Early Childhood Center Director

Catholic Charities; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Center Director to lead an early childhood program. This role involves overseeing operations, ensuring compliance with educational standards, and fostering a nurturing environment for children. The ideal candidate will possess strong management and communication skills, along with a background in early childhood education. You will work closely with a diverse team and engage with parents to support children's development. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of young children and their families within the community.

Qualifications

• AA or BA in Early Childhood Education required; supervisory experience preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and ensure compliance with educational standards.
• Coordinate staff training and maintain effective communication with parents.

Skills

Communication Skills

Management Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Knowledge of NAEYC standards

Experience with diverse families

Education

AA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development

BA/BS in Early Childhood Education or Child Development

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

CENTER DIRECTOR

POSITION SUMMARY:

The center director is responsible for the overall operation of the program. The center director will be supervised by the early childhood program coordinator. The center director coordinates the complete operation of the site including the work with the teachers, assistant teachers, mentors, behavioral health specialists, consultants, other agency programs, departments and staff, and the city’s school readiness program staff. The center director provides oversight, technical assistance, guidance, support, and leadership to the staff to ensure compliance with all requirements and maintenance of high-quality teaching.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct care of children as needed
• Ensure classroom ratios are maintained at all times
• Provide individualized supervision for all staff regularly to coordinate the overall functioning of the program including maintaining performance records
• Ensure follow-up to compliance with NAEYC, state, local, and agency policies, regulations, and procedures regarding the provision of services, benchmarks, goals, and curriculum implementation
• Ensure the acquisition of up-to-date information, maintenance and security of records, and the client’s right to privacy
• Ensure coordination of meetings and conferences with parents regarding their child’s progress and individual development plans
• Ensure the selection, ordering, and storing of educational materials so they are available for daily activities
• Review and approve weekly learning experience plans and extracurricular activities
• Participate in and assure staff’s participation in training, planning, and evaluation activities
• Guarantee high standards in the delivery of services including security and emergency procedures, maintenance of equipment and the premises.
• Guarantee a nurturing, respectful, safe educational environment including ongoing classroom observation
• Recruit, screen, and orient staff using the early childhood orientation process
• Ensure that the program develops effective recruitment strategies and maintains full enrollment at all times
• Develop and maintain an active parent advisory board and promote parent involvement and engagement
• Coordinate with program consultants to ensure that all program needs and requirements are met and that proper documentation is provided
• Maintain communication with funders
• Ensure that online registration of staff and children is maintained as required by the Office of Early Childhood (BCIS for staff and ECE reporter for children)
• Ensure successful transition to kindergarten for all eligible children and families
• Follow systems in place for collection of tuition, Care4Kids applications and fee redeterminations
• Attend all monthly director’s and quarterly manager’s meetings

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Have the personal qualities necessary to care for and work with children, relate to and supervise staff, and relate to and communicate with parents
• Hold an AA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and be enrolled in a higher education program OR
• Hold a BA/BS (preferred) in Early Childhood Education or Child Development
• Have previous experience in supervisory/ administrative and fiscal management experience in an early childhood setting
• Obtain a minimum of 3 credits in either Administration of Early Childhood Education programs or Educational Administration within the first year of employment. These credits must be taken from an institute of higher education that is either accredited by the Board of Governors of Higher Education or Regionally Accredited
• Experience in special education and/or educating/serving children with special needs preferred
• Demonstrate skills and abilities in a management capacity relevant to complex program management; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; proven ability to develop collaborative partnerships
• Demonstrated track record working and supporting the needs of racially and socially diverse families and young children; experience working with low-income families
• Knowledge and experience in administering OEC regulations and NAEYC standards in early child development; teaching strategies; and the critical contributing components of a high-quality learning environment for infants, toddlers, and preschool children
• Training, education, or experience may be substituted for certain minimum qualifications
• Excellent speaking and communication skills, both written and oral
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus
• A pre-employment certification of good health, including a documented, negative tuberculin test or normal chest x-ray is required as well as a criminal background check
• Child CPR/First Aid certification

These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed rather than give an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.