JOB TITLE: Program Director (PD) / Lead Teacher (LT) SUPERVISOR’S TITLE: SK Head of School

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Responsible for the general management of the Preschool Program. To provide a safe and nurturing environment for children that encourages their social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. Design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum according to Summers-Knoll School (SK) to early childhood learning. Maintain positive relationships with parents, children, co-workers, and community partners. Ensure safety and supervision of children at all times by meeting all demands of the position.

Program Director (PD) - RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, implement, and evaluate preschool program policies and procedures.
• Monitor staff, including - schedules, substitute plans, and annual evaluations.
• Administer day-to-day operations including being available to address parent, child, and staff issues.
• Maintain program budget.
• Purchase classroom materials and equipment.
• Facilitate intake of interest in the Preschool Program at SK.
• Maintain licensure, training, current rules.
• Facilitate and lead onsite audits.

Lead Teacher (LT) - CURRICULUM

• Implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Curriculum should reflect observations and assessments of individual children and small groups of children.
• Design an environment that responds to children’s individual developmental levels; physical, social, and emotional needs; as well as current interests.
• Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities that foster social skills and encourage children to think, problem solve, question, and experiment.
• Foster positive self-concept by supporting individuality, independence, and the ability to make choices.
• Encourage creative expression.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity by providing anti-bias, non-sexist language, images, and experiences that reflect community.
• Plan and implement activities that are play-based, child-centered, and child / group initiated while limiting teacher-centered activities.
• Provide more than one option for group activity and maintain flexibility in changing planned activities, according to children’s interests.
• Create documentation of children’s learning and development through quarterly assessments.

PD & LT - INTERACTION BETWEEN STAFF & CHILDREN

• Interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling and speaking in a friendly, calm, soft, and courteous manner that is within close proximity of the child and at the child’s level.
• Respect and observe children’s interests.
• Intervene when needed to maintain safety.
• Enhance children’s play with language, materials, and activities.
• Engage and communicate constructively with children during activities and routines. Take every opportunity to positively extend children’s thinking and actions.
• Be available and responsive to children’s needs, questions, and requests.
• Practice positive discipline techniques in guiding children’s mistaken behavior that is in accordance with SK.

PD & LT - INTERACTION BETWEEN STAFF & PARENTS

• Acknowledge parents / guardians and all school visitors. Demonstrate a friendly, courteous, and professional demeanor.
• Respond to parents’ comments and concerns with sensitivity, interest, and respect. Maintain confidentiality.
• Invite input from parents regarding their child’s development and care.
• Communicate verbally and in writing with parents daily regarding the development and specific activities of the children.
• Plan and facilitate regular parent conferences to discuss orientation, developmental goals, and their child’s portfolio.
• Assist in planning and attending SK preschool program, as well as SK school wide, events and meetings.
• Share classroom activity and resources with parents through discussion, articles, Storypark, newsletters, and community contacts.

PD & LT - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION

• Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of the SK.
• Supervise children at all times. Demonstrate awareness of entire group while working with a small group or individuals.
• Know the number of children in your group and maintain required ratios at all times.
• Maintain accurate attendance records throughout the day.
• Complete appropriate paperwork (i.e., injuries, medication, and allergies).
• Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety, and nutritional practices.
• Keep environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive. Encourage respect for classroom materials. Notify designated individual in advance when supplies are needed.
• Arrange space in clearly defined, well-organized activity areas.
• Organize a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently.
• Ensure that the classroom meets and exceeds all licensing requirements.

PD & LT - PROFESSIONALISM

• Maintain confidentiality about issues concerning other staff members, children and families.
• Demonstrate knowledge of ages and stages of development. Understand the general areas of physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development for preschool ages.
• Support organizational mission, philosophies, values, goals, and policies to parents, co-workers, and community.
• Ensure continuity of care for children by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance, and arranging and communicating leave requests in advance.
• Respect and adhere to staffing schedules that may be adjusted as program needs change and may include working in another classroom.
• Demonstrate flexibility and an openness to new ideas in child care practices.
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and other school-wide events.
• Continue professional growth by attending courses, asking for feedback, and reading professional literature.

PD & LT - TEAMWORK

• Establish and maintain a relationship of cooperation and respect with teaching team.
• Assume a fair share of work. Look for ways to be helpful. Demonstrate initiative.
• Assume classroom and school responsibilities as needed, including: kitchen cleanliness, classroom cleanliness, children’s files, etc.
• Offer and share ideas and materials with teaching team(s).
• Encourage active participation with teaching team through communication, collaboration, and curriculum planning.

PD & LT - PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Follow state, federal, and SK guidelines including immunizations, employment physical, and required health and safety training.
• Ensure children’s safety while performing the following job functions:
• Frequently lift, move, or hold children in the range of 10 to 40 pounds. Occasionally lift, move, or hold weight more than 40 pounds.
• Supervise and interact daily with children outdoors for extended periods in varied weather conditions.
• Demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities.
• Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies.

PD & LT - LEADERSHIP

• Take the lead in guiding and collaborating with the teaching team to develop and implement clear classroom goals that support a quality program.
• Ensure that daily responsibilities are complete, and that jobs are shared and taught to each team member over time.
• Model exemplary behavior with children, parents, and co-workers and give direction as needed to less-experienced staff.
• Orient new team members to classroom routines, curriculum practices, and parent communication.

REQUIREMENTS - PROGRAM DIRECTOR

• Must be 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must meet one of the following qualifications:
• Must have at least 2 semester hours or 3.0 CEUs in child care administration.
• Meet federal as well as state requirements (i.e., TB test, physical, bloodborne pathogens).
• Complete at least 16 clock hours of professional development per year.

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY

• May take action, but must inform SK Head of School:
• Take time off from scheduled work hours/days or alter schedule, in coordination with Director of Operations.
• Discuss behavior or developmental concerns with a parent.
• Schedule a field trip, in coordination with Director of Operations.
• Caring for a child with a significant injury.
• Acknowledging and listening to a parent concern.
• Filing a neglect and abuse complaint.

TO APPLY, please submit the following documentation, in one complete PDF document via email.

• A recently updated resume
• Three recent professional references that we may contact

Compensation: Salary is competitive, commensurate with experience and education level. Summers-Knoll provides health insurance for full-time staff with optional offerings of dental and vision.

This document provides the essential information of the position but is not intended as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

Summers-Knoll School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• After school
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Ann Arbor, MI 48104: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person