Director of Early Childhood Education

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DIRECTOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE)

JOB SUMMARY

As one of the largest child care providers in Schenectady County, the SJCC Early Childhood Education Director is responsible for the day-to-day activities in the Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Kindergarten and Daycare programs. Their also responsible for the administrative requirements involved in licensing by New York State. The Director ensures that the safest, healthiest and most developmentally appropriate program is available to all children.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Develop goals for the school by staying current with research and developing trends in early childhood and Jewish education and translate broad educational goals into an effective curriculum.
• Ensure that activities are developmentally appropriate based on criteria presented by the NAEYC.
• Must ensure that state regulations are adhered to with regard to child care.
• Ensure healthy enrollment and visibility of program in the community.
• Establish the SJCC ECE program as a leader of innovative and best practice education.

Programmatic Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of the principles of curriculum development as well as current curriculum practices.
• Ability to facilitate Jewish curriculum such as Shabbat, Jewish holidays, Israel. Coordinates Jewish programming such as Chanukah Dinner, Imaginary trip to Israel, etc. Ensures that teachers integrate Jewish themes and values in the classroom.
• Evaluate curriculum programs and other materials on the basis of accepted criteria.
• Familiar with instructional materials available in the field and able to select those that meet the particular needs of the school.
• Know and apply theory, practices, methodology and materials.
• Conform to health, safety and licensing regulations.
• Maintain an effective program of instructional guidance and supervision to secure the maximum degree of pupil and teacher growth through staff meetings and in-service training programs, as well as provide opportunities for continued growth.
• Involve teachers as a group and individually in cooperative planning in the formulation of curriculum.
• Encourage the teachers to experiment with new approaches and develop improved techniques and materials.
• Observe teachers in their classrooms and make specific suggestions for improvement of teaching techniques.
• Know the needs of the children in the school.
• Have the ability to serve in a guidance capacity.
• Ensure the utilization of appropriate discipline systems and techniques.
• Maintain a referral and intervention system for parents of children who have special needs.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Organize registration and choose classroom composition.
• Assign teaching tasks according to specific competencies of the staff.
• Set the school calendar.
• Ensures appropriate staffing for department
• Plan, organize, publicize, monitor and participate in ongoing and special events.
• Recruit, hire, supervise and evaluate competent faculty and substitute teachers.
• Maintain satisfactory working relationships among all staff members of the JCC.
• Coordinate programs with other department heads as it applies to the Early Childhood programs.
• Keeps effective and confidential records: staff and student attendance; student evaluations (if necessary); teacher evaluations; fees; health and accident records.
• Schedule and bill parents for day care hours.
• Review accounts with the office staff to be sure that correct charges are paid and accounts are not falling behind.
• Organizes registration materials. Responds to inquiries and provides tours of the program as needed.
• Plan and follow annual budget and finances.
• Arrange for the purchases of school supplies.
• Ensure that all supplies, equipment, toys, etc. are inspected for safety on a regular basis.
• Responsible to complete any and all additional duties to ensure the success of the Early Childhood programs.
•  Ensure staff professionalism

Parent Relations

•  Organize a parent committee and attend meetings.
•  Report concerns and issues to the parent committee for their discussion.
•  Write a Parent Handbook to be sent out to each family prior to the beginning of school.
•  Keep parents informed of events by writing and sending flyers, emails, and brightwheel messages as needed.
•  Maintain ongoing communication with the parents.
•  Encourage parent involvement for educational programs.
•  Edit and send periodic newsletters to keep the parents informed of what is happening in school.
•  Provide the opportunity for parent-teacher conferences and parent-director conferences.
•  Respond appropriately to parental concerns.
•  Provide support and assistance for all fund raising projects, particularly the annual garage sale.

Qualifications

•  Degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, Child Development, related field or Director qualified by New York licensing.
•  Teaching and supervisory experience.
•  Demonstrated experience in program planning implementation and staff supervision skills with young children and their families.
•  Ability to provide leadership, effective guidance and stability for program continuity and to act as a role model for other staff.
•  Excellent Computer skills: familiarity with Google Apps, Daxko, Microsoft Products including Excel and social media platforms.
•  Familiarity with Jewish customs/traditions.
•  A positive, upbeat spirit, "can do" attitude and great sense of fun!

Salary is $60,000 - 70,000 a year 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. This document is not considered a contract for employment nor a guarantee of continued employment. This job description is to be used as a guideline to describe the current functions and requirements of the position, The job description may change at any time based on business needs and/or job reorganization.