Director of Early Childhood Education at Penfield Children's Center

Position Summary

The Director of Early Childhood Education is responsible for the implementation and oversight of the Early Childhood Education program, including children enrolled in Early Head Start, Head Start, Child Care, and Respite Care, with the goal of supporting all children to achieve school readiness. The Director of Early Childhood Education will provide the program with vision and leadership and ensure management functions are properly carried out. General responsibilities include supervision and guidance of all content area managers and Early Childhood Education services, ensuring full compliance with Head start Performance Standards, NAEYC Accreditation standards and State Licensing rules and regulations. The Director of Early Childhood Education is ultimately responsible for full enrollment and meeting program revenue. The Director of Early Childhood Education reports to the Vice President of Programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Program Governance and Leadership:
  • Serve on Penfield’s leadership team, attending regular meetings and occasional retreats.
  • Participate in annual and quarterly planning to set, plan for, and monitor program goals. Lead Department VTO sessions and provide feedback to VP of Programs
  • Oversee and ensure effective coordination across all core service areas including Education, Health, ERSEA, Family Services, and Disabilities/Mental Health (DMH) to promote integrated service delivery, data-driven decision-making, and compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.
  • Contribute to annual review and revision of program’s service plan
  • Lead for the good of the entire organization, understand the big picture and use it as framework to make decisions
  • Make decisions that support program quality and maintain program accountability.
  • Establish focus for the education service area and act to align area’s goals with the strategic direction and needs of the center; ensure that employees in the area understand how their work relates to the center as a whole and the relevant regulations and performance standards.
  • Improve quality and effectiveness of education service area and overall organization by initiating, sponsoring and implementing organizational change and by helping others to successfully manage organizational change.
  • Promote consistent exchange of information and a cooperative environment within the leadership of the center.
  • Attend parent committees, Policy Council and board of director meetings as needed or requested.
  • Uphold the shared mission and values of Penfield Children’s Center.
• Ongoing Monitoring & Self Assessment:
  • Ensure compliance with all program policies/procedures, OHS regulations, NAEYC standards, and State licensing regulations
  • Oversee program grants and ensure outcome compliance
  • Track, complete and submit compliance reports by due dates, collaborating with necessary leaders for accurate information
  • Establish and oversee systems for reviewing quarterly and annual child outcomes data; ensure teachers use data-driven planning practices to promote developmental growth for all children.
  • Participate in annual program self-assessment and set goals for continual growth
  • Maintain accreditation standards, annual reports and coordinate re accreditation process with staff.
  • Oversee classroom enrollment to ensure compliance with regulations and meet program revenue goals.
  • Supervise all content area managers and develop ongoing monitoring plans for each service area to ensure compliance.
  • Comply with all mandated reporting requirements of significant incidents to regulatory agencies and follow organizational processes for reporting.
• Staff Supervision, Development and Performance Systems:
  • Provide leadership and oversight of supervision systems for classroom staff, ensuring high-quality orientation, training, coaching, mentoring, and ongoing professional development.
  • Partner with program leadership to establish and implement performance management systems; oversee the evaluation of classroom staff to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Lead the development and oversight of staff in-service and training programs to ensure alignment with program goals, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
  • Collaborate with Human Resources to oversee recruitment, interview, and selection processes for classroom staff; ensure appropriate resolution of personnel issues in alignment with agency policies and procedures.
  • Ensure systems are in place and effectively monitored to maintain compliance of staff and child files with all state licensing and program requirements.
  • Oversee systems for volunteer engagement in collaboration with the Volunteer Services function, ensuring effective training, placement, and supervision within classrooms.
  • Set and model a standard of excellence in leadership, professionalism, and program quality across all service areas.
  • Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture among classroom staff and across the agency.
  • Ensure implementation of positive behavior guidance practices through program-wide coaching and support systems; promote a culture of accountability and utilize bystander intervention strategies to maintain a safe, respectful environment.
• Coordinator food program, child care billing, accreditation process, and development of policies and procedures for child care program:
  • Working with the Director of Facilities, ensure that the agency complies with all Federal Food Program requirements, provide healthy and nutritious meals and snacks, is fiscally responsible in ordering food and supplies, and meets all child care licensing requirements. Contribute to the submission of USDA monthly meal count report and annual audit.
  • Maintain accreditation standards, annual reports and coordinate reaccreditation process with staff.
  • Develop and update program policies and procedures.
  • Complete required applications and licensing forms.
  • Implement a program evaluation system.
  • Continuously monitor the effectiveness and quality of programming.
• Represent the agency in professional organizations, committees, and groups, which promote best practices, quality inclusive child care, and promote the services of Penfield Children’s Center within the community:
  • Represent the child care program at agency meetings for the purpose of improving staff communication and compliance with policies and procedures.
  • Attend and participate in community meetings, professional organizations, committees, and groups, which enhance and promote the overall efforts of the organization in relation to early education programming.
  • Give presentations to community groups about the services offered at Penfield.
  • Market the child care program to ensure full enrollment capacity.
  • Actively participate in OHS, State and NAEYC community, including meetings, mandated training, committee meetings, and other program wide functions as needed. This may include evenings and weekends.
• Responsible for management of Department(s) Budget:
  • With the CFO and VP of Programs monitor the department budget.
  • On an annual basis, make projections and recommendations for the assigned department(s) budget for the upcoming year.
  • On a monthly basis, review the assigned department(s) budget to ensure that department (s) expenses are within the parameters of the adopted budget.
  • Prepare reports and make presentations discussing successes, shortfalls as noted in line item variances.
• Assist the agency as needed:
  • Participate in the agency evaluation process
  • Participate in committees within the agency as needed
  • Take part in All Managers Meetings and report all relevant information to staff.
  • Participate as a member of the Late Stay manager rotation, ensure all children have been picked up and problem solve if needed
  • Perform all other duties as assigned
  • Encouraged to volunteer 4 hours of time per year to a Penfield activity

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelors Degree in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, or related field.
• Minimum of two years experience as director of a child care center serving 50+ children.
• Minimum of 3-5 years supervisory experience.
• Management and budget experience.
• Thorough knowledge of child development, early childhood best practices, developmentally appropriate programming, Head Start Program Performance Standards, DCF licensing regulations, and NAEYC accreditation standards.
• Knowledgeable in design and implementation of early childhood curriculum.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills – written and oral.
• Computer literacy required: efficiency in Microsoft office. Ability to learn new programs. Proficient use of EHR system to train and support program staff.
• High level of confidentiality and business ethics.
• Ability to work well independently or as a member of a team.
• Actively demonstrates a commitment to understanding and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
• Understands, exhibits and promotes the Penfield Core Values.
• Ability to lift or move objects of 50 lbs. or less on a daily basis.
• Must have sufficient mobility to move- including bend, stoop, reach, lift and grasp.
• Meeting vaccine standards as outlined in Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure control plan

Physical Requirements

• Ability to see, hear, and communicate effectively to supervise children, respond to verbal cues, and ensure safety in a busy environment.
• Ability to sit at floor level and transition safely between floor and standing positions.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to reach overhead, at shoulder height, and below waist level to access shelves, supplies, and child-height furnishings.
• Ability to maintain physical stamina to actively supervise children during indoor and outdoor activities, including playground supervision.
• Ability to work for extended periods in a dynamic, occasionally noisy environment.
• Ability to sit for extended periods whiled working at a desk or computer workstation.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and reach occasionally throughout the workday.
• Ability to use hands and fingers for repetitive tasks such as typing, filing, handling documents, and operating office equipment.
• Ability to view computer screens, read printed materials, and accurately process written information.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.