Submitted by Westfield Washington Schools
Westfield Washington Schools (WWS) has announced that Caylie Dicken has been named the next Director of Early Learning Programs at the Virginia F. Wood Early Learning Center (ELC), continuing the district’s commitment to providing exceptional care and early learning opportunities for young children and families. She will take over after Marci Derado, current Director, retires at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
Dicken has served at the ELC since the facility opened in 2022 and is currently in her fourth year with the district. During that time, she has played an integral role in launching and supporting the district’s early learning initiatives.
“I am honored and excited to step into the role of Director of Early Learning Programs,” Dicken said. “I am so proud of the work that we do at the ELC. I am grateful for the mentorship Marci has provided over the years and hope to continue the good work for years to come. As both a leader and a parent with my own toddler in our program, I feel especially connected to the work we do every day and the impact it has on families in our community. I’m excited to connect with families and staff involved with before and after care (B.A.C.) and to listen and learn about the needs of the program.”
The ELC provides a range of services designed to support young children and families in the Westfield community. The program offers childcare for district staff members’ children from infancy through age 2, while 3- and 4-year-old programming is open to the broader community. The ELC also supports children with identified exceptionalities, helping them build the skills needed to successfully transition to kindergarten.
The ELC serves as a hub for several district early childhood services, including developmental preschool programs, evaluations, and transitions from Indiana’s First Steps early intervention program into school-based services.
In addition to early childhood programs, the Director of Early Learning Programs also oversees the district’s B.A.C. program, which currently operates in seven school buildings and will expand next year.
Derado, who helped open the ELC in 2022, expressed confidence in Dicken’s leadership.
“Making the decision to leave was hard for me, but I am comforted knowing that Caylie will be the one taking the lead because I have full faith in her to continue what we’ve already started,” Derado said.
Dicken says maintaining the ELC’s strong culture will remain a priority moving forward.
“Our goal is to maintain our current vision of exceptional care and high-quality learning experiences,” Dicken said. “We have built a great reputation for supporting and retaining our staff, and we believe that hiring great people and treating them well is the recipe for success.”
