2025 Site Lead Kindergarten Readiness Camp - West Ottawa Public Schools

Ready for School: Our mission is to increase access to early educational experiences through integrated community support, so all children enter kindergarten ready to learn and reach their full potential.

Ready for School’s vision is to create communities of readiness where all children thrive and reach their full unique potential. Our passion is early learning and collaborating with community partners to develop best practices that prepare children and families for success in school and in life. The kindergarten readiness camp summer experience is intended to be a partnership between Ready for School, our partner school districts, and parents. We realize that there is strength when we work together for the betterment of children and families.

Kindergarten Readiness Camp Site Lead

Status: Temporary Employment/hourly

Compensation and Hours: $33 per hour, not to exceed 215 hours without prior approval

Camp Dates: June 16-July 23rd

Site: West Ottawa Public Schools - Great Lake Elementary 

Term: Kindergarten Readiness Camp is Mondays through Friday. Site Lead hours are approximately 7:30 am until 1:00 pm daily, which includes time to set up, clean up, debrief after camp sessions, and ensure all bus riders have made it home safely before your departure. In addition to instructional hours spent during kindergarten readiness camp, the Site Lead will spend some of their time in the following ways:

• Staff orientation and training (evening in May)
• Help deliver and return curriculum bins to and from your site
• Set up site classrooms
• Hold orientation for your staff prior to the first day of camp 
• Summer Kick-Off Event and Open House 
• Organize food and transportation for your site through the school district 
• Address miscellaneous family needs that arise throughout the summer experience 
• Gather data, organize it for final submission, and complete student report cards 
• Assist with pre and post testing
• Complete the kindergarten readiness camp report/staff survey
• Reach out to licensing when a need arises
• Help plan and host post program cook-out on last day of Kindergarten Readiness Camp
  

Job Description: The site lead is the point person for organizing the summer experience at their camp location. Parents and RFS staff will primarily communicate through the site lead for various needs throughout the summer. It is the site lead’s ultimate goal to cultivate an environment that is well organized and also conducive to a warm and productive learning community for both staff and participating families.  The site lead is the primary leadership role therefore it is essential that this position  models the following: positive behavior practices; flexibility; and  honest, productive conversations with both students and staff. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support Ready for School’s student recruitment and parent engagement process
• Provide leadership to teachers, teacher assistants, and volunteers to ensure participating families and children are ready for the kindergarten transition
• Ensure clear and concise communication occurs between the site school district, Ready for School, and participating families
• Maintain organized paperwork for enrolled students and summer staff, with the help of Ready for School staff, in order to ensure room licensing requirements are met
• Support Ready for School’s parent engagement process and home learning kits
• Oversee the daily logistics for kindergarten readiness camp to run smoothly; including but not limited to arranging transportation and organizing food for students
• Greet students and staff at the beginning of the day and ensure a warm and safe departure at the end of the day.
• Support strong and effective data collection throughout the camp, including attendance and student growth
• Communicate with families weekly through Ready for School newsletters and personal additions
• Attend scheduled meetings and events outside the regular camp hours
  
• Report to Ready for School’s Coordinators of Programs and Services
  

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of Education or School Administration
• Minimum of five years experience in leading an Early Childhood classroom
• 1 year proven experience providing logistics for an early childhood program
• Experience serving in a supervisory role

Qualifications:

• Valid and current teaching license from the State of Michigan
• Demonstrated support of Ready for School’s mission
• Interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with families from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to work independently and be self directed
• Dedication to working collaboratively, leading others toward a common goal
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple demands
• Proven experience in project completion and reporting
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and commitment to students and their families
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Teaching experience 
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate special events

• Early Childhood Endorsement, such as ZA or CDA (preferred) 
• Current CPR/First Aid Certificate 
• Completion of MIRegistry Health and Safety Courses
• Provide employer with a negative TB test

• Spanish fluency (preferred)

All candidates must pass a criminal background check and fulfill other regulations in working with young children. Site Leads are expected to work the duration of the summer program.

Salary : $33