Alana Chard
Mickleham
Summary
With 15 years of experience across all levels of early childhood education, I bring a proven track record of effective management, strong leadership, and a passion for fostering positive relationships. Known for my easy-going yet driven attitude, I excel in creating a supportive and collaborative environment for both staff and families. I have consistently built strong, trusting relationships with families and educators, ensuring a positive and inclusive learning atmosphere. Committed to maintaining adherence to quality standards, I am dedicated to continuous improvement and providing the highest level of care and education.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Centre Director
Whiz Kidz Early Learning & Preschool
12.2021 - Current
- 94 place centre
- Start up Director, opened our doors with 60% occupancy within the first month
- Effective in creating and fostering welcoming environments, this also included helping set up our four sister centres from the ground up
- Promoted positive company image and established reputation as provider of choice for educational programs in greater community.
- Positively showcased the children's learning on all our social media platforms for the entire company
- Demonstrate strong leadership skills in education and management
- Successfully guiding the team through the centres 1st A&R
- Ensuring the service is compliant with the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations and other relevant legislation.
- Developed strong community relationships to support centre programs.
- Ensure curriculum decision making contributes to each child’s learning and assist children to enhance their connection with the community, develop wellbeing and confidence as learners and effectiveness as communicator
- Ensure the service facilitates a play-based learning environment and develops learning programs responsive to children’s ideas, strengths and abilities
- Led team of educators in creating innovative curriculum that aligned with state standards and promoted each child's success.
- Increased staff productivity with regular training sessions, clear expectations, and constructive feedback.
- Kept facility in compliance with all applicable standards and laws.
- Fostered caring and safe environment for children and parents.
- Fostered an inclusive culture within the centre by promoting diversity awareness among staff members and addressing any discriminatory behaviours swiftly.
- Evaluated staff performance regularly through observations, providing actionable feedback that led to professional growth.
- Maximized grant funding opportunities by researching potential sources diligently and submitting well-crafted proposals, securing crucial financial support for centre programs.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Interacted well and built strong relationships with families to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Proficient and confident in using Xplor, Deputy, Co-assemble to drive efficiency and enhance operational processes.
Centre Manager
Lily Patch Early Learning Centre
11.2018 - 12.2021
- 90 place centre
- Ensure that interested parents are shown around the centre and appropriate information about the centre is provided e.g fees, ratios, educators, rooms, centre philosophy and policies, etc
- Work collaboratively with parents in the best interest of each child
- Ensure parents are informed of the day to day happenings in their child's life e.g
- Newsletters, posters, information nights, notice boards, StoryPark etc
- Ensure that new and prospective families are enrolled and orientated to the centre in accordance with the orientation policy
- Liaise with parents of children attending and encourage their involvement in the program
- Maintain confidentially at all times
- Provide support and guidance to parents, as required, in conjunction with the staff and advise parents of support services available to them
- Oversee the planning, resourcing, and implementation of programs which are developmentally appropriate for children
- Provide leadership to staff in establishing and maintaining care/education programs which are developmentally appropriate for 0 - 6 year olds
- Supervise the duties of staff and ensure that appropriate standards in programming and care are maintained at all times
- Facilitate the professional development of staff e.g staff evaluation forms, seminar evenings, and health and well-being information
- Orientate new staff and conduct annual staff performance reviews on all permanent staff
- Conduct Centre-based staff meetings and attend other relevant meetings and in-service courses
- Train the Assistant Manager and provide opportunities for her to develop the necessary skills and knowledge for the acting Manager role
- Have knowledge of government legislation, regulations, the National Quality Framework, and industrial awards
- Ensure that parents complete appropriate enrolment forms and maintain records in accordance with centre policies and licensing regulations
- Implement policies and procedures of the Approved Provider to ensure the effective delivery of quality child care and the effective and efficient operation of the centre
- Provide documentation, advice, information, and recommendations on policy, planning, programs, children's development, and resource allocation
- Facilitate the work of students from the University and TAFE sector in the Centre
- Ensure parent complaints handled in professional manner where no further involvement from higher management is needed
- Maintain an extremely low staff turnover percentage
- 90 place centre
Centre Manager
Eclipse Early Education
10.2017 - 04.2018
- Company Overview: 119 place centre (Maternity leave cover)
- 6 months temporary cover
- Lead a team of 40+ staff upon new company take over
- Actively encourage the involvement of parents/guardians
- Induct new and prospective customers, providing service's information
- Ensure that all parents are aware of how the service operates
- Welcoming staff and families on a day to day basis
- Building a great rapport with my Area Manager enabling myself to do the best job I can knowing I have great support and relationship
- Ensuring that all the day to day jobs are completed, checklists, roll marking etc
- Extensive knowledge of childcare systems including Kidsoft, Qikkids and Xplor
- Maintaining a $0 debt
- Rostering staff accordingly to ratios
- Ensuring the centre was never out of ratio
- Built great relationships with my staff and families
- Meeting monthly/quarterly KPIs
- Great communication skills
- Ensuring the centre as a whole abides by company's policies and procedures
- Confidently guiding the team when a DEEWR visit the service and ensuring we meet each compliance
- Confidently dealing with family/parent complaints
- 119 place centre (Maternity leave cover)
- 6 months temporary cover
Diploma Qualified Room Leader
Eclipse Early Education
05.2015 - 10.2017
- Be responsible for the delivery of best practice in relation to childcare provision
- Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure best practice is prioritized
- Contribute to the creation, maintenance and improvement of a child centred environment
- Work closely with the Childcare Manager to ensure the smooth running including management of staff rotation, break and lunch cover
- Ensure all fellow educators plan and deliver a developmental programme through play suitable to the age and stage of development for each child
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of the daily routine
- Ensure that health and safety standards are maintained
- Maintain appropriate administration records ensuring confidentiality at all times
- Act up when required for the childcare manager for short periods of time
- Identify and support staff development through individual and team assessment
- Participate in supervision, meetings and training as and when required
Diploma Qualified Room Leader
All4Kids
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Interact and care effectively for the needs of the children including health, hygiene and safety
- Develop play-based curriculum according to EYLF
- Co-ordinate sports activities from outside agencies
Diploma Qualified Educator
Penguin Childcare
09.2012 - 01.2014
- Interact and care effectively for the needs of children, including health, hygiene and safety
- Develop play-based curriculum
- Co-ordinate sports/activities
- Collate monthly newsletter for distribution to the families
- Preparation of staff memo's
- Foster relationships with children and parents from diverse cultural backgrounds and build community involvement
Certificate III Assistant, Acting Diploma Qualified Room Leader
Penguin Childcare
01.2010 - 09.2012
- Diploma qualified Room Leader, 3IC and 2IC
- Interact and care effectively for the needs of children, including health, hygiene and safety
- Develop play-based curriculum
- Co-ordinate sports/activities
- Collate monthly newsletter for distribution to the families
- Preparation of staff memo's
- Foster relationships with children and parents from diverse cultural backgrounds and build community involvement
Education
Diploma of Children's Services -
Practical Outcomes
Certificate III in Children's Services -
Victoria University
Victorian Certificate of Education -
Catholic Regional College
Skills
- Focused on high quality care of fellow educators, children and families Great relationships with families and fellow educators
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Well-developed multi-tasking skills
- Curriculum planning
Timeline
Centre Director
Whiz Kidz Early Learning & Preschool
12.2021 - Current
Centre Manager
Lily Patch Early Learning Centre
11.2018 - 12.2021
Centre Manager
Eclipse Early Education
10.2017 - 04.2018
Diploma Qualified Room Leader
Eclipse Early Education
05.2015 - 10.2017
Diploma Qualified Room Leader
All4Kids
01.2014 - 01.2015
Diploma Qualified Educator
Penguin Childcare
09.2012 - 01.2014
Certificate III Assistant, Acting Diploma Qualified Room Leader
Penguin Childcare
01.2010 - 09.2012
Certificate III in Children's Services -
Victoria University
Victorian Certificate of Education -
Catholic Regional College
Diploma of Children's Services -
Practical Outcomes
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