Center Director (Head Start- Early Childhood Education)

Center Director (Head Start- Early Childhood Education)

These general functions will be carried out in keeping with the Goals, policy and Mission of the YMCA of the East Bay. Under the direction of the Area Manager, the Early Childhood Impact (ECI) Center Director provides day-to-day administration of the child development center providing child care, infant / toddler care and / or preschool services; and performs other related work as required. This role requires a Child Development Site Supervisor or Program Director Permit.

Design and deliver high-quality programming that achieves the educational, administrative and service delivery goals. Work with staff, parents and resource professionals to develop and implement a developmentally and age appropriate program.

Oversee the Early Childhood Impact Center including supervision of the staff, coaching, performance management and evaluation, certifications, training and ensure all staff have professional development plans.

Make classroom observations on a regular basis and review weekly classroom lesson plans.

Hold individual classroom team conferences related to classroom observations and classroom plans.

Identify training needs of the education staff, and family service staff as appropriate.

Maintain necessary records to document the growth and development of the education staff.

Facilitate and monitor the home visit responsibilities of the education staff.

Ensure that daily staffing requirements and child / staff ratios are met at all times and may be required to fill-in for teaching and other staff to maintain ratios.

Make recommendations on staffing, program and expenditures, and maintain inventory documents.

In coordination with the Human Resources Department, assist in the hiring process for center staff.

Provide on-going and frequent communication to staff and arrange and facilitate regular meetings with staff and provide for mandated trainings and updates to policies and procedures.

Ensure and monitor program compliance including staff educational requirements with federal / state requirements; understand, interpret and implement federal, state and agency rules and regulations.

Ensure accurate reports and documentation that complies with applicable laws, policies and procedures; submit reports on program activities and status to the Area Manager as required.

Ensure proper maintenance and confidentiality of child, family and program files.

Follow procedures for making verbal and written reports of suspected child abuse to Children's Protective Services and to others as required; report unusual incidents to Community Care Licensing and to supervisors as required.

Ensure a healthy, safe and clean indoor and outdoor environment at the facility; handle emergency situations in a calm and professional manner and administer first aid and / or CPR if required.

Monitor parent involvement through individual and group contacts and meetings.

Complete accounting records, time cards, reports, insurance claims, Early Childhood Impact or YMCA records accurately and in a timely fashion.

Make referrals to support services based upon children's needs and follows-up to see that the needs are met.

Coordinate the support services offered by other service areas within the center.

Review each child's developmental screening results and individualized service plans for completion and accuracy, as well as, the classroom lesson plans and home visit reports.

Use Facilities software to request repairs at the center, keeping the Area Manager informed.

Complete all purchase requisitions and submits completed purchase paperwork.

Serve as a resource / liaison to all licensing representatives, health and fire inspectors who may visit the center, as well as other partners and community service agencies.

Maintain excellent rapport with parents and extended family members and effectively and sensitively deal with parents and community members from various cultural and economic groups.

Encourage, promote and develop programmatic opportunities for parents to fully participate in their children's educational experience.

Monitor parent involvement through individual and group contacts, monthly parent meetings and address parent and community concerns.

Perform other tasks as may be required for the efficient operation of the comprehensive, integrated program.

This position has a primary impact on the operations of the YMCA of the East Bay program promotion, registration and dissemination of information. The incumbent has an impact on the Head Start, Early Head Start and Child Development program. Therefore, the effectiveness of the fulfillment of this position should be measured by :

The knowledge of all Early Head Start / Head Start and California Department of Education Child Development program procedures.

The sound administration of systems and records that are organized, up-to-date, and accurate.

A positive point of contact for children, parents, and families with accurate, timely responses.

Contact point for the Head Start Policy Council and other parent groups.

Contact point for community groups related to health services.

The development and maintenance of positive volunteer and employee relations;

The exercise of good judgment and competence in implementing stated needs, objectives, and interests of the YMCA ECI Department.

Sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations.

Intermittently and continuously throughout the day, must bend, stoop, crouch or kneel in order to instruct, assist and aid children at their level.

Lift and carry equipment, toys and chairs weighing up to 50 pounds.

Stand or walk uninterrupted for up to two hours at a time.

Move quickly to keep pace with young children.

Frequent use of hands for both gross motor activities as well as fine manipulation.

Repetitive forward reaching using both arms.

Required hearing acuity sufficient to respond to soft voices or whispers as well as to loud noises and alarms.

Provide adequate visual supervision for a distance of up to 50 feet under a variety of circumstances.

Must be able to travel locally for meetings, training and special events including some evenings.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Program / Project Management

Critical Thinking and Decision-Making

Communication and Influence

Developing Self and Others

Emotional Maturity

Inclusion

A bachelor's degree from an accredited or approved college or university with a major or emphasis in early childhood education or child development; or Bachelor of arts degree in closely related field with at least 12 semester units in child development

Two years of experience as a teacher or administrator in a publicly funded preschool or child development program, one year of which must be in a supervisory capacity

Child Development Site Supervisor or Program Director Permit issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing or official written verification that all requirements for the permit have been completed and application has been made to the State. Employment will require mandatory maintenance of the permit by earning continuing education units as specified by the State for its renewal. (Alternative qualifications may be accepted with documentation of enrollment in classes to meet permit standards within 6 months of hire)

Completion of 15 hours of preventive health practices training with a current certificate in pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, or by a training program that has been approved by the Emergency Medical Services Authority

Strong knowledge of theories and practices of Early Childhood Education / Development and knowledge of developmentally appropriate inclusive programming for children birth to 5 years

Ability to work in a multi-cultural, interdisciplinary environment and with diverse community-based agencies

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Valid California Driver's License / proof of auto insurance / annual DMV check required

Criminal record clearance and health requirements that include physical exam, TB and immunizations

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook and other computer programs