Assistant Director

First Learning Childcare Center Manager

First Learning is one of North America's largest providers of high-quality, early education for children. Starting in 1991, Care-a-lot opened its first childcare center in Greece, quickly earning a strong reputation for high-quality early childhood education. Over the years, this reputation fueled growth, leading to eight locations serving families across the Rochester community. This growth continued in 2023 and 2024 with the addition of Generations Child Care and Storybook Academy. Now operating under the parent company name First Learning, we celebrate a significant milestone in our journey. Our commitment to providing exceptional childcare services remains steadfast, earning us recognition among North America's top 50 for-profit childcare organizations by Exchange Magazine. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to maintaining the excellence that has defined our service to children and families for decades.

We care about YOU!

What we offer:

• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Discounted childcare
• Health insurance – including telehealth!
• Education assistance
• 401k with a company match!
• Life insurance
• Employee referral program
• Employee assistance program
• Abundant opportunities for growth

Objectives:

• Support the Site Director in managing a specified childcare center at the highest quality level.
• Lead, supervise and mentor classroom staff and support staff to provide high quality early care and education.
• Develop and nurture relationships with children and families.
• Maintain current customer base and encourage other customers to join through community promotion.

Responsibilities:

Enrollment:

• Conduct high quality, personalized center tours as scheduled.
• Follow up with inquiries daily. Send inquiry letters and packets daily. Enter all inquiry activity in Kangarootime daily.
• Complete all enrollment paperwork with parents and conduct new family orientations.

Supervisory:

• Provide day-to-day direction and mentoring to classroom staff and support staff. Provide real-time feedback as necessary.
• Ensure children are assessed twice annually by lead teachers.
• Provide appropriate training/coaching for developmentally appropriate practices and national accreditation guidelines. Ensure employees evaluated receive documented goals and training plans. Also, make sure employees receive performance action plans as needed.
• Ensure that lesson plans are being carried out and feedback/evaluation of the lesson plan is given on a weekly basis
• Create and implement staff development plans as needed. Report monthly. Ensure OCFS licensing regulations are upheld by all staff at all times.
• Ensure that the children's developmental binders are being kept according to national accreditation criteria
• Educate and mentor staff on OCFS licensing regulations.
• Observe 2 classrooms per week while children are eating to ensure the teacher is practicing family style serving and meal sheets are accurate.

Professional Development:

• Educate and mentor staff on national accreditation practices.
• Participate in necessary training for licensing and accreditation.
• Attend one local or regional conference per year.
• Stay current on First Learning policies, OCFS regulations, national accreditation guidelines and other pertinent regulations (CACFP, Health Department, etc.)

Family Relations:

• Address all parent concerns immediately.
• Regular communication with all families to ensure satisfaction.
• Coordinate the scheduling of parent conferences bi-annually to share child development information.
• Communicate national accreditation philosophies to staff and parents as a key factor in curriculum/programs.
• Disseminate information on special events, advocacy efforts and community involvement to families.

Administrative/Licensing/Accreditation:

• Become familiar with national accreditation. Ensure criteria are infused in all operations and decisions.
• Assist the Director with national paperwork and actions.
• Ensure that field trip procedures are carried out in accordance with the policy.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Requirements

Education:

o Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field or substantial years of experience in center based child care.

Experience:

o 1+ years of experience in supervision and program execution.

Skills/Characteristics:

o Thorough knowledge of early childhood programming. Ability to apply day-to-day.

o Working knowledge of community needs and resources.

o Working knowledge of national accreditation criteria.

o Excellent oral and written communication skills.

o Model behaviors that support overall philosophy and design of the organization.

o Substantial ability to solve problems and respond to emergency situations effectively.