Childcare Education Director

The core role of the school Director is the day-to-day management of every aspect of one of our unique Amazing Explorers Academy locations, ensuring that all elements of the innovative curriculum, comprehensive childcare approach and staff development process are implemented in accordance with AEA corporate standards as well as the guidelines of all State, Federal and Local regulatory agencies. This involves broad oversight of every age group and every classroom, including our unique STEAM experience area, outdoor playground, and other on-site amenities. Our ideal candidate has a genuine love for children as well as a strong desire to guide and mentor a team of teaching professionals from a range of backgrounds and experience levels. He or she will supervise teachers assigned to each classroom and together, with the Education Specialist, help to select, supervise, and train teachers for each program. The result will be an environment of social, physical, and intellectual stimulation for children, the staff, and the community. Candidates must have a solid knowledge of medium to large childcare facility management, early education theory, childcare accreditation requirements, general business operation skills and financial planning competence. He or she will be responsible for opening and closing of the school at least 50% of the time and may be required at any moment to step into another role (teacher, assistant, etc.) if necessary to maintain appropriate child-teacher ratios. All required training is paid and there is ample room for personal growth and development within the organization.

AEA Administration, Personnel Management, State Standards, and Performance

• Demonstrates strong ability to multitask, responds to emails in a timely manner and keeps systems and AEA APP up to date while performing daily duties.
• Ensures School compliance with all state-mandated teacher-child ratios; state and municipal statutes and regulations relating to the operation of childcare Schools; state and federal wage and hour laws; and Company policies and procedures.
• Maintains employee files in accordance with all regulatory agencies, accreditation agencies, and AEA corporate guidelines.
• Shows evidence of emotional intelligence, always demonstrating good judgment in handling crisis situations.
• Shows clear ability to direct, teach, and encourage staff, demonstrating good “people skills” when working with staff, parents, or corporate-level management.
• Manages all school human resources activities, including evaluating staffing needs, creating job requisitions, posting jobs in the company’s ATS (BambooHR), sourcing candidates, attracting qualified and reliable staff, recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, onboarding, offboarding, training and development, completing staff check-ins, 30, 60, 90-day evaluations, and annual performance reviews in compliance with AEA standards.
• Models highly professional behaviors, communication, and seeks to consistently inspire staff to optimize performance and achieve AEA objectives; ensures to appropriately and equitable recognize and praise staff.
• Manages day to day operations of the school and maintains supervisory responsibility of all staff.
• Implements AEA Standards to mentor, train, develop, and coach staff to enhance performance based on each staff’s job description, responsibilities, and assignments.
• Develops staff career plans, talent strategy, and annual goals to ensure continuous improvement during performance reviews.
• Promotes a culture of innovation, empowerment, and accountability through innovation awards.
• Plans staff work schedules to cover classrooms and maintain child teacher ratios.
• Develops and schedules in-service training sessions for staff based on their career plans and in compliance with AEA Standards and State Requirements.
• Coordinates, schedules, and delivers staff meetings designed to communicate internal and external updates, AEA initiatives, and community events.
• Manages staff VIPs and authorizes requests for paid vacation and unpaid days off.
• Ensures to update teachers’ boards in the staff room.
• Oversees and ensures facility maintenance schedules and repairs per AEA company requirements or owner directions.
• Establishes and maintains a safe and healthy learning environment by (a) adhering to all Company procedures related to injuries and accidents and (b) verbally communicating to students and staff regarding potential hazards or injuries; (c) and routinely performing safety audits.
• Reports suspected child abuse or neglect to local child protective agencies or child abuse hotlines as required by law.
• Fosters a positive work environment by modeling appropriate and professional behavior.
• May work directly with children in classrooms, when needed, to maintain statemandated ratios.
• Monitors cleanliness of the school which may include cleaning the classroom by sweeping, mopping, and disposing of trash.
• Ensures daily cleaning checklists are conducted and that AEA is always “tour ready.”
• May on occasion, prepare, cook and/or serve meals when necessary.
• May, on occasion, be responsible for transporting children as a “van/bus driver.”
• Other duties as assigned by the Regional Director, AEA Corporate Management, and/or owners.

Financial Management and AEA Performance

• Understands the financial performance of the school, including tuition goals, payroll percentages, and other financial KPIs.
• Diligently reviews, evaluates, and submits weekly tuition charges.
• Responsible for collecting payments.
• Reconciles payroll hours and timecards.
• Conducts precise analyses of operating statements, school statistics, personnel reports, enrollment information, and AEA relevant data.
• Maintains accurate financial accounting of school operations and protects company assets, assuming full Profit & Loss accountability for the school.

AEA Administrative and Financial Competencies Performance

• Understands the financial performance of the school including tuition goals, payroll percentages and other financial KPIs.
• In the absence of the school Director, the Education Specialist assumes responsibility with completing weekly tuition charges in the AEA App.
• In the absence of the school Director, the Education Specialist assumes responsibility with reconciling payroll hours and timecards to ensure the timely delivery of payroll processing.

OTHER KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with the Director of Enrollment to establish sales strategies and developing enrollment presentation materials.
• Runs the tour data report (excel format) from the AEA APP to conduct follow up calls and emails on all previous tours.
• Keeps the Director of Enrollment informed of any prospective families and enrollment changes.
• Ensures there are enough enrollment packets ready for tours.
• Provide exceptional customer service to visitors/parents and monitors visitor access.
• Ensures all visitors and tours are signed in appropriately.
• Demonstrates an awareness of cultural sensitivity in communicating and working with families, colleagues, and community.
• Demonstrates an awareness of community resources for additional support for families.
• May open or close the school as needed if the Education Specialist and Enrollment Coordinator are not available.
• Creates partnerships within the community to promote brand awareness; attends local community events.
• Develops a relevant list of events to involve the school and families and leverages digital media to share monthly activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must meet state licensing requirements for this position, and all requirements relating to background checks, fingerprinting, education, and experience as set by the state and accreditation agent. Must meet Company driving standards where applicable.
• Must obtain State Staff Credential (CDA) or state equivalent as required.
• Must have at least two years of experience in a licensed childcare school with at least one year in a management or supervisory position.
• Must be able to communicate, both verbally and in writing, in the English language.
• Travel approximately 5-20% of the time.

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma. Required.
• Preferred: bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development or
• Curriculum Development or related field.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands and attributes checked below are representative of those that must be

met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the teacher.

• Lifting, Carrying (maximum 50 lbs.)
• Stooping, Bending
• Kneeling, Squatting
• Walking/Running
• Standing 95% of day
• Sitting
• Climbing, Balancing (Ladder)
• Close Vision (20” or less)
• Pushing / Pulling
• Distance Vision (20’ or more)
• Hearing
• Speaking
• Reaching
• Reading, Writing

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Throughout the course of working as a School Director, the following conditions may apply: May occasionally: work in temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and below 32 degrees Fahrenheit; walk on slippery or uneven surfaces; and climb ladders or work off elevated structures on an occasional basis during the work week. The noise level of the work environment is frequently loud. May be moderate exposure to hazards and/or childhood illnesses.

Note: The listed job duties, tasks and responsibilities do not represent an exhaustive list. To successfully perform this job, an applicant and/or employee must be able to perform each of the listed essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.