Childcare Center Director

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Mission and Vision:

The philosophy of First Lutheran Childcare Center (FLCC) is the belief that children need a safe and nurturing environment that will enhance their spiritual, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth and development.

As an award-winning childcare center, our goal is to provide meaningful learning experiences for children, at their individual level of development. We accomplish this by providing children with the opportunity to participate in a variety of age-appropriate, cross-curricular, hands-on activities, such as dramatic play, music, art, science, language, literature, math, cooking, field trips, guest speakers, special events, computers, sensory, games and outside play.

Job Summary

The Child Care Director will ensure that FLCC staff and leadership provide a nurturing, safe and engaging environment in which children can grow physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually, and spiritually.

Accountability

The Childcare Director reports to the Executive Director of Ministry, who, along with the childcare board, will administer performance appraisals to review progress toward mutually agreed upon goals and measures for success. Additionally, the Childcare Board will meet monthly to deliberate on center business, vision and financial matters with the Childcare Director. The Director will work with the President of the Board to plan and convene regular meetings.

Professional Conduct/Work Habits:

Essential Functions

• Maintain an open, trusting relationship with staff and leaders
• Hold staff accountable to the personnel policies, licensing requirements, and YoungStar standards of First Lutheran Childcare Center
• Show respect and professionalism in working with staff, families, and the Board including confidential conversations and communication
• Show care and responsibility through a professional image to families
• Manage crises with a confident and calm demeanor

Financial Management:

• Align mission, vision, and values of the center and congregation to budget plans
• Work with the Board Treasurer to manage use of the budget with purpose and integrity
• Oversee fundraising, grant writing, and developing partnerships with potential program and funding partners
• Work with staff to effectively manage classroom budgets
• Balance the financial relationship between staff wages, tuition rates, and materials/facility expenses

Working with Students and Families

• Interact and encourage a spirit of welcome and hospitality for all staff and families
• Provide consistent, clear, and developmentally appropriate expectations and communications with enrolled and prospective families
• Oversee staff in their management of student files and portfolios to ensure learning objectives and student progress is recorded and monitored. Ensure student classroom needs are being met and accommodations are implemented.

Maintain proper recordkeeping

• Manage the onboarding of new families and staff
• Communicate regularly to families about the vision, activities/events, and goals for the Center

Staff Culture and Development:

• Provide direct oversight and management of teaching, kitchen and leadership staff including individual development plans, goal setting, and staff review process
• Collaborate in a respectful way with staff and leaders, always modeling professional interactions
• Support the overall work of the center through presence at activities and events
• Plan for and lead monthly meetings
• Actively seek and provide feedback to promote a healthy staff and learning environment
• With staff, support individual development plans for continued growth as educators
• Inspire and energize childcare staff to be inclusive of faith-based curriculum and culture

Desired Qualifications

• High School Diploma and degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field
• Must have appropriate licensing and/or certification as required by the State of Wisconsin to function as a lead teacher and Center Director with 51+ students
• A 12 or higher (preferably 13+) Registry Level
• Minimum 2 years of experience teaching in a childcare program
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare management/supervisory position
• Infant & Child CPR, AED, and First Aid Certification, or willingness to obtain upon hire
• Professional work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to the mission, vision, and values of First Lutheran Childcare Center
• Must be able to pass a background check

Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package (including health)

• Employee assistance program
• 6% retirement contribution
• Generous paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave
• Professional development allowance