Assistant School Director

Summary

Friends Center is an early childhood education center providing year-round, full-time care for children ages 3 months to 5 years. We offer a child-centered, hands-on learning experience in a safe and nurturing environment. At the Center, children learn through creative play and a wide range of developmentally-appropriate activities. We are a non-sectarian organization whose values-based curriculum is guided and enhanced by its foundations in the Quaker principles of community, equity, peace, simplicity, truth, and stewardship. As a cooperative organization, parents and teachers at the Center work together to create a diverse and supportive community. Our mission is to educate children, empower families, inspire teachers, engage community, embrace diversity, and embody equity.

Position Summary: The Assistant School Director is responsible for supporting the School Director with daily operations of the Infant-Toddler and Preschool Programs at East Grand Avenue. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, Supervision, Management, and Events. The Assistant School Director participates fully in the culture and professionalism of Friends Center.

Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Administration 

• Assumes responsibility for all aspects of running the site in the absence of the School Director
• Acts as lead and assumes responsibility of a classroom in the absence of a head teacher on an as-needed basis 
• Prepare materials for the weekly administrative meeting
• Host weekly team meetings  
• Oversee and edit the classroom newsletters and blogs 
• Review and edit conference notes 
• Participate and conduct interviews for new staff 
• Manage and oversee orientation and schedules for staff 
• Conduct classroom observations 
• Interview education interns 
• Schedule meetings with parents and staff 
• Manage parent interactions/phone calls/emails 
• 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 
• Plans and facilitates staff in-services and training on all topics for all NAEYC and licensing requirements, in collaboration with the Management Team 
• Manages program-related concerns (families, staff, community) 
• Provides program-wide communications with the community when necessary, in conjunction with the School Director, and/or Chief Operating Officer. 
• 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 
• Other duties as requested

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Administration 

• Assumes responsibility for all aspects of running the site in the absence of the School Director
• Acts as lead and assumes responsibility of a classroom in the absence of a head teacher on an as-needed basis 
• Prepare materials for the weekly administrative meeting
• Host weekly team meetings  
• Oversee and edit the classroom newsletters and blogs 
• Review and edit conference notes 
• Participate and conduct interviews for new staff 
• Manage and oversee orientation and schedules for staff 
• Conduct classroom observations 
• Interview education interns 
• Schedule meetings with parents and staff 
• Manage parent interactions/phone calls/emails 
• 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 
• Plans and facilitates staff in-services and training on all topics for all NAEYC and licensing requirements, in collaboration with the Management Team 
• Manages program-related concerns (families, staff, community) 
• Provides program-wide communications with the community when necessary, in conjunction with the School Director, and/or Chief Operating Officer. 
• 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 
• Other duties as requested

Customer Service

• Serve as the face of the school, including providing excellent front-facing customer service in person and via phone and email
• Arrive on time and ready to receive staff, children, and families
• Assist a wide variety of customers, including parents, children, teachers, staff, interns, and volunteers, with a range of needs

Communication:

• Communicate with all administrative and teaching staff daily
• Share conversations and interactions with families with the administrative staff and teachers in a confidential and sensitive manner
• Seek guidance and refer families to the Chief Operating Officer, School Director, Business Manager, and Admissions Director as appropriate

Personnel 

• With support from Human Resources, Screens, interviews, 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: Early Start CT and Early Head Start funding programs, and assists the Admissions department 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.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Development and/or Education or higher.
• CPR certified or have the ability to complete training.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to communicate fluently in written and spoken English.
• 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.
• Experience in developing professional development content and facilitating training sessions
• Experience with public speaking or willingness to develop the skills necessary
• Fluency in Spanish or other languages is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Vision and hearing within normal range so as to be able to provide sight and sound supervision.
• Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs.
• Traveling up/down a flight of stairs, standing and sitting for long durations, typing for continuous hours on a computer keyboard, and reading information on a computer

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Spanish or other languages is preferred.

Benefits

Paid Time Off: Over 25 days of paid time off, which include: 11 federal holidays, April Recess, Winter Recess and 10 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.