CDC Director: Lead Inclusive Early Education (Sign-On $3K)

Position Overview The Child Development Center (CDC) Director provides expertise, oversight, training, and leadership to ensure the CDC delivers high‑quality, relationship‑based, inclusive services to all children and families. The Director ensures evidence‑based instructional practices, engages families, maintains a healthy and safe environment, and achieves full enrollment. Oversight extends to all staff, directly supervising the Assistant Center Director and others, monitoring compliance, quality, enrollment, staff retention, engagement, and financial results, and leading continuous improvement initiatives. $3,000 Sign On Bonus This position is located at the Easterseals Gilchrist Marchman Child Development Center at 1312 S. Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608. Major Functions / Accountabilities Planning and Program Services Facilitate enrollment and develop a recruitment plan in collaboration with the ERSEA & Family Health Team to ensure full enrollment. Oversee staff schedules, manage PTO approvals, and arrange substitutes to maintain operational continuity, ensuring classroom ratios and a qualified director on site at all times. Collaborate with the Director of ECR programs to develop an annual parent handbook with policies, procedures, and service/management plans. Implement systems to ensure consistent, high‑quality services per Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, ExceleRate, NAEYC, DCFS licensing, and all applicable regulations. Develop an annual training calendar with the Director of ECR Programs and Learning & Development Manager, matching staff interests and needs. Form linkages with community organizations to provide resources for children, families, and staff. Make effective resource allocation decisions to support quality program services while operating within the budget and staffing model. Participate in the self‑assessment process and strategic planning. Implement strategies to maximize child care assistance funding. Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents, engage families, and create a yearly Family Engagement plan per program guidance and budget. Address parental questions, concerns, and complaints regarding safety, staffing, curriculum, philosophy, and structure, reporting resolutions to the Director of ECR Programs. Establish a collaborative and transparent center culture emphasizing direct conflict resolution. Maintain systems for regular, ongoing communication with staff and families. Facilitate and/or participate in regional, team, leadership, and other meetings. Participate in agency-sponsored events, committees, and meetings. Implement Research-Based Curriculum Monitor, assess, and review classrooms regularly to maintain curriculum fidelity and alignment with educational standards. Collaborate with the Instructional Coordinator, using assessment data to drive coaching strategies and align coaching with school readiness goals. Ensure lead teachers facilitate lesson‑planning meetings. Participate in regular meetings to assess progress and plan for education and disability content areas. Assist teaching staff to complete child assessments, parent/teacher conferences, and other requirements within designated time frames. Ensure all enrolled children receive developmental screening, maintain Child Plus and Teaching Strategies GOLD data, and keep child portfolios and observation logs. Review and analyze child outcome data, home visits, parent/teacher conferences, and screenings with the regional and teaching teams to inform individual child and program planning. Support Inclusive Practices Collaborate with coordinators and managers to create an inclusive environment for children with disabilities, social‑emotional needs, and challenging behaviors. Work with the Child Service Coordinator and Social Emotional Specialist to implement a system for supporting behavioral concerns, including review processes and behavior plans. Assist teachers in modifying curriculum and individualizing lesson plans based on IEP goals. Provide ongoing training related to Education and Disabilities across all programs. Share screening results with parents and facilitate re‑screenings, referrals, and follow‑ups as needed. Ensure timely referrals to LEA and Early Intervention. Record Keeping, Reporting, and Communication Develop and implement a system to ensure all enrollment, education, disabilities, health, and family information is entered into the program database and Teaching Strategies GOLD promptly. Complete and submit all required agency and funder reports accurately and on time. Maintain all required licenses and certifications. Ongoing Monitoring Provide effective oversight of all services at the center. Maintain compliance with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) day‑care standards. Achieve and maintain high levels on ExeleRate and NAEYC. Accreditation Implement active supervision systems and monitor documentation to ensure child safety and avoid unsupervised periods. Follow up with families to ensure timely payment for services. Monitor compliance across all service areas, provide action plans per Quality, Safety, and Compliance team reports. Monitor Child Plus and Teaching Strategies GOLD data for accuracy and completeness. Ensure health and food handling regulations per the Department of Public Health. Verify facility meets all funding, administrative, and regulatory standards. Create a clean and safe learning environment for all children. Analyze child outcome data, home visits, parent/teacher conferences, and screenings with the teaching team. Human Resources Implement reflective and relationship‑based practices. Provide leadership development and coaching for assistant managers and lead teachers. Conduct performance evaluations and professional development plans for direct reports. Recruit, retain, and motivate a collaborative, engaged classroom staff. Onboard new staff, clarify roles, and implement retention strategies. Communicate regularly with staff to share goals, encourage initiative, and address concerns early. Enforce all agency policies, practices, and standards. Perform other duties as assigned. Requirements Education / Certification Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field. Illinois Director’s Credential Level II. Certified CLASS Pre‑K and Toddler Observer within one year. Knowledge / Experience Required 3–5 years of supervisory experience. 3–5 years of experience in Head Start / Early Head Start programs. 5 years of experience working with children and their families. Thorough knowledge of state and local licensing, Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies GOLD, ExceleRate, NAEYC, and Head Start Program Performance Standards. Experience with Microsoft Office software. Skills / Abilities Work well with all organizational levels, regulators, funders, and agencies. Conceptualize and articulate program outcomes. Manage multiple projects and priorities. Organized and detail oriented. Active listening and effective questioning. Coordination and relationship building. Monitoring and performance assessment. Social perceptiveness. Effective speaking and communication. Critical thinking and problem solving. Time and resource management. Negotiation and conflict resolution. Adaptive learning and application of new information. Complex problem solving. Judgment and decision making. Personnel management and motivation. Persuasion skills. Service orientation. Writing, reporting, and correspondence. Instructing and teaching skills. Financial resource management. Learning strategy development. Systems analysis and evaluation. Technological adeptness, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, Excel, internet browsing, and video conferencing. Excellent interpersonal skills in diverse environments. ADA Compliance Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the ADA, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, such as bending, floor sitting, and lifting up to 50 pounds frequently. #J-18808-Ljbffr Eastersealschicago