Description
Responsibilities:
Program / Administration:
- Adhering to and enforcing all the policies and procedures of Care-a-lot Child Care and the child care licensing regulations of New York State
- Performing work in accordance with governmental laws/state mandates (Health Dept., CACFP, etc.)
- Maintaining program quality to meet national accreditation standards
- Supervising the implementation of an age and developmentally-appropriate, open-ended program of the highest quality that supports learning through play
- Maintaining current customers and promoting the center in the community
- Interacting frequently with children in a positive, respectful, responsive and encouraging manner
- Maintaining a positive work climate, meeting deadlines and organizing center procedures
- Providing timely reports outlining needs, problems, suggestions for improvement, etc.
- Communicating frequently and effectively
- Maintaining records and keeping necessary written documentation current
- Guarding and protecting all information of a confidential manner
- Preparing budgets, collecting tuition, maintaining financial records, and meeting earning targets
- Supervising general housekeeping and repair of entire center, playground, outdoor space
- Purchasing or having available supplies and materials for program and staff
- Assisting and rendering staff support to all classrooms and employees as necessary
- Delegating responsibilities to an appropriate person in his/her absence
- Participating in professional conferences, ongoing training or educational opportunities to remain current in the field
- Completing 15 hours of early childhood training within the first 6 months and every year thereafter
- Maintaining current Aspire account to record education and training with QualitystarsNY
- Taking on additional responsibilities as needed
- Personnel/Supervision:
- Supervising staff and children in accordance with the laws and regulations of all New York State agencies and Care-a-lot policies
- Interviewing, hiring/firing, orienting and supervising subordinates
- Developing, coaching and training subordinates, including developing in-service staff training
- Supervising staffing schedules, breaks, time off, etc.; providing building coverage as needed
- Communicating effectively and directly with all staff
- Measuring progress of staff and creating systems to improve, modify and remediate
- Participating directly in the classroom as a mentor, role model and back-up staff as needed
- Serving in the absence of other staff as necessary
- Parental Involvement:
- Responding to and orienting current and prospective client inquiries
- Developing family relationships and communicating directly with families on a regular basis
- Assisting in the development of parent education or support groups
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of NYS child care regulations
- Knowledge of child development, early childhood education programming, and national accreditation criteria
- Knowledge of and ability to supervise developmentally appropriate practices and age appropriate activities
- Knowledge of first aid procedures
- Effective, professional, timely, courteous, and tactful oral and written communication skills
- Effective supervisory skills and role modeling practices
- Ability to maintain positive relationships with children, co-workers, and parents
- Ability to use sound judgment and tact
- Ability to lead and motivate a team
- Ability to organize, problem solve and respond to emergencies effectively
- Knowledge of community resources
- Flexibility (especially in scheduling and practice to respond to program needs)
- Creativity and patience
- Training and Experience:
- B.A. Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field OR NYS Administrator Credential AND at least one year each of teaching and supervisory experience;
OR
- Associates Degree in ECE or related field
OR
- Child Development Assoc. AND at least two years each of teaching and supervisory experience AND a plan of study leading to a Bachelor’s degree or NYS Children’s Program Administrator Credential AND
- Prefer one-year experience with office management or financial record keeping AND
- Demonstrated commitment to and interest in professional growth through education, work experience and involvement with the early childhood community