Director, Boston University Children's Center

The Boston University Childrens Center (https://www.bu.edu/childrens-center/) is located in a newly renovated beautiful historic home in the Cottage Farm neighborhood of Brookline. The Center is open year-round and serves children as young as infants through Pre-Kindergarten in a homelike setting, with an expansive outdoor space for the children to explore. Please note the Childrens Center is a full-time early childhood educational program that operates year-round.The Children's Centers philosophy is based on blending a variety of early childhood educational philosophies and approaches, including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Constructivist. Children at the Center are viewed as active participants in their own learning, making choices and seeking out experiences that further their development.
Educators at the Center strive to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment that supports children as they learn and grow at their own pace through play-based and child-centered experiences. Educators at the Center believe in viewing each child as an individual, and they understand the importance of getting to know each child and meeting them where they are developmentally.The Directors role is to lead and cultivate a vision and mission for the program; one that ensures a safe, quality early learning environment that meets the developmental needs of young children. The position encompasses the oversight and delegation of all aspects of the programs operations, and the implementation of all program policies and procedures. The Director is expected to create a professional atmosphere, which fosters supportive relationships among children, staff, and parents.
The Director must abide by all EEC licensing standards, and all policies and procedures set forth in the employee handbook. The Director of the Center reports to the Executive Director of Benefits in Human Resources Essential Functions & Duties: Program: * Articulate and carry through the programs vision, mission, and philosophy* Develop and maintain high quality standards of early childhood education and care for all children* Develop and implement program policies and procedures, update as necessary* Oversee coordination of educational program and curriculum implementation* Assure compliance with EEC licensing regulations* Assure compliance with local Public Safety, Health Department, and Fire Department regulations* Assure compliance with program health and safety policies/procedures* Develop and manage staffing patterns and schedules to maintain appropriate classroom ratios* Oversee assessment and referral plans for children with special needs* Take part in short- and long-term strategic planning for program improvements* Conduct evaluations of programs and classrooms* Take part in observation of children* Assure that assessments of all children happen in a timely manner* Work with teachers and parents on transitioning children into new classrooms* Assure that all facilities, equipment, and materials are well maintained and in good repair* Communicate with facilities management on all indoor and outdoor daily cleaning, maintenance, and repairs* Participate in professional associations and community groups related to early education and care* Demonstrate expertise in program policies and procedures Personnel: * Take leadership role in recruitment and hiring of qualified staff* Assure that staff positions are filled and classrooms maintain appropriate ratios* Coordinate oversight and placement of all teaching and administrative staff, substitutes, student teachers, work study students and volunteers* Oversee orientation of new staff* Schedule, set agenda, and facilitate staff meetings* Work with Human Resources in staff termination cases* Complete annual Performance Evaluations of Assistant Directors and Mentor Teachers, and oversee evaluations being completed by Assistant Directors* Maintain employee handbook with personnel policies and operational procedures* Monitor time off requests* Provide resources to staff for professional development both onsite and offsite* Oversee onsite staff trainings* Conduct individual conferences with staff members when conflicts arise with other staff or families Financial: * Propose tuition rate increases to University Leadership* Oversee annual operational budget and ensure operations remain within budget* Prepare annual budget for review and approval* Oversee management of payroll* Oversee collection of tuition fees Administration: * Oversee and maintain all publications* Oversee program website content and update as needed* Oversee annual enrollment* Oversee all child and staff file record keeping* Oversee health and safety record keeping* Coordinate evacuation and emergency planning* Maintain relationship with Health Care Consultant* Oversee the daily, monthly, and yearly calendar of program, including events, meetings, trainings, and activities* Maintain maximum enrollment, and recruit new families through marketing activities* Conduct Center tours* Maintain and update enrollment waiting lists Family Relations: * Support families as they enter the program* Support staff in maintaining communication with families regarding their childs development* Schedule family meetings and activities as needed* Maintain and update family handbook* Serve as a resource to families about child development and provide parenting support* Work with families who are experiencing conflict with staff or other families Professional Growth: * Keep up to date on all early childhood research and trends affecting the field* Continue to take course work as needed to meet performance goals* Participate in Director trainings and support groups as available in the community* Continue development of administrative and technological skills necessary to support all Center functions and operations