DIOCESE OF DAVENPORT

Saint Alphonsus Early Childhood Education Center

Director of Early Childhood

Job Description

POSITION TITLE:  Director of Early Childhood

RECRUITMENT/RECOMMENDATION:

Recruited by:                                                    Pastor, Superintendent

Recommended for Appointment By:                  Pastor, Superintendent

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Role:                                                    Staff

User Group:                                          Director, School

Reports To:                                           Pastor, Superintendent

Consults With:                                      Early Childhood Teachers, Early Childhood Paraeducators, DHS,       Directors of Services of the Diocese, AEA  

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Early Childhood is responsible for implementation of the childcare program at Saint Alphonsus Early Childhood Center, ensuring that all policies and procedures are followed as set forth by Diocese of Davenport, the pastor of Saint Alphonsus as well as regulatory agencies. The Director of Early Childhood provides employees with a clear understanding of the performance expected on the job. The Director develops a strong working relationship with employees. The Director of Early Childhood has supervisory responsibilities in all areas of the Early Childhood Center including but not limited to, the age-level departments, food service, regulatory areas, facilities and financial concerns of the center.

MINIMUM POSITION REQUIREMENT:

To perform this job successfully, the Early Childhood Director must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skills and ability required.

Education/Experience:

Early Childhood education and experience as a director or supervisory level is preferred. The candidate will need to fulfill the Center Director qualifications as required by the Department of Human Services (DHHS).

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional materials, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Safe Environment Training, Defensive Driving, Meeting requirements set forth by DHS standards and the Diocese of Davenport as required.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years successful early childhood experience, related administrative experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent human relations skills, speaking and writing skills.
• Knowledgeable of regulations and law as related to early childhood settings.
• Previous experience working effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse groups.
• Training and/or experience in group facilitation and process management.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Practicing Catholic in good standing within the Roman Catholic church.
• Strong decision-making, analytical and organizational skills.
• Advanced skill in dealing with children, staff and families with diverse needs at various levels.
• Knowledge of varied developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, how to support the children’s developmental needs.
• Knowledge of, and ability to, develop, monitor, and evaluate curriculum, discipline plans and supervision/safety plans.
• Knowledge of understanding of children’s’ physical, emotional, and intellectual development.
• Knowledge of effective behavior management techniques e.g., Positive Behavior Support (PBIS).
• Ability to promote and follow board and administrative policies and building procedures.
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.
• Excellent interpersonal relations and oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from parents, administrators, community stakeholders, etc.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Knowledge of early childhood programming including implementation and evaluation of programs, and how programs should operate in an effective early childhood center.
• Ability to use tact, patience and courtesy when dealing with others.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports and promotes the philosophy of Catholic education as articulated by the Diocesan Board, the Saint Alphonsus Parish, and the administration (pastor).
• Supervises on-site employees and recommends to the Pastor or his designee, those for hiring.
• Assists with design and implementation of staff recruitment activities.
• Responds to families on non-scheduled days off as needed.
• Maintains a proper wait list for all age levels as needed. Works to make sure all age level spaces are full and working at capacity.
• Works with food service director to provide appropriate daily, weekly and monthly reports as requested.
• Conducts quality reviews of each age-level programming on a regular basis.
• Ensures compliance, including record keeping, with applicable diocesan, state and federal regulations,
• Manages the site to provide a safe and secure environment for staff and children.
• Submits to the pastor or his designee, concerns or ideas regarding areas of potential non-compliance or suggestions for overall improvement for the program.
• Carries out the admission and registration policies and procedures as specified by the Diocese and the Board.
• Maintains and promotes confidentiality encompassing all educational and professional activities.
• Works with parents in their role as the primary educators of their children to fully involve them in the program.
• Attends job-related meetings, belongs to job-related associations, and professionally represents Early Childhood (EC) when asked to be on a Diocesan or site committees as directed by the pastor or his designee.
• Uphold, support, and promote all Diocese of Davenport policies and procedures.
• Actively recruits new families. Prepares all staff with information so they are prepared to welcome new families.
• Monitors/maintains staff ratios by creating weekly staff schedules compared to scheduled child count by room.
• Supports staff with programming and understanding of curriculum.
• Works with teachers and children to promote building maintenance and cleanliness. Assists in supervision of custodial staff; creating and implementing safety and crisis response plans; maintaining facility and equipment.
• Organizes and directs supervision.
• Works in conjunction with the pastor or his designee and/or principals to coordinate activities between the early childhood center and local schools (public and accredited non-public).
• Supports substitute staff in carrying out their duties.
• Assists in the promotion of positive climate and staff morale through recognition programs and honoring those who excel.
• Enforces Diocesan discipline policies.
• Hires, orients, and evaluates licensed and classified staff; working through concerns and classroom management; planning and directing meetings, staff development, trainings and in-services; communications; listening, providing and receiving feedback, and encouragement for all staff.
• Serves on Diocesan-level committees as assigned by the pastor or his designee. Attends conferences, workshops and meetings to keep informed of current practices and trends in education. Attends meetings as requested beyond the regular workday.
• Performs such other duties as may be assigned by the pastor or his designee.