Preschool Assistant Director

Open Space Early Learning Center; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Health insurance

Flexible schedule

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Training & development

Tuition assistance

Vision insurance

Job summary

A leading childcare organization in Chicago is looking for an Assistant Director to support the management of operations and ensure quality education for young children. This role requires leadership skills, a strong background in early education, and the ability to build positive relationships with families and staff. Candidates must possess an Associate's degree with ECE credit hours and have a passion for early childhood education. Join us to make a difference in children's lives and advance in your career.

Qualifications

• Must meet basic DCFS requirements including an Associate's degree.
• Strong leadership and management skills required.
• Previous experience in a teaching or assistant role is necessary.
• Ability to relate positively with young children.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Knowledge of the social, emotional, and creative needs of young children.
• Previous teaching or assistant teaching position in a public or private school system, quality preschool, or childcare center.
• Certification, degree, college-level courses related to early childhood, or preschool or elementary education is desirable.
• Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs. in connection with the handling of children for the facilitation of programs, child safety, and potential emergency situations.

Responsibilities

• Act as Director in the Director’s absence and manage center operations.
• Supervise faculty and maintain positive relationships with families.
• Ensure compliance with DCFS and City standards.
• Reliably meet deadlines and manage time and attendance.
• Follow Open Space’s and Safety policies, procedures and regulations.
• Follow legal and ethical standards related to job responsibilities.
• Perform general office duties daily including reading mail and email, making and receiving phone calls, filing documents, and managing database systems.
• Support creation of programming and curriculum within classrooms with teachers.
• Supervise and advise staff.
• Manage center facilities.
• Ensure center adheres to DCFS and City licensing; become familiar with DCFS 407 and City Health requirements.
• Assist in creating and implementing new policies as needed.
• Assist planning and executing parent engagement events and initiatives.
• Assist with managing files and ensure documentation is up to date according to DCFS, State, City, Open Space and licensing agencies.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Time management

Knowledge of child development

Education

Associate's degree with 21 ECE credit hours

Gateways Level 1 Director Credential

Job description

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Tuition assistance
• Vision insurance

Come join us at Open Space Early Learning Center!

We are looking for an Assistant Director with a proven track record of providing excellent care and education for young children, a passionate and caring approach to teacher coaching, and an unyielding desire to further the field of early education.

Responsibilities

• Act as a Director in the Director’s absence, with responsibilities including opening and/or closing the center each day, supervising faculty, communicating with families, ensuring that the center meets DCFS and City of Chicago standards at all times, and, overall, ensuring that daily center operations run smoothly.
• Manage opening or closing the center each day and ensuring the safety and security of the children, families and teachers at Open Space.
• Maintain positive relationships with children, staff, parents, and co-workers.
• Reliably meet deadlines and manages time and attendance well.
• Follow Open Space’s and Safety policies, procedures and regulations.
• Follow legal and ethical standards related to job responsibilities.
• Perform general office duties daily including reading mail and email, making and receiving phone calls, filing documents, managing database systems, and overseeing office activities.
• Support creation of programming and curriculum within classrooms with teachers.
• Supervise and advise staff.
• Manage center facilities.
• Ensure that the center is adhering to all DCFS and other licensing agencies regulations. Become familiar with the DCFS 407 and City of Chicago Health Requirements.
• Assist in creating and implementing new policies as needed.
• Assist with planning and executing parent engagement events and initiatives.
• Assist with managing files and ensure that all documentation is up to date according to DCFS, State, City, Open Space and all licensing agencies.

Qualifications

• Must meet basic requirements of DCFS:
• Associate's degree that includes 21 ECE credit hours
• Preferred: Gateways Level 1 Director Credential or 3 credit hours in administration/leadership
• Ability to relate positively with young children.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Knowledge of the social, emotional, and creative needs of young children.
• Previous teaching or assistant teaching position in a public or private school system, quality preschool, or childcare center.
• Certification, degree, college-level courses related to early childhood, or preschool or elementary education is desirable.
• Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs. in connection with the handling of children for the facilitation of programs, child safety, and potential emergency situations.