Assistant Director

Description

Purpose:

Assisting in the general supervision and management of the child care center and developing skills of a Director by performing the duties necessary to provide a safe, nurturing and educational environment for children, parents and staff, and maintaining a quality program so that families remain enrolled in the center and benefit from the Center's programs and services.

Reports To: Director

Supervises: Head Teachers and Teachers

Requirements:

• Able to observe, see, hear and respond to children's needs, emergencies and conflicts that might occur in a classroom, on the playground, other Center areas, or on field trips
• Able to lift approximately 30 pounds from the floor to a waist high table
• Able to reach a child 20 - 30 feet away within 30 seconds
• Able to crouch to a child's height, maintain eye contact at the child's level, and sit on the floor for extended periods of time
• Good health as confirmed by a physician's statement and proof of being free of tuberculosis
• New York State Registry clearance
• Criminal History Fingerprint clearance

Responsibilities:

Program / Administration:

• Adhering to and enforcing all the policies and procedures of Care-a-lot Child Care and the childcare licensing regulations of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services
• Maintaining program quality, ensuring compliance with procedures, and monitoring employee Aspire accounts, to maintain current rating with QualitystarsNY
• Supervising the implementation of an age and developmentally appropriate, open-ended program which coincides with the philosophy of NAEYC
• Interacting frequently with children in a positive, respectful, responsive and encouraging manner which follows the guidelines of NAEYC
• Utilizing Kangarootime effectively to schedule staff, complete weekly billing, communicate effectively with staff and families, and manage daily activities
• Utilizing ChildCareCRM effectively to manage inquiries, schedule follow-up tasks, and manage the waitlist to increase enrollment
• Performing all work in accordance with governmental laws and state mandates
• Maintaining a positive work climate, meeting deadlines and organizing center procedures
• Providing timely supervisor reports outlining needs, problems, suggestions for improvement, etc.
• Maintaining records and keeping necessary written documentation
• Supervising general housekeeping and repair of classrooms, playground and common space
• Assisting and rendering staff support to all other classrooms and employees as necessary
• Delegating responsibilities to an appropriate person in his/her absence
• Participating in professional conferences, ongoing training or educational opportunities to remain current in the field
• Completing 15 hours of early childhood training within the first 6 months and every year thereafter
• Taking on additional responsibilities as needed

Personnel/Supervision:

• Supervising staff and children in accordance with the laws and regulations of all New York State agencies and Care-a-lot policies
• Interviewing, hiring/firing, orienting and evaluating subordinates
• Developing, coaching and training subordinates, including developing in-service staff training
• Supervising staffing schedules, breaks, time off, etc. and providing building coverage as needed
• Communicating effectively and directly with other staff
• Measuring progress of staff and creating systems to improve, modify and remediate
• Participating directly in the classroom as a mentor, role model and back-up staff as needed
• Serving in the absence of the Director as necessary

Parental Involvement:

• Responding to and orienting current and prospective client inquiries
• Developing parent relationships and communicating directly with parents on a regular basis
• Assisting in the development of parent education or support groups

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of NYS childcare regulations
• Knowledge of and ability to supervise developmentally appropriate practices and age appropriate activities which correspond with NAEYC and QualitystarsNY guidelines
• Knowledge of child development
• Knowledge of first aid procedures
• Knowledge of Kangarootime, ChildCareCRM, Microsoft Office and other software as needed
• Effective, professional, courteous, and tactful oral and written communication skills
• Effective supervisory skills and role modeling practices
• Exhibiting warmth, emotional stability and awareness of the emotional needs of subordinates
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with children, co-workers, and parents
• Ability to use constructive methods for maintaining group control and individual behaviors
• Ability to use sound judgment and tact
• Ability to work on, and lead a team
• Ability to organize and problem solve effectively
• Flexibility (especially in scheduling and practice to respond to the needs of the program)
• Creativity and patience

Training and Experience:

Education:

• B.A. Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field OR
• NYS Administrator Credential AND at least one year each teaching and supervisory experience OR
• Associates Degree in ECE or related field OR Child Development Assoc. AND at least two years of teaching and supervisory experience AND Plans for completing B.A. Degree in Early Childhood
• Education, Child Development or related field, demonstrated by program enrollment;
• Minimum of two (2) years experience in a supervisory capacity or the equivalent;
• Demonstrated commitment to and interest in professional growth through education, work experience and involvement with the early childhood community.