‘Help out wherever I’m needed’ – Child Development Center gains new director
Rita Bretones, a New York native, is Southeastern Community College’s new Director of the Child Development Center. She brings more than 20 years of childcare experience with her and is ready to see more “light bulb moments” at SCC’s CDC. Bretones’ favorite part of childcare is seeing a child’s face light up when he or she learns something new.
Bretones’ top job responsibility is “making sure the kids are safe.” Bretones serves as supervisor for all the staff and teachers in the CDC. She ensures that all staff and teachers have everything they need to perform their work duties. Bretones is responsible for collection and tuition billing in addition to food orders and paperwork.
“So, it’s a little bit of everything,” Bretones said. “Even though I have the title of director, I look at it as we all work as a team. You know, we’re here to help each other out. If a teacher needs help in a classroom, I go jump into a classroom and help out wherever I’m needed.”
Bretones earned her associate’s degree in liberal arts from Westchester Community College in 2000, and she transferred to Mercy College (now Mercy University) to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2002.
“We relocated to Shallotte because of the weather and taxes back home,” Bretones said. “It was way too expensive and cold, and I was just done with it. So, when my husband retired last September and with our son graduated from high school, we packed up and have been down here since Christmas last year.”
In New York, Bretones held previous director and assistant director roles in childcare in addition to working as a teacher in preschool and infant settings. Bretones has experience working with children aged six weeks through 12 years old. Before moving to North Carolina, her most recent job role dealt with licensing childcare providers.
“So, it was mostly dealing with adults, but I am glad to be working with children again after three years in childcare provider licensing,” Bretones said.
In addition to working as the CDC’s director, Bretones is working on updating her credentials to fit North Carolina standards. Having been certified in New York, she is taking EDU classes at SCC to satisfy those requirements. So far, Bretones is enjoying her work at the CDC, and she enjoys working with the staff and kids at the CDC.
Outside of work, Bretones likes going to the beach, swimming and bowling. She hopes to join a bowling league and resume one of her favorite past times while living in New York. Her and her husband, Louis Urso, have one son, Daniel.
Interested in enrolling your child at SCC’s Child Development Center? Contact the center at 910-788-6339 or email Rita at [email protected].
