Preschool Director/Teacher

Overview
The Director role is a vital part of the ministry of First Methodist Church of DeFuniak Springs. The Preschool Director is the lead administrator of the school and as such, is responsible for the safety of the children in their care, the coordination, management, and oversight of the day-to-day operations of the church-managed Preschool. The Preschool’s mission is to provide quality faith-based child-centered school readiness. The Director is responsible for casting and implementing a vision that meets the needs of families and results in the Preschool having a positive reputation within the Church and the community.

Duties

Supervisory and Facility

• Directly supervises a team of individuals; Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws; Responsibilities include training, planning, assigning, and directing work, appraising performance, addressing complaints, and resolving problems
• Hires and terminates staff and teachers following consultation with the HIS Kids’ Steering Committee and approval from the Church’s Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC); Follows all Federal, State, and local employment laws in hiring practices
• Schedules employee hours; Maintains and oversees daily attendance records and compliance of student-to-teacher ratios in each classroom; Approves and maintains leave request; Serves as a classroom teacher as needed; Monitors all volunteers and records their hours
• Oversees the teachers and monitors classroom activities and daily schedules; Evaluates teacher practices and educational programs; provides suggestions for “best practices” in the classroom
• Monitors and assists with any students exhibiting behavioral issues and works with teachers and parents to address
• Develops and oversees emergency preparedness plans, drills, training, incident reporting, etc.
• Recognizes safety issues and reports them to the appropriate personnel; Contacts appropriate personnel for building maintenance and lawn service

Programs and Enrollment

• Manages all aspects of student admissions; Maintains an accurate list of families interested in enrollment; Enrolls children without discrimination regardless of race, sex, creed, national origin, or disability
• Establishes faith-based and school readiness focused curriculum; Creates supplemental classroom sessions which are fun, interactive, and educational; Oversees the implementation of curriculum to meet educational goals
• Coordinates a team approach to meet educational objectives
• Manages the school’s calendar and plans special programs and events related to holidays; Plans and implements graduation program and activities
• Responsible for community outreach
• Develops and modifies policies and procedures and presents them to the HIS Kids’ Steering Committee for their approval

Regulatory

• Adheres to all applicable laws and regulations concerning all aspects of running a Preschool
• Keeps accurate records and submits required reports in a timely manner
• Completes all State DCF and ELC reports and audits on schedule
• Remains up-to-date on all correspondence with governing agencies regarding Preschool business
• Ensures VPK assessments are completed and input into the State website punctually
• Maintains and reviews student and staff records on a regular basis for compliance
• Ensures the school environment is healthy and safe in accordance with applicable policies and laws
• Ensures compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws
• Coordinates any trainings and certifications required by law or policy
• Attends all HIS Kids’ Steering Committee meetings and provides requested reports, announcements regarding special programs, information related to staff members taking extended leave, and an accounting of currently delinquent tuition payments (names can be redacted)

Relational

• Strives for daily contact with students’ parents
• Ensures parental involvement by offering and arranging conference and meetings with students’ parents
• Maintains good communications with parents regarding school events and Preschool closures
• Reviews and discusses student’s progress and behavior with parents and teachers regularly
• Able to provide Christian based ministry to children and families
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Personal Ethics

· Must be of good moral and Christian character

· Must have a demonstrative life of Christian faith and practice, and hold a commitment to Christian theology that is compatible with the doctrine, values, and traditions of the Methodist Church

· Must have a lifestyle and workplace performance that reflect the Global Methodist Church’s Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline

Safety and Security

• Must pass a background check*
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Must complete fire extinguisher training within 30 days of hire date
• Must become first aid and CPR certified within 30 days of hire date
• Must complete an initial in-house Vulnerable Individuals’ Protection Plan (VIP Plan) training or equivalent program sanctioned by the Global Methodist Church within 14 days of hire date; annual training thereafter
• Must complete an initial in-house Safety Plan training within 14 days of hire date; annual training thereafter

Education

• Must have a GED or High School Diploma
• Must have an Associates Degree or a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from an nationally accredited institution
• Must have the FL DCF Director’s Credential
• Must have successfully completed an Overview of Child Care Management course
• Must have successfully passed all required VPK training courses and certification tests
• Must complete ten hours of annual continuing education

Experience

• Must have a minimum of one year or 1040 hours of work experience in a childcare setting**
• Must have a minimum of one year of supervisory experience
• Must provide work history and three non-related references

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $50,000