Early Childhood Program Director

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM DIRECTOR

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

As a member of the agency’s senior leadership team, the Early Childhood Program Director oversees all administrative and programmatic functions of Stars Preschool and Early Education Centers. Programs are located in multiple communities on the South Shore of Massachusetts.

RESPONSIBILITIES PROGRAMMATIC

• Oversee curriculum design and implementation.
• Oversee the management of a team of Directors and other associated staff
• Oversee the design and implementation of training and professional development of Early Childhood Education Center Directors and Support Staff.
• Develop and monitor program policies and procedures.
• Develop appropriate staffing patterns.
• Oversee child assessment and the appropriate use of assessment data.
• Lead/facilitate annual program evaluation and the development and monitoring of Action Plans focused on program improvement.
• Lead NAEYC accreditation process
• Assist Center Directors in designing classroom environments.
• Observe children at centers, consult with Center Directors and Lead Teachers and participate in team meetings as needed.
• Meet regularly with Early Childhood Education Center Directors, Support Staff, and Family Support Clinicians regarding children with emotional and/or behavioral health needs and collaborate in the development of plans for these children, staff, and families.
• Work with Center Directors to ensure the developmental needs of each child are being met and that teaching staff are partnering with parents/guardians and other education, health, and service providers as necessary.
• Lead/facilitate parent/guardian education and involvement efforts.
• Respond to parents/guardians who have concerns about the program or children’s developmental needs.
• Develop strong working relationships with local schools to optimize the coordination of services for Stars children.
• Work with Center Directors to ensure children’s smooth transition to new agency programs and/or public schools.
• Oversee and coordinate Early Education transportation and routes
• Offer/facilitate professional development trainings as needed
• All other assigned duties.

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Ensure that the agency's mission statement and statement of values are adhered to in each Early Education Center.
• Ensure that the Early Childhood Education Center Directors and Support Staff meet licensing, accreditation, and agency standards.
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate the performance of Early Childhood Education Center Directors and Support Staff
• Oversee hiring, orientation and evaluation of all Early Childhood Education Center Directors and Support Staff
• Collaborate with other community programs to improve quality, availability, and access to care for families with young children.
• Collaborate with CEO in expanding and/or enhancing existing programs and developing new programs.
• Communicate agency policies and discuss program related issues with Preschool Center staff and Early Education Center Staff.
• Participate in contracting, fundraising, negotiations, advocacy, and other activities required to support Stars Early Education programming and Early Childhood Education Center Directors and Support Staff.
• Participate in grant applications to support programmatic and agency needs
• Participate in recruiting, building a pipeline of future educators/staff, creating partnerships with Early Education Teacher programs, and other activities required to grow a pipeline of staff and partnerships for Stars Early Education Programming.
• All other assigned duties.
• Meet regularly with senior leadership team and participate in training, fundraising, planning agency policies, and procedures.
• Assist Finance Department in development of annual program budget.
• Monitor program spending and oversee budgets for all Early Education Centers.
• Oversee equipment selection and purchase.
• Support and facilitate data driven decision making and use of evidence-based curriculum and assessment tools
• Oversee and coordinate Early Education transportation and routes
• Collaboratively oversee and coordinate Early Education food program, audits, and all associated duties
• Experience and success with management of a team of administrators/directors and associated staff
• Skilled at meeting deadlines and overseeing multiple initiatives simultaneously
• All other assigned duties.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in early childhood education or similar field.
• Minimum of five years’ experience teaching young children.
• Minimum of three years’ experience administering Early Childhood programs.
• Successful experience with management of a team of administrators/directors and associated staff
• Demonstrated strong supervision skills and ability to lead multiple programs in multiple communities
• Experience leading workshops and/or teaching adults.
• Demonstrated strong facilitation, communication and team building skills.
• EEC Director 2 certification –in addition, Preschool and Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher Certification preferred
• Must have transportation to visit centers and attend required meetings/trainings
• Prefer applicants have experience with nonprofit agencies
• Prefer applicants have experience working with at risk population and families involved with state agencies
• Some evenings, weekends, and non-business hours required

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

*Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

* All South Shore Stars employees should be able to lift at least 40 lbs. and work in a non-sedentary environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

South Shore Stars is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and agency need.

Mission EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM DIRECTOR

South Shore Stars provides comprehensive early education and youth development programs that enhance the optimal growth of children from economically and culturally diverse families, using a family support approach in collaboration with schools and other service providers. Four core goals form the foundation of our work:

• Enable parents to work
• Help each child reach their full development potential
• Facilitate positive youth development
• Improve academic achievement for students at-risk