Lead Early Childhood Educator - South Bend - FT

Summary

The Kids Excel child development program is designed to provide free, temporary childcare for the students of the Excel Center while the student is enrolled at the Excel Center or until long-term childcare is located. The child development center is available when students are studying on site or are in class and will serve children ages 7 weeks up to 12 years of age.

The Lead Early Childhood Educator ensures the safe and caring management and instruction of all the children entrusted to Kids Excel. This includes monitoring children in the center, serving snacks, and facilitating learning opportunities utilizing HighScope curriculum for the children while in their care. Additionally, the Lead Early Childhood Educator will keep parents informed of policies and procedures in Kids Excel at the Excel Center.

The Lead Early Childhood Educator will ensure the safe and caring management of all the children entrusted to Kids Excel. This includes supervising, coaching, and managing Kids Excel staff engaged in monitoring children, setting schedules, and developing learning opportunities for the children while in their care utilizing the HighScope curriculum. Additionally, will also keep parents informed of policies and procedures at the center as well as provide effective resolution for any conflicts that should arise.

Education

• High school diploma and/or G.E.D required
• Associates or bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in a leadership role in a childcare setting highly preferred.
• Course work/training in early childhood development.
• Child/infant CPR and first aid certified or willing to obtain.
• Submit to required annual TB screen.
• Has working knowledge of computer programs to perform clerical tasks: Microsoft Outlook, Google Applications, Excel, Word and web browsers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have team building, organization, supervisory and excellent customer service skills.
• Flexible, energetic, and detail oriented.
• Ability to routinely multi-task.

• Ability to resolve conflicts among staff and children.
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships at all levels and to relate to a diverse population.
• Awareness of community resources to make local referrals for families.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment; energetic self-starter; flexible, able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed and work with a team; able to embrace change positively.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug test.
• Must have reliable transportation.

Duties

• Create lesson plans and schedules utilizing HighScope curriculum.
• Track and document attendance, snack usage, budget, ages, families served, etc.
• Regularly communicate with Excel staff including life coaches, teachers, early childhood education team, Director of Early Childhood Services and School Director.
• Maintain inventory of supplies needed for Kids Excel.
• Maintain regular communication with parents regarding services, enrollment, scheduling/ routine changes and special events for the children.
• Coach parents on how to create learning opportunities at home.
• Lead Parent Meetings each month on family topics.
• Lead and assist early childhood team with child assessment and parent-teacher conferences.
• Ensures all Kids Excel staff has access to appropriate tools to effectively perform their responsibilities, including updated training manuals, reference guides, and best practices.
• Assists school director and/or district Kids Excel coordinator in performance evaluations of staff members.
• Hold weekly team meetings with all Kids Excel staff at respective school in collaboration with the Early Childhood Services Director.
• Submits staff documents, attendance and training for Early Childhood staff to the ECSD.
• Collaborate with other Kids Excel staff in The Excel Network to share best practices.
• Create monthly newsletter for parents for center, incorporating news from each classroom section.
• Travel is required at times to other Excel Center sites, meetings and conferences.