Early Learning Center Director – Full time position, available immediately
Temple Adas Shalom (TAS) is hiring. We are seeking a motivated, energetic, responsible individual! Come make a difference in the lives of our communities’ children and their families.
Primary Purpose of Job
The Early Learning Center (ELC) Director, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees (BOT) at TAS, is responsible for providing outstanding professional leadership and management.
About our School
HJC Early Learning Center has been providing quality childcare to children ages 2-5 years old since 1978. Our small center enrolls up to 40 students per year and follows a calendar resembling Harford County Public Schools, with flexible summer programs that the director will help design. In addition to providing lessons from an accredited curriculum, we also teach age-appropriate Jewish lessons, such as Jewish Holidays and celebrations, as we are housed in a Reform Jewish facility. We have established ourselves as a welcoming, nurturing, developmentally appropriate early childhood program in Harford County and plan to continue doing so for years to come.
Duties and Responsibilities
Curriculum and Program
1. Create and communicate a vision for the ELC.
2. Ensure developmentally appropriate curriculum is being utilized in an environment that maximizes the opportunities for growth and enrichment.
3. Foster a nurturing and engaging atmosphere that reflects respect and compassion, and is supportive of children, families, and staff.
4. Implement Jewish education components as an integral part of the overall ELC curriculum. (Note: A Jewish staff member is available to assist if the applicant is unfamiliar with these items.)
5. Demonstrate creativity in expanding programming.
6. Stay up to date on MSDE standards and maintain an accredited curriculum.
7. Create events throughout the school year for both students and the public that provide fun social and educational opportunities.
8. Maintain program calendar and avoid deviations. Ensure that the calendar is provided to all staff and families and is updated on the Temple wide calendar. Should an event need to be altered, rescheduled, or canceled, communicate all program changes as soon as possible to all parents and staff.
Staff Supervision
1. Hire and maintain staff to cover all staff/child ratios.
2. Create opportunities for staff to continue to learn in formal and informal settings with professional growth plans, supporting them on a path to achieving mutually agreed upon goals.
3. Ensure that ELC staff are advised of and adhere to the policies and procedures of the ELC and TAS. If and when there is a breach of policy, provide write-ups and training for necessary staff.
4. Conduct staff satisfaction surveys. Use the results to improve practices.
5. Perform regular evaluations of classroom, materials, and staff performance.
6. Create and enforce staff work schedules to ensure best practice staffing requirements.
7. Work with the assistant director to ensure that all lesson plans, schedules, and activities are properly planned and executed.
8. Schedule state approved continuing education classes for all staff to ensure that required CEU hours are completed.
9. Assist in obtaining/maintaining staff credentialing.
10. Work with teachers to create a positive partnership among staff members.
Families
1. Create partnerships with preschool families. Encourage participation in the ELC committee (which acts in an advisory capacity to the TAS Board.)
2. Assist/guide children, families, and staff with Jewish holiday celebrations. Those include weekly Shabbat and other designated Jewish holidays. (Note: A Jewish staff member is available to assist if the applicant is unfamiliar with these items.)
3. Help recruit families to the ELC through workshops, programming, open houses, advertising, and other means, as appropriate.
4. Consistently treat children and their families with dignity, respect, and compassion.
5. Provide tours to and follow up with prospective families.
6. Coordinate individual child, classroom, and ELC-wide parent communications.
7. Conduct parent satisfaction surveys. Use the results to improve practices.
8. Manage registration with parents.
9. Enroll families in and assist with any difficulties with our ProCare accounts (our parent communication app)
10. Send invoices and collect tuition for all families, including managing discounts and following up with anyone that is delinquent in payments to collect all tuition.
11. Promote positive relationships between teachers and families.
12. Provide conferences and resources to any families that have concerns; either about something occurring in the center, their home, or with their child’s development.
Administration
1. Ensure that the ELC meets all childcare standards established by the State of Maryland.
2. Pursue higher levels in Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) accreditation and EXCELS programs.
3. Manage and oversee the budget and accounts to ensure that the Center remains profitable. Report to the TAS Board treasurer, as required.
4. Ensure the best care and maintenance of the ELC facilities. This includes housekeeping and maintenance with the highest standard of cleanliness and safety.
5. Develop and implement a marketing and communications plan.
6. Work closely with the ELC parent groups and the ELC committee.
7. From time to time, participate in TAS projects and assignments outside of the ELC.
8. Maintain confidentiality while ensuring honesty and transparency.
9. Other related duties as required or assigned.
10. Coordinate online content updates, including the website and social media.
11. Maintain dietary laws of the facility including Kosher standards and safe allergy practices as such needs arise. (Note: A Jewish staff member is available to assist if the applicant is unfamiliar with these items.)
12. Communicate with State Licensing Specialists as needed and be present and prepared for all state inspections, both scheduled and unscheduled.
13. Submit all required paperwork to the Childcare Licensing office completely and promptly.
14. Ensure all staff members, including themselves, subs, and volunteers have completed all paperwork as required by state guidelines.
15. Create/update any documentation for enrollment, communications, staff, and any others as needed.
16. Maintain complete and organized files for both children and staff.
17. Join Temple Committees that will require input from or influence the ELC or any of its activities. Committee meetings occur in the evenings outside of regular scheduled hours and will nearly always take place via Zoom.
18. Meet weekly with Temple Administrator for any questions, updates, guidance, or other communications needed to provide proper insight and supervision of the ELC.
TAS Qualifications
Required (documentation must be provided)
· Minimum of 30 college credits 20 must be in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
· 90hr Preschool Certification, CDA, or current Teaching Certificate for nursery – 3rd grade education.
· Minimum of 2 years of experience working with children in an official capacity (i.e. a licensed home daycare, childcare center, recreational program, etc.)
· 45hr Administration Certification
· ADA Certification
· Minimum of 9hr communication certificate or credit in a college course in communications.
· Excellent written and oral communication skills.
· General knowledge of MSDE standards and requirements.
Preferred
· AA in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
· Program Director or Assistant Director experience.
· Experience managing staff.
· Ability to multitask and take on additional responsibilities as needed.
· A knowledge of Jewish life, traditions, and culture. If not, a demonstrated willingness to become familiar with these areas.