Program Director
The Children in the Shoe in Rockville, MD is currently accepting resumes for a full-time Program Director.
The Program Director ensures the classrooms and program functions of the center operate in a manner consistent with developmentally appropriate policies and practices of the State of Maryland and The Children in the Shoe. This role is responsible for the management of all programmatic components of a center that enrolls approximately 125 families and employs 40 staff members. The Program Director works closely with the centers’ Administrative Director to ensure a safe, fun, rewarding, and exciting experience for children and staff.
The Program Director has daily interaction with children, parents, staff, main office staff, and executive management. Excellent communication skills and written skills are necessary to be successful in this role. Time management and the ability to prioritize responsibilities and deadlines are essential components of this position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities are as follows but are not limited.
Child and Parent Support & Relationships
- Assist staff in communicating with parents.
- Establish relationships with individual children and families and being responsive to their needs.
- Be accessible and available to parents and respond promptly with respect, sensitivity, interest, and cooperation to their concerns.
- Participate in parent-teacher conferences providing the parent with information about the development and progress of their child.
- Oversee transition processes. Whether a new child is transitioning into the center or a new classroom. Make a special effort to ensure family and child are adjusting.
Curriculum & Assessments
- Ensure all children receive enriching educational programming with a focus on positive experiences and child outcomes. This consists of formal and informal assessments of all aspects of educational programming, including but not limited to classroom environment and management; curricular planning, implementation and assessment; individualization; family-centered practices; and education resource provisions.
- Review, provide feedback, and assist teaching staff in reflecting on curriculum, classroom environment, classroom management, and child assessments. (formal as well as informal).
- On a daily/weekly/monthly basis, review and approve teacher lesson plans.
- Conduct classroom observations to ensure lesson plans are being implemented effectively.
- Provide teachers assistance in developing a domain-based curriculum that is fortified with meaningful experiences while meeting the needs and interests of the group and individual child.
- Review and approve all staff created assessments for the children.
- Oversee the center’s library and art supplies to ensure age-appropriate and curriculum-related material are available for staff use.
Staff Development and Support
- Provide teaching staff with necessary curriculum documents and resources.
- Provide support and guidance to the staff and parent to each child’s individual learning needs.
- Lead frequent staff meetings in conjunction with the Director of Administration to mentor teachers.
- Assist staff in resolving conflicts between children.
- Communicate available professional development training opportunities
- Train teachers on using the assessment tools, Healthy Beginnings and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
- Ensure teachers meet annual training requirements.
- Participate in staff annual evaluations.
- Respond and resolve concerns relating to the operation of a classroom or the center.
- Interview and hire qualified staff. Provide appropriate orientation and training.
Center Culture
- Create and actively promote a friendly and welcoming environment where every child, parent, family, and visitor are warmly welcomed and treated with respect.
- Conduct center tours to potential families.
- Represent the center in the community and act as a liaison with other agencies.
- Maintain an environment accepting and respectful of child and family cultures, values, and differences.
- Motivate staff by maintaining a positive attitude and leading by example.
- Provide families and employees with community resources. Plan and organize special programs (holiday events, classroom plays, cultural and educational programs, workshops, etc.)
- Establish and maintain a healthy, safe, and positive work environment. Maintain confidentiality, encourage trust and loyalty among all employees.
- Communicate changes, reminders, or important information regarding the center or classroom to families and employees.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and sensitive situations.
Safety & Regulations
- Ensure the center is following the policies of The Children in the Shoeand Maryland State Department of Education regulations.
- Meet the ADA requirements, establishing an inclusive childcare environment that meets the need of all children.
- Communicate any allergies, medical or special care instructions to the front office team and teachers.
- Ensure all classrooms have the required child-to-staff ratio and approve/disapprove teacher vacations, time off requests, or schedule changes.
- Conduct all programs and activities within the health and safety standards and policies of The Children in the Shoe.
- Report evidence of suspected abuse/ neglect to Child Protective Services
- Provide care in classrooms as needed to meet safety and licensing regulations.
- Inform staff of licensing requirements and policy changes.
Qualifications
The incumbent should have a minimum of 5-8 years of progressive experience in a similar role or another role within the early childhood education field. Demonstrated supervisory and leadership experience in a similar setting is required.
This role frequently interacts with children and parents. The successful incumbent will have experience co-leading a large team, solving problems, communicating calmly to various audiences, and the ability to celebrate the accomplishments of each child in their center. Highly effective communication skills (written, presentation, and verbal) are critical to the position.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Early Childhood Education or closely related field. Master’s Degree preferred.
Minimum 5-8 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, 2-4 years of which must have been in a supervisory or lead teacher position.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Maintain Maryland State license for the center
Maintains center accreditation
Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Can change approach or method to fit best the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
Analytical: Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data.
Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
Cost Consciousness: Implements cost-saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should know basic computer applications, Internet software; Spreadsheet software, and Word Processing software.
Customer Service: Promptly responds to needs; Solicits feedback to improve service; Meets commitments.
Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary, to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
Ethics: Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
Interpersonal Skill: Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
Initiative: Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks out increased responsibilities; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
Innovation: Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.
Judgment: Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate assessment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in the decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
Language Skills: – Ability to read and interpret documents such as lesson plans, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of the organization.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages and apply concepts of introductory algebra and accounting or finance.
Motivation: Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence.
Oral Communication: Can speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Listens and gets clarification. Responds thoughtfully to questions and ensures questions are addressed thoroughly.
Organizational Support: Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports The Children in the Shoe’s goals and values.
Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Develops realistic action plans.
Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems promptly. Gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Can develops alternative solutions. Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Professionalism: Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote q quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
Reasoning Ability: Uses common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Has the ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Safety and Security: Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to make morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s’ efforts to succeed
Written Communication: Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
Pay: $50,000.00 – $65,000.00 per year
Center location:
The Children in the Shoe
1375 Piccard Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
Please submit resume to:
diane@thechildrenintheshoe.com