Assistant Director of Early Education Programs

South Shore Stars•East Weymouth, MA

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Early Education Programs, the Assistant Director helps manage the administrative and programmatic functions of Stars Preschool and Early Education Centers. The role works in consultation and collaboration with the Director, Education Coordinator, Family Services, and Center Directors, and may assume the Director’s responsibilities during their absence or as needed for safety, compliance, and operations. The Assistant Director supports curriculum implementation, staff supervision and development, program evaluation, licensing and accreditation, child assessment, family engagement, and coordination with schools and community service providers. The role also oversees operational and administrative needs across centers, including staffing, records, budgets, transportation, food programs, fundraising, grants, recruitment, and data-informed decision-making. The position requires travel among locations and occasional evening, weekend, and non-business-hour work.

Requirements

Post-secondary studies in early childhood education or a similar field.
At least five years of experience teaching young children, including infants and toddlers.
Experience administering early childhood programs in a large center.
Experience managing a team and leading multiple programs in multiple communities.
Demonstrated strong supervision skills.
Experience in public speaking, facilitation, communication, and team building.
EEC Director 2 certification.
Transportation to visit centers and attend required meetings and trainings.
Ability to lift 40 pounds and work in a non-sedentary environment.
Ability to travel among Stars locations and attend off-site meetings, trainings, seminars, and conferences.
Aural and visual acuity; ability to maintain concentration amid distractions, think critically, develop solutions, and meet time and attendance expectations.
Some evenings, weekends, and non-business hours are required.

Nice To Haves

Preschool and Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher Certification.
Experience with nonprofit agencies.
Experience working with at-risk populations and families involved with state agencies.

Responsibilities

Assist with curriculum implementation and help develop and monitor program policies, procedures, and staffing patterns.
Assist with managing a team of Center Directors and associated staff.
Collaborate on the design and delivery of training and professional development for Center Directors and Support Staff.
Work with the Education Coordinator to ensure appropriate child assessments and their use.
Facilitate annual program evaluation and the development and monitoring of program-improvement action plans.
Maintain program portals, including LEAD, NAEYC, the Stars enrollment system, KidKare Nutrition Program, and CACVFP.
Help prepare for the NAEYC accreditation process and assist Center Directors with classroom-environment design.
Observe children at centers and consult with Center Directors and Lead Teachers.
Coordinate with Center Directors, Support Staff, and Family Support Clinicians regarding children with emotional or behavioral health needs, and help develop plans for children, staff, and families.
Work with Center Directors to ensure children’s developmental needs are met and that staff partner with parents or guardians and other providers as needed.
Facilitate parent and guardian education and involvement; respond to concerns about programs or children’s developmental needs.
Build working relationships with local schools and coordinate children’s transitions to agency programs and public schools.
Assume the Director’s responsibilities in their absence or as requested for safety, compliance, and operations.
Manage early education transportation and routes, and drive a Stars vehicle when necessary.
Ensure the agency’s mission and values are followed in each Early Education Center.
Apply for and maintain licenses and permits in compliance with state and local requirements.
Support Center Directors in meeting licensing, accreditation, agency-policy, and procedural requirements and in maintaining compliant children’s and staff files.
Ensure Center Directors and Support Staff meet licensing, accreditation, and agency standards.
Assist with hiring, orienting, supervising, and evaluating Center Directors and Support Staff.
Collaborate with community programs to improve the quality, availability, and access to care for families with young children.
Communicate agency policies and discuss program-related issues with Preschool and Early Education Center staff.
Participate in fundraising, advocacy, training, agency planning, and other activities supporting early education programming.
Contribute to grant applications and participate in recruiting, developing an educator pipeline, and building partnerships with early education teacher programs.
Assist the Director with the annual program budget, monitor spending, and oversee budgets for all Early Education Centers.
Participate in equipment selection and purchasing.
Support data-driven decision-making and the use of evidence-based curriculum and assessment tools.
Collaboratively oversee and coordinate the early education food program, audits, and related duties.
Meet deadlines and oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Perform other duties reasonably related to the role or assigned to support operations.