Kyla Mulholland
Carrickfergus,County Antrim
Summary
Dedicated Childcare Professional experienced in progressing from Trainee Childcare Assistant to Managing Director in large-scale nursery settings. Managed operations of 178-place nursery while leading a skilled management team and engaging directly in rooms to ensure exceptional care and education. Focused on enhancing children's learning and development through hands-on involvement and strong partnerships with parents.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Managing Director and Designated Officer
The Den LTD
Greenisland, County Antrim
09.2000 - Current
Supervisor in Afterschool room
Rocking Horse Day Nursery
Greenisland, County Antrim
06.1995 - 08.2000
- Lead and manage the day-to-day running of a room supporting children aged P1–P7, ensuring a safe, structured, and engaging environment
- Supervise and support staff within the room, promoting effective teamwork and high standards of practice
- Plan, implement, and evaluate age-appropriate activities in line with children’s developmental needs and interests
- Carry out regular observations and assessments to track progress and inform future planning
- Support children’s learning through play, homework support, and structured activities
- Promoted positive behaviour through consistent, supportive strategies that fostered a respectful and inclusive environment
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding and child protection procedures at all times
- Built strong relationships with parents and carers, offering regular feedback on children's progress and wellbeing to enhance family engagement
- Maintain accurate records, including attendance, observations, and incident reports
- Ensure the room meets all health, safety, and regulatory standards in line with Northern Ireland requirements
- Support inclusion and meet the individual needs of all children, including those with additional needs
- Assisted in staff training, mentoring, and development, contributing to a skilled and cohesive team
Supervisor in Pre-School room
Toddle Inn Nursery
Belfast, County Antrim
01.1993 - 06.1995
- Lead the day-to-day organisation of the pre-school room, ensuring a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment for children
- Supervised and supported staff within the room, fostering teamwork and ensuring consistent, high-quality practice
- Plan, implement, and evaluate play-based learning
- Carry out regular observations, assessments, and learning records to monitor children’s development and inform planning
- Support children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through structured and child-led activities
- Promote positive behaviour management strategies in line with nursery policies
- Ensure full compliance with safeguarding and child protection procedures, acting promptly on any concerns
- Built strong partnerships with parents/carers, providing regular updates on children’s progress and wellbeing
- Maintain accurate documentation, including observations, progress reports, attendance, and incident records
- Ensure the room meets Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT) standards and all relevant Northern Ireland regulations
- Support inclusion and adapt activities to meet the needs of all children, including those with additional needs
- Mentored junior team members and facilitated training, enhancing staff development within the room
- Maintain high standards of hygiene, health, and safety at all times
Child care assistant
Tree House Day Nursery
Newtownabbey, County Antrim
06.1991 - 12.1992
- Support the day-to-day care of children aged 0–5 years in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment
- Assist senior staff in planning and delivering age-appropriate activities to support early learning and development
- Met children’s basic care needs, including feeding, changing, toileting, and sleep routines, fostering a supportive environment
- Build positive relationships with children, supporting their emotional wellbeing and development
- Work as part of a team to maintain high standards of care and consistency across rooms
- Observed children’s play and development, contributing to accurate learning records and enhancing individual progress
- Promote positive behaviour and support children in developing social skills
- Ensure the environment is clean, safe, and organised in line with health and safety procedures
- Follow safeguarding and child protection policies, reporting any concerns to senior staff
- Supported inclusive practice, addressing individual needs of all children to promote equal opportunities for development
- Assist with setting up and tidying activities and play areas throughout the day
- Started acquiring knowledge of Northern Ireland childcare standards and best practices in a professional setting.
Education
OCN 2 - Youth Work
EXTERNAL
Newtownabbey 01-2024
Level 5 - Playwork
Belfast Metropolitan College
Belfast01-2017
NVQ Level 5 - Child Development
Northern Regional College
Newtownabbey01-2015
NVQ Level 2 - Playwork
Belfast Metropolitan College
Belfast01-1995
Diploma of Higher Education - NNEB child development
Antrim Technical Collegue
Antrim01-1994
GCSEs - secondary education
Monkstown Community School
Newtownabbey01-1991
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Operations management
- Regulatory compliance
- Policy implementation
- Child protection policies
- Quality assurance
- Performance evaluation
- Stakeholder communication
- Team building
- Staff development
- Leadership excellence
- Decision-Making authority
- Team training
- Behavioural management
- Inclusive practice
- Activity planning
- Leadership
Certification
- Safeguarding level 3 Designated Officer 2025
- Safeguarding level 2 2026
- Pediatric First Aid 2026
- OCN level 2 managing challenging behaviour 2025
- Makaton level 1,2 and 3 2024-2025
- Clean UK driving Licence
Timeline
Managing Director and Designated Officer
The Den LTD
09.2000 - Current
Supervisor in Afterschool room
Rocking Horse Day Nursery
06.1995 - 08.2000
Supervisor in Pre-School room
Toddle Inn Nursery
01.1993 - 06.1995
Child care assistant
Tree House Day Nursery
06.1991 - 12.1992
OCN 2 - Youth Work
EXTERNAL
Level 5 - Playwork
Belfast Metropolitan College
NVQ Level 5 - Child Development
Northern Regional College
NVQ Level 2 - Playwork
Belfast Metropolitan College
Diploma of Higher Education - NNEB child development
Antrim Technical Collegue
GCSEs - secondary education
Monkstown Community School