Early Childhood Site Director - LaSalle Early Learning Center

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: 

The Early Learning Center Site Diector is to coordinate, budget, and manage the daily operation of the child care center/preschool and supervise employees following the Department of Human Services (HHS) and early childhood guidelines.

SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS, EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in Child Development or Early Childhood. Experience as a teacher and director or supervisory level is preferred
• Approval from the HHS Licensing Department is required and all specified qualifications must be met. 
• Knowledge and experience with implementing  HHS rules and guidelines and state licensing requirements
• Comprehensive knowledge and proven success implementing programs for children based on developmentally appropriate practices
• Ability to manage a budget 
• Proficient with computer – Internet, Google, and Microsoft Office
• Able to be discreet and maintain confidentiality

• Professional verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Attitude of helpfulness
• Flexibility with changing priorities and processes
• Maintain composure under pressure while handling common inquires, complaints, or identifying emergent situations
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team
• Practicing Catholic preferred

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Articulate the center’s mission to employees and other stakeholders and solicit support in realizing the mission
• Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement
• Represent the center in a professional, courteous, and positive manner at all times
• Foster a professional working environment with an emphasis on respect, confidentiality, and customer service.  Refrain from gossiping, criticizing, excessive socializing, and personal phone usage
• Maintain open, consistent, and effective communication with parents, providing parent education training, assistance and support as needed
• Accept and respect differences in children, parents, and coworkers
• Coordinate center functions, including work schedules, daily activity plans, summer plans, conferences, and family events
• Ensure that child to staff ratio is maintained at all times
• Implement policies and procedures
• Monitor attendance and confirm the reason for absence
• Maintain all necessary files for child and center employees per HHS requirements
• Notify Human Resources of any open staff positions 
• Lead the hiring process and orientation of all new staff
• Manage tracking of all training as required by the State of Iowa, HHS, Archdiocese of Dubuque, and any center specific initiative. Follow up with employees when necessary
•  Identifying training needs to support the professional development of all child care staff
• Attend professional development seminars to maintain an understanding of the current best practices of curriculum and administrative functions of child development programs 
• Provide accurate and meaningful annual performance evaluations for all child care staff
• Actively recruit new families and conduct center tours
• Work closely with the principal regarding school registration, enrollment, the strategic plan, and Catholic Schools Week
• Oversee the cleanliness, order, and safety of the facility and outdoor areas
• Maintain accurate and timely billing and record keeping in line with XCS Business Office procedures
• Deposit and record all payments in a timely manner according to XCS Business Office procedures
• Maintain CACFP records, including required filing and reporting in compliance with program regulations 
• Prepare, distribute, and/or post necessary reports; analyze and make adjustments to ensure efficiency and timely response to requests for special reports
• Order supplies and handle purchase order requests
• Create and maintain an annual budget
• Provide timely response to emergency situations and deliver first aid in accordance with established procedures
• Maintain regular communication with the principal
• Coordinate the annual licensing of the child care center with HHS
• Update staff and center handbooks, forms, website and emergency plans
• Assist teaching staff in order to maintain required staff to child ratios

These duties are not all-inclusive.  Other duties may be assigned.

JOB SCOPE:  

Position encounters variations in work situations and questions.  Incumbent operates under general directions and instructions, performing with minimal supervision.

COMMUNICATION/CLIENT CONTACT: 

Contacts are normally made inside and outside the school.  Contacts frequently contain confidential/sensitive matters.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to maintain emotional control under stress.  Work with frequent interruptions. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours, frequent standing, walking, talking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, pulling, sitting, and listening.  Lifts and moves items up to 50 pounds. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of a childcare role. Employees may be exposed to wet or messy conditions during activities such as outdoor play, art projects, toileting, or meal service. Work may also occur outdoors in varying weather conditions and in environments with elevated noise levels due to group activities and interactions with children. Employees may be required to attend occasional evening meetings and be able to complete computer work assigned related to training, documentation, and parent communication.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described above are representative of the physical capabilities that must be met by an employee and the working conditions that 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. 

SUPERVISES:  All staff of the child care center, including substitute staff

Xavier Catholic Schools forms disciples unafraid to follow Jesus Christ. As part of this Christ-centered educational system the Human Resources Manager helps build and support a professional culture rooted in Catholic values across all Xavier Schools