Early Childhood - Center Director

Summary

Puffer Child Care Center is seeking a warm and experienced director to lead a wonderful team of professionals forward into 2023. Puffer Child Care is a hidden gem of a center, with wonderful staff, beautiful equipment and spacious playground. The ideal candidate will love leading from a strengths based perspective, appreciate the necessity for both extended free play and outdoor education, and have a sense of humor and flexibility.

Duties

The Center Director is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and quality of education, for all children within the center's care. The Center Director is directly accountable for overall operational management in accordance with well-established guidelines, including curriculum development, staff and facilities management, legal and budgetary considerations, and long range planning. The Center Director ensures that the needs of the students, the staff and the goals of the center are met appropriately.

• Establish quality vision for the center. Manage adherence to quality standards in accordance with the vision and with state and local requirements. Maintain quality effectiveness measurements.
• Develop general educational curriculum; collaborate with staff to develop positive learning activities; manage adherence to state and local regulations.
• Maintain student records in accordance with established enrollment procedures and guidelines.
• Maintain communications with parents of current and prospective students through direct conversation, parent handbook, and Brightwheel application. Implement community outreach activities to maintain and promote positive community relationships.
• Manage administrative portion of CACFP program, approve menus, and food purchases.
• Maintain positive relationships with regulatory agencies; ensure legal and financial compliance.
• Oversee all office functions including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, tuition billing and payment, human resources and personnel management (staff supervision) and purchasing.
• Manage budget planning and review.
• Establish illness and emergency procedures; ensure staff is trained appropriately.
• Implement strategic plan and goals in keeping with mission of program.
• Maintain personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.
• 2 years of direct professional experience in an early childhood setting.
• High energy.
• Strong oral and written communications skills; technology skills.
• Ability to work well with others (staff, children, and parents) and to foster a team environment.
• A strong understanding of child development.
• Strong finance and budgeting skills.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Infant/child CPR and First Aid certification.
• Must clear full background check.
• Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in early childhood education or related field of study with a minimum of 30 credits in ECE.
• VT Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Step 1 certificate OR successful completion of a three college credit course in program management for early care or for school age care and education, or in staff supervision related to early care and education AND a 3 college credit course in curriculum.

Nice To Haves

• VT ECE or ECSE teaching license preferred.
• Familiarity with Appreciative Inquiry style leadership.
• Previous successful grant writing and management skills.
• Familiarity with Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Familiarity with the Child and Adult Food Care Program.
• Familiarity with the Act 166 Universal Pre-k Program.

Benefits