Lead Care Director en Encompass Early Education and Care Inc.

Description

The Lead Center Director ensures effective and efficient management of the child care center, both programmatically and operationally. Following Encompass, Department of Children and Families (DCF), and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines, plan and implement onboarding, as well as ongoing supervision, training and professional development of teaching staff. Ensure HighScope curriculum, COR Advantage Assessment program, and Conscious Discipline strategies are embedded in teaching practices. Oversee financial aspects of center budget, including parent accounts. Model and maintain expected levels of customer service to parents, children, staff and community. Ensure facility & equipment (indoor and outdoor) meet Encompass’ standards for safety, cleanliness and functionality.

The Level 14 Lead Center Director has responsibilities above and beyond those of the Level 12 Lead Center Director position. The Level 14 Center Director will have demonstrated a high level of independence regarding decision making and day to day management of the center. Expectations will include involvement in agency and community initiatives, mentoring/coaching staff in specific areas or for specific reasons, and a willingness to assist or transfer to other locations during times of transition. This position is responsible for the leadership and oversight of the child care center, ensuring both Programming and Operations related Performance Objectives are accomplished professionally and efficiently.  

Requirements

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or a combination of a Bachelor’s Degree in another field with 24 credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education or early childhood special education, 9 credits in administration, leadership and management, or documents meeting an appropriate combination of relevant education and experience as defined by NAEYC.  
• Three to five years of experience as a Center Director or a related management position, with demonstrated competence of both operational and programming aspects of Center Leadership
• Prior experience with High Scope or other play-based curriculum strongly desired
• Prior leadership experience in a NAEYC accredited environment preferred
• Critical thinking and problem solving ability 
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
• General knowledge of the financial management aspects of a child care center
• Solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Demonstrate strong, dynamic leadership that results in development and mentorship of team members, utilizing agency resources effectively and efficiently
• Oversee the programming function of the center, ensuring expectations regarding High Scope curriculum, COR Advantage and Conscious Discipline are met 
• Oversee the operations function of the center including, but not limited to, family enrollment, staffing patterns, managing parent accounts and processing staff payroll
• Manage the center’s budget
• Compliance with DCF licensing regulations and reporting requirements
• Compliance with NAEYC accreditation standards and reporting requirements 
• Coach and supervise Associate Center Director as well as an appropriate percentage of teaching and support (kitchen and transportation) staff
• Collaborate with staff and community partners to ensure appropriate level of customer service is provided to children, parents and staff
• Oversee summer program planning and implementation
• Backup in the absence of the Associate Center Director 
• Perform the duties and responsibilities of a classroom teacher as needed
• Support the Encompass mission, demonstrating professionalism and confidentiality in all encounters

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

1. Exhibit agency values in daily work and demonstrate commitment to the agency mission
2. Lead and supervise all center staff with support of Associate Center Director
3. Ensure quality early childhood programming is implemented and reflects HighScope, COR Advantage and Conscious Discipline practices, collaborating with Associate Center Director
4. Assume lead role in overall fiscal/operations aspects of the center, delegating to Associate Center Director as appropriate
5. Ensure center’s compliance with regulatory stakeholders, as well as Encompass policies and procedures
6. Develop and implement professional development efforts for the staff and the center
7. Work cooperatively with co-director and support departments regarding center issues, including but not limited to the Foster Grandparent program and volunteers
8. Develop and maintain positive relationships with all customers (children, parents, staff, community partners, etc.)
9. Be an active member of the Encompass Leadership Team, Center Support Team, Program Support Team and other work groups and committees upon request 
10. Demonstrate involvement in Agency and/or community events or initiatives 
11. Perform other related duties as requested

1. Exhibit agency values in daily work and demonstrate commitment to the agency mission

- Respect is shown 

- Simple acts of kindness are shown to other staff, parents, and children

- Confidentiality is maintained at all times

- Differences are accepted without judgment or discrimination 

- Others are treated kindly; no person is diminished

- Appreciation is shown

- Others are told they did something well

- “Thank you” is offered genuinely and often

- Others feel valued and important

- Communication is clear

- You listen to others when they talk 

- You keep your co-workers and parents informed 

- You talk to people, not about people

- Appropriate chain of command is observed; concerns are voiced to the Center Director

- Honesty is part of all you say and do

- You do what you say you will do

- You are truthful

- Laughter is part of each day

- You perform your work with happiness, enthusiasm, and a sense of joy

- You delight in small things and enjoy the moment 

- You are able to laugh at yourself and with others, but not at someone else

- The Encompass Mission is lived when

- Quality care is provided and supported by what you do

- Compassion is shown in your dealings with others

- Your voice is a voice for the well-being of all children

1. Lead and supervise all center staff with support of Associate Center Director

This duty has been performed well when:

- Lead the development and execution of the Center Vision, ensuring ongoing collaboration with Associate Center Director, as well as communication with all staff to ensure vision remains visible and becomes reality

- Qualified persons are hired, oriented, and trained following Encompass’ procedures, High Scope, licensing and NAEYC guidelines; gaps in education and/or skills are identified and considered as recruiting and hiring occurs; teachers’ orientation follows outlined procedure and timeline

- Associate Director’s performance is monitored, ensuring Performance Objectives are met and coaching for continuous improvement and cross-training occurs 

- Open communication with staff takes place in a consistent, professional and timely manner

- Teaching staff receive three observations annually with feedback given in a timely manner

- All staff receive an annual performance evaluation 

- regulations, including documentation related to the Registry, using the monthly Events report as a guide

- Assistance and support are provided for resolving center issues (i.e. staff, child, parent, facility, etc.)

- Disciplinary procedures are followed when necessary

- Staff files are established and maintained in compliance with all applicable licensing and NAEYC

- Employment related forms are completed and submitted following standard procedure

1. Ensure quality early childhood programming is implemented and reflects HighScope, COR Advantage and Conscious Discipline practices, collaborating with Associate Center Director

This duty has been performed well when:

- All classrooms reflect developmentally appropriate practices for children 

- High Scope Curriculum is consistently implemented

- Classroom Observations are conducted on a regular basis

- The consistent practice of Conscious Discipline is evident in all classrooms

- Resources and support are provided for implementation of lesson plans and use of Child Observation Record (COR Advantage); children’s COR assessments are reviewed before sharing with parents

- COR outcome reports are generated quarterly

- ASQ process takes place with identified monitoring/referral situations followed with appropriate parent communication and strategies

- Supervision of an appropriate percentage of teaching and support staff takes place

- Guidance for scheduling and implementation of parent/teacher conferences is given

- Oversight of the implementation of Summer Program, including facility and supply needs, coordination with other centers, field trip logistics and attendance, budget, etc. is demonstrated

- Staff is scheduled to ensure:

- Staff/child ratios requirements are adhered to at all times

- Scheduled hours align with budget and overtime is minimized.

- Time off schedules and processes (PTO, LOA, LE) are developed and communicated to ensure appropriate coverage and to minimize overtime

- Staffing patterns are evaluated, charts are completed as requested, and recommendations for change are made

- Programming related supplies are inventoried and orders are overseen accordingly

1. Assume lead role in overall fiscal/operations aspects of the center, delegating to Associate Center Director as appropriate

This duty has been performed well when:

- Participation in annual budget preparation and projections, as well as monthly monitoring and analyzing of financial reports, takes place

- Cross training occurs to assure that duties are covered during absences (i.e. appropriate follow through on parent accounts, enrollment process, payroll, etc.)

- Effective communication systems, i.e. feedback and data requested is provided, current notes are kept on center happenings, staff meetings are scheduled on a regular basis, etc.

- A schedule is established which ensures management coverage during center’s core operational hours

- Enrollment is continually monitored; ratio sheets are analyzed and utilized to develop staffing patterns based on projected and actual child attendance

- Support is provided with the maintenance of children’s files 

- Ability to accurately calculate FTEs is demonstrated

- Supply orders and purchasing for the center are managed to meet the center’s needs, seeking approval as required

- Center fund raising activities are supported following Encompass’ fundraising guidelines

- Safe and sanitary conditions of the center and equipment, as well as the orderly appearance of the center, are maintained

1. Ensure center’s compliance with regulatory stakeholders, as well as Encompass policies and procedures

This duty has been performed well when:

- A lead role is assumed in assuring the following objectives are accomplished

NAEYC 

- Thorough understanding of NAEYC standards is demonstrated

- Staff is coached and mentored regarding NAEYC accreditation standards 

- Program and classroom electronic portfolio are up-to-date and meet NAEYC guidelines

- A lead role is assumed and is given in achieving NAEYC reaccreditation, and maintaining NAEYC expectations on an ongoing basis

- All NAEYC reports are completed accurately and filed on time with a copy sent to the Director of Agency Operations

DCF

- Thorough understanding and implementation of DCF regulations is demonstrated

- Staff is coached and mentored regarding DCF regulations 

- Required reports and documentation are maintained and submitted as required

USDA

- Knowledge of all Food Allergy, Medical Issues, IEP’s in classrooms is evident

- Annual USDA Civil Rights training is provided to all teaching staff; attendance is documented and submitted to CFO

- Healthy nutrition experiences are incorporated into lesson plans in March of each year with evidence sent to CFO

- Teachers are provided guidance with completing infant meal production records and family style meal service 

ENCOMPASS

- Knowledge and effective use of agency policies and procedures is demonstrated

1. Develop and implement professional development efforts for the staff and the center

This duty has been performed well when:

- Program Wide Professional Development Plan (PWPDP) is developed and followed throughout each year IS THIS NAEYC? Should it be connected with Center Vision in #2?

- Staff meetings (i.e. center, room, team) are developed, coordinated and conducted on a regular basis with IDP and PWPDP goals taken into consideration

- Center staff meetings are planned and reflect goals stated in the PWPDP 

- Information about TEACH, educational assistance benefits, etc. are utilized to encourage and assist employees with their professional development.

- Support, ongoing training and assistance is provided to staff, including cross-training and substituting in the event of staff shortage

1. Work cooperatively with co-director and support departments regarding center issues, including but not limited to the Foster Grandparent program and volunteers

This duty has been performed well when:

- The Administrative Office, Maintenance, Central Kitchen and/or other centers are contacted in a timely manner regarding center needs

- Timely follow through occurs for all procedures and requests from Maintenance, Central Kitchen, and the Administrative Office 

- Foster Grandparent Program

• Communication with the FGP Project Director takes place regarding the need for Foster Grandparents 
• Center orientation is facilitated for all Foster Grandparents and volunteers
• Oversight and support is provided to staff regarding completion of Foster Grandparents’ Performance Plans and Foster Grandparents receive an annual performance review
• Assistance is provided at Foster Grandparent in-service training
• Performance is monitored for compliance with Encompass’ expectations, and the FGP Project Director is consulted regarding any concerns or the need to terminate placement

- Volunteer guidelines are followed

1. Develop and maintain positive relationships with all customers (children, parents, staff, community partners, etc.)

This duty has been performed well when:      

- All customers are treated with respect and consideration at all times

- Accessibility to parents, children and staff is demonstrated

- Center tours are conducted in a positive, professional and timely manner and are treated as a prime marketing opportunity for the center and Encompass

- Parent and staff concerns are addressed promptly and with professionalism; consultation with support staff occurs as needed 

- Staff is informed of enrollment changes, terminations, facility issues, etc. in a timely manner

- Communication with families and staff occurs on a regular and timely basis, including, but not limited to, distribution of a monthly center newsletter and calendars, and information regarding field trips and center changes 

- Relationships are fostered with community programs/partners specific to center/site and resources are identified and utilized for the benefit of Encompass’ families and programs

1. Be an active member of the Encompass Leadership Team, Center Support Team and other work groups and committees upon request

• This duty has been performed well when:

- Your attitude reflects a total agency vision, and a willingness to plan and problem-solve while valuing differences

- Feedback is provided on policy and procedure proposals, agency issues and any other management concern 

- Support for management decisions when consensus has been reached is evident

- Meetings are attended regularly; participation during meetings is constructive and professional, assignments generated by the meeting content are accomplished within the stated time frame; your supervisor is notified prior to the meeting of absence

- A willingness to work with applicable community and state organizations as an early childhood education advocate is demonstrated

- Involvement in, and support of, agency events is evident (i.e. Big Event, Oktoberfest, Strengthening Families, Annual Celebration, etc.), including attendance at such events

- Supervisor is alerted to any center or agency problems 

- An active role is taken in the strategic planning process including attendance at the annual strategic planning meeting 

1. Demonstrate involvement in agency and community events or initiatives 

This duty has been performed well when:

- Initiative and follow-through is demonstrated within the agency in areas such as:

- Mentorship/coaching others

- Developing and executing training programs or sessions

- Acting as facilitator or chair of an agency work group

- Piloting new initiatives or changes to current procedures

- Willingness to assume responsibility for filling alternate roles within the agency based on agency needs (i.e. transfer centers) on a temporary or permanent basis is demonstrated

- You work closely with others in the community and the child care profession to provide understanding of the child care field and the scope of the Encompass vision

- Participation in a community organization or initiative that is related to early childhood education/Encompass or representation of Encompass to community stakeholders occurs

1. Perform other related duties as requested