Courtney Arnel
CHATHAM
Summary
Responsible and Flexible Experienced Early Childhood Educator with excellent communication skills demonstrated by 11.5 years of commitment with Growing Together Family Resource Centre, developing skills and knowledge working as a Registered Early Childhood Educator, providing care for children ages 3 months-12 years old and an Occasional Supervisor coverage working in the office. Expanding my career working 9 years and 5 months with Linck - Child, Youth and Family Supports as an Early Developmental Support Worker. Caring and Supporting Children’s Needs, ages 3 months - 12 Years old in childcares across Chatham-Kent. While working with Linck, I had the opportunity to have new experiences, learning and developing new skills working as a Child and Youth Worker, providing Foster in Home care, allowing Foster Caregivers to do essential errands or outings, by providing respite care for their foster child(ren). Working also with young youths aged 8-17 years of age, as a Supportive Living Service Worker, providing them with support, care and guidance. I am currently a Respite Caregiver to a family and their child from within our community, Offering personable one on one support, care and understanding to the needs for both the child and their family. I have been fortunate to have cared and supported a child who attended “Adult Language and Learning Childcare” for 2 years, this gave me the opportunity to be immersed and learn further into “Cultural Diversity” bringing new knowledge and eagerness to learn more. In all these environments and work experiences I’ve had the passion to help children and youths learn and grow socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively and will continue to bring that passion forward. I am a motivated, enthusiastic educator with a strong desire to offer and express learning through play, remaining calm under pressure while keeping the environment light and playful. Actively implementing in my work environment the four foundations that are important for children to grow and flourish: Belonging, Well-Being, Engagement and Expression. Creating a Diverse Inclusive Accepting Welcoming space for all. Always expanding knowledge with ongoing training through webinars, institutes, internal agency training, and learning from coworkers, children/youths and family’s we help support everyday.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
2009
2009
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Respite Caregiver
Parent Funded by Community Living
Chatham
12.2023 - Current
- Take care of the child’s well-being by nourishing them, by providing meals, emotional connections and care of personal hygiene.
- Implemented adaptive and interactive learning activities to help the child or children strengthen and have progress with accomplishing goals to increase their development and growth.
- Provided compassionate support to individuals diverse needs in varies settings.
- Provided emotional support to the family by listening to their concerns and offering advice when needed.
- Collaboration with the family to support their child’s learning and growth at home.
- Cared for the child in a safe and nurturing environment while parents took short-term breaks from caregiving responsibilities.
- Ensured that all safety standards were met when providing respite care services.
- Provided empathy and emotional support and guidance during challenging situations.
- Provided opportunities for independence and guidance when needed to support confidence and strengthen self-help skills.
- Strong Importance and Respect around Confidentiality and Professionalism with all individuals.
Early Developmental Support Worker
Linck- Youth and Family Supports
CHATHAM
11.2016 - 04.2026
- Provided individual and/or Classroom Support for the Children up to 12 years who required guidance Socially, Emotionally, Physically and Cognitively.
- Strong Importance and Respect around Confidentiality and Professionalism with all individuals.
- Provided empathy and emotional support and guidance during challenging situations.
- Provided opportunities for independence and guidance when needed to support confidence and strengthen self-help skills.
- Take care of the children’s well-being throughout the day by providing social and emotional connections between all individuals.
- Assisted families in navigating community resources and support services within our Community.
- Collaboration with families to support children’s learning and growth at home.
- Monitored and noted the Child/Children’s progress with documentation, child information sheets, and assisted in completing ISP’s.
- Recorded updated information about the children’s needs/development, and involvement with Community Supports and Services.
- Implemented behaviour management strategies to help support educators, children, environment and the program.
- Trained and Mentored fellow Early Developmental Support Workers, Educators, Supervisors and Students in the Childcares on best practices, strategies, techniques in developmental support.
- Collaborated and had strong communication with all individuals by being Respectful, Professional and Supportive.
- Relationship and Connection with all individuals by communicating the child/children’s developmental needs and growth process.
- Maintained high level of professionalism and calmness in high-stress environments and situations.
- Attended and had high participation in Staff Meetings and Community Network Meetings. (Parents/Caregivers, Childcares, Community Supports and Services)
- Created positive learning environments that promoted respect for cultural diversity among all individuals.
- Observing and Recognizing children’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs and adapting activities, routines, environment and ways of communicating to support those developmental needs and achieve goals.
- Providing a warm, safe inclusive developmentally appropriate environment for the children to explore and play in.
- Take care of the children’s well-being throughout the day by nourishing them, by providing meals, and care of personal hygiene.
- Attended and participated in professional development opportunities related to special needs and early childhood education to continue to expand my knowledge of regulations and further learning opportunities to implement at work.
- Certified in First Aid and CPR and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training, a safe well-being for all individuals.
- Knowledge and Skills around using Medical Devices/Equipment (Wheelchairs, Rifton Chairs, Standers, Pacer Gait Trainers, Feeding Tubes, Cochlear Devices) recommendations and training from Nurse Practitioners, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.
- Knowledge and Skills around using Visual Aids (Schedules, First and Then, Choice Boards, Coreboards, Communicative Devices, Visuals/PECS, Emotion and Feelings Cards/Charts) recommendations and strategies collaborated with Speech-Language Pathologist.
- Knowledge and Skills around using Speech and Therapy Techniques (modelling mouth movements, creating sounds, music/singing, activities to encourage speech and language )
- Knowledge and Skills around Occupational and Physiotherapy Care (stretches/body movements, gross motor movements, fine motor movements) training from Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.
CYW - Supportive Living Service Worker
Linck- Child, Youth and Family Supports
Chatham
06.2023 - 10.2024
- Provided close supervision and monitored daily activities of children/youth.
- Supported children in developing social skills through structured activities.
- Provided input to individualized care plans based on specific needs and goals.
- Monitored behaviour and provided guidance to promote positive interactions and actions.
- Facilitated conflict resolution strategies to address disputes among children/youth.
- Documented progress notes to track the child/youths development, behaviours, concerns, positive interactions and actions.
- Attendance of Team Meetings, discussing progress, techniques, support system and well-being of the child(ren)/youths we cared for.
- Administering and Record Keeping of medications.
- Implemented therapeutic interventions, calming techniques to help child/youths with difficult situations.
- Learned with team discussions, and implemented crisis intervention services for at-risk child/youth.
- Developed positive relationships and connections with child/youths by creating a safe and supportive environment.
- Assisted and provided opportunities in independence for child/youths in developing life skills such as problem solving, communication techniques, personal hygiene and self help skills.
- Provided empathy and emotional support and guidance during challenging situations/crisis situations.
- Strong Importance and Respect around Confidentiality and Professionalism with all individuals.
- Caregiving and Support with extra curricular activities and outings out into the community, using free services/facilities/parks
- Provided compassionate support to child/youth facing mental health challenges and diagnoses/disorders.
- Ensured that all safety standards were met when providing care services.
- Certified in First Aid and CPR and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training, a safe well-being for all individuals.
- Maintained high level of professionalism and calmness in high-stress environments and situations.
Child and Youth Worker - Foster in Home Care
Linck - Child, Youth and Family Supports
Chatham
06.2023 - 10.2024
- Provided support/respite care to foster family’s giving the caregivers opportunities to attend to appointments, errands and to have a pause from being a fostering caregiver.
- Strong Importance and Respect around Confidentiality and Professionalism with all individuals.
- Provided in home support and collaborating with caregiver on techniques and strategies to help the child(ren)/youth socially, emotionally, cognitively and developmentally.
- Caregiving and Support with outings out into the community, using free services/facilities/parks
- Provided empathy and emotional support and guidance during challenging situations/crisis situations.
- Provided opportunities for independence and guidance when needed to support confidence and strengthen self-help skills.
- Through Observations implemented adaptive and interactive learning activities to help the child or children strengthen and have progress with accomplishing goals to increase their development and growth.
- Maintained accurate records of interactions and documentation
- Ensured that all safety standards were met when providing care services.
- Certified in First Aid and CPR and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training, a safe well-being for all individuals.
- Maintained high level of professionalism and calmness in high-stress environments and situations.
Registered Early Childhood Educator
Growing Together Family Resources Centres
Blenheim
05.2008 - 10.2019
- Occasional in office administrative duties; including processing payments, filing, documenting, answering phones, updating records and forms.
- Implemented interesting and interactive learning activities to increase children’s development and growth.
- Developed engaging program plans based on children’s interests and developmental needs.
- Created a warm, safe and clean environment keeping updated cleaning schedule and an inclusive developmentally appropriate environment for the children to explore in.
- Facilitated group activities promoting social skills and teamwork among children.
- Implemented daily routines ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.
- Take care of the children’s well-being throughout the day by nourishing them, by providing meals, emotional connections and care of personal hygiene.
- Providing opportunities for independence and guidance when needed.
- Collaborated with families to support children's learning and growth at home.
- Communication with parent/guardian regarding daily activities, behaviours, positive information, developmental needs and observations about the child/children.
- Strong Importance and Respect around Confidentiality and Professionalism with all individuals.
- Attended many staff meetings and participated in professional development opportunities related to early childhood education to continue to expand my knowledge of regulations and further learning opportunities to implement at work.
- Offered detailed daily reports that outlined each child’s activities, meals, naps, etc. on the HiMama Software.
- Provided Documentations, Learning Stories and Newsletters to make learning visible to the family’s and to value the children in their learning and growth accomplishments.
- Assisted on filling out Ages and Stages Questionnaire to help recognize where each child is developmentally.
- Familiarized parent/caregivers with the Centre’s policies, regulations, fees and curriculum.
- Observing and Recognizing children’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs and adapting activities, routines, environment and ways of communicating to support those needs.
- Certified in First Aid and providing a safe well-bring for all individuals.
Education
Diploma (in Progress) - Admin, Secretarial & PA
ELearning College
02.2026 - 02.2026
Diploma (In Progress) - Leadership And Management
ELearning College
02.2026 - 02.2026
Diploma (In Progress) - Child Psychology
ELearning College
02.2026 - 02.2026
Early Childhood Education Diploma -
St.Clair College - Thames Campus
Chatham, ON 04.2006 - 02.2008
Ridgetown District Highschool
Ridgetown, ONSkills
- Knowledge of the Emergent Curriculum and How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years
- Understanding and staying current with The Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System, Early Years Policy Framework and Child Care and Early Years Act
- Current with Policy and Procedures for each Childcare
- High Participation/Involvement in Staff Meetings, Community Network Meetings
- Curiosity and Passion towards expanding knowledge with continuing Professional Development
- Creative thinking around schedules/routines, effective environments, supports/techniques
- Proven Team Leader and Mentor
- Building Strong, Positive Relationships and Connections with the children, parents/caregivers, coworkers, educators, supervisors/directors and Community Supports and Services
- Respecting, Acknowledging and Inclusive to Cultural Diversity
- Strong Importance and Respect around Confidentiality and Professionalism
- Developing accurate record keeping, documentation and information sheets
- Knowledge and Skills around using Medical Devices/Equipment, Visual Aids, Speech and Therapy Techniques, and Occupational and Physiotherapy Care
- Trained and Implemented use with “Boardmaker” and “LessonPix” for creating Visual Aids
- Collaborating and Effectively working with parents/caregivers, co-workers, educators, supervisors/directors, Community Supports and Services
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Reliable and Punctual
- Active Listener
- Flexible with Adaptation and Change
- Positive and Optimistic Personality
- Exceptional Organized Skills
- Basic Computer Skills
- Current Knowledge and understanding use of Social Networking Platforms
- Creative arts talent, creative adaptations to ways of supporting children with their learning with musical and artistic abilities
Professional Courses and Certifications
- Early Childhood Education Diploma
- Administrative Skills (Short Course - 1month) - In Progress
- Leadership and Management (Short Course - 1month) - In Progress
- Bookkeeping (Short Course - 1month) - In Progress
- First Aid and CPR Certification
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training Program Certified
- KnowB4 Training (builds security culture and helps teams manage both human and agent risk)
- WHIMIS Online Training Certificate
- WHIMIS Awareness for Workers eCourse Certificate
- Health & Safety Awareness Training (OHSA) - Ontario Workers Certificate
- Supervisor Responsibilities and Due Diligence Certificate
- Health and Safety Awareness for Supervisors (WSPS) Certificate
- Workplace Violence and Harassment Awareness Certificate
- Workplace Violence and Harassment Training Certificate
- Workplace Mental Health: Raising Awareness eCourse Certificate
- Reducing Mental Health Stigma in the Workplace Certificate
- Psychological Health and Safety Awarenss (CCOHS) Certificate
- Sign Language Certificate
- Bridges Out of Poverty Workshop
- Attendance to all Heartwork Child Care PD Days
- Autism Education Series: Building Understanding and Support Worlshops
- Supporting Children with Behaviour and Sensory Needs Workshop
- Rooted and Resilient (Wellness Tools to Prevent Burnout and Nourish the Nervous System
- Applied Behaviour Analysis
- Training, Learning Development and Meetings by Psychologist Dr.Tim Baker (Linck)
- AAC Workshop Certificate (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Level 1 Training Certificate
- The Autistic Brain Webinar
- “How Does Learning Happen” Certificate
- “How Does Learning Happen in the Early Years”… Continuing the Conversation Certificate
- Find Your Leadership Flow: 3 Day ECE Study
- The Professional E.C.E Certificate
- Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Behaviour Webinar
- Self Regulation Strategies and Techniques: In Demonstrations for Calming Children with Autism, ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder Webinar
- Outbursts, Oppositional, Defiance and Frustration in the Classroom Webinar
- About PANDAS (Child Mind Institute)
- The CALM Technique and Child Brain Development Webinar
- Sensory-Smart Strategies for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder Webinar
- Infant Mental Health Community Training Institute (15 sessions)
- Social Anxiety: Breaking It Down to Build Up Social Competencies Webinar
- Physical Literacy and Early Years Certificate
References
Lisa Richardson
Supervisor for Developmental Services at Linck- Child, Youth and Family Supports
(519) 401-1797
justforckcs@gmail.com
Leanne Sullivan
Supervisor for Developmental Services at Linck- Child, Youth and Family Supports
(519) 784-3516
Lsull8908@gmail.com
Vanessa Pepper
Registered Behaviour Analysis at Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent
519-358-3601
vlaidlaw@childrenstrestment-ck.com
Chantelle Lumley
Childcare Coordinator at Adult Language and Learning
519-354-7424
chantelle@adultlanguageandlearning.ca
Karen Tuckwell
RECE at Adult Language and Learning
(519) 365-4534
karen_tuckwell@hotmail.com
Shelley Echlin
Supervisor at Adventure Hours Nursery School
(519) 436-7746
adventurehoursnurseryschool@gmail.com
Kelly Souilliere-Morin
CYW/Supportive Living Service Worker and RECE/EA with LKDSB
(226) 348-4334
Souillierek@hotmail.com
Noor Al-Qaraghuli
Parent- Respite Care
(226) 229-2188
noor7992@yahoo.com
Melanie Brown
Supervisor/Assistant Director of Growing Together Family Resource Centre
519-365-6002
Melanie.brown@gtfrc.org
Rebecca Dodman
Director of Growing Together Family Resource Center
(519)352-6554 ext.#6
rebecca.dodman@gtfrc.org
Heather Graham
RECE at Growing Together Family Resource Centre
519-365-2431
Heather.graham@gtfrc.org
Lori McDonnell
Assistant Director at Kids Stuff-The Family Learning Centre on the Thames
(519)351-5364
lmcdonnell@ck-kidsstuff.com
Ashley Vince-Bellehumeur
Program Supervisor at Kids Stuff-The Family Learning Centre on the Thames
5193599185
Atchee85@gmail.com
Danielle Cartier
Program Supervisor at Kids Stuff-The Family Learning Centre on the Thames
(226) 627-1878
Danielle_cartier@hotmail.com
Brittany Stonehouse
Leadership- YMCA Childcare
519-437-0908
Bstonehouse89@gmail.com
Stephanie Glogowski
RECE at EYES (Early Years Education System) Childcare
519-350-1352
247glogowski@gmail.com
Timeline
Diploma (in Progress) - Admin, Secretarial & PA
ELearning College
02.2026 - 02.2026
Diploma (In Progress) - Leadership And Management
ELearning College
02.2026 - 02.2026
Diploma (In Progress) - Child Psychology
ELearning College
02.2026 - 02.2026
Respite Caregiver
Parent Funded by Community Living
12.2023 - Current
CYW - Supportive Living Service Worker
Linck- Child, Youth and Family Supports
06.2023 - 10.2024
Child and Youth Worker - Foster in Home Care
Linck - Child, Youth and Family Supports
06.2023 - 10.2024
Early Developmental Support Worker
Linck- Youth and Family Supports
11.2016 - 04.2026
Registered Early Childhood Educator
Growing Together Family Resources Centres
05.2008 - 10.2019
Early Childhood Education Diploma -
St.Clair College - Thames Campus
04.2006 - 02.2008
Ridgetown District Highschool