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Lead, inspire, and shape young lives as the Early Childhood Director at the Duneland Family YMCA
Job Description
This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Early Childhood Director is responsible for leading and expanding high-quality youth development initiatives, including our Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning and our Half Day Preschool programs located in the DSC Trojan Learning Center. This role develops and implements strategic practices that foster growth, ensure excellence in program delivery, and strengthen community partnerships.
Qualifications
1. High school diploma or equivalent required.
2. Minimum age 21 required.
3. Must meet one of the following minimum education requirements:
a. A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education or elementary education with a kindergarten endorsement and grades of c or better.
b. Any Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university must include one of the following:
i. Fifteen credit hours in college level courses with documented content relating to the needs, skills, development, or teaching methods of children 6 years of age or younger and grades of c or better.
ii. A CDA
c. A two-year associate degree in early childhood education from an accredited college or university, with grades of c or better and a minimum of three years of experience in an early childhood program.
4. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
5. Fulfillment of state-specific hiring standards, including annual in-service hours, medical examinations, and immunizations, and completion of YMCA program-specific certifications.
6. Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
First Aid, CPR, AED, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Child Abuse prevention, Civil Rights, CACFP food service training prior to direct contact with children.
Essential Functions
1. Manages, directs, and coordinates the early learning education programs for assigned location(s). Ensures high quality programs and establishes new program activities. Expands program within the community in accordance with strategic and operating plans.
2. Manages and maintains enrollment for assigned locations.
3. Monitors daily operations, assures compliance with all state, local and YMCA health and safety regulations and conducts and ensures proper maintenance of equipment.
4. Recruits and hires a diverse teaching staff team. Onboard and develop team members for success. Ensure ongoing evaluation, training, and development of teaching staff.
5. Models’ relationship-building skills in all interactions. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with state regulatory agencies, families, school administration, advisory board, and community partners. Maintains regular, clear, and concise communication within area of responsibility.
6. Responds to all agency, parent and community inquiries and concerns in a timely manner.
7. Develops, manages, and controls budgets related to the Center. Ensures the Center operates within budget. Supports and budgets for healthy eating through coaching, mentoring, and monitoring menu quality.
8. Maintains proper records and department files.
9. Creates a safe environment in which all participants feel welcomed and respected.
10. Follow CACFP and State guidelines according to health, safety, required postings, and administration of program.
11. Monitor the daily operation of the CACFP Program, including, but not limited to point of service, meal service sanitation, etc.
12. Obtain and maintain required training for YMCA, CACFP, State License guidelines, and accreditation guidelines.
13. Monitor KPIs to assess performance and identify improvements.
14. Follow emergency procedures and safety precautions. Follow procedures for reporting all accidents, incidents, and hazards.
15. Adhere to all policies, rules, and regulations as outlined in employee handbook and other communications. Obtain and maintain required training(s)
16. Provides staff leadership for the annual fundraising campaign and committees as assigned.
17. Lead, achieve, and maintain program quality standards by ensuring the Early Childhood program attains and sustains Indiana Paths to Quality (PTQ) Level 4 and national accreditation. This includes overseeing initial achievement, annual renewals, ongoing compliance, documentation, staff training, and continuous quality improvement efforts required to meet and exceed all standards.
18. Accept additional assignments as deemed appropriate, within the scope of the job description.