Executive School Director

The Gardner School is an academically-focused preschool for ages 6 Weeks to 5 Years. We have created a rich learning environment that stimulates our students’ physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. We provide extensive training, orientation, and continuing education programs. We have locations in Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. We strongly believe in promoting from within, rewarding our amazing teachers with opportunities to grow within our privately-owned company. Above all, we choose faculty members who love the early childhood profession and have a strong, positive curiosity about life that sparks confidence and joy in those around them.

The Executive School Director reports to a Region Manager. Reporting to the Executive School Director are Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers/Floater, a cook, and an assistant school director who may have scheduled teaching responsibilities in addition to providing administrative and operational support. Licensing regulations pertaining to the operation and staffing of a School vary from state to state in restrictions and in degree of individual interpretation given to each state's agent. Therefore, an excellent relationship between the Executive School Director and the licensing board representative is essential.

We offer full medical benefits, 401k and discounted tuition.

Essential Job Duties:

• Manages the school in conformance with all state/local regulations and The Gardner School policies and procedures.
• Effectively resolves problems related to the management of the school or seeks appropriate assistance from the Region Manager.
• Maintains effective communications between school staff and parents.
• Maintains administrative and required records on staff and children.
• Plans work schedules and supervise staff. Assists in lesson planning and evaluates staff's performance.
• Ensures the Assistant School Director is properly trained to perform in the absence of the Executive School Director.
• Keeps fully apprised of all activities in the school.
• Manages all reports and forms in accordance with The Gardner School policies and procedures.

Other duties:

• Assists in planning annual budget and manages the operational budget as approved.
• Maintains accurate financial records
• Ensures that classroom equipment is maintained in good repair. Requests replacements and contracts for needed repairs following company policies and procedures.
• Prepares and forwards required reports as designated by the Region Manager such as weekly statistics each Friday.
• Ensures accuracy and timely collection of accounts receivable in accordance with The Gardner School policies and procedures.
• Makes purchases necessary to school operation while maximizing operational profit.
• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains staff to maintain proper staff/child ratio. Ensures that each staff member receives and understands her/his job description, The Gardner School policies and procedures, and other orientation information and materials.
• Maintains a current substitute list, if available.
• Ensures that up-to-date records for each child are maintained.
• Prepares and forwards all personnel records and forms as required to Region Manager or HR in a timely manner.
• Conducts performance reviews for all staff appropriately and on time.
• Fills the School to capacity while maximizing the profitability of the operation.
• Conducts interview of parents and child before enrolling.
• Ensures that parents of enrolled children complete all necessary forms. Plans and conducts orientation for newly enrolled parents.
• Is visible and available to parents at their convenience to listen and take appropriate action on their concerns.
• Keeps parents informed of their child's progress and School activities.
• Tracks all inquiries, converts inquiries into parent tours of the School, and converts tours into enrollments.
• Actively maintains and manages the school waiting list.
• Ensures that the Enrichment programs are operational and fully enrolled.
• Conducts parent meetings and other conferences as requested.
• Regularly solicits feedback from parents in order to make improvements in the School.
• Conducts and enforces all safety, training, rules and regulations with staff for the safety of the children and parents
• Maintains up-to-date health records for both staff and children.
• Maintains a clean environment by providing for scheduled cleaning of the school and through frequent visual checks.
• Informs a parent whenever their child has been exposed to communicable disease.
• Ensures that all staff have current certification in first aid training and CPR.
• Has emergency telephone numbers and an emergency plan, conducts emergency drills.
• Maintains building, equipment and grounds through daily safety checks to ensure a safe environment meeting safety standards.
• Notifies parents via telephone immediately should their child suffer any type of injury. Ensure proper documentation of accident/incident and obtain necessary signatures.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of general administrative tasks
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate verbally and in writing
• Ability to manage time effectively and efficiently
• Ability to multi-task
• Regular and reliable attendance

Physical Demands:

• Ability to operate computer, phone and other office equipment as needed
• Ability to lift and carry of children up to 60 pounds
• Ability to read, write, speak, hear, think, communicate, concentrate, learn and work
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation

Minimum Qualification:

• Meet state licensing requirements for education and experience.
• 4-year degree
• Intermediate PC skills
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in licensed childcare
• One year experience as Assistant Director or supervising a childcare program

The Gardner School extends equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Supplemental Pay:

• Bonus pay

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location