York Day Early Learning is seeking an extraordinary, experienced early childhood education professional to fill the role of Center Director at our Philadelphia Street school. The ideal candidate for this position will have a proven track record of successful leadership in an early childhood setting and will demonstrate a multi-faceted approach to day-to-day center operations that includes staff development, family engagement, and an overall commitment to helping young children have great beginnings for bright futures. Pay rate for the right candidate is determined based on level of completed education and tenure in early childhood education.
QUALIFICATIONS: As per Pennsylvania state licensing regulations for childcare, the center director’s education and/or experience qualifications will meet or exceed one of the following sets of criteria:
(1) A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 1 year of experience with children or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, including 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 2 years of experience with children.
(2) An associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 3 years of experience with children or an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university, including 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 4 years of experience with children.
The Center Director shall also have a minimum of two years of supervisory experience in an educational setting. In addition to these requirements, the center director also has the following preferred qualifications:
- a current Pennsylvania Director’s Credential
- a comprehensive understanding of child development
- strong oral and written communication skills
- proficiency with basic technology and computer skills
- exceptional leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills
The Center Director is also required to provide York Day Early Learning (YDEL) with documentation that they have obtained a National Sex Offender Registry clearance, an FBI fingerprint record clearance, a PA Child Abuse History clearance, and a PA State Police Criminal Record check clearance within 5 years of their first day of YDEL employment and again at least once every 5 years of renewal of each of these clearances.
The Center Director is also required to provide YDEL with documentation that they have obtained a staff health assessment and negative TB test result within 1 year of their first day of YDN employment, and they will then be expected to provide documentation bi-annually of renewal of health assessment documentation.
The Center Director is also required to provide YDEL with documentation that they have obtained pediatric first aid and CPR training before they can work with children unsupervised and will then be expected to provide documentation of bi-annual renewal of this certification.
GENERAL DUTIES: The center director is directly responsible for management of all aspects of daily operations at their specifically assigned location, in line with York Day Early Learning’s priorities, mission, vision, and philosophy. The center director is accountable for the wellbeing of the center in all areas, including health and safety, curriculum and program development, staffing, family and community engagement, facility maintenance, legal and budgetary considerations, and long-range planning.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Adhere to all policies and procedures as detailed in the YDEL employee handbook. Maintain and model, at all times, confidentiality requirements regarding students, staff, families, and community partners.
- Demonstrate a pro-active, positive attitude at all times, especially in the face of challenges. Work collaboratively with staff to achieve success, solve problems, and in general ensure programmatic success. Implement corrective action for employees as needed. Serve as a role model for other early childhood professionals at YDEL, in our community, and in the field. Maintain a positive, professional attitude toward the YDEL program, YDEL students and families, and YDEL coworkers. Treat all children, families, visitors, community partners, and coworkers with dignity and respect.
- Ensure center wide adherence to all state licensing regulations, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards, and Pennsylvania Keystone STARS quality standards. Regularly review, evaluate, and assess center operations to ensure that efforts reflect YDEL’s mission and vision. Be well-versed and informed about center policies and goals at all times. Ensure legal and financial compliance of the center. Effectively and regularly utilize data-entry systems related to regulatory and quality agencies, such as the PA PD Registry and Pelican websites.
- Oversee all facets of staffing for the center, including recruitment, onboarding, scheduling/ratio compliance, retention and morale, and termination. Create and maintain up-to-date staff documentation for each team member, as per state licensing guidelines. Complete annual staff evaluation for each team member. Identify potential leaders among classroom staff and help develop them accordingly.
- Oversee all facets of student enrollment for the center, including wait list management, transition into the program, retention, classroom capacity/ratio compliance, planning for transition between classrooms and out of the program, and future planning for enrollment/capacity. Ensure state licensing regulation compliance with student recordkeeping.
- Develop and support curriculum implementation throughout all classrooms, including the training and guidance of staff who are fulfilling curriculum duties. Complete a minimum of one hour of classroom observation, per classroom, monthly to evaluate curriculum implementation and other classrooms needs and provide classroom staff with feedback based on those observations.
- Oversee center finances necessary for day-to-day operations and budget planning in consultation with YDEL’s Vice President of Finance. Maintain timely tuition billing and payment procedures. Communicate with families and VP of Finance as needed about billing/payments. Responsibly utilize YDEL provided credit card for expenses and submit receipts as needed. Ensure center wide budgeting is regularly reviewed and maintained in adherence to budget guidelines given to the center by the VP of Finance.
- Ensure the well-being, health, and safety of the children and staff at all times. Provide assistance with first aid and medical treatment as needed. Regularly review and evaluate YDEL center-wide emergency plan and provide training on said plan to all new hires, volunteers, families, outside agencies as needed and at least annually to employed staff. Serve as the person highest in command whenever present in the center for emergency situations.
- Serve as support to classroom staff in using positive behavior support strategies with students. Adhere to YDEL expectations as outlined in the employee handbook when engaging with students at all times. Collaborate with outside agencies to provide children and staff with support for learning and behavior needs among children. Connect these agencies and YDEL families, as needed.
- Communicate regularly with families regarding their experience at YDEL. Utilize YDEL’s chosen electronic parent communication app, telephone and/or in-person conversation, and any other means necessary to share pertinent information individuals and/or center wide and help develop positive relationships and trust between current and prospective families and YDEL. Create and distribute center communications, as needed.
- Work collaboratively with other YDEL administration to ensure consistency throughout organization. Identify and discuss center needs, successes, and growth opportunities with VP of Operations and CEO as requested.
- Collaborate with VPO to ensure, at minimum, bi-monthly staff meetings for staff occur as well as, at minimum, once a year annual in-service training for staff.
- Assist as needed with daily housekeeping responsibilities in classrooms and center common areas to ensure that all spaces are clean, orderly, and in working order.
- Step into the role of classroom teacher, front desk staff, and/or kitchen staff as needed and perform all required duties in these roles.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS: The center director must have reliable transportation to and from work at all YDEL properties and as needed for off-site meetings, trainings, and professional obligations. Center directors must have the visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to hazards in their environment, must be able to regularly lift children of various sizes and on occasion lift up to fifty pounds for work-related purpose, and must possess adequate mobility and endurance as required to fully engage with students, staff, families, and visitors as well as the general pace and flow of an interactive day.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $52,000.00 - $74,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
