Head Start Early Childhood Center Director - Jenkins Site

Job Description

Job Description

The Director of the Head Start Early Childhood Program is responsible for overseeing daily operations to ensure a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children. This role provides leadership in staff management, program development, and compliance with regulatory standards. The Director also manages budgets, fosters positive parent relationships, and ensures the highest standards of health, safety, and child development are consistently met.

Job Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Staff Management: Hire, train, and supervise childcare staff (teachers, assistants, and support staff). Foster a positive and collaborative working environment.
• Curriculum and Program Development: Develop and implement age-appropriate educational programs that support the developmental milestones of children.
• Health and Safety: Maintain a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children and staff.
• Budgeting and Financial Management: Oversee the budget, ensuring efficient use of resources while meeting operational and educational goals.
• Maintain Head Start grant reporting and compliance

Performance Expectations :

• Parent Communication and Engagement: Maintain open communication with parents regarding their child’s development and any concerns.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the facility meets or exceeds all licensing requirements and standards.
• Administrative Duties: Keep records on child enrollment, attendance, medical information, and progress. Prepare reports for licensing agencies, parents, and other stakeholders.
• Head Start Grant training, reporting and compliance with partnering agencies

Qualifications :

• Education: associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development, or a related field (preferred).
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in childcare or early childhood education, with at least 1 year in leadership or supervisory role.
• Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Certifications: CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire); Child Development Associate (CDA) credential (preferred). Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills. Knowledge of state childcare licensing regulations and best practices in early childhood education. Ability to work well under pressure and multitask in a dynamic environment. Passion for working with children and fostering a positive learning environment.

Core Competencies:

• Communication:  Communicates well, delivers presentations, and has good listening skills. Communicates effectively with others regarding various tasks, concerns, and ideas.
• Interpersonal Skills: Builds strong relationships, is flexible/adaptable, works well with others, solicits feedback. Applies effective interpersonal and problem-solving skills when responding to those we serve.
• Job Knowledge: Understands facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, and keeps job knowledge current.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems weighing the relevance and accuracy of available information. Strives to understand contributing factors. Generates and evaluates alternative solutions.

Required Trainings :

• Employee Health and Safety Trainings.
• CPR & first aid.
• Child abuse.
• Communicable disease.
• Required OCCRA trainings.

Physical Demands :
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must have the ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

At YWCA Columbus, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, or national origin. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.