Dir, Preschool

Job Purpose

As a Preschool Director, you will serve as the leader of the school and central point of contact for all stakeholders including children, families, staff, community partners, vendors, central agencies, and the service center. The Preschool Director will provide leadership in the day-to-day operations of the program ensuring compliance with local, state, federal and corporate standards. The Preschool Director will continually develop and support teaching staff and ensure a high-quality early learning program for each child.

How You Will Impact Education

The ideal candidate will have experience with opening new preschools and/or prior ownership of a preschool. The Preschool Director will partner with the leadership and other members of the corporate team to ensure adherence to all opening procedures, project timelines, enrollment goals, etc.

Administrative

• Oversee all school operations
• Recruit and train new staff
• Ensure accurate record keeping
• Maintain up-to-date enrollment information
• Ensure classroom and school coverage as needed
• Develop staffing schedules
• Always maintain appropriate teacher-child ratios
• Maintain accurate records -- child, staff, facility
• Provide resources for parents
• Conduct performance reviews for staff
• Conduct safety drills -- fire, hurricane, etc...

Program

• Ensure curriculum is being implemented appropriately for each age group and child
• Develop a school calendar and activity schedule
• Review lesson plans, newsletters, classroom documentation
• Review daily parent/teacher communication
• Develops and maintains open communication with enrolled families
• Review child and classroom portfolios
• Develop and maintain appropriate staffing schedule
• Develop healthy meal plan for snacks and special activities
• Develop activities such as camps, in-house field trips
• Facilitate curriculum meetings
• Familiar with Early Childhood theorists and philosophies such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Reggio Amelia, Montessori, and others.

Professional Development and Program Support

• Facilitate and support professional development opportunities for staff
• Conduct classroom observations and provide ongoing feedback
• Stay abreast of research and development in the early childhood development and education field
• Actively participate in professional organizations, conferences, and lectures

Enrollment and Marketing

• Greet all visitors
• Conduct tours, open houses, and informational sessions to promote enrollment
• Oversee enrollment of new families
• Orient new families to the program
• Maintain excellent customer service
• Develop and maintain community partnerships

Licensing and Accreditation

• Ensures state licensing requirements are met at all times
• Maintains open communication and positive relationship with all agencies including childcare licensing
• Familiar with NAEYC and COGNIA organization, philosophy, and accreditation process
• Maintains accreditation standards and process
• Ensures all license and accreditation renewals are completed by deadlines

Fiscal Management

• Adhere to operating budget
• Ensure staff adherence to schedules
• Manage AR/AP accounts, payroll, petty cash, and tuition
• Purchase food, supplies and equipment as needed
• Schedule maintenance and repairs as needed

Health and Safety

• Ensure proper Risk, OSHA, fire drills and other safety training are rehearsed and implemented as needed
• Adheres to mandatory reporting guidelines
• Ensures child safety checks are being conducted
• Ensures facility is sanitized daily
• Communicates with janitor and/or facilities department as needed
• Schedules annual First Aid and CPR for all staff
• Implement site wide safety checks
  • Classroom
  • Playground
  • Parking lot
  • Common areas

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Knowledge of state licensing requirements
• Ability to train, lead and develop preschool teacher
• Ability to observe and provide feedback to staff on an ongoing basis
• Friendly and outgoing personality
• Highly professional and dependable
• Exceptional organizational, time management, analytical, and problem-thinking skills
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Able to maintain professional composure in stressful situations
• Familiar with NAEYC/COGNIA standards and accreditation process

Job Requirements

• The preschool director/director designee shall be at least 21 years of age.
• The preschool director/director designee shall have documentation of at least one of the following upon date of hire as preschool director or director designee:
• An early childhood ancillary certificate and one year of experience in teaching or care in a licensed early learning center or comparable setting, subject to approval by the department
• a national administrator credential and one year experience in teaching or care in a licensed early learning center, or comparable setting, plus 6 credit hours or 90 clock hours of training in childcare, child development, early childhood, or management/administration, subject to approval by the department; or
• three years of experience as a director or staff in a licensed early learning center, or comparable setting, subject to approval by the department plus 6 credit hours or 90 clock hours of training in childcare, child development, early childhood, or management/administration approved by the department.
• Associate degree in Early Childhood or related field. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Louisiana National Administrator's Credential or equivalent
• Familiar with all aspects of Bulletin 137 and all childcare licensing requirements for Louisiana
• Minimum of 3-5 years' experience leading a large capacity preschool
• Knowledge of Louisiana state licensing requirements
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Applications including Microsoft Office, internet, and ProCare Software
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible Full-Time schedule that may include weekends & holidays
• Must be proficient in English - able to speak, read and write
• Must pass Level 2 background screening
• May perform other duties assigned.

Work Environment

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the work environment characteristics listed below are representative of the environment the employee will encounter:

• Usual office working conditions
• Work environment may be outside at times for playground monitoring and supervision

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to lift 40lbs
• Standing for long periods of time
• Sitting, kneeling, and squatting, at children's level
• Walking premises inside and outside
• Travel within or outside of state.

FLSA Overtime Category

Job is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.