Y Program Director - Early Childhood Program at Brookside

POSITION SUMMARY

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading non-profit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Early Childhood Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and operation of the Y's preschool program in Waterbury (in partnership with the Harwood Unified Union School District). This role will help create a nurturing, safe, and stimulating environment for young children in two (2) preschool classrooms, upholding high standards of teaching and care. The Director will spend twenty (20) hours per week leading program development, supervising staff, and ensuring compliance with state licensing, while the other twenty (20) hours will be spent providing direct service in preschool classrooms.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

 Compliance:

• Manage NAEYC and Stars reaccreditation as well as ensuring all licensing and regulations are maintained and followed.
• Ensure all licensing documents are visible and available if requested.
• Provide mandatory reporting to the state on an as-required basis.
• Complete and maintain reports and documentation for program participants. 
• Distribute parent evaluations and analyze feedback to share with the Senior Director of Youth and Family Programs.
• Ensure all personnel files are up to date and appropriate documentation is filed, both internally and using Bright Futures Information System (BFIS).
• Prepare and provide required and proposed training for employees to ensure credentials are maintained and licensing requirements are met. Ensure all training is entered into Bright Futures Information System Account (BFIS) for each employee. 
• Ability to pass a federal background check and state fingerprint check. 
• Must be certified in infant child CPR and first aid or obtain certification within first thirty (30) days of employment.  
• Maintain 18 hours of professional development per calendar year (12 hours provided by the GBYMCA). 

Staff Management

• Identify hiring needs and work closely with Human Resources to establish recruitment plan. 
• Manage hiring process with candidate from the interview to the offer of employment, as well as onboarding and training in the classroom.
• Provide strong leadership to staff by navigating daily challenges, conducting annual reviews and goal setting, and holding performance conversations on an ongoing basis. 
• Conduct regular staff meetings to ensure center goals are being met, compliance and maintenance of overall positive employee culture. 

Administration

• Assist in the procurement of grants, as needed. 
• Create and manage the operating budget for the center including participation in the budgeting process. Adhere to the approved budget each fiscal year.
• Submit budget and expense reports to accounting in a timely manner
• Oversee timecard entry for staff to ensure a timely payroll process.
• Be responsive and communicative to emails and phone calls from families, staff, and supervisors 
• Attend Operations Meetings, Early Child Care Director’s meetings and other meetings as requested.

Program

• Oversee the development of age-appropriate curriculum with emphasis on a comprehensive developmental approach to learning experiences.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of weekly activities and classroom routines. 
• Work with the teachers to maintain a neat and organized classroom and assist in the maintenance of equipment and materials as needed. 
• Supervise nap time with the teachers by helping children rest if necessary and/or accomplish work within the classroom if the children are resting comfortably. 

Community

• Create and maintain positive and professional relationships with parents and guardians of Y participants with the ability to recognize and communicate special needs whether behavioral or developmental.
• Assist with planning and preparing early childhood events with employees and participants. Communicate to parents and guardians of events and center happenings.
• Attend all program parent/child functions such as art shows and recognition events. 
• Schedule parent/guardian conferences as requested.
• Represent the Y at various community and early childhood committees and/or boards.
• Create weekly email communication to families and guardians
• Participate in departmental staff meetings and attend school-based trainings as requested.
• Act as a role model for the YMCA Character Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility in all interactions with participants, families, and employees.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Requirements – Meets the licensing requirements of a Teacher Associate with course work or certifications in program management

Must be at least twenty (20) years of age and have graduated from high school or possess a completed GED, and meet one (1) of the following qualifications:

• At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Three (3) Certificate; or 
• At least an associate degree from an accredited college with a major or concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human       Development, Elementary Education, or Child and Family Services and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least a Certificate of Completion from the Registered Child Care Apprenticeship Program; or
• At least a Child Care Certificate from the Community College of Vermont and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least successful completion of twenty-one (21) college credits with an early childhood or school age focus and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.

Must have completed either: 

• A Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Step One (1) Certificate; or 
• Successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in program management for early care and education or for school age care and education, or in staff supervision related to early care and education of children; and a three (3) college credit course in curriculum.

Preferred Qualifications – Meets the licensing requirements of a Teacher, or has relevant additional experience 

Teacher Licensing Requirements

Has the licensing requirements to serve as a Teacher under VT state guidelines by meeting one of the following qualifications:

• At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Four (4) A or B Certificate; or
• At least a bachelor degree from an accredited college with a major or concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Elementary Education, Special Education with a birth to eight (8) years of age focus, or Child and Family Services and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or 
• At least a bachelor degree from an accredited college with at least successful completion of thirty (30) college credits with an early childhood or school age focus and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• Hold at least a current Vermont Agency of Education teaching license with an endorsement in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Special Education, or Elementary Education.
• Has at least twenty-four (24) months of experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger, and has completed:
• A Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Step Two (2) Certificate or Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Credential, Step Three (3); or
• Successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in curriculum, and an additional nine (9) college credits in program management, staff supervision, administration, or human resource management.

In addition, within 1 year of being hired, you must complete:

• Three (3) college credit course in managing an early care and education program that includes budgeting and financial management, approved by the division.  

Other Professional Experience

• 2+ years working in a public school system
• Formal training, certification, or equivalent experience in trauma-informed care, social work, or a related field
• Completion of DEI-specific training, coursework, or certification, with a minimum of 40 hours or the equivalent of a college course.
• Master’s degree in early childhood or a related field.
• Full-time experience working with children or youth in an educational, recreational, or programmatic setting, with milestones recognized at 5, 10, and 15+ years. 
• 2+ years of direct full-time experience in special education or behavioral intervention.