JOB SUMMARY
The UPK Program Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, compliance, and daily operations of Malverne Afterschool Program, Inc.'s Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program across two school locations. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the UPK Program Manager oversees four UPK classrooms and provides supervision, coaching, and support to instructional and support staff to ensure the delivery of high-quality early childhood education services.
The UPK Program Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with all New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Malverne School District, and organizational requirements while fostering a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children and families.
This position serves as the primary liaison between staff, families, school district personnel, community partners, and regulatory agencies. The UPK program manager leads continuous quality improvement efforts, supports school readiness initiatives, oversees assessment and compliance systems, monitors program performance, and promotes positive outcomes for children, families, and staff.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Leadership & Operations
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of four UPK classrooms across multiple locations.
- Ensure classrooms maintain safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environments.
- Monitor program quality and ensure implementation of curriculum aligned with NYSED Early Learning Standards.
- Coordinate staffing schedules, classroom coverage, student attendance, and daily operations.
- Support student enrollment, registration, orientation, and transition activities.
- Collaborate with the executive director on program planning, strategic initiatives, purchasing, and resource allocation.
- Develop and implement operational systems that promote efficiency, accountability, and high-quality service delivery.
- Participate in continuous quality improvement initiatives to strengthen program outcomes.
Educational Leadership & School Readiness
- Support teachers in delivering high-quality instruction and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Review lesson plans and classroom activities to ensure alignment with curriculum goals and school readiness objectives.
- Promote positive child outcomes in language, literacy, social-emotional development, mathematics, and kindergarten readiness.
- Coordinate kindergarten transition activities and support families throughout the transition process.
- Ensure implementation of individualized supports and referrals when concerns regarding child development are identified.
Data, Assessment & Program Outcomes
- Coordinate administration of STAR Early Literacy Assessments, Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), and other required screenings and assessments.
- Analyze assessment data and utilize findings to support instructional planning and continuous improvement efforts.
- Monitor student progress and school readiness outcomes.
- Prepare and submit required reports to the school district, funding agencies, and organizational leadership.
- Maintain accurate student assessment records and ensure data integrity and confidentiality.
- Collaborate with teaching staff to develop strategies that improve student achievement and developmental outcomes.
Fiscal Oversight & Resource Management
- Collaborate with the executive director to monitor program expenditures.
- Review purchasing requests and ensure expenditures align with approved budgets and contractual requirements.
- Assist with inventory management and procurement of educational materials, classroom supplies, and equipment.
- Support resource planning to ensure classrooms have adequate materials and supplies to meet program needs.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Ensure full compliance with NYSED, OCFS, Malverne School District, and organizational policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate student and staff records, including attendance, health records, training documentation, certifications, and personnel files.
- Conduct routine internal audits to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Monitor and maintain all required staff certifications, background clearances, and professional development requirements.
- Coordinate preparation for district reviews, monitoring visits, audits, and site inspections.
- Develop and implement corrective action plans when compliance concerns are identified.
- Ensure all required health, safety, emergency preparedness, and risk management procedures are followed.
Staff Supervision & Professional Development
- Supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate teaching and support staff.
- Conduct regular classroom observations and provide constructive feedback to strengthen instructional quality.
- Lead staff meetings, professional development sessions, and team-building activities.
- Develop individual staff development plans and support professional growth.
- Conduct annual performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and accountability.
- Foster a positive workplace culture focused on collaboration, professionalism, and continuous learning.
Family & Community Engagement
- Build and maintain positive relationships with families, staff, community partners, and stakeholders.
- Address parent concerns in a professional, timely, and solution-focused manner.
- Promote effective communication between home and school.
- Develop and distribute newsletters, family communications, and program updates.
- Coordinate family engagement activities, workshops, celebrations, and special events.
- Support parent involvement and encourage family participation in children's educational experiences.
District & Community Partnerships
- Serve as the primary point of contact for the Malverne School District regarding UPK operations.
- Participate in district meetings, site visits, trainings, and program reviews.
- Collaborate with district personnel regarding assessments, enrollment, compliance, curriculum implementation, and school readiness initiatives.
- Maintain positive partnerships with community organizations and service providers that support children and families.
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
- Oversee the day-to-day maintenance, safety, cleanliness, and operational readiness of all UPK classrooms and program spaces.
- Conduct regular facility inspections to ensure compliance with OCFS regulations, NYSED requirements, health and safety standards, and organizational policies.
- Identify facility-related needs and coordinate repairs, maintenance, and improvements with vendors, contractors, landlords, school district personnel, and program leadership.
- Monitor classroom furniture, equipment, technology, and educational materials to ensure they are safe, functional, and developmentally appropriate.
- Maintain facility-related documentation, including inspection reports, maintenance logs, safety checklists, and required compliance records.
- Coordinate and monitor emergency preparedness procedures, including fire drills, shelter drills, lockdown drills, and other required safety protocols.
- Ensure classrooms and common areas are prepared for site visits, audits, licensing reviews, and district monitoring visits.
- Develop and implement systems for inventory management, supply ordering, and asset tracking.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director and school district partners regarding facility use, space planning, classroom expansion, and capital improvement needs.
- Oversee classroom setup and facility readiness for the opening of new classrooms, program expansion initiatives, and the start of each school year.
- Submit recommendations regarding facility improvements, equipment purchases, and long-term maintenance needs to support program quality and growth.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Education
- Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field is required.
- Master's degree in early childhood education or a related field is preferred.
- New York State teacher certification preferred.
- Candidates who do not possess New York State teacher certification at the time of hire must be willing to participate in a professional study plan leading toward certification and obtain certification within five (5) years of appointment, in accordance with applicable New York State requirements.
Experience
- Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in an early childhood education setting.
- Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory, administrative, or leadership experience preferred.
- Prior classroom teaching experience required.
- Experience managing educational programs, supervising staff, conducting evaluations, and ensuring regulatory compliance preferred.
- Experience working with Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) programs, school districts, community partners, and families preferred.
- Experience conducting classroom observations and providing instructional coaching to teaching staff preferred.
- Experience utilizing program quality assessment tools, including ECERS-3, ECERS-R, CLASS, and/or the Danielson Framework for Teaching, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of New York State Education Department (NYSED) UPK requirements, OCFS regulations, and early childhood education best practices.
- Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices preferred.
- Knowledge of classroom quality assessment tools, including ECERS-3, ECERS-R, CLASS, and the Danielson Framework for Teaching.
- Ability to conduct classroom observations, analyze instructional practices, and provide constructive feedback and coaching to staff.
- Strong leadership, team-building, coaching, and staff development skills.
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution abilities.
- Ability to analyze data and use assessment results to support continuous quality improvement.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Procare, Aspire, and other educational data management systems.
- Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
Additional Requirements
- CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within three (3) months of hire.
- Completion of all required OCFS trainings within established timelines.
- Successful completion of all required background checks, fingerprinting, and Statewide Central Register (SCR) clearances.
- Submission of required medical documentation in accordance with OCFS requirements.
- Ability to travel between program locations as needed.
- Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends for family engagement events, staff meetings, professional development activities, and program-related functions.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS
This position requires the ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, reach, and move throughout classrooms and school facilities for extended periods. The role requires active engagement with young children and the ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds as needed. Work is performed in a school environment with moderate noise levels and frequent interaction with children, families, staff, and school district personnel.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Malverne After School Program, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Next Steps:
If you are interested in this position, please submit a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and qualifications, along with an updated résumé, to [email protected].
Pay: $35.00 - $40.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
