Childcare Director

Job Title: Childcare Director

At the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, we are seeking a dedicated and experienced Childcare Director to oversee the daily operations and administration of our child development center or program with up to 5 classrooms.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the child development center to ensure a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children.
• Maintain and improve quality standards for educational and care practices.
• Recruit, orientate, and enroll children and families in collaboration with outreach and enrollment specialists.
• Advise and support parents/guardians regarding child/family referrals and progress.
• Confer with teaching staff regarding child's behavioral or learning problems and recommend methods of modifying inappropriate behavior and encouraging learning experiences.
• Review and evaluate facility activities to ensure conformance to state and local regulations and licensing requirements.
• Build and maintain community partner relationships in the facility and in the community.
• Interview, hire, onboard, and train teaching staff in collaboration with the Senior Director, Early Learning Workforce Development.
• Plan, assign, and direct work; create staff schedules and manage staffing needs; address complaints and resolve problems.
• Confer with teaching staff regarding child's behavioral or learning problems and recommend methods of modifying inappropriate behavior and encouraging learning experiences.
• Set goals and objectives for staff members; conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback to improve teaching practices.
• Monitor monthly budget and year-end forecast for responsible program areas.
• Assist with the Annual Campaign.
• Liaise with contracted custodial team and maintain all areas in a clean, presentable fashion.
• Serve in ratio as needed to cover PTO, vacancies, or leaves of absence.
• Prepare and draft reports for funders as requested.
• Participate in management meetings, strategic planning, and effectively cascade communication to team members.
• Hold and maintain licensure for program center.
• Ensure grant compliance, as required.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (BA) from four-year college or university in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; 2 semester hours in child care administration; three to five years experience with licensed child care management and development; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Past supervision experience preferred. Ability and desire to work with children infant to 6 years of age.
• Strong knowledge of state regulations and licensing requirements for childcare centers.
• Must have working knowledge of sound fiscal principles.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles.
• Working knowledge of computers and experience with a variety of software applications.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration:

• Fingerprinting
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT)
• DHS clearance
• Negative T.B. test and proof of current physical exam
• Blood Borne Pathogen training
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification required within the first 60 days
• First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days
• AED-Oxygen Certification required within the first 60 days

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

The work environment and 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.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of members, parents, and staff.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Travel:

0-5% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.

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