Kristina Larsen

Dynamic and results-oriented professional with extensive experience at Treehouse Academy, adept in risk assessment and implementing safety protocols in childcare settings. Excelled in leadership, fostering compliance with Minimum Standards for Childcare Centers, and enhanced child safety. Skilled in effective communication and organizational abilities, consistently ensuring a secure and nurturing environment for children.

Treehouse Academy

April 2014- July 2023

Opening Manager

• Was promoted to a management role as the designated person in charge in 2021, with the responsibility to hold the building key and open the building each morning as well as close the building in the evening at times, as needed.
• Performed morning classroom checks and building walk-through inspections before opening the doors to assess any potential risks to the safety and health of the children in our care—specifically to ensure that the premises were free from any hazards and that all the cleaning and sanitization duties had been completed properly the evening before.
• Opened doors on time and greeted students and their families while making sure parents signed their children into care at the fingerprint kiosk to ensure proper attendance documentation.
• Processed customer payments as needed into the bookkeeping system and successfully collaborated with the administrative management team to maintain an organized filing system for storing all records, forms, and information required for enrolled students and employees.
• Respectfully observed the family dynamics and condition of each child upon arrival, always being mindful to notice any unexplained and suspicious marks/bruises, or consistent behavior that could suggest potential child abuse/neglect/exploitation situations and was prepared to take appropriate action if needed.
• Established strong working relationships with students, parents, and colleagues through open lines of communication and harnessing an understanding and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Oversaw five employees while ensuring the establishment was operating under full compliance with the Minimum Standards for Childcare Centers regulations.
• Monitored and documented child/caregiver ratios as students and staff arrived throughout the morning, making sure the group sizes did not exceed the maximum ratio limit based on the ages of the children and number of caregivers present.
• Routinely checked that teachers were practicing proper health and safety measures, such as sanitary diaper changing, hygienic food handling, safe infant sleeping, and adequate supervision.
• After my morning shift as the designated person in charge, I resumed my other duties and responsibilities as lead teacher and bus driver, as listed below.

Lead Teacher/Bus Driver

• Worked in the classroom setting with age groups ranging from 6 weeks to 12 years, primarily with school-aged children before and after school.
• Operated the company bus to safely transport school-age students both to and from elementary school each day and to planned field trips during spring break and summer holidays.
• Followed carefully planned routes according to established schedules, and made certain that all required information for passengers, communication devices, and emergency preparedness supplies, along with a set plan of action, was on board the vehicle during all trips.
• Followed vehicle loading and unloading safety measures as stated in Minimum Standards for Childcare Centers, completed pre- and post-trip bus inspections and appropriate documentation upon completion.
• Implemented and maintained a daily attendance tracking system for each classroom and bus route with detailed documentation that included: the time each student was brought into care/entered the vehicle, an hourly name-to-face attendance check, the time they were taken out of care/departed the vehicle, and to whom they were released.
• Served meals and afternoon snack following the CACFP guidelines while utilizing safe food-handling practices, including posted documentation of reported food allergies, and ensuring all children washed their hands properly before and after eating by incorporating regular handwashing into the daily routine.
• Supervised naptime for all classrooms, at times when needed, and ensured that all sleeping arrangements were compliant to Minimum Standards rules.
• Developed creative weekly lesson plans for after-school programs with age-appropriate activities that stimulated critical thinking and motor skills, supported sensory and social/emotional development, and offered the opportunity to engage in active play.
• Fostered a fun and supportive learning environment through positive interaction with students during planned activities, such as engaging in age-appropriate conversations, encouraging enthusiasm for group games, and implementing unique hands-on activities.
• Used the Texas Rising Star Program guidelines as a basis to create, maintain, and utilize organized and easily accessible interest centers set up with a variety of age-appropriate supplies, including real-life items and culturally sensitive/non-stereotypical learning materials, such as puzzles, books, and toys that represent the many types of diversity present in our society.
• Collaborated with management to help organize and properly supervise field trips to local attractions for enhanced learning opportunities outside the classroom setting during the summer and spring break holidays.
• Completed and documented daily cleaning and sanitizing tasks for classrooms.
• Successfully worked with colleagues to plan, organize, and execute community events outside of business hours—such as themed celebrations designed to be a fun experience for everyone—that offered an opportunity for the children and their families/friends to participate in extra-curricular activities in a social setting with the community.
• Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops and conferences to stay current in educational trends and annual training requirements as stated in the Minimum Standards for Childcare Centers guidelines.

University of Houston

Bachelors of Science: Psychology

Minor: Human Development and Family Studies