Ece Site Director

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Director works closely and under the supervision of the Vice President of Education and is a member of Brighton Center’s leadership team. The ECE Director is responsible for designing, evaluating, implementing, and managing all activities related to all services provided by the Preschool Program at the Higgins location. The ECE Director is responsible for directly supervising the Assistant Director and teaching staff, compliance with policies, standard operating procedures and regulatory agencies while ensuring the teaching team provide a safe and nurturing environment for children that encourages their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development that align with Brighton Center’s mission, culture, goals, values, philosophies, and development of an inclusive environment in the curriculum, training, and overall environment. The ECE Director is responsible for the design and implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum according to guidelines established by Brighton Center and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The ECE Director is responsible for the ultimate safety and supervision of children by meeting the physical demands of the position and supervising the team while providing leadership, direction, and training for staff. The ECE Director is responsible for adhering to the budget of the center without compromising quality of care or standards, direct supervision and performance management of teaching team, actively participating in recruiting/staffing and marketing, develop and implementation of curriculum, all related compliance and reporting, and ensuring program goals and desired client outcomes are achieved in alignment with the Brighton Center mission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This position requires face to face interactions with co-workers, families, children and the general public on a daily basis to accomplish all essential functions of the position.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT OF HIGGINS PRESCHOOL OPERATIONS

The Early Childhood Education Director provides oversight to ensure administrative, operational, and strategic support for the activities of Early Childhood Education program is maintained and is in alignment of Brighton Center’s mission, vision and core values and daily work. Works closely with the VP of Education on the implementation of daily curriculum as well as extra curricula activities and will be responsible for ensuring all licensing and accreditation requirements are met daily, monthly, annually. Actively participates in all leadership meetings, staff meetings and other organizational outreach opportunities as required. Ensures bi-annual development assessments are conducted, and the results are reported out to the VP of Education on time. Works closely with Brighton’s Inclusion Specialists, Pediatric Therapy Clinic Team and any other professionals involved in a child’s developmental and educational growth to ensure we are holistically working to meet a child’s needs and goals. Maintains a clean, healthy, safe, child-ready center at all times and works closely with Brighton’s Facility Department to ensure all facilities related compliance is achieved with all regulatory agencies and regular preventative maintenance and repairs are completed without compromising the standards of excellence set by the organization. Provides oversight of maintaining accurate data on all enrolled children, conducting tours, and orienting parents who are enrolling children. Ensures procedures are in place to maintain accurate records (physical and electronic) for children and staff in compliance with all regulatory agencies. Ensures appropriate ratios are maintained in each classroom and staff is scheduled to provide high quality care and education daily. Oversees leadership of the CACFP program which includes compliance of the CACFP program, the supervision of the Cook as well as development and execution of a healthy menu. Oversees the annual budgeting process for the program including development, evaluation, and maintenance of the budget, monthly review of financials and activity reports to ensure financial integrity in program expenditures.  Ensures monthly reconciliation of payment for services to ensure budget revenue goals are accomplished. Develops and provides oversight to implement contingency plans to ensure quality programming and financial results are achieved.  (45%)

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT OF HIGGINS PRESCHOOL STAFF

The Early Childhood Education Director provides supervision and leadership of direct reports to include hiring, professional development and training, staff accountability and compliance, coaching and counseling, performance management of staff, retention of high-performance team members, empowering them to elevate their level of knowledge and responsibility, span of control and performance and all responsibilities necessary to support program staff, development of intra-team communication and cohesiveness, sustaining culture and supporting staff during organizational growth. Provides a model for direct service staff on professional work ethic and in how they provide active supervision, interact with children that includes frequent and meaningful interactions, positive discipline techniques, safe transition practices, and individualized approach when working with all children. Consistently pursues continuing education and is diligent in relaying information learned to teaching team, parents, and caregivers as applicable. Responsible for the comprehensive training of all members of the teaching team and that they are fully capable of caring for and teaching all enrolled children in a manner that is inclusive, positive, individualized, kind, courteous, engaging, encouraging and playful. Provides daily support to the teaching team in the classroom when needed to maintain ratios and gain further exposure and look for opportunities to improve upon the daily routine and environment. Demonstrates a robust knowledge of the ages and stage of early childhood development and can guide the teaching team in the general areas of development for the relevant age groups and help the Teaching Team identify children with special needs and understand the supports available to them. Maintains strict confidentiality about issues concerning any staff member, enrolled children and families as well as Brighton Center Management Operations. Serves as a resource for the teaching team to help them engage and communicate effectively with individual children during activities and routines; taking every opportunity to positively extend children's thinking and actions. Oversees the leadership of the Curriculum Classroom Coordinator to ensure education, development and training is effective and ongoing. Works alongside the VP of Education to lead decision making regarding staff development, coaching, progressive counseling and will formally evaluate each member of the Teaching Team annually as well will conduct regular observations of teaching team and feedback sessions. (35%)

PARENT INTERACTION

The Early Childhood Education Director creates positive and meaningful relationships with all parents/caregivers that have children enrolled. Consistently demonstrates a friendly, courteous, respectful and professional demeanor with the focus of every interaction being on how to better serve a child while in our care and will address any issues in a timely manner. Oversees the planning and facilitation of regular parent/caregiver conferences to discuss orientation, transitions and development goals. Ensures the Teaching Team are held accountable for also developing positive relationships with parents/caregivers with an emphasis on customer service. Oversees and implements the “slow enrollment” process for children/families ensuring that families are properly oriented and clear expectations are set by parent and Brighton on how the needs of their child can and will be met. Will ensure that daily communication with parents/caregivers is occurring and will provide additional monthly center communication and other community and educational resources. (15%)

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Participates on the Brighton Leadership Team, its efforts, and necessary reports. Works collaboratively to integrate cross departmental activities and functions including staff and special events.  (3%)
• Other duties to support the development of the organization, C.E.O. and Board of Directors including strategic initiatives. (2%)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required:  B.A. in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education or related field with 12 hours of management/business classes. 
• Required: An active DFPS Director’s license.
• Required: Minimum of 5 years working in a Licensed Child Care Center which includes 3+ years in a leadership capacity.
• Required: Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Adobe products as well as operating Child Care managing software.
• Preferred: Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education or related field and/or prior leadership experience at an NAEYC accredited center. 

NECESSARY SKILLS

• Ability to demonstrate, understanding and apply our Core Values which are at the heart of our organization and are embedded in all roles.
• Ability to demonstrate high quality of work, organization and planning skills, problem solving and decision-making skills, self-improvement and initiative, adaptability and flexibility, excellent communication skills, ability to work well with others and independently and professionalism.
• Ability to align with Brighton Center Core Values.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and ability to lead staff in implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum.  
• Ability to demonstrate to perform job responsibilities in all levels of direct care.  
• Ability to deal with all employees and external business contacts while conveying a positive, service-oriented attitude.
• Ability to maintain data quality/integrity.
• Ability to demonstrate problem-solving skills.
• Ability to multitask between dual monitor screens and multiple programs/software’s/information systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion in business relationships and exercise sound business judgment.
• Ability to perform duties with speed and accuracy without immediate and constant supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal) with families, staff, board and community members.
• Ability to make effective presentations on behalf of the organization both internally and externally. 
• Ability to work with others in a supportive, professional and collaborative manner. 
• Ability to maintain a good working relationship with all co-workers and the general public and to use good judgment in recognizing scope of authority.
• Ability to demonstrate behavior that is professional, ethical and responsible. 
• Ability to foster teamwork and proactively addresses conflict seeking timely resolution.
• Ability to work well independently and maintain an organized office.
• Ability to implement developmentally appropriate practices with the program. 
• Ability to lead direct staff to outcomes set forth by strategic goals.
• Ability to demonstrate personal accountability for leadership and effectiveness while holding others accountable as well.

MENTAL & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to analyze data, compute and compile reports.
• Ability to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills for effective decision making and judgment. 
• Ability to ensure personal accountability.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance, work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as required.
• Ability to perform effectively and efficiently under stress and/or in emergencies.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress and empathize with staff, leadership, vendors, funders, board and families we serve.
• Ability to respond immediately and appropriately to single or multiple potential hazardous or unexpected situations and/or emergencies.  
• Ability to work around small children including sitting, standing, running and climbing stairs.
• Ability to frequently lift, hold and/or move up to 40lbs (includes children and stationary objects).
• Ability to execute full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities.  
• Ability to stand a for extended periods of time both indoors and outdoors in varied temperatures and/or weather conditions.  
• Ability to drive personal vehicle on occasion and have/maintain personal auto liability insurance.

TOP COMPETENCIES:

• Building Effective Teams
• Conflict Management
• Developing / Directing Others
• Decision Quality and Problem Solving
• Managing Vision and Purpose
• Organizational Agility
• Integrity and Trust
• Managerial Courage
• Managing and Measuring Work
• Timely Decision Making
• Action Oriented / Drives for Results
• Managing through Processes and Systems
• Organizing / Planning