Full-Time, Non-Union, Exempt Position

Annual Salary: $55,000-$60,000 depending on experience

40 hours per week, schedule varies

BASIC FUNCTION:

Provides leadership and oversight for the Infant/Toddler Program by supervising staff, managing daily operations, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality early childhood education. Ensures compliance with Early Start CT requirements, NAEYC accreditation standards, Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) regulations, CACFP requirements, and agency policies. Assists the Director in the overall management of the Early Childhood Division and assumes responsibility for Division operations in the Director's absence. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Supervision

• Supervises Infant/Toddler Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and support staff.
• Assists with the supervision of Preschool staff in the absence of the Preschool Education Manager.
• Participate in recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, orientation, evaluation, coaching, and performance management of Infant/Toddler staff.
• Provides mentoring, coaching, and ongoing support to teaching staff to promote professional growth and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with staff to develop and monitor individualized professional development plans.
• Coordinates classroom staffing and schedules in collaboration with the Operations Manager and Preschool Education Manager.
• Coordinates child transitions between the Infant/Toddler and Preschool Programs in collaboration with the Enrollment/Program Manager and Preschool Education Manager.
• Assumes responsibility for Early Childhood Division operations in the Director's absence.

Program Operations

• Oversee the daily operation of the Infant/Toddler Program to ensure efficient, effective, and high-quality services.
• Ensures classrooms maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios, active supervision practices, and responsive caregiving standards always.
• Provides classroom coverage and supervisory support as needed to maintain program quality and continuity of care.
• Responds appropriately to emergencies, injuries, and other incidents in accordance with agency procedures and licensing requirements.
• Reliably meets deadlines and ensures timely completion of assigned projects, documentation, and reporting requirements.

Curriculum and Child Development

• Oversees the implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum and responsive caregiving practices that support the learning, development, and well-being of infants and toddlers.
• Supports teachers in creating inclusive, relationship-based learning environments that address the individual developmental needs of infants and toddlers.
• Monitors developmental screenings, assessments, observations, and individualized plans to ensure program quality, continuity of care, and compliance with program requirements.
• Coordinates family conferences and educational activities that promote children's development, strengthen family partnerships, and support continuity between home and the program.
• Collaborates with Preschool staff and families to support smooth and successful transitions from the Infant/Toddler Program to the Preschool Program.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensures compliance with Early Start CT requirements, NAEYC accreditation standards, Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) regulations, CACFP requirements, agency policies, and all applicable health and safety regulations.
• Monitors Infant/Toddler classroom environments to ensure compliance with health, safety, sanitation, safe sleep, and emergency preparedness requirements.
• Maintains NAEYC accreditation through ongoing monitoring, documentation, portfolio review, and submission of required reports.
• Supports classroom staff in maintaining NAEYC documentation, reflective practices, and continuous quality improvement efforts.
• Maintains accurate child, classroom, staff, and program records.
• Works with the Operations Manager to maintain the Connecticut OEC Staff Registry and ensure required staff credentials and documentation are current.
• Assists the Enrollment/Program Manager with monitoring compliance related to CACFP requirements.

Collaboration and Administration

• Participate in strategic planning, program evaluation, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Monitors changes in early childhood regulations, funding, best practices, and program requirements and implements changes as appropriate.
• Represents the Early Childhood Division and the agency at local, state, and professional meetings, committees, and early childhood organizations as needed.
• Participates in agency, departmental, personnel, and professional development meetings as required.
• Shares responsibility for agency-wide events and activities.
• Maintains professionalism, ethical conduct, and confidentiality in all interactions.
• Comply with mandated reporter responsibilities.
• Performs other related duties and special projects assigned.

Education:

Must meet QSM requirements for the state, bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, or related field or a combination of documentable education and work experience.

Experience:

Knowledge of, and experience with NAEYC accreditation standards, Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) regulations, CACFP requirements. Two years of supervisory experience required.

Job Skills:

• Excellent written and oral communications   
• Proficient in MS Office 
• Ability to multitask     
• Proficient in basic math
• Leadership and team management    
• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to relate to children/adults    
• Organization and time management
• Initiative      
• Problem solving skills
• Conflict resolution     
• Curriculum planning and instructional coaching

Licenses /Certifications:

Valid CT Driver’s License/Own Transportation/CT required insurance

Must maintain credentials required by funding sources and/or agencies to sustain position.

Benefits Include:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Vacation Time
• Personal Time
• Sick Time
• Holiday Pay

New Opportunities' mission is to improve the quality of life for economically disadvantaged individuals by providing the necessary resources to increase their standard of living, foster self-improvement, and maximize self-empowerment.

New Opportunities Inc. is the community action agency that serves Waterbury, Meriden, Torrington and 22 surrounding Connecticut towns. We offer a variety of social service programs designed to eliminate poverty and assist people in need.

Headquartered in Waterbury and the cities fourth largest employer, New Opportunities has additional offices in Meriden, Torrington, Danbury and Thomaston for the convenience of those they serve. Annually, more than 61,000 individuals benefit from programs offered at this agency, guided by the New Opportunities staff who helped them find the way to meet their needs.

In accordance with the mission of New Opportunities, the Agency aims to increase the self-sufficiency of its customers and support their move out of poverty toward a more middle-class lifestyle.

In 1964, the Agency incorporated as a private non-profit corporation in the State of Connecticut and is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization. With an annual budget for 2014 in excess of $41 million dollars, New Opportunities administers more than 50 social service programs targeted to the low-income, elderly and disabled communities.

While the range of programs is broad, they fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Energy Assistance
• Fatherhood Initiative
• Child Welfare and Family Development Services
• Early Childhood Education Programs
• Elderly Services
• Homeless Shelter and Transitional Housing
• Ex-Offender Programs and Re-entry Services

EOE/AA/Veteran/Disability