Upheld Quality First and Arizona State Standards.
- Organized and coordinated events for the center to enhance community involvement.
- Led classroom instruction aligned with developmental goals and daily learning standards.
- Designed engaging activities supporting literacy, social-emotional growth, and creative exploration.
Education Coordinator
5 Months- Maintained staff files to ensure compliance with state requirements.
- Recruited families and staff.
- Managed timecards, coordinated staff breaks, and processed time-off requests.
- Sourced and interviewed potential families and staff for enrollment and hiring.
- Provided resources for teachers and assisted with weekly curriculum.
Education Coordinator
1 Year- Guided staff in implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Collaborated with management and teachers to proactively resolve classroom challenges and improve educational experiences.
- Collaborated with management and teachers to address any issues.
- Supported classrooms in effective classroom management and optimal child-teacher ratios to promote a positive learning environment.
- Led personal professional development efforts on personal professional development to model and motivate staff.
Lead Teacher
2 Years- Tracked progress notes to evaluate behavior, development, and health changes.
- Maintained accurate documentation and completed daily required paperwork to ensure compliance.
- Reported and discussed any possible problems with and parents.
- Prepared classroom materials and maintained clean, safe facilities and equipment.
- Developed and distributed activity schedules to children and parents, establishing a consistent classroom routine.
- Upheld NAEYC, Quality First, Bright Horizons and Arizona State Standards.
- Developed skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook through hands-on use in daily tasks.
- Reorganized class routine and daily schedule
Lead Teacher
3 Years 3 Months- Developed and implemented daily schedule and routine for toddler classroom to enhance learning environment.
- Prepared classroom materials and ensured cleanliness and safety of facilities and equipment for optimal student engagement.
- Created and shared activity schedules with children and parents while establishing consistent classroom routine to support learning.
- Upheld NECPA, state and Tutor Time policies and state standards.
Lead Teacher
4 Years- Reorganized and implemented daily routines in two classrooms to enhance student engagement and learning flow.
- Monitored compliance with New Mexico state standards in educational settings.
- Developed and implemented DAP curriculum & lesson plans aligned with developmental standards.
- Assisted in front office duties, managing payments and administrative tasks to support school operations.
- Developed and implemented developmentally appropriate curriculum and lesson plans to support diverse learning needs.
- Assisted in reopening classrooms by coordinating with staff and updating classroom materials.
- Supported all classrooms in maintaining child-teacher ratios to ensure safe and effective learning environments.
- Helped with front office tasks
Education
High School Diploma
AAS - Early Childhood Education Administration and Management
BAS - Emphasis in Early Childhood Education
Skills
Quality assurance
Quality assessment
Cross-functional collaboration
Quality control
Analytical thinking
Quality evaluation
Team coordination
Quality coaching
Stakeholder engagement
Self-motivation
Multitasking
Self motivation
Accomplishments
- Little Sunshine’s Playhouse - Awarded Teacher of the Month 3 times
- Awarded National Teacher of the month (August 2019)
- Bright Horizons - Organized the 1st Cultural Week (center level); Co-chair of Diversity & Inclusion (district level); National Better Together Representative (Southwest Region)
- Helped Organize Collaborative Educator's Institute 2019 (Paradise Valley Community College)
Certification
- PDS Specialist with CDA Countil - 2024 - current
- CPR Trainer with HSI - 2026 - current
- Certified in CLASS INF/TODD & PREK with TeachStone - 2025 - current
LANGUAGES
English – native language
Hopi
Spanish (relates to classroom teaching) – colors, shapes, months, words related to monthly themes
Arabic (relates to classroom teaching) – Numbers, shapes, colors, words related to monthly theme
Timeline
Compliance Auditor
Child Development Schools
09.2026 - CurrentRead More
Quality Rated Specialist
Child Development Schools
11.2024 - 09.2026Read More
Quality Enhancement Coordinator
Child Development Schools
01.2022 - 11.2024Read More
Consulting
Consulting
11.2020 - 01.2022Read More
Head Teacher (Management role)
Little Sunshine's Playhouse
10.2018 - 08.2020Read More
Education Coordinator
Explorers in Learning
02.2018 - 09.2018Read More
Education Coordinator
S.E.E.K
08.2016 - 01.2017Read More
Education Coordinator
Bright Horizons
04.2015 - 04.2016Read More
Lead Teacher
Bright Horizons
04.2013 - 04.2015Read More
Lead Teacher
Tutor Time
01.2010 - 04.2013Read More
Lead Teacher
2nd Browns Next Generation Day Care
12.2005 - 12.2009Read More
University of Arizona
BAS from Emphasis in Early Childhood Education
Read More
Glendale Community College
AAS from Early Childhood Education Administration and Management
Read More
Hopi Jr/Sr High School
High School Diploma
Read More