Lis Ernst
Childcare Center Director
About Lis
Welcome to Hills & Dales. I have been working at Hills & Dales since October of 2010. I was born and raised here in Dubuque and am very proud of our community. I now live in the country, near Sherrill, with my husband and our golden retriever, Aspen. My husband and I spend most of our summers out on the Mississippi River on our boat with friends and family. I attended the University of Iowa receiving my Therapeutic Recreation Degree in 2006 and then returning to school to receive my Elementary Education Certificate in 2008. I am a huge Hawkeye fan and love watching Hawkeye football games in the fall. After college I taught preschool for a year and then taught two/three year olds. I am very passionate about teaching children and working with families to support their children in our center. I can’t imagine doing anything more fulfilling with my life, than working with children.
Staff Training
All staff members are trained in CPR, First Aid, and Universal Precautions. Due to high-risk infections, all staff and children will be protected following universal precaution standards. All materials will be disposed of properly. Additional training is provided throughout the year and before employment regarding quality of care. New staff will receive orientation to the Centers policies and licensing regulations. All trainings and orientations will be documented and kept on file.
The staff also conducts an assessment year round on the creative curriculum they teach which measures areas they need to focus more on to fit each child’s learning needs.
Child/Staff Ratios
Child to staff ratios are maintained in accordance with licensing standards established by the Department of Human Services.
- Infants: 1 childcare staff to 4 children
- Two-year olds: 1 childcare staff to 6 children
- Three-year olds: 1 childcare staff to 8 children
- Four-year olds: 1 childcare staff to 12 children
- Five to Twelve-year olds: 1 childcare staff to 15 children
- Children/adolescents 13-18 to be determined by Director
