Position Summary
The Center Director is responsible for maintaining compliance within the center, and guiding our staff in the Light of Knowledge (L.O.K.) mission to facilitate access to and opportunities for quality educational and wellness practices so that children can thrive from diapers to diplomas. The Center Director plays an integral role in continuing the commitment of high quality child care service by training, supervising, and inspiring our team of passionate staff members, and maintaining positive supportive relationships with families.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES
COMPLIANCE
- Read, understand, and enforce compliance with all chapters and articles of the State of California Health and Human Services Agency Department of Social Services Child Care Center General Licensing Requirements Title 22, Division 12
- Read, understand, and enforce compliance with Light of Knowledge Child Care Center, Inc. (L.O.K.) policies
- Comply with Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) regulations, policies and procedures if applicable
- Comply with Universal Pre-kindergarten (UPK) regulations, policies and procedures if applicable
- Prioritize children’s health and safety at all times
- Liaise with licensing agency and representatives and facilitate center inspections
- Liaise with California Department of Social Services (CDSS), child care assistance subsidy agencies, and maintain applicable records
- Liaise with health departments
- Liaise with local school district regarding any applicable contracts, partnerships, or collaborations
- Accurately maintain program, staff, and child files
- Conduct routine evacuation drills, shelter in place drills, and fire and safety inspections as required
LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK
- Supervise all center employees
- Interview, onboard, and provide orientation training for all new center employe candidates
- Develop and revise employee work schedules and approve time off requests
- Conduct classroom observations and teacher evaluations to provide feedback that motivates and encourages learning
- Review and assign employee trainings
- Review and approve lesson plans submitted by teachers
- Daily management of classroom ratios
- Listen objectively to employee concerns and recommend course of action as needed
- Maintain a positive, professional, calm attitude and clear communication at all times
- Plan and conduct routine staff meetings and unscheduled meetings as needed
- Collaborate with administrators and owners to amend and develop best practice center policies and procedures
- Exemplify the qualities of a team player and hold employees to the same standard
- Demonstrate respect for children, families, employees, supervisors, and licensors
- Effectively multi-task as needed and implement time management skills
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
- Communicate with parents/guardians of enrolled children regarding child development, program events, current policies and procedures
- Accurately report and document incidents
- Encourage parent participation in program activities and events as applicable
- Facilitate program tours highlighting key benefits of our center and high quality of programs
- Provide guidance for families throughout the registration process and collect all required documents prior to child enrollment
- Consistently follow up with families inquiring about our programs
- Supervise child developmental screenings and assessments
- Connect families with appropriate early intervention professionals when concerns regarding delays in child development arise
- Offer families a high quality customer service experience
PROGRAM QUALITY
- Participate in continued professional development and training to improve work performance and program quality
- Occasionally attend meetings and professional development off-site and/or outside of work hours
- Seek opportunities for staff training, conferences, classes, and professional development
- Encourage continued education amongst employees
- Implement current best practice child care and program management methods
- Liaise with Quality Counts California, comply with standards and quality improvement plans
- Liaise with local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs)
- Seek collaborative opportunities with external organizations to create or offer extracurricular programs and activities within the center
- Understand and supervise the implementation of each program’s educational curriculum and ensure academic activities within each classroom daily
- Organize safe and compliant field trips and program visitations in alignment with the curriculum
OPERATIONS
- Develop and implement systems for required daily procedures to maintain compliance
- Collect, file, and report mail, deliveries, and correspondence received
- Ensure staff and families understand current policies and procedures
- Accurately update child care management software profiles
- Accurate record-keeping of hard copy and digital files
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
The Center Director must posses at least one out of the four education requirements listed below.
- (1) High school graduation or GED; completion, with passing grades, of 15 semester or equivalent quarter units as specified in (1)(A) and (1)(B) below at an accredited or approved college or university; and at least four years of teaching experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program.
(A) Three of the 15 units required in (1) above shall be in administration or staff relations.
(B) Twelve of the 15 units required in (1) above shall include courses that cover the general areas of child growth and development, or human growth and development; child, family and community, or child and family; and program/curriculum.
- (2) An associate of arts degree from an accredited or approved college or university with a major or emphasis in early childhood education or child development; and at least two years of teaching experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program.
(A) Three semester or equivalent quarter units shall be in administration or staff relations.
- (3) A bachelor's degree from an accredited or approved college or university with a major or emphasis in early childhood education or child development and at least one year of teaching experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program.
(A) Three semester or equivalent quarter units shall be in administration or staff relations.
- (4) A Child Development Site Supervisor Permit or a Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must demonstrate experience and interest in working with young children, parents, and with a team of educators
- Must have effective, appropriate, and strong communication skills (orally and written)
- Must be able to speak, read, and write fluently in English (bilingual is a plus)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to speak and understand basic English. This position is very active and requires sitting, standing, walking, running, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 lbs. and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. The employee must be able to see and hear children at all times for the safety of children and co-workers.
Light of Knowledge Child Care Center, Inc. is committed to creating a diverse work environment and proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
Schedule:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Hawthorne, CA 90250: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Experience:
- Teaching: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person