The staff at Child Development Dayhomes are qualified in Early Child Development, and have extensive experience in childcare. They have the professional skills and knowledge to support parents with their childcare needs, and assist dayhome educators.
Our staffs' dedication to promoting excellence in childcare is reflected by their long term commitment to Child Development Dayhomes. We always stay up to date on the latest research on Child Development.
Lyn Williams
Coordinator
Joined CDDH in 2016.
Education: Early Learning Childcare Diploma - Level 3 ECE
Work experience: I worked in a childcare center in PEI as an assistant for 6 years then took a position as Supervisor on a Native Reserve for 12 years. I moved to Alberta and worked as an Educational Assistant in the Catholic School board for 4 years. I had a one year position with Child Development Dayhomes (maternity leave). In the year I was gone I worked as an Assistant at YMCA then quickly moved to Director of OSC with YMCA. I then came back to CDDH as Child Care Consultant/ Coordinator.
Favorite part of the job: Working with the dayhome educators, supporting them, watching how they learn and grow! Seeing the little ones at each visit, so full of curiosity. Helping parents find affordable child care.
Special interests: Yoga, weight lifting, traveling, enjoying time with my family and friends.
Cristina MacDonald
Chilcare Consultant / Approvals Consultant
Joined CDDH in 2009.
Education: Early Learning Childcare Diploma - Level 3 ECE
Work experience: I have always known I would be working in the childcare field. My natural ability to relate to and guide children took me there for the last 20 years. I started as a mom of two and a Dayhome Educator in Brandon, Manitoba, then as a student taking the Program Assistant certification in Cape Breton. When we moved to Fort McMurray I was a Teacher's Aid with the Chatholic School Board. I was graced to fall into my current role as Childcare Consultant and Dayhome Approval Consultant. I am thrilled and proud to have been in this role for 10+ years and foresee a long relationship here.
Favorite part of the job: Helping parents feel comfortable and at ease with their childcare choices; engaging with the children during my visits; supporting Educators and watching them flourish; having a great support system in my CDDH Team.
Special interests: Yoga, hiking, being in nature, golf, pilates, getting lost in a good book, beaches, the sound of the ocean, enjoying time with family and friends, seeing new places and having new experiences.
Klara Bekric
Office Manager / Client Care Consultant
Joined CDDH in 2013.
Education: Early Learning Childcare Diploma - Level 3 ECE
Work experience: Childcare consultant, dayhome provider for over 5 years, daycare center in Fort McMurray working with toddlers
Favorite part of the job: Everything. I love going out to the homes and interacting with children and providers; being in a supportive role for the dayhome educators, assisting them with programming and planning. The fact that you never know what the day will bring.
Special interests: Reading, cooking, baking, traveling and experiencing new things. Learning more about gardening and flowers.
Ashley Honeysett
Administrative Assistant
Joined CDDH in 2017.
Education: Early Learning Childcare Diploma - Level 3 ECE
Work experience: Started my career in Ontario, working in Childcare and Kindergarten. I continued my career working here in Alberta as a Preschool Teacher and now I am honored and eager to be a Childcare Consultant with Child Development Dayhomes. I have been here in Fort McMurray for almost a year now and this is a place that I am happy to now call home.
Favorite part of the job: I am enjoying getting to know all the staff that I have been working with here and gaining all the knowledge and experience from them. I also have enjoyed getting to know the educators and all the children in their programs and I am looking forward to many more visits! I am fortunate to have this job and I look forward to getting to know everyone in and around the Child Development Dayhomes team of Alberta.
Special interests: Rollerblading, volleyball, walking and hiking with my two dogs and spending time with my family and friends.
Ashton Groves
Childcare Consultant
Joined CDDH in 2022.
Education: B.A. Child and Youth Studies and Sociology - Child Development Supervisor Level 3
Work experience: I have always loved working with young people and families. I started my career as an ECE and Director of Childcare, and moved into the role of Supervisor and Youth Worker at a group home. I started the process of opening my own Dayhome with Child Development Dayhomes but instead, my journey lead me to the position of Dayhome Consultant. I am very honoured and excited to have been given the opportunity to support educators, families and children in their childcare journey!
Favourite part of the job: Building relationships with educators, children, and the families to help everyone achieve their goals and meet their needs, wherever they are at in this moment.
Special interests: Reading, yoga, astronomy, gardening, volleyball, family, friends and community
Charmain Barundia
Childcare Consultant
Joined CDDH in 2022.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Level 2 in ECE and working towards Level 3
Work experience: I enjoy and love working with children. I moved here 8 years ago and worked as a child caregiver to a family in Fort McMurray for 3 years. I worked as an Early Childhood Educator at the YMCA for 3 years, was a dayhome provider for almost a year, and a Child Development Worker at Waypoints. I feel blessed to be part of the team and look forward to supporting my fellow educators, children, and families.
Favourite part of the job: I enjoy helping and supporting educators with their needs. I love the monthly visits as I can meet and spend time with the children and dayhome educators. I also like building relationships with families as I believe in the importance of having that connection so we can help each other for the best interests of each child in care. I also enjoy working and collaborating with the whole team and am grateful to be part of it.
Special interests: Cooking, reading, learning and trying new things, and spending quality time with family.
Jody Hall
Educator and Family Support
Joined CDDH in 2022.
Education: Level 3 Early Childhood Educator
Work experience: Childcare Worker, Family Supports with the HUB, Inclusive Childcare Consultant
Favourite part of the job: To share in those opportunities of growth and learning within a great team and having the opportunity to mentor others. When one teaches two learn -Robert A. Heinlein
Special interests: Spending quality time with family, friends, and fur babies, reading, gardening, camping, and yoga.
Zenab Choudhry
Childcare Consultant
Joined CDDH in 2023.
Education: Diploma in Child and Youth Care, Child Development Supervisor Level 3
Work experience: I began my childcare journey in Edmonton working in various settings such as group homes and daycare centers as a director. When my family and I moved to Calgary, I was a stay-at-home mom working part time as a receptionist. Soon after, we moved to Fort McMurray which we now call home. I have always wanted to thrive and continue my journey in the childcare industry which led me to become a childcare consultant here at CDDH.
Favourite part of the job: Working with an amazing, kind, and supportive team has led me to be more knowledgeable and a better support system for my educators! Building relationships and seeing the children grow and learn in various ways is extremely rewarding. I have always loved being in childcare, and I look forward to my journey as a childcare consultant.
Special interests: Graphic designing, crafting, cooking, and spending time with my family.
Tina O'Toole
Childcare Consultant
Joined CDDH in 2023.
Education: B.A., B.Ed., E.C.E. Level 3
Work experience: I have spent most of my life working with children in some capacity. I've taught ESL in Canada and overseas, worked as a nanny, worked in group homes, worked as an Educational Assistant, and as a teacher. I have worked in Japan, Australia, China, Newfoundland, and Alberta. My last job before joining CDDH was working with the Fort McMurray Catholic School Board as a teacher of a specialized program.
Favourite part of the job: I love working with children and seeing them thrive and accomplish new things. Building relationships with children, families, educators, and my co-workers is extremely satisfying and rewarding. I've learned so much in my time at CDDH already and am looking forward to continuing to grow and learn.
Special interests: Spending time with my family, traveling, reading, and learning new things.