Child Development Coordinator

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Make a difference in the community with Early Learning Essentials (ELE)! We are a non profit organization that offers preschool services to children and families who encounter life's challenges and need a hand up.

Full-time positions enjoy exceptional benefits with medical, dental, life, and a 401(k). We are a family friendly company as all staff enjoy gym benefits, weekends off, and twice the normal holidays!

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Child Development Coordinator role encompasses the following:

• Provides support and supervision in the Education service area to ensure teachers deliver comprehensive education services to all Head Start children, including those with Individualized Education Plan's (IEP), behavioral support or health plans and English language learners.
• Supports and coordinates education services as teachers helping children develop socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally in a developmentally appropriate manner toward the overall goal of social competence and school readiness, as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards, the 2007 Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act and Early Learning Essentials' policies and procedures and ensures services support the agency's school readiness plan.
• Functionally supervises Child Development Specialists and Center Managers/Coaches.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensures child safety and active supervision of children is maintained at all times as described in the Education Policy and Procedures.
• Coordinates with the Executive Director, Education and Child Development Services Director, Child Development Specialists, Center Managers/Coaches, and other agency coordinators in implementing the goals and objectives of the education and child development service area.
• Ensures that the curriculum addresses key elements of school readiness and aligns with the revised Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework, and state early learning standards.
• Coordinates with the Executive Director, Education and Child Development Services Director, Child Development Specialists, and Center Managers/Coaches in training, coaching, mentoring, supporting and supervising the center teaching staff.
• Assists the Education service area in obtaining and recording a complete developmental, educational and mental health history of each Head Start child in coordination with the other Head Start service area coordinators:
• Oversees the administration of the developmental screenings and assessment of all Head Start children.
• Coordinates with the Executive Director, the Education and Child Development Services Director, Child Development Specialists, Center Managers/Coaches, and other service area coordinators in providing technical assistance and an organized child development training program for children, parents and staff.
• Supports and assists Child Development Specialists and Center Managers/Coaches in monitoring the operations of the center to ensure efficient, safe and developmentally appropriate education of Head Start children on a daily basis.
• Coordinates with the Executive Director, Administration and Human Resources Director, Education and Child Development Services Director, Child Development Specialists, and Center Managers/Coaches to ensure the agency is providing professional development opportunities to all staff.
• Attends not less than 15 hours of professional development per year. Chooses professional development that is of high-quality, sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction and the performance in the classroom.
• Works collaboratively with the Facilities and Transportation Manager to develop emergency procedures at sites and ensure safe environments for children.
• Demonstrates understanding of child abuse/neglect laws. Reports suspected child abuse to the Family and Community Services Director. Attends child abuse training.
• Collaborates with other service areas to ensure seamless services to children and families and ensures we are staying true to our mission and vision. Attends and participates in staff and parent training sessions, as directed, i.e. pre-service, orientations, in-service training meetings and other agency activities as required.
• Supports the achievement of in-kind goals by actively participating in the solicitation of in-kind services and donations to the Head Start program including, but not limited to, encouraging community members and organizational contacts to volunteer, provide donations of professional services, supplies, and anything else needed to support the Head Start program.
• Expected to provide temporary assistance in the classrooms to meet minimum child to staff ratios, or to ensure the safety of children, in the absence of sufficient Education and Child Development Service Area staff. Staff from any service area working or present at a center when the need arises will be called upon first, with Administrative Office staff being utilized if insufficient staff is present on site.
• Expected to assist the agency in maintaining safe and healthy environments for children and staff by immediately reporting health and safety risks/concerns or potential concerns to a leadership staff member and/or via our internal work order system and follow up with appropriate staff in a timely or appropriate manner.
• Must be able to travel to and from classrooms in private vehicle; should follow HR Policy 26
  regarding agency owned vehicles and the priority of usage for checking out vehicles when
  determining the need for conducting on-site visits; must provide a copy of state-required proof of
  insurance every six months.
• Other job-related duties as assigned may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of this position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a baccalaureate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development or a baccalaureate or advanced degree and equivalent coursework in early childhood education (at least 6 university courses) with early education teaching experience.
• Must have experience supervising in an early childhood education program.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Maintains current interrater reliability in Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG) and CLASS certification.
• Extensive knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, direct and coordinate operations in personnel supervision, communications, and budget management.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and to develop solutions to problems with limited supervision.
• Ability to write and speak the English language in a proficient and professional manner to meet requirements of the job.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, subordinates, Board members, community groups, and other related agencies and people.

EARLY LEARNING ESSENTIALS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVISE THIS JOB DESCRIPTION AT OUR DISCRETION WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE AT ANYTIME.