Director of Early Learning

Job Title: Director, Early Learning Academy

Department: Early Learning

Supervisor: Chief Executive Officer

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

The Director of Early Learning is responsible for the overall daily management, as well as the strategic direction, of the Whitefoord Early Learning Academy for children from infants to PreK (in partnership with Atlanta Public Schools for Pre-K). This highly responsible position will direct and shape the early learning curricula, teaching practices, processes, and continued growth of Whitefoord's early childhood education programs and partnerships. The individual should also have excellent organization, interpersonal and team building skills and the ability to establish effective relationships with staff, parents, community partners, funders, and other stakeholders. The position requires someone who is a strategic thinker, problem solver, organized, excellent communicator with technical abilities to effectively design and implement various modes of communication. The Director of Early Learning must also be knowledgeable of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation standards, the State of Georgia's Bright from the Start Quality Rated (QR) standards and regulatory requirements, including the Ga. Pre- K Program.

Areas of Responsibility

Program Development and Management:

• Provide management and leadership of the program to
• Exceed regulatory and accreditation quality standards and measures
• Exceed student and family experience survey results
• Develop strategies and tactics to improve program culture and meet employee engagement standards
• Assume ownership of program financial stewardship
• Develop strategies for programmatic growth and expansion
• Ensure up to date program policies, procedures, and protocols, reviewing annually
• Manage day-to-day program operations, procurement and accounting functions to remain within budgetary constraints and improve operating margins
• Provide direct supervision to Program Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, and Lead Teachers in collaboration with Program Coordinator, including but not limited to consistent progress meetings and annual performance evaluations
• Hire, train, evaluate, and retain qualified teachers and staff in collaboration with Education Coordinators
• Identify and secure new program revenues and resources and assist with/complete grant writing, reporting and fundraising
• Assist with development of an internal process to ensure a seamless integration of Whitefoord, Inc. Health and Education Programs
• Develop and implement an effective and consistent communication strategy that incorporates technology to keep parents and teachers informed of programmatic and child specific developments
• Conduct regularly scheduled program staff meetings for teambuilding and program updates
• Participate in weekly leadership team meetings

Reporting:

• Provide written monthly programmatic reports to the CEO and Board of Directors
• Coordinate and monitor data collection accuracy for family and program demographics
• Partner with Atlanta Public Schools to ensure Whitefoord is capturing accurate data

Professional Development/Training:

• Develop and facilitate workshops and in-service trainings for teachers, staff and parents
• Observe teachers in the classroom and provide modeling and support
• Be available to step into a teaching or support role when needed
• Ensure that all teachers and staff are meeting their individual Early Care Education goals
• Maintain, schedule, and report the required annual Bright from the Start training hours and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) credentials

Community and Parent Engagement:

• Build strong relationships with parents and community residents in activities and programs that support students
• Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with other organizations to achieve academic success for children and their families
• Develop and implement a strong parent engagement strategy in collaboration with Director of Behavior Health and APS Education Specialist
• Attend monthly meetings and provide support to the Whitefoord, Inc. families
• Represent Whitefoord at various community meetings
• Develop program marketing strategies and serve as strong advocate for quality early childhood education

Skills and Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, Education Administration, Human Services or a related area from an accredited university
• Five years of progressive management and supervisory experience in a high-quality early learning environment
• Four years of hands-on teaching experience
• Demonstrated community-based work experience with under resourced communities
• Exhibit a thorough knowledge and alignment between all early learning ages
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Student Information. System (SIS), preparing reports and visual presentations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree Early Childhood Education, Education Administration, Human Services or a related area from an accredited university
• Fundraising and grant writing experience

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must possess above average command of speaking and writing skills.

REASONING ABILITY: Must be able to exercise sound judgment and concrete thinking when on the spot decision making is required. Ability to seek supervision for emergencies and unusual circumstances. Must be able to participate in regularly scheduled meetings.

A list of physical demands, equipment, & work environment demands can be reviewed in Human Resources. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.