Early Learning Center Manager

Position Summary:

The Site Manager directs activities to ensure the successful delivery of childcare programs and services at the site level. The role will ensure that curriculum content and activities foster the educational and personal growth of each child in care, and ensure their safety and well-being.

Essential Functions of the Job:

Program Management

• Works with the Instructional Leader in the planning and implementation of age-appropriate educational programs at a site level;
• Reviews and monitors curriculum and lesson plan development and implementation;
• Monitors children’s progress to ensure activities are meeting the students' educational and developmental needs;
• Reviews individual child observations, assessments, and family conference forms to ensure adherence to the Intentional Teaching cycle and developmentally appropriate practice;
• Ensures staff adherence to the YWCA Hartford Region’s Positive Guidance Policy and the Atypical Behavior process;
• Arranges and leads all Inclusion Support Plan meetings with families, staff, and outside agencies, to include proper documentation;

Site Management

• Participates in the development of the site's annual budget and monitors the approved budget, grants payments, and services;
• Performs site-related fiscal activities, including, but not limited to, the review and approval of staff time sheets, management of the site petty cash account, accounts receivable, and payables;
• Increases program revenue through participation in the child care-related events/activities, recruitment and enrollment of children, and collaboration on the development and implementation of the site marketing plan;
• Supports other sites and programs with maintaining ratio (i.e., ELCs and Kidslink);
• Fosters cross-program/site collaboration, flexibility, and cooperation;

Compliance and Reporting

• Implements and monitors the consistent application of defined YWCA Hartford Region statements, policies, and procedures; 
• Ensures Incident Reports are completed accurately within 24 hours; 
• Reports and documents all work-related injuries to Supervisor and HR immediately;
• Ensures that the site consistently meets the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) health and safety standards;
• Ensures that staff are utilizing Name-to-Face Accountability to ensure the safety and well-being of children;
• Follows defined State and YWCA Hartford Region protocols for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, including documentation, notification of OEC, NAEYC, and Department of Children and Families (DCF) when applicable;
• Ensures that staff are following all Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) documentation and procedures, including point of service; 
• Monitors and ensures compliance with and ongoing achievement of state licensing, NAEYC accreditation, and school readiness standards;

Supervisory and Staff Management

• Oversees the implementation of all Support plans and supports families and staff as they work with the child;
• Provides performance feedback to staff within 48 hours, documenting and escalating ongoing concerns to the Supervisor immediately;
• Supervises program staff and performs monthly observation and evaluation, including documentation and tracking of evaluations;
• Identifies performance improvement needs and initiates corrective action and/or staff development plan;
• Establishes staff schedules and contingency staffing plans to ensure adherence to state-mandated staff-to-child ratios;
• Provides guidance and assistance to staff in the delivery of high-quality programs and services;
• Facilitates effective communication between staff and families in the resolution of issues or concerns;
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with staff, families, peers, and associates; 
• Attends Sanctuary Training, seminars, and professional development activities to remain current with trends, developments, and best practices within the field of child care and early childhood education, and to enhance knowledge and understanding of families served; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in early childhood education, social work, psychology, human development, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years’ related experience in a child development program required; 
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in the classroom required;
• Demonstrated knowledge of state licensing and accreditation guidelines required;
• Basic knowledge of the principles of Child Development required;
• Prior experience in the preparation and monitoring of operational budget preferred; and
• Demonstrated ability to develop age-appropriate exhibits and activities for the classroom required.

License or Certifications: 

• CPR/First Aid certification or certification within two (2) months of employment. 
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Schedule: 

The Site Manager is a benefit-eligible exempt position. Standard hours of operation are Monday–Friday, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm. The Department Head or direct supervisor will define the work schedule and hours. Due to the nature of the work, some weekend and evening hours may be required.

Key Competencies: 

• Seeks to cultivate and develop professional working relationships with key stakeholders, i.e., staff, volunteers, interns, board members, etc.;
• Demonstrated skill in understanding others;
• Engages in (or commits to) personal and professional development;
• Demonstrates a willingness to examine one’s assumptions and attitudes;
• Maintains productive work relationships while considering multiple perspectives;
• Demonstrates awareness of one’s and others’ life experiences and their relevance in the workplace;
• Experience resolving conflicts effectively; and
• Promotes a respectful work environment in which concerns are addressed effectively. 

Skills: 

Assertiveness: Communicates directly and honestly, while demonstrating respect for others;

Collaboration: Team-centered and willing to work in a collaborative and team-based environment;

Composure: Responds to information in a self-controlled manner;

Conflict Management: Identifies sources of conflict and methods of management, and chooses appropriate techniques to resolve issues; 

Customer Service: Building rapport with internal and external customers. Ability to interact with key stakeholders and respond to inquiries in a timely manner;

Emotional Intelligence: Recognizes and values the differences and uniqueness of others. Empathetically and respectfully accepts these differences and works cooperatively and sincerely to optimize the contributions of all individuals;

Ethics and Integrity: Makes decisions and conducts oneself in a manner consistent with the organization's mission. Treats all individuals in the work environment with respect. Demonstrates high personal standards of acceptance and openness to others. 

Influencing: Presents information, ideas, and suggestions in a way that causes others to feel included and involved;

Leading: Takes charge of a situation and inspires others to take action toward the accomplishment of a goal;

Motivating Others: Recognizes others’ internal motivators and adapts approach to best connect with each individual; 

Mission Focused: Must be a strong supporter of the organization’s mission and services offered;

Organizing: Puts issues, work tasks, and paperwork in a logical order;

Patience: Behaves in a manner that encourages and allows for interactive behavior from those less skilled, knowledgeable, or experienced;

Personal Accountability: Accepts responsibility for own actions and embraces experiences as learning opportunities;

Results-oriented: Directs behavior to emphasize the achievement of organizational goals and core values. Ability to meet multiple deadlines;

Self-Development: Accepts responsibility for own continued education, learning, and growth;

Team Building: Recognizes strengths of others and builds on positive relationships within the work team. 

Trust and Respect: Offers respect to all in the work environment, adheres to high personal standards of acceptance, reliability, openness, and consistency of action with words;

Technical: Knowledge of and the ability to use Microsoft Office software applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.