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Preschool Center Manager
Career Insights for Preschool / Childcare Director
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Based on Arizona data
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What they do
A Preschool or Childcare Director manages and directs programs for very young children. Supervises child care workers and pre-school teachers. Proposes policies, program fees and budgets for approval by a program board or administrative agency or implements policies of a national organization. Meets with parents and staff to discuss the development, learning and behavior of children in the program or center. Orders supplies and monitors maintenance and cleaning at a facility. Ensures that the program or center meets state and federal guidelines.
$54,059 / year median in Arizona
+15% projected growth
Job Description
- 4.
Full Job Description Level:
Mid-Level Management Position Type :
40 hours/week ( Extended Year mid-July- mid-June)
Salary Range:
$1,886.40 bi-weekly Travel %: In-Town and Out of Town depending on location.Job Shift:
Day (M-F) 8am-5pm, position is eligible for limited flexibility to work remotely, may require working some evenings and weekendsJob Categories:
Education Classification:
Salary Exempt Supervisor:
Program Services Coordinator Supervises:
Lead Teachers (2), Family Educators (1), Cook (1), Custodians (1), Housed substitute (1)Job Summary:
Reporting to the Program Services Coordinator, the Center Manager will supervise, lead, oversee, and support center staff in their implementation of the Head Start (HS)/Early Head Start (HS) program and the delivery of high-quality comprehensive services to enrolled children and families through center-based and home-based service delivery models. The Center Manager oversees the compliance of a broad range of local, state, and federal regulations such as licensing and ERSEA (eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance). The Center Manager supports and guides additional core program activities such as the implementation of the curriculum, parent engagement, health and nutrition activities, meal services, positive community partnerships, advocacy for all children and families, and overall work toward the agency's vision and mission. Center Managers directly or indirectly supervise and support the professional development of 6- 11 employees who provide services for approximately 40
- 80 children and families.
Benefits:
Paid Leave- 25 paid holidays, 5 days paid vacation after one year and up to 10-13 days each year thereafter, 5-8 days paid Personal leave first year, 8-11 days each year thereafter, up to 5 days paid Sick leave per year. Insurance benefits
- Dental, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Reimbursement Arrangements, Health Savings Accounts, PPO medical (3 plans), Vision, and Supplemental Life coverage for self, spouse, and child ($25,000 basic life and Accidental Death and Disability provided by employer). Retirement Plan
- Agency contribution after years of services and hours of eligibility criteria are met.
Minimum Qualifications/Requirements:
Possess a bachelor's degree with major in Child and Family Services, Family Engagement, Social Services, Human Services, Early Childhood Education, Community Health Services, Social Services, or agreed equivalent that supports high quality implementation of our program as determined by the agency. Three (3) years' experience in a management role with a diverse community population in the human services area such as education, health services, or social services Three (3) years' experience supervising staff. Must be 21 years of age. Demonstrated proficiency using Office 365 (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Able to read, write, and speak English and Spanish (bilingual) Submit a current AZ Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card prior to start date. Able to pass a company paid physical exam prior to starting work. Able to pass a DES Centralized Background Check prior to starting work. Other Requirements (post hire): Must be able to travel to and from various sites as needed. Must be able to travel outside assigned areas in company-owned vehicles. Travel could begin before daylight hours and continue after sundown in some situations.Provide proof of immunizations:
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Tdap (adult Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), and a clear Tuberculosis Self-Assessment. Ability to maintain a valid level fingerprint clearance card and annual DES Centralized Background Check. Must be able to prove the right to work in the USA by providing appropriate documents to complete the Federal I-9 form. Must possess or have the ability to possess and keep current certification in First Aid Training/CPR training including Infants and Children. Must be able to obtain the State of Arizona Food Safety Manager Certification and Food Handlers Class within one month of employment.Competencies:
Accountability Safety Focus Relationship Building Teamwork Effective Oral and Written Communication Facilitating Groups Leadership Management Compliance/Oversight Planning & Organizing Problem Solving Ethics & Integrity Training & Presenting Information Desired Qualifications:
Possess a master's degree with major in Child and Family Services, Family Engagement, Social Services, Human Services, Early Childhood Education, Community Health Services, Social Services, or agreed equivalent that supports high quality implementation of our program as determined by the agency. A minimum of three (3) years' experience working in SmartTeach and/or ChildPlus A minimum of three years working in a licensed childcare facilityWork Environment:
Office setting Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues. Possible exposure to communicable diseases. Possible exposure to hazardous cleaning chemicals. Physical Requirements Frequently Stooping, bending, and reaching. Clerical duties (computer, typing, copying, etc.) Standing for approx. ½ hour 2-3 times per day Sitting for extended periods Data Entry or viewing information on computer monitor for long periods (15-30 minutes or more) Occasionally Picking up and dropping off supplies Up and down from carpeting Run, jump, jog Push and pull furniture Up and down from 12" to 14" chairs Lift preschool children Physically restrain pre-school childrenJob Specific Duties and Responsibilities Center Management:
Responsible forERSEA:
Complete applications, verify income, and recruit eligible families. Develop a plan to recruit eligible children and families most in need and assist potential enrollees in completing enrollment process and obtaining needed services. Ensure the prioritization of selection of participants based on the most in need. Responsible for achieving and maintaining full funded enrollment throughout the year. Implement strategies to promote attendance and support teaching staff by making appropriate efforts to re-engage families to resume attendance.Training:
eligibility training, training new staff and providing refresher training for experienced staff. Plan, organize, lead, and support center staff in day-to-day operations for the delivery of high-quality comprehensive HS/EHS services to children and families. Identify service delivery challenges and emerging resource needs. Assess and recommend supervisor changes for the center's service plan, service delivery model, staffing pattern. Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and program standards, policies, and/or procedures by keeping abreast of these requirements and by promoting staff's understanding and implementation of them related to the operation of a childcare facility including staffing, safety, food service, required postings, inspections, and record retention. Ensure follow-up and successful resolution of regulatory inspections findings. Build a staff that advances the program's mission by hiring and promoting qualified staff who support the program's philosophy and goals and who culturally and linguistically represent the community and program and by training staff on practices and requirements specific to the center. Exercise prudent stewardship of program resources by making decisions based on program financial reports and applicable federal, state, and program financial requirements (e.g., allowable costs, nonfederal share, cost-sharing) Advocate for resources to improve program quality by offering suggestions and providing information about needed resources during the program's planning and budget development process. Encourage families' involvement in program decision making by ensuring that families are informed about decision-making opportunities (e.g., parent meetings, workshops, policy group, governance committees) and by supporting their involvement (e.g., transportation, training, convenient meeting times). Strengthen staff's commitment to family empowerment by engaging with families, acknowledging the contributions they make, and modeling approaches for working with families as full partners. Safety Train, guide, and support center staff in the development and implementation of overall center safety and emergency planning systems including child supervision system, child count system, and active supervision implementation plan. Implement operational systems related to safety, security, maintenance, and supplies for the center including the keyless entry system, work request system, CPC alerts, inventory, supply ordering, and where applicable, the child transportation system. Participate with and support teaching staff in a variety of activities related to their work with families including social service needs, completion of medical and/or dental screenings, follow up appointments and/or referrals. Act as a liaison with facility owner or manager when located in a facility not owned by the agency. Facilitate conflict resolutions.Supervision:
Supervise assigned staff by providing direction, input, and feedback using tools and resources provided in the agency's performance planning, supervision, and evaluation system. Provide a minimum of one supported supervision meeting per month to assigned staff. Use reflective practice supervision and coaching strategies with consistency and equity to create a learning environment that supports development while maintaining accountability for performance. Support and monitor assigned staff in professional achievement or personal growth through the professional development system. Identify self-growth, development goals, and strategies for achievement with support and input from supervisor. Commit and participate in consistent and planned meetings with supervisor to further professional growth by seeking feedback, reflecting on and assessing own practice, and taking advantage of opportunities to improve skills and knowledge.Recordkeeping, Monitoring, and Reporting:
Conduct a variety of monitoring activities related to safety, food service, program goals and objectives, participant requirements, and staff requirements. Identify and acknowledge accomplishments. Recommend supervisor strategies for continued improvement. Meet federal, state, and program documentation requirements by maintaining accurate, complete, timely, and well-organized participant, staff, facility, and vehicle (where applicable) records. Corrects inaccurate or incomplete records as able and/or coordinates collection of records through the corresponding department. Monitor and update the overall center safety and emergency planning system using reports and or/anecdotal communication about the effectiveness of the plan. Complete and enter Safety Review- Quarterly in Critical Issues Database by required date per policy and procedures.