Research and Development Director jobs in Hartford, CT

As the Assistant Director of Capitol Child Development Center, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the educational experiences of our young learners and cultivating a sense of community amongst all of our stakeholders. Your primary focus will be on advancing classroom programming, refining curriculum strategies, and managing and fostering the professional growth of our dedicated team of educators. Collaborating closely with the Executive Director and Enrollment Specialist, you will contribute to the overall vision and direction of the center, ensuring excellence in every aspect of our educational offerings.

Program & Curriculum

• Oversee, observe, and evaluate the programs across all classrooms on an ongoing basis.
• Bring new ideas to classroom programming that helps bring curriculum concepts to life.
• Assess curriculum effectiveness and develop curriculum recommendations.
• Review and approve weekly lesson and learning experience plans from head teachers.
• Monitor and review early learning and developmental assessments.
• Assist all teachers with formal parent-teacher conferences and review all conference reports. 
• Answer and resolve parents’ concerns or complaints in a timely fashion. Meet with any parent whose child is having trouble or whose child is targeted for intervention, medical, educational, or psychological to assist with coordinating Birth to 3 referrals.
• Monitor communication between teachers and parents.
• Participate in off-site meetings to early childhood issues as part of an on-going commitment to professional development. 

Personnel 

• Own HR processes including onboarding for all teaching staff.
• Hire staff, provide orientation, and conduct offboarding upon exit in conjunction with the Executive Director
• Create and coordinate staffing plans and schedules.
• Help develop staff procedure policies and manuals and ensure CCDC-wide adherence to the CCDC staffing plan, policies, and supervisory standards.
• Coordinate and develop in-service training programs and professional development sessions for CCDC teaching staff.
• Plan and facilitate bi-weekly meetings for all staff, Head Teachers, and Teachers as well as other personnel meetings, as needed.
• Provide 1:1 staff coaching and support.

Board of Directors 

• Attend all Board meetings, except when the Board is in Executive Session. 
• Collaborate with Executive Director and Board Treasurer on fiscal policies, budgets, and projections
• In conjunction with the Executive Director, keep the Board of Directors informed of all personnel matters that require Board awareness and/or approval.
• Ensure compliance with CCDC policy as set by the Board. 

Regulation 

• Consult with the Executive Director with respect to compliance and achievement of state licensing and NAEYC accreditation. 
• Monitor and maintain all Department of Public Health licensing consultant contracts, Office of Early Childhood licensing regulations, and NAEYC Accreditation standards.

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field 
• Previous experience working in a leadership role in an early childhood education setting.
• In-depth knowledge of child development theories, curriculum design principles, and best practices in early childhood education
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills
• Ability to effectively mentor and support teachers in their professional growth
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom and the broader community.
• Familiarity with relevant regulatory requirements and accreditation standards
• Passion for creating enriching and engaging learning experiences for young children.