Associate Director of the Early Learning School

Associate Director of the Early Learning School

Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center - Denver, CO 80246

Overview

Salary Range $73,000.00 - $76,000.00 Salary/year

Description

The Associate Director of the Early Learning School is an integral part of a team that includes the ELS Director, an Assistant Director of Operations, an Early Interventionist, a Front Desk Coordinator, specials educators, and approximately 40 classroom educators. Along with the Director, it is their responsibility to ensure that this team has shared goals and understandings, is cohesive, and promotes a consistent philosophical approach to educational practice, customer service, professional collaboration, staff supervision, and overall center functioning in compliance with state rules and regulations. In the absence of the Director, the Associate Director assumes leadership responsibilities of the daily operations and functioning of the school to ensure continuity and support for staff, children, and families.

Role and Responsibilities

Leadership and Supporting the School's Philosophy

• Assist in maintaining a positive school climate that reflects the values, philosophy, and expectations of the Early Learning School.
• Think systemically about the interconnected parts of the school community, recognizing how decisions, relationships, and systems impact the program as a whole while maximizing opportunities for collaboration and growth.
• Leverage the strengths, talents, and perspectives of team members to build an effective, collaborative, and supportive school culture.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with staff, families, administration, and community members while engaging in collaborative conversations that advance the mission and vision of the school.
• Support the implementation and consistency of policies, procedures, licensing regulations, and health and safety practices throughout the program.
• Collaborate with the Director and administrative team to support staffing, scheduling, classroom coverage, enrollment transitions, and overall program operations.
• In the absence of the Director, assume leadership responsibilities for the day-to-day operations and functioning of the school, including decision making, staff support, family communication, and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations and policies.

Supervision & Staff Management

• Responsible for staff supervision, onboarding, coaching, evaluations, and professional development planning.
• Review resumes, coordinate interviews, conduct reference checks, and interview prospective candidates to the ELS
• Directly supervise teachers in assigned classrooms and may also include Special Teachers (Judaics, Garden etc.) as needed by the department.
• Work in partnership with the administrative team to:
  • Regularly evaluate and document teachers' performance.
  • Hold teachers accountable for meeting performance expectations.
  • Support teachers in meeting the diverse developmental, emotional, behavioral, and learning needs of children through differentiated instruction, responsive classroom practices, and individualized support strategies.
  • Provide consistent feedback to teachers through one-on-one meetings, as well as evaluate and document performance.
  • Ensure that all performance documentation takes place in a timely and accurate manner and is kept in personnel files in the HR department.
• Ensure classrooms and shared spaces reflect the philosophy of the school, including the environment as the third teacher, accessibility of materials, meaningful documentation, and developmentally appropriate practices.

Family Connection, Enrollment and Outreach

• Build strong relationships with families by supporting communication, addressing concerns with professionalism and empathy, and helping foster a sense of community within the school.
• Support inclusion practices by collaborating with teachers, specialists, therapists, and families to ensure all children are appropriately supported within the classroom environment.
• Be available to the parents, especially during ELS hours, to discuss any child-related issues, as requested.
• Collaborate with the administrative team on classroom placements and transitions for children, taking into consideration developmental needs, family partnerships, classroom dynamics, and program goals.

Pedagogy and Professional Development

• Provide ongoing support to teachers to improve their capacities for observing and listening to children, documenting projects, and conducting their own research.
• Ensure that all members of the ELS Community have the opportunities and resources necessary for the successful execution of their jobs.

• Integrate new concepts and ideas into everyday practices.
• Work collaboratively with Director and ELS administrative team to develop and implement PD plans.

• Promote and uphold the school's constructivist philosophy by modeling best practices, partnering collaboratively with teachers, and engaging in ongoing coaching conversations that support reflective teaching and continuous growth.

Licensing and Colorado Shines

• With the Director and administrative team, ensure compliance in all areas to meet the State of Colorado Childcare licensing requirements such as:
  • PDIS training and certificates
  • Colorado State Licensing
  • Working with ELS teachers and administrative team to ensure a complete understanding of all licensing regulations and all teachers follow the state requirements and credentials.
• Understand Colorado Shine's regulations as they relate to the ELS.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Review resumes, coordinate interviews, conduct reference checks, and participate in the hiring process for prospective Early Learning School candidates.
• Support and help facilitate a comprehensive onboarding and orientation process for all new staff to ensure a successful transition into the program and school culture.
• Provide oversight and supervision of playgrounds and shared school spaces, including monitoring safety, ordering materials and supplies when necessary, coordinating cleaning schedules, and collaborating with maintenance and operations teams.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of licensing regulations, health and safety procedures, and school policies throughout the program.
• Maintain ongoing communication with families and be available during school hours to support conversations related to children, classrooms, family concerns, and school policies in a professional and responsive manner.
• Assist with the coordination of school events, family engagement opportunities, staff meetings, and professional development activities.

Enrollment of the Early Learning School

• Conduct tours of the Early Learning School on a regular basis to showcase the philosophy, environment, and strengths of the program to prospective families.
• Communicate with prospective families regarding enrollment opportunities, classroom availability, wait pool status, and program information in a timely and professional manner.
• Utilize communication platforms, including Mailchimp and other enrollment tools, to communicate openings, enrollment updates, and school information to families.
• Collaborate closely with the registrar and administrative team to ensure accurate enrollment records, tuition billing, scheduling, and family information.
• Be the point of contact for the Universal Preschool Program (UPK) as well as the liaison for the program as it pertains to enrollment, billing, family questions, etc.
• Support the onboarding process for new families by communicating school policies, procedures, expectations, and program information.
• Serve as a point person for reviewing and approving requests related to extended day scheduling and program changes based on availability and staffing needs.
• Track enrollment trends, classroom availability, and scheduling needs while maintaining ongoing communication with the Director regarding enrollment status and projections.
• Support family retention efforts by building strong relationships with families and ensuring a welcoming and responsive enrollment experience.

Collaboration

• Work in partnership with the administrative team to ensure consistent, clear, and timely communication with teachers, families, and the wider JCC community.
• Support the integration of Jewish values, traditions, concepts, and experiences throughout the school community and classrooms in a meaningful and developmentally appropriate way.
• Work closely with the Family Enrichment and other JCC departments to support after school opportunities, events, and programming that strengthen interdepartmental partnerships and community engagement.
• Partner with the marketing and communications teams to ensure the Early Learning School is positively represented within the community through tours, events, social media, marketing materials, and family engagement opportunities

Qualifications

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Basic Qualifications:

• Must meet State of Colorado Director qualifications for a large center.
• Minimum of five years of experience in early childhood education, childcare, or school setting, including leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Colorado state licensing rules, regulations, and compliance requirements for early childhood programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of health, safety, supervision, and classroom practices required within a licensed early childhood facility