POSITION SUMMARY: The Early Learning Center Director is responsible for the overall management and administration of the childcare and PreK facility and food program. This includes overseeing staff, ensuring the well-being and safety of children, maintaining regulatory compliance, and creating a nurturing and educational environment for children. The Director will also be responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure the center operates efficiently and effectively.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
1. Provide strong leadership to Early Learning Center (ELC) staff and kitchen staff.
2. Train and supervise ELC program manager and kitchen supervisor.
3. Conduct regular staff meetings and performance evaluations.
4. Ensure the well-being and safety, and development of children attending the center.
5. Oversee curriculum development and program implementation to promote educational and developmental growth.
6. Maintain a clean, organized and child-friendly facility.
7. Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations governing childcare center.
8. Ensures all kitchen operations meet applicable licensing regulations and requirements from state, federal, and external funding agencies. Prepares for and responds to audits and maintains integrity of operations.
9. Ensure staff and child records and documentation are up to date.
10. Responsible for compliance with Early Childhood Education & Care Department (ECECD) regulations, FOCUS guidelines and federal requirements. Assist and monitor all licensing requirements and recommend plan of action to ensure requirements are met.
11. Establish and maintain positive relationships with parents and guardians.
12. Address concerns and feedback from parents in a timely and professional manner.
13. Foster community involvement and partnerships.
14. Develop and manage the center’s budget and food program’s budget.
15. Monitor expenses, revenue and financial records.
16. Seek opportunities for revenue growth and cost management.
17. Providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities for staff.
18. Stay current with best practices in early childhood education.
19. Create an inclusive learning environment where all children thrive, at all ability levels and individual needs.
20. Ensures daily learning / learning areas meet the standards of the program curriculum and guidelines. Complete required assessments and monitoring of classrooms using ECERS.
21. Works with classroom educators to set goals (CQI) and develop methods to improve classroom operations.
22. Assists with the oversight of quality assurance
23. Responsible for follow up/corrective action needed as a result of Quality Assurance team reviews.
24 . Assists with marketing efforts and community outreach to promote center and maintain enrollment of classrooms.
25. Knowledgeable in the use of ProCare and EPICS databases.
26. Must complete a minimum of 24 hours of relevant training per year.
27. Must complete annual CACFP food program training.
28. Maintains current CPR, First Aid and other training/certifications as required.
29. Completes and evaluates reports, decisions, and results of department in relation to established goals (Focus on Excellence).
30. Member of the agency health and safety committee.
31. Maintains confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, LVF policy, state and federal law.
32. Responsible for creating an environment of professionalism and accountability.
33. Must ensure the center is operating in a safe and productive manner.
34. Must create an environment where families are engaged, supported and children’s individual strengths are celebrated, valued, and recognized.
OTHER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Participates in professional development activities and opportunities.
• Participates in agency leadership meetings.
• Participates in director leadership meetings.
• Ensures required paperwork and reports are submitted in a timely manner.
• Completes all appropriate paperwork and in a timely manner including (but not limited to) time sheets, expense reports and Focus on Excellence.
• Responds to licensing and auditing requirements in a timely manner.
• Attends agency meetings as directed and ensures staff participate or are well informed about agency updates.
• Schedules and facilitates department meetings such as consultation meetings, written agenda/ meetings.
• Is responsible for creating a culture of collaboration, engagement and support for both staff and early learning center families.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly supervises Early Learning Center Program Manager and Kitchen Supervisor.
ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Education Requirements
•Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field.
•Three to five years’ experience in childcare center management.
Experience Requirements
•Minimum of five years teaching experience with children 0-6 years. Three years of supervisory experience preferred.
•Experience managing childcare setting with familiarity of childcare management & operations.
•Completion of 45 hour and FOCUS training, (La Vida will offer this training upon hire).
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
•Ensures the health and safety of all children by adhering to all federal, state and agency regulations.
•Proficiency with Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and other productivity software.
•Abides by federal, state and agency confidentiality regulations.
•Ability to objectively assess and respond to emergency and day-to-day situations.
•Demonstrates strong organizational skills, including time management.
•Must possess strong writing skills.
•Effective communicator who creates a community of inclusion and support for staff and families.
•Ability to lead a team of professionals.
•Willingness to enhance skills, knowledge, and training in early childhood development.
•Strong communication skills and ability to work with and support a team of professionals and work independently.
•Ability to take constructive feedback and demonstrates an ability and desire to learn all facets of running an early learning center.
•Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, clients, families and others.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
•Manual dexterity is needed for computer and phone work.
•The physical environment requires the employee to work inside the classroom, in temperature-controlled conditions and outside as determined by the classroom schedule.
•Must be able to manipulate and operate office supplies and equipment. Occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds.
•May require need for flexible schedules, including occasional evening and weekend work.
•An automobile at his/her disposal; a valid, non-suspended NM driver’s license and a current automobile liability policy and continuous coverage
•Must pass a pre-employment background check.
•No substantiation or criminal conviction of child abuse or neglect
•Travel within the state and out-of-state may be required.
