About the position
The Early Language and Literacy Initiative (ELLI) is a proven, evidence-based approach to early childhood education that embeds language and literacy and 21st century skill building activities within an interdisciplinary mix of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) content to close the achievement gap for young children. ELLI sites are fun, play filled and language-rich environments that immerse and physically engage students in interconnected concepts, or BIG IDEAS, that enhance their understanding of the world. ELLI is teacher-led and child-powered. The ELLI Site Director, in collaboration with ELLI Director and Vice President, Teaching and Learning, provides leadership for multiple ELLI locations. The site director has extensive knowledge and experience in education, community engagement and program administration. Enjoys collaboratively working to create something new, embraces feedback and is comfortable with changing priorities that come with new opportunities.
Responsibilities
- Recruit, and retain a talented team through intentional hiring, orientation, on-going training, and supervising
- Manage a team of part and full time teachers, administrative and support staff
- Oversee staff meetings to ensure timely, relevant and open communication among team members
- Prepare and monitor the staffing schedules, ensure proper supervision and coverage at opening and closing of the day, time off requests and document attendance as well as ensure planning and preparation time for teachers
- Schedule staff for each classroom to ensure ratios and certification requirements are met
- Coordinate with other site leaders as needed to facilitate coverage
- Manage timesheets and communicate payroll related information in a timely and accurate manner to human resources/payroll for processing
- Schedule and/or facilitate professional development experiences to meet and exceed state, NAEYC, School Readiness and funding requirements
- Conduct ongoing performance management for team including goal setting, conferences and time completion of midyear and annual performance reviews. Provides ongoing performance feedback
- Serve as director of record for state and other documentation and reporting
- Maintain working knowledge of ELLI admissions processes at each location
- Develop and implement enrollment systems that are compliant with local, state and federal regulations and funding requirements
- Promote classroom open enrollment and advanced registration; register and enroll families as space allows with support of administrative teams, manage wait list
- Coordinate enrollment efforts with the marketing team to schedule marketing campaigns and Open House Events
- Conduct tours and lead Open House events for prospective families, manage program inquiries
- Ability to guide staff on the implementation of developmentally appropriate practice using evidence based strategies
- Work collaboratively with teaching teams in each classroom to ensure ELLI approach is consistently being implemented with fidelity
- Develop and evaluate classroom systems and routines
- Support the implementation of the research agenda through assessments, observations and other tools and metrics
- Observe and document classroom activities to support changing environments and teacher professional development
- Provide staffing support as an in-ratio teacher as needed
- Participate in regular planning and operations meetings with ELLI partners
- Represent ELLI in community meetings in Norwalk and beyond
- Plan and attend parent workshops and events
- Create an open exchange of information and resources between museum departments and ELLI teams
- Provide information needed to development teams to engage stakeholders and funders in ELLI
- Build strong relationships with children, families, staff and partners
- Work with finance team to ensure monthly reporting is accurate and complete
- Maintain program records as required by licensing agencies and funders
- Update master calendars with location specific events
- Coordinate program visits and observations
- Maintain confidential staff and student files
- Manage program budget and identify cost and purchasing efficiencies
- Use technology to create effective administrative processes for routine recordkeeping, growth projections and on-going communications
- Accelerate business practices that promote data informed decisions, fiscal responsibility, and efficient processes that will require partnering with other departments
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
- Early childhood directors credential or related coursework preferred
- Professional experience related to child development, early childhood education, inclusion, early intervention, community networking and management/leadership
- Must meet all School Readiness and NAEYC requirements and requirements and maintain credentials for the position
- Two (2) years direct experience working with diverse populations in early childhood setting with children ages Birth-Five and their families
- Two (2) years direct supervisory and administrative experience in an early childhood setting, preferably NAEYC and School Readiness
- Experience supervising teams of 10 or more
- Experience working in school readiness funded and NAEYC accredited programs required
- Knowledgeable about state licensing requirements is required
- Ability to travel to multiple locations within one day as needed (mileage to be reimbursed as appropriate)
- Enthusiastic attitude about working in an ever-evolving environment
- Ability to adapt to quickly changing activity levels, work in busy classrooms, attend community events, and perform administrative duties
- Ability to connect broad initiative goals to daily tasks and activities
- Experience creating or presenting professional development experiences a plus
- Strong leadership, supervisory, and customer service skills and ability to develop/maintain strong relationships with staff, families, stakeholders and community partners
- Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and Outlook; Procare preferred; proven ability to learn new systems and software
- Sensitive to diversity including individuals with physical challenges or special needs
