Early Childhood Education Coordinator

Early Childhood Education Coordinator

Salary - 55k-58k annually

Position Purpose

Under the supervision and direction of the Director of Children and Family Services, the Early Childhood Education Coordinator promotes the school readiness of children by providing technical assistance, mentoring, and training to the staff and agency. The planning of children’s readiness to learn involves culturally responsive, integrated service delivery of child development, disabilities, and mental health that supports learning environments to: a) enhance children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development and b) promote children’s growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, social and emotional development, creative arts, physical development, and approaches to learning.

Essential Job Responsibilities: Performance Indicators

Integrated technical support and services 

1. Technical assistance: Content development and consultation

   1. Develops and maintains knowledge of best practices in fields of Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood special education, and Early Childhood mental health and disseminates such knowledge by providing ongoing quality assistance to staff.

   2. Develops and disseminates information and resources related to Early Childhood to support teachers, classrooms, and program quality improvement efforts.

   3. Promotes continuous quality improvement and quality assurance efforts for the agency.

2. Coaching and Mentoring

   1. Provides intensive coaching (individual or group) related to teaching practices as requested or assigned.

   2. Provides skill development and mentoring to staff progressing in their position by performing on-the-job technical assistance and mentoring of specific skills.

      1. Provide guidance to staff in building skills and competence.

      2. Facilitate the development, implementation, and coordination of internal support or action plans with teachers and supervisors based on classroom monitoring and observations.

   3. Provides ongoing quality assistance to address children’s challenging behaviors and sensory needs.

   4. Provides follow-up on behavior referrals, develops and monitors internal behavior plans, and supports data collection of challenging behaviors.

3. Quality Assurance: Evaluation and Assessment

1. Supports classroom and program monitoring through site visits, classroom observations, review of electronic records, and work groups.  Helps assess classroom and program needs and assists with planning strategies for system/process improvement and/or development in the areas of Early Childhood Education, disabilities, and mental health.

2. Assesses the implementation of the agency’s work plan to insure the program/content goals and objectives are met.

3. Providing guidance and support to staff with implementation of curriculum/individualization plans and ongoing assessments.

4. Team Work: Communication and Partnership

1. Communicates effectively to build trust.

2. Works cooperatively with other partner sites to meet the needs of families and children served:

   1. Coordinate and monitor child and/or family referrals to Early Childhood special education or mental health services.

   2. Provide support services and/or coordination of children’s transition plans (internal transitions and transition to kindergarten).

   3. Schedule and coordinate Early Childhood mental health classroom visits.

3. Communicate regularly with Executive Management, Center Director, direct service staff, and consultants

   1. Participate in regional meetings as requested.

   2. Participate in child/family integrated service meeting/staffing.

Training 

1. Assist CD/D Consultant in development and implementation of training as assigned.

Committees/Planning 

1. Develops, prepares, coordinates, and maintains relevant meetings, training and professional development activities as assigned. 

2. Plan for parent meetings/events and trainings. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field,

• Knowledge and experience in working with Early Childhood mental health and disabilities services.

• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, internet and e-mail.

• Current enrollment in the DHS Background Registry.

• Valid Illinois Driver’s License and access to transportation.

• Within 30 days of employment must be Pediatric CPR and First Aide certified and have a current Food Handler’s card.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to utilize agency resources, technology and library to appropriately answer questions and provides guidance to staff and parents.

• Ability to train and provide presentations to large and small groups.

• Ability to collaborate with and have working knowledge of local community resources related to disability services.

• Ability to communicate (verbal and written) effectively and appropriately with others.

• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.

• Sustained concentration and attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to prioritize and manage work load and deadlines.

• Excellent diagnostic and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to meet the needs of all children specifically those with special needs, challenging behaviors, at risk, gifted and culturally diverse populations.

• Regular sitting, working at computer keyboard and desk, standing to file misc. documents in filing cabinet. Occasional bending, stooping and lifting up to 25 lbs.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to PLCCA’s policy on confidentiality.

Position Information

• 52 weeks 

• Supervised by Director of Children and Family Services

PLCCA, Inc. is an EEO Employer.
​​​​​​​PLCCA, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law