PENNY L. SHEPHERD

P.O. Box **

Blair, WI *****

Contact Phone: 608-***-**** or 612-***-****

Email Address: aczvl6@r.postjobfree.com

Experience Summary

Compassionate, caring, certified childcare coordinator and director with expertise in all areas of child development. Strong managerial skills with ability to oversee staff and children, establish policies as well as daily activities, and maintain organization. Skilled and organized in creating daily curriculum for children. Knowledge in setting goals and programs to ensure quality education. Ensures parents are aware and involved in all areas of children’s education by conducting parent meetings as well as establishing regular contact to inform and communicate progress, successes and concerns. Through courses of study at Saint Paul College and training seminars attended, a thorough knowledge and understanding of the importance of nurturing a child in a well rounded environment has been obtained. Served as owner/director of a very successful child care business ensuring the facility and staff continuously meet and exceed local and state requirements as well as providing a safe, supportive and stimulating environment for children of all ages. Firm belief that providers need to foster total development not only custodial care and would instill this belief through training, mentoring and interviews. Comfortable and confident when delivering presentations to groups of various sizes. Through education, training, and a continuous evaluation/improvement process, a solid childcare system can be built that children can thrive in and parents can trust.

Hand In Hand ---Eau Claire, WI 06/2014-present

Program Director

Guided and mentored the staff for a higher quality standards rating, gaining a 4-Star rating with YoungStar. Reduced program costs by 27% across the board. Increased enrollment by 42.8% while maintaining a high quality program. Taught numerous classes to enhance teacher performance and knowledge. Established and wrote company handbooks and policy manuals. Created, developed and distributed monthly newsletters, daily updates and employee’s schedules. Coached and mentored, on a daily basis, a staff of 52.

Prepared marketing tools, advertisement, weekly payroll, budgets, invoicing, accounts payable and receivables and provided the appropriate documentation required by governing agencies, including USDA food program, grant awarding foundations and childcare assistance programs. Employed, trained and maintained compliance of assistant staff. Produced monthly newsletters and calendar detailing curriculum, activities and special events. Highly regarded by state licensing agency. Strictly adhered to all rules and regulations set forth by governing authorities. Served on special committees promoting standardized qualifications for childcare providers.

GNP Company Arcadia, WI 01/2013-05/2014

Food Service Lead Supervisor

Monitored and tracked employee performances and their time and attendance. Completed employee performance reviews and communicated and investigated any near misses or safety recognitions. Calculated, completed and reported cell boards with a great degree of accuracy. Completed daily schedules for over 50 employees ensuring uninterrupted process flow.

LITTLE SHENANIGANS La Crosse, WI 09/2012-12/2012

Director / Consultant

Completed the 20 week project in 12 weeks. Established a 4-Star rating for a start-up childcare. Assisted future clients by answering questions and conducting personal interviews and tours. Established a budget, maintained and balanced two checking accounts, and accounts payable and receivable. Interviewed, hired, processed and maintained employee records. Completed background checks and ensured all training requirements were met and exceeded. Consistently recon ciliated daily cash and deposits. Organized and hosted an open house that included over 200 potential clients. Completed weekly payroll while ensuring proper deductions. Established and published an employee handbook and client handbook.

JIMMY’S FOOD AND DRINK Vadnais Heights, MN 08/2010-06/2012

Food and Beverage Server

Established a loyal clientele by forming strong relationships with customers and providing exceptional customer service. Recognized by clients with written letters of commendation for customer service.

The Children’s PlaySchool -- Gem Lake, MN July 2001 to June 2010

Owner, Operator

Developed plans and organized children’s curriculum, providing for all aspects of the child’s development: social, emotional, cognitive and physical. Provided parents with a written and/or verbal progress reports of their child’s daily development. Planned daily food menus for children, guaranteeing nutritional meals and appropriate portions. Highly regarded by licensure and strictly adhered to all rules and regulations set forth by governing authorities. Submitted for and awarded several grants from foundations and governmental agencies. Prepared budgets, records and appropriate documentation required by governing agencies, including USDA food program, grant awarding foundations and childcare assistance programs.

Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Association, Saint Paul, MN August 2006 to August 2009

Program Representative

Monitored, trained and ensured over 150 providers were in compliance within the guidelines set by the State and USDA. Advised providers about continuing avenues of professional development. Created a resource file for prospective and newly licensed providers, including procedures for obtaining an EIN Number and registering business name, local training agencies, networking organizations (local, county, state and national), grant information and local colleges and universities with degrees available in child development. Monitored and conducted required training for all providers. Ensured providers’ compliance with licensing, safety, nutritional and sanitation rules and regulations. Demonstrated excellent written communication skills through summaries of individual assessments conducted on a daily basis.

Provided on-site consulting for all providers while ensuring complete compliance with State and USDA regulations. Recruited and enrolled new childcare providers. Sole Association Coordinator to support the Somalia, Hispanic and Hmong communities. Coordinated efforts with interpreters and community leaders to effectively communicate with providers. Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills with diverse levels of management and clientele, while conducting educational trainings. Assisted in coordinating and planning several conferences.

EDUCATION

Metropolitan State University, Minneapolis, MN: Urban Teach Program, Pre-K thru 3rd Grade

Saint Paul College, Saint Paul, MN: Associate in Child Development, 2004 (with Honors)

University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL: Bachelor in Business Administration-Accounting, 1999

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

CDA (Child Development Associate) Credential

Infant, Toddler Training Intensive certified, MN Child Care Resource and Referral network

Management Development Certificate, UWF

PROFESSIONAL RATINGS, AWARDS, AND RECOGNITIONS

Wisconsin Registry Level 14

Master Trainer Minnesota and Wisconsin

CDA Advisor

Ramsey County Child Care Association founding member. Actively participates in the steering committee for the founding and direction for the RCFCCA. Assisted in the planning and implementation of Educational and Networking Workshops. Provided a network for support and appreciation for all providers. Assisted with the development of training and recruitment of keynote speakers.

Researched, prepared and testified in front of the Governor’s Financial Committee on the importance of childcare funding with a feature article being printed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

REFERENCES PROVIDED UPON REQUEST

Contact this candidate