MECK Pre-K Site Administrator Coach

Organization Overview

Smart Start of Mecklenburg County (Smart Start or SSMC) is a Charlotte-based non-profit that funds local programs for children ages birth to five and their families. The organization is a catalyst for improving the lives of the 85,000 young children in our community, with a focus on health, family, early education, and literacy. We mobilize resources and forge partnerships to support evidence-based policies, practices, and programs to ensure all children enter kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed.

Smart Start has a budget of over $35 million comprised of funding from the state of North Carolina, Mecklenburg County, and private donations and grants. SSMC funds approximately 25 programs annually serving over 25,000 young children and their families and administers Mecklenburg County's MECK Pre-K (MPK) program, which provides free Pre-K to children in the community. SSMC also operates programs and campaigns internally, including Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Guiding Parents to Services, and The Basics Mecklenburg. The organization is also the leader in research, data, convening and collaborating on issues related to children 0-5 in the Greater Charlotte area.

The MECK Pre-K Site Administrator Coach supports and collaborates with MPK early childhood education administrators to ensure that all program policy and procedures are met as highlighted in the MPK Policy and Procedures manual. These collaborations and coaching sessions include but are not limited to Teaching Strategies fidelity observations, TS GOLD assessment and ReadyRosie reports, administrator small group/ individualized coaching, developing/maintaining the Q&A process and managing site monitoring. The site administrator coach collaborates directly with the MECK Pre-K Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager to ensure consistent implementation of services across all MECK Pre-K classrooms.

Program Compliance

• Leads, inspires, and sets a high standard of excellent practices by supporting site administrators with organizing and managing all aspects of program requirements.
• Reviews MPK policy and procedure and site monitoring guidelines and makes recommendations to the MPK Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager for updating materials and documents in accordance with SSMC.
• Collects data and provides feedback to the MPK Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager after coaching site administrators to streamline processes.
• Provides small group and individualized training to site administrators on all aspects of MPK program requirements.
• Provides recommendations to the MPK Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager for responding to specific types of program questions/needs and prepares written strategies, protocols, and procedures.
• Based on needs assessment & feedback, this position will determine the need for clarification of guidelines and the development of policy and/or new program elements.

• Develops & coordinates an ongoing system of support for site administrators, including reviewing and coordinating goals to increase student & family outcomes and classroom instruction for Teaching Strategies "The Fidelity Tool", TS GOLD documentation and assessment status reports, ReadyRosie, Brigance, PAST and family engagement.
• Based on needs assessment & site administrator feedback, makes recommendations for appropriate professional development and technical assistance for directors to MPK Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager. Teamwork is critical.
• In collaboration with MPK Support Service Specialists, develops process/procedure to support site administrators in responding to consecutive absences, unique child learning needs, reducing suspension/expulsion and making referrals to community agencies and managing teams to support students and families.
• Provides site monitoring protocol updates, tools, & procedures to support site
• Creates "Question and Answer" documents, and a schedule of on-site visits to classrooms using the established monitoring protocol.

• Communicates orally and in writing with internal staff and external partners about MPK and SSMC s
• Collaborates with MPK Quality Assurance & Compliance Manager to plan & coordinate professional development for site administrators, specific to MECK Pre-K program compliance and site monitoring.
• Develops written summary reports of work with site administrators, including Action Plans related to site monitoring.

Education and Experience Required for Position

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education and coursework in administration/leadership/ mentoring/coaching preferred but not required.
• A minimum of 3 years of strong, progressive administrative leadership in early childhood education/pre-kindergarten settings.
• Experience in consultation, training, and organizational development is highly
• Knowledge of the North Carolina Child Care Rules and Law (Chapter 110 of the North Carolina General Statutes).
• Equivalent education and experience may be

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required for the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

This is a full time, exempt position with a high degree of flexibility, including primarily offsite/remote work opportunities. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

This position is based in Mecklenburg County, with travel throughout the County to various MPK sites. Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

No calls, emails, or visits please . For immediate consideration, please formally apply online and provide a resume and cover letter.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this job classification. They are not to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all duties, skills, and responsibilities of people so assigned. Smart Start will engage in an interactive process with employees requesting medical or religious accommodations.

The Agency's policy is to provide equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability or veteran status.