School Director

School Director Job Description

Friends Center for Children is a year-round early care and education program serving children ages 3 months to 5 years and their families. FCfC uses an emergent curriculum, is a parent cooperative program, offers a sliding scale tuition system, and is rooted in the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity, and stewardship. Our mission: Educate Children, Empower Families, Inspire Teachers, Engage Community, Embrace Diversity, Embody Equity drives our work. A Friends Center Site Director leads the Friends Center community in partnership with the Executive Director, the Head of Programs, and the Emotional Wellbeing coordinator.

Reports to: Executive Director and Head of Programs

Classification: FTE - Exempt

Hours: Full time; 40hrs some evenings and occasional weekend hours

Salary Range: $45-65K

Benefits Include:

• Paid Time Off: Over 30 days of paid time off which include: 11 federal holidays, April Break, Winter Break, and 10 days of paid personal days
• Employee Child Tuition Discount: Up to $22,000 for children enrolled at FCfC (based on income)
• Health Insurance: 80% of total cost; FCfC will contribute 80% of the equivalent of a standard HMO individual coverage cost through our provider for our group health insurance program.
• Paid Professional Development: Up to $500 per year.
• Tuition Reimbursement for ECE coursework: Up to $4,000 per year Amount dependent on years of service at FC.
• Emergency Financial Hardship Loan: Up to $1,000 per year dependent on years of service at FC.
• Emergency Financial Hardship Grant: Up to $1,000 per year dependent on years of service at FC.
• Emotional Hardship Program: Emotional Wellbeing support as needed.
• Haven's Harvest Program: Free food from Trader Joe's (once per week).

The School Director role is a leadership position for one of the Friends Center for Children locations. Ultimately the School Director is responsible for the general supervision and management of the educators, children, and families at the site. The School Director may begin their journey with Friends Center for Children with in-depth modeling and coaching in the classroom working closely with children, families, and other educators for up to the first 60 days of employment. Other parts of onboarding will involve training and hands-on practical experience with existing Friends Center leadership.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program

• Assumes responsibility for all aspects of running the site
• Works in partnership with the Emotional Wellbeing Team
• Collaborates closely with other site directors and managers to ensure continuity across program sites
• Plans, directs, and supports the activities of staff involved in providing for the physical, emotional, social, and educational needs of children aged three months to five years
• Oversees curriculum development and implementation
• Provides reflective coaching for educators
• Formulates program goals and objectives, staffing plans, and procedures
• Supervises program to ensure compliance with all accreditation and licensing requirements
• Maintains coverage through scheduling staff work shifts and absences; arranges for substitute coverage as needed
• Supports staff in providing developmentally appropriate care for all children including children with special needs in the classroom, in collaboration with Emotional Well-Being Team and external providers
• Plans and facilitates staff in-services and trainings on all topics for all NAEYC and licensing requirements, in collaboration with Management Team
• Facilitates staff/parent interactions and participation, supporting staff-family cohesion
• Manages program-related concerns (families, staff, community)
• Provides program-wide communications with the community when necessary, in conjunction with the Executive Director and/or Head of Programs.
• Plans, organizes, and facilitates FCfC open houses and events
• Orients children, staff members, interns, volunteers, and parents to the Center
• Represents Friends Center for Children in the community

Personnel

• With support from Human Resources, screens, assesses, and selects staff
• Recruits and trains staff including teachers, interns, and substitutes
• Oversees and follows up on staff performance according to FCfC policies and procedures
• Maintains the OEC Professional Registry on a monthly basis for all staff members
• Works collaboratively with Human Resources to manage staff performance and accountability

Financial

• Acts as program liaison for, and compiles all child attendance reports for: New Haven School Readiness program, New Haven Daycare Grant, and Early Head Start program and assists the Admissions Associate with Care4kids follow up.

Professional Development:

• Attend all staff meetings and program events as scheduled.
• Maintain required continuing education hours and provide documentation of such.
• Maintain knowledge of current theory and best practices.
• Participate in all required early childhood meetings, conferences, and/or events.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Development and/or Education or higher.
• CPR certified or ability to complete training.
• Ability to communicate fluently in written and spoken English.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Computer literacy.
• At least three years of Early Childhood Education Teaching experience.
• Experience in play-based and outdoor learning environments preferred.
• Experience with child-led, emergent curriculum development preferred.
• Experience using Connecticut ELDS and DOTS preferred.
• At least two years of supervisory experience.
• Cultural sensitivity and proven ability to work with a diverse population.
• Experience working in a cooperative model is a plus.
• Fluency in Spanish or other languages is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Vision and hearing must be within normal range so as to be able to provide sight and sound supervision.
• Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs.
• Ability to bend, sit on the floor for prolonged periods and get up again is required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Please provide your email address and best contact number.
• Please list any experience you have with: CT ELDS/DOTS, emergent curriculum, and Reggio Emilia philosophy.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Early Childcare Director: 3 years (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

License/Certification:

• Updated COVID vaccination status or willing to obtain (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• New Haven, CT: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person