Director, Early Learning

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y a leading nonprot committed to strengthening community through youth development healthy living and social responsibility. Under the supervision of the CEO and/or the VP of Youth Development the Early Learning Director is responsible for the administration of all operations relating to the YMCA Child Care Center (Healthy Learning Academy or HLA) and Early Learning Programs. The Director oversees the management of programs volunteer and sta development creates and manages Early Learning budgets and collaborates with community agencies in meeting the needs of YMCA members and program participants. The Director must have the ability to thrive in a busy environment communicate eectively with parents sta and volunteers while delivering high-quality aordable programs to enhance learning opportunities for children.

OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our the Y we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: We believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1) Ensures compliance with state and local childcare licensing agency regulations and YMCA best practice guidelines. Ensures that YMCA program standards are met and safety procedures are followed.

2) Directs and supervises program activities to meet community needs and fulll YMCA objectives.

3) Ensures developmentally appropriate curriculum including YMCA values and HEPA standards is implemented in all programs.

4) Recruits hires trains develops schedules and directs sta and volunteers. Reviews and evaluates sta professional development of all sta.

5) Establishes new program activities and expands programming in the community in accordance with strategic and operating plans.

6) Develops and monitors program budget to meet scal objectives. Meets revenue and expense goals as outlined in the annual budget.

7) Ensures outstanding customer service and eective conict resolution.

8) Conducts and supervises the completion of progress reports and evaluation of children and ensures reporting to parents/guardians

9) Prepares statistical analytical and narrative reports regarding programs as needed.

10) Ensures cleanliness and monitors maintenance of facility and/or program spaces and provides input to the CEO VP of Youth Development or Board of Directors on changes or updates needed.

11) Records all accident/incident reports and participant statistics etc. as required and reacts immediately to participant comments/concerns.

12) Ensures that programs and services are cause-driven evaluated regularly and utilize feedback to improve programs and services.

13) Represents and promotes the Y in the local community.

14) Works closely with sta to establish strategies for program improvement promotion and expansion of the Ys programs and services for ages 0-5 years.

15) Demonstrates ability to multitask prioritize and work in a collaborative environment.

16) Leads YMCA Early Learning Committee meetings.

17) Willingness to further professional development including attending YMCA trainings and ensuring that sta are challenged to achieve YMCA leadership levels.

18) Attends all trainings and meetings as required and responds to sta requests even if scheduled outside normal working or regular scheduled hours.

19) Assists in YMCA fundraising activities and special events.

20) Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelors Degree in Education Early Childhood Education or related eld plus one year of experience working in a licensed child care center for 3 years (preferably supervisory) preferably in the STARS to Quality Program (or an equivalent). (Candidates must meet all the requirements as a licensed director in the state of Montana.)

Must pass a Criminal Background Check.

Must hold a current Infant/Child/Adult CPR and First Aid Certication or acquire within 30 days of hire date.

Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously use sound judgment and prioritize appropriately.

Strong prociency in word processing (Microsoft Word) research and budgeting (Excel).

Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain information to diverse groups sta and all levels of volunteers.

Versatility exibility and a willingness to work enthusiastically with changing priorities.

Ability to analyze problems and solve them using good judgment and resourcefulness.

Demonstrated skills in planning time management exibility organization and independent work prociency.

Proven supervisory skills in hiring training managing and evaluating sta.

Ability to establish and maintain collaborations with community organizations.

Ability to relate eectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community with a track record of building authentic constructive relationships with others.

Must be proactive self-directed and highly motivated.

Must participate in mandatory state child care training per licensing requirements.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Change Leadership: Facilitates co-creates and implements equitable change for the good of the organization and/or community.
• Engaging Community: Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Ys work is community-focused and welcoming of all providing community benefit.
• Philanthropy: Secures resources and support to advance the Ys work.
• Volunteerism: Engages volunteers and promotes social responsibility at all levels of the organization.
• Collaboration: Creates sustainable relationships within the Y and with other organizations to serve the community.
• Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages inspires and builds commitment to the Ys cause.
• Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity inclusion and global work as well as cultural competence.
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic data and sound judgment.
• Fiscal Management: Manages the Ys resources responsibly and sustains the Ys nonprofit business model.
• Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role.
• Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Ys work and impact in the community.
• Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs.
• Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g. staff volunteers members program participants) both formally and informally to achieve their highest potential.
• Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & 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 essential functions.
• Stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger; handle or feel objects tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop kneel crouch crawl twist bend; and talk to hear.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.