Director of Early Childhood Education

Job Title: Director of Early Childhood Education

Location: SAMMinistries Transitional Living and Learning Center

Reports To: Vice President of Supportive Housing

FLSA Status: Exempt

Prepared By: Vice President of Supportive Housing

Approved By: President and CEO

Approved Date: 10/29/2025

SUMMARY: The Director of Early Childhood Education develops, implements, and evaluates SAMMinistries' education programs to include the Early Head Start, Head Start, and after school programs offered in the Harvey E. Najim Children's Enrichment Center. The Director of Early Childhood Education works to ensure developmentally appropriate practices including curriculum and educational activities to support healthy growth, development, and positive outcomes for children served by SAMMinistries' housing programs. The Director of Early Childhood Education also manages the staff working in the Harvey E. Najim Children's Enrichment Center.

• ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify developmentally appropriate curricula for early care and education and after school programs and ensure implementation through lesson planning and daily activities.

• Ensure that the Harvey E. Najim Children's Enrichment Center is operated in compliance with all Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Child Care Licensing Standards, Texas Rising Star standards, and Early Head Start and Head Start standards.
• Prepare all necessary documentation and complete tasks required for the Harvey E. Najim Children's Enrichment Center to maintain status as a City of San Antonio Child Care Services (CCS) provider.
• Maintain individual client file documentation which meets all Texas Department of Family and Protective Services standards.
• Complete all documentation necessary for service billing; track status of payments from clients and/or all other reimbursement sources.
• Provide leadership, direction, training, and supervision to Children's Enrichment Center staff.
• Ensure safe program areas, including indoor and outdoor areas.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety standards for the Harvey E. Najim Children's Enrichment Center.
• Evaluate and revise as needed the structure of the early care and education programs.
• Collaborate with TLLC leadership and service care team to inform family wellness goals with a focus on youth safety, development, and education.
• Attend special events on behalf of the agency whether sponsored by SAMMinistries, donors, or collaborating partners.

• Attend required training in compliance with Child Care Licensing Standards and ensure that all staff working in the Harvey E. Najim Children's Enrichment Center are current with training and required certifications.Present, with commitment and passion, SAMMinistries' vision, mission, values, and goals to the community.

• GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

• Follow systems, practices, and training related to risk management and safety of program participants and staff members.

• Develop goals, priorities, and timelines on a regular basis, ensuring timely and efficient management and completion of all related tasks.
• Communicate and coordinate priorities, progress, workload, and challenges to the Director of Transitional Housing on a regular basis.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with ministry staff and community partners, to include staff of school districts and non-profit partner organizations.
• Attend staff meetings and participate in organization ‐ wide planning activities.
• Manage other tasks as assigned.

• Keep up to date on early care and education trends by reading industry publications and attending training, workshops, and seminars.Undertake all activities with the highest ethical standards.

• EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in education, childcare, child development, behavioral science, a related discipline; or equivalent experience in lieu of education; 3-5 years of experience in administration, staff supervision and promotion is required; must qualify as a licensed director under Texas Department of Family and Protective Services standards; and must be at least 21 years of age.

The following education/experience is required for this job, for the candidate to qualify as a licensed director under Texas Department of Family and Protective Services standards:

Bachelor's Degree with 12 college credit hours in child development and 3 credit hours in management AND at least 1 year of experience in a licensed childcare center or registered childcare home

OR

Associate's Degree in Child Development or closely related field with 6 credit hours in child development, 3 credit hours in management AND at least one year of experience in a licensed childcare center or registered childcare home

OR

60 college credit hours with 6 hours in child development and 3 credit hours in management AND at least one year of experience in a licensed childcare center or registered childcare home

OR

Child Development Associate credential or Certified Child Care Professional credential with 3 college credit hours in management AND at least one year of experience in a licensed childcare center or registered childcare home

OR

Childcare administrator's certificate from a community college with at least 15 college credit hours in child development and 3 credit hours in management AND at least 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare center or registered childcare home

OR

72 clock hours of training in child development and 30 clock hours in management AND at least 3 years of experience in a licensed childcare center or registered childcare home

OR

Day care administrator's credential approved by TX Licensing AND at least 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare center or registered childcare home.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: It is imperative that the person in this position possess a high level of energy; strong interpersonal, organizational, communication and computer literacy skills; strong attention to detail, accuracy and capable of meeting deadlines; ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and/or governmental regulations; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of parents, customers, and the general public.

REASONING ABILITY: 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.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Candidate must have a valid Texas Driver's License, a good driving record, reliable transportation and proper insurance coverage on automobile use for work. Monthly mileage reimbursed for applicable and documented work-related mileage. Within the first week of hire, must provide proof of the following certifications: Redwoods Bloodborne Pathogens, Hazardous Communications, and Defensive Driving. Within 60 days of hire, must provide proof of the following certifications: CPR Pro and First Aid. Within 120 days of hire, must provide proof of successful completion of all basic childcare and child abuse prevention training.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to operate a computer, copier, fax machine, and a telephone with intercom. Ability to work in Microsoft Windows XP and Office Suite applications; a willingness to learn new programs and applications is essential; ability to follow instructions, think conceptually, set priorities and interface effectively with staff; ability to coordinate work requirements and to handle several projects simultaneously; ability to work conscientiously without supervision; must have excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills and public speaking ability; ability to maintain strict confidentiality and interact well with all constituencies; ability to work independently but also be flexible in providing assistance to the "team" as needed.

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is indoors. Workload may dictate work hours in excess of 40 hours per week and during evenings and weekends. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

EEO

SAMMinistries provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, SAMMinistries complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.