Director/Teacher

Position: Director/Teacher

Status: Full-Time, 30-40 hours/week, Year-round

Start date: ASAP

Benefits: Pay commensurate with experience and education, salary can be arranged to include child care and/or health insurance; PTO; possible IRA; necessary training provided, hiring bonus and relocation assistance

Deadline: Open until filled

To Apply: Please send a completed application, resume, and 3 professional references to: cooperationstationboard@gmail.com

Description:

Cooperation Station is seeking a motivated, qualified professional to manage and operate its nature-based, family childcare program. The facility may operate between the CI, CII, and CIII licensing ratio depending on the childcare needs of the community and staffing capacity. This position is supervised by the Cooperation Station Board of Directors. The mixed age group of children may range from 6 weeks to 6 years old. Duties listed are not all inclusive and may be adjusted depending on the program needs.

Responsibilities:

Administration

• Maintains an active childcare license for the facility.

• Communicates with county licensor regarding DHS statutes, rules, and programs that affect Cooperation Station’s childcare license.

• Maintains schedule for children and families who attend Cooperation Station; works with Cook County PHHS to obtain license variances if/when needed.

• Maintains employee/provider records and ensures that all staff, substitutes, and volunteers have the appropriate background checks, training, and other license requirements.

• Documents all DHS-required safety drills, crib checks, substitute logs, and license guidelines.

• Maintains child attendance records for both the Child Care Assistance Program and Early Learning Scholarships as appropriate and submits billing information to either PHHS or the Northland Foundation for payment.

• Maintains records for each child at Cooperation Station in accordance with DHS licensing guidelines.

• Maintains family waitlist in alignment with handbook policies and contacts families when openings become available.

Programming Duties:

• Develops and implement nature-based, developmentally appropriate learning which is Parent Aware approved and guided by best practices in early care and education as outlined by Minnesota’s Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs); the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC); and North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Standards.

• Communicate with parents and families daily regarding their child’s activities development, achievements, as well as any concerns.

• Designs and organizes indoor and outdoor spaces learning spaces to keep the facility safe, clean, and accessible for independent use by children.

• Maintains the health, safety, and welfare of children in the program always, including proactively intervening to maintain this when appropriate.

• Provides mentorship and guidance to children, by supporting their socialemotional, physical, and intellectual development, including healthy risk assessment, problem solving and community building.

• Interacts with children outdoors for extended periods of time.

• Respects and supports children’s interests and actively engages with children’s play through language, activity development and material suggestions

• Interacts with children frequently, affectionately, and respectfully. Remains responsive to children’s needs, questions, and requests. Acknowledges feelings with sensitivity and models appropriate social behavior.

• Track the development of individual children through a Parent Aware approved assessment tool and develop individual learning plans based on those needs.

• Engages in daily routine activities for the children's wellbeing (prepares and serves nutritious food, modeling appropriate hygiene, changes diapers, etc.)

Communication

• Provides monthly program and budget reports to the Cooperation Station Board, including financial monitoring, family communications, volunteer/staffing needs, educational opportunities, maintenance requests, and licensing changes.

• Builds positive, proactive relationships with children, families, Board, and community members.

• Coordinates family engagement and program outreach.

• In collaboration with Board, maintains social media presence for the programming including posting pictures and information of Cooperation Station activities.

Staffing and Volunteer Coordination

• Acts as primary supervisor to all staff and volunteers including scheduling; monitoring education requirements and certifications; training on program policies; staff reviews and managing any labor costs to remain within budget.

• Addresses needs for staffing changes or volunteer recruitment with the Board.

• Finds substitutes when either provider or staff are ill or on vacation.

Professional Expectations

• Understands and follows the mission and values statement of Cooperation Station.

• Creates a welcoming family environment and effectively communicates with parents and families individually and in groups regarding program policies and opportunities for participation.

• Works with Board members on grant opportunities, applications, reporting, and tracking appropriate expenditures.

• Participates in relevant meetings to represent the program throughout the community and region.

• Monitors and meets Parent Aware rating requirements.

• Maintains strict confidentiality for children, families, and program needs.

Additional Requirements:

• Must pass a criminal background check.

• Maintains certificates and training required by DHS to be the primary provider of care as well as a Parent Aware rated program.

• Must be able to lift 50lbs.

• Follows guidelines of the Employee and Parent Handbooks.

• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned by the Board.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $35.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 – 50 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25 - $35