Center Director: Columbus State Center for Early Learning

Position Purpose:

The Director of the Center for Early Learning at Columbus State will effectively operate and manage all aspects of the center including oversight of professional teaching staff. The Center for Early Learning at Columbus State is a partnership between the Child Development Council of Franklin County, Inc. and Columbus State Community College with a capacity of 157 children. The center also functions as a training facility for future professionals enrolled in Columbus State Community College Early Childhood Development and Education program.

Job Summary:

The Center Director is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and quality of early education, for all children within the center’s care. The Center Director is directly accountable for overall operational management in accordance with established guidelines, by exercising independent judgement and decision making to include curriculum development, staff and facilities management, tuition, enrollment, licensing compliance and staff supervision.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

Provide leadership, organization and coordination of the day-to-day operations of the center.

Oversee the development and implementation of developmentally appropriate educational activities, programs, procedures and services to all children enrolled at the center.

Establish and maintain relationships with childcare licensing (DCY) and accrediting agencies; ensure all program offerings are in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

Establish and maintain a safe and healthy teaching and working environment for all staff and students of the

Secondary Responsbilities:

(In addition to the following, other duties may be assigned.)

Manages day-to-day center operations to include but, is not limited to:

billing, supply ordering, scheduling, compliance tasks, coordinating maintenance, and monitoring.

Supervises Assistant Center Director to ensure day-to-day operations are maintained throughout the day.

Supervises teaching staff in the classroom on an ongoing basis to ensure licensing requirements and best practices are met.

Coordinates work hours to ensure center coverage throughout the hours of operation at the center.

Serves as classroom substitute as needed to ensure staff coverage.

Provides support when needed to model appropriate classroom practice for staff.

Coordinates with departments for recruitment events/efforts.

Provides center tours to potential families in the absence of the enrollment coordinator.

Completes enrollment process and ensures timely start dates for families.

Ensures Public Funded Child Care (PFCC) participating families are current on all necessary requirements (such as daily punches, redeterminations, and schedules) in the absence of the enrollment coordinator.

Coordinates with colleges and partners in relation to student internships and practicum opportunities.

Assists with grant proposals to diversify funding opportunities.

Monitors all indoor and outdoor learning environments to ensure the safety and supervision of children at all times.

Observes teaching staff in the classroom on an ongoing basis to ensure requirements and best practices are met.

Utilizes data from observations, assessments, and monitoring tools to develop professional development plans, improvement plans, and conduct performance evaluations.

Monitors the documentation of child progress, attendance, etc. utilizing agency mandated technology tools.

Completes sensory screenings for children within established timelines for each participating program (most stringent).

Ensures CACFP requirements are always followed, and the meal count is recorded at point of service and forms submitted to Nutrition Services as required by the department.

Ensures compliance with ODJFS Child Care Licensing requirements and accrediting agencies.

Attends workshops and training programs in order to deliver and coordinate agency services (i.e., disabilities, mental health, partnering agencies) as necessary for children and families.

Reports all cases of suspected child abuse/neglect to Franklin County Children Services according to agency procedures and the Ohio Revised Code Section 2151.421.

Supervisory Duties

Directly supervises the center staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies, contracts, and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems

Minimum Qualifications

A minimum of three (3) years early childhood classroom experience and a minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated supervisory experience. Must have private childcare experience.

Educations or Certification

Associates, Bachelor’s, or Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE); or an Associates, Bachelor’s, or Master’s Degree in another field, plus 18 hours of college coursework in ECE.

Technology Skills

Ability to use word processing skills, database skills, electronic presentation skills, web navigation skills, e-mail management skills, computer networking knowledge, file management, and computer related storage devices.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as operating instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before parents, groups and employees.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts; prepare reports using figures.

Reasoning Ability

Requires multi-dimensional processing skills. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram forms. Ability to deal with problems involving several variables.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. The employee frequently is required to walk and occasionally required to sit. The employee is required to sit at the children’s level, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Some travel required.

Mental Fitness

Ability to focus, make clear decisions, use judgement, be stable and can control emotions, remain calm under adversity, ability to handle stress; be able to remain calm and professional in the face of challenging behaviors.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high. The employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.

Work Hours

40 hours/week, generally Monday-Friday, with some evening and weekend work required.