Soule Early Childhood Center in the Town of Brookline is looking for a Temporary Licensed Child Care Director who is energetic, creative, organized, a team player, and has excellent written and verbal communication skills and is passionate to make a difference in children’s lives. Our ideal candidate will share our vision of providing students with a safe, happy and organized environment with opportunities for growth and development. Your successful experiences in the field of early childhood care and education, combined with management and organizational expertise will be a valuable and appreciated asset to our school.

The Acting Child Care Director will manage day-to-day operations of the organization. Responsible for the health, safety, education, and general well-being of the children while they are at the center. Authority for day-to-day operating decisions while working closely with the Assistant Director. Coordinates overall schedule of activities for the children. Ensures the center meets EEC standards for safety, administration, children’s records, activities, and student/teacher ratios.

The Acting Child Care Director is also responsible for scheduling all staff hours. Responsible for screening and hiring for all teachers. Has responsibility for training, orientation and conflict resolution for all staff members. Conducts monthly staff meetings.

Salary Range: $83,343 - $94,299. Anticipated to start October 2024. Please apply with resume and cover letter. Position open until filled.

Child Care Director Job Description

Primary Purpose

The purpose of this position is to perform complex administrative, professional, and supervisory work overseeing the Early Education program. The Director develops, implements, and maintains a mission and philosophy for the program, in compliance with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) regulations, ensuring a quality learning environment that meets the developmental needs of children aged twelve months to five years. Responsible for all aspects of the programs’ operations, including program development, implementation, and assessment, staffing, scheduling, and daily operations; performs other related work, as required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions or duties listed below illustrate the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Oversees and delegates all aspects of the programs’ operations and implements all program policies while abiding by the EEC guidelines and policies and procedures outlined in the staff handbook.
• Articulates and carries through the program’s mission and philosophy while developing and maintaining high-quality early care and education standards for all children. Oversees the coordination of educational programs and curriculum implementation.
• Monitors and assures compliance with EEC licensing regulations, Town of Brookline Public Safety, Health Department and Fire Department regulations, and program health and safety policies/procedures.
• Oversees all aspects of supervision and hiring of staff, including but not limited to: recruitment, training, professional development, and managing state regulations for licensed Early Childcare Group Programs. Oversees new hire orientation.
• Works with individual staff members on professional development plans and timelines and monitors staff through performance reviews and classroom observation. Oversees on-site staff training. Assists the Director of Recreation with staff discipline and separations.
• Develops and manages staffing patterns and schedules to maintain appropriate classroom coverage. Monitors vacation and personal day requests. Hires substitutes and oversees the coordination of substitute coverage.
• Works with the Business/Admin Manager to reconcile financial statements and cost control. Oversees payroll.
• Conducts evaluations of programs and classrooms as well as taking part in observation of children. Takes part in short and long-term strategic planning for program improvements.
• Oversees assessment and referral system for children with special needs.
• Manages Soule Early Childhood Center and Soule Gym access and maintenance requests and schedules, coordinating with the Supervisor of Recreational Building Operations on maintenance and Capital Improvement Planning
• Acts as a relationship manager with After School Program vendor, assuring they meet all EEC requirements for operating a licensed After School Program and assuring alignment with Town of Brookline/Brookline Recreation brand and standard practices, elevating any concerns to supervisor.
• Keeps current on all early childhood research, trends, and legislative developments affecting the field and as well as working towards NAEYC accreditation.
• Writes and maintains staff handbook with personnel policies and operations procedures.
• Assists the Director in setting tuition rates and policies; oversees the collection of tuition fees. Organizes fundraising activities.
• Researches funding opportunities and applies for Grants. Monitors grant awards, ensuring compliance with grant guidelines and reporting requirements.
• Maintains maximum enrollment, recruits new families through marketing activities, gives center tours. Maintains and updates classroom waiting lists. Processes applications for new enrollment.
• Oversees all child and staff files health and safety records.
• Oversees the program’s daily, monthly, and yearly calendars, including events, meetings, trainings and activities.
• Ensures support to families as they enter the program, schedules parent meetings and activities, and maintains parent handbook.
• Helps staff maintain communication with parents regarding their child’s development and serves as a resource to parents on child development and parenting. Works with parents who are experiencing conflict with staff or other parents.
• Oversees the Center and gymnasium; ensures that all necessary safety techniques and systems are in place to ensure patron and employee safety; oversees and implements an emergency action plan; ensures that all facilities, equipment and materials are properly maintained, including health regulations and licenses for the center and its programs. Communicates with facilities management on all indoor and outdoor daily cleaning, maintenance and repair.
• Serves as daily building liaison about facility rentals and special events; works with department staff to coordinate additional center use; handles center public relations, including refund requests, complaints, and work orders. Serves as the daily contact person for building issues regarding Soule Gymnasium.
• Performs similar or related work as directed, required, or as situation dictates.

Supervision

Supervision Scope: Performs a wide variety of duties of an administrative and operational nature requiring the exercise of judgement and initiative in the management of the Early Education Center. Assists with cost control.

Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the Director of Recreation, following department policies and appropriate professional standards. Resolves administrative and procedural problems independently, requesting assistance with unusual situations which do not have clear precedents.

Supervision Given: Supervises and provides direction to all teaching and administrative staff, substitutes and volunteers, ensuring the completion, quality and accuracy of work. Assists the Director of Recreation with disciplinary actions and terminations. Provides day-to-day oversight of facilities, vendors, and assets.

Work Environment

Works in early childhood learning facilities with a moderate noise level; the work is subject to seasonal changes and requires planning; the employee may occasionally work weekends and evenings.

The employee operates standard office equipment, including a computer and copier; uses classroom, sports and other recreation equipment; operates a department van.

The employee has significant contact with the general public, other town departments, agencies, Boards and Commissions, and outside organizations.

Errors could result in loss of accreditation, personal injury or injury to others, significant monetary loss or delay or loss of service.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Director I or II certified by the Department of Early Education and Care. Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, or a related field. Minimum of five years experience in the early childhood education field, a minimum of three years in a direct supervisory role in the early childhood education field. Grant writing and administration experience desirable.

Additional Requirements

• Valid Massachusetts Driver’s License, Class D
• Certification in CPR and First Aid

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

Thorough knowledge and understanding of EEC licensing regulations, standards and policies and procedures. Knowledge of grant administration. Demonstrated leadership abilities. Working knowledge of basic finance/accounting/budgeting. Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work cooperatively and communicate well with others; excellent customer service and problem-solving skills. Skilled at teacher training and supervision. Demonstrated administrative skills, including budget/financial abilities. Ability to organize and supervise employees and volunteers, develop and organize educational programs, work collaboratively with other town departments, promote the center, solve problems, enhance customer experience, and communicate effectively. Ability to work with preschool children, parents and organize programs. Ability to oversee grant administration and write grant proposals.

Physical Requirements

Minimal physical effort is required. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, speak, hear, sit, use hands to operate equipment and may be required to lift up to 30 pounds. Vision requirements include the ability to read routine documents, use a computer and operate a motor vehicle.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.