Child Care - Early Learning Director

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Early Learning Director is responsible for the management, direction and supervision of the Early Learning program, to include school break and summer programs for preschool age children. Included in the responsibilities are day-to-day general administration of the program including responsibility for all children, staff recruitment, training and supervision, assisting with budgeting and expense control, licensing, curriculum development and delivery, community relations, collaborations and facility maintenance.  

OUR CULTURE:  

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.  We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Adhere to policies related to boundaries with youth.
• Complete required abuse risk management training.
• Adhere to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising youth.
• Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.
• Operational Leadership: Manage daily operations of a licensed facility, ensuring high-quality programming and financial sustainability through budget management and enrollment growth. In addition, this position will also provide leadership and planning for preschool camp programs during school and summer breaks.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensure full adherence to federal, state and local licensing regulations, risk management requirements, and YMCA child safety protocols. Responsible for continuously evaluating programs to manage risk. Effectively handles all emergency incidents, submits proper documentation and assists with follow up investigations.  
• Staff Management: Oversee the hiring, onboarding, training, and performance evaluation of early learning staff and teachers. Rewards and recognizes staff and ideas contributing to our YMCA staff culture.
• Family & Community Engagement: Models relationship-building skills in all interactions; develops and maintains collaborative relationships with staff and families, community partners and school administrators to maximize program impact and drive overall outcomes; maintains regular, clear, and concise communication within the area of responsibility. Addresses all inquiries and complaints in a timely and thorough manner.  
• Build strong relationships with families, drive community outreach, and manage communication regarding child development and curriculum milestones.
• Curriculum Oversight: Implement developmentally appropriate educational models, utilizing systems like Creative Curriculum, to foster child growth, social-emotional skills, achievement, academic growth and enrichment. Ensures high quality programs through innovative program development and continuous program monitoring, evaluation and improvement.  
• Organizes or participates in Y activities, such as committees, special events, and fundraising. Must work closely with other departments to ensure good communication, cooperation and ensure good customer service throughout the building.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  
• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities.
• Must be able to assist a small to average size child weighing up to 50 pounds.  
• Ability to stand or sit while maintaining alertness for several hours at a time.
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or related field.  
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working primarily with preschoolers in a licensed child care center.
• Minimum age of 21.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and administrative skills, including staff supervision and development, budgeting skills and initiative in program development.  
• CPR/AED, First Aid, Oxygen and Blood Borne Pathogen training required within 60 days of employment.
• Child Abuse Prevention training required before/on first day of work.
• Fulfillment of state-specific hiring standards and completion of YMCA program-specific training.
• Commitment to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team is necessary.  

Salary : $42,000 - $45,000