Child Development Center Director

Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago•Tinley Park, IL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Child Development Center Director provides expertise, oversight, training, and leadership to ensure the Child Development Center delivers high-quality, relationship-based, inclusive services to children and families and complies with funder and regulatory requirements. The Director oversees center operations, implements evidence-based instructional practices, supports family engagement, maintains a healthy and safe environment, and works to achieve full enrollment. The role oversees all center staff and directly supervises the Assistant Center Director and other identified team members. The Director monitors compliance, quality, enrollment, staff retention and engagement, and financial results; addresses deficiencies; and develops, implements, and monitors plans for continuous quality improvement and professional development. The position is located at the Easterseals Early Learning Center in Tinley Park, Illinois.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
Illinois Director's Credential Level II.
CLASS Pre-K and Toddler Observer certification within one year.
Obtain a Special Education Endorsement within 18 months of hire.
3–5 years of supervisory experience.
3–5 years of experience in Head Start/Early Head Start.
Five years of experience working with children and their families.
Thorough knowledge of state and local licensing requirements, Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies GOLD, ExceleRate, NAEYC, and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Experience using Microsoft Office software.
Ability to work effectively with all organizational levels, regulators, funders, and other agencies.
Ability to articulate program outcomes, manage multiple projects and priorities, and work in an organized, detail-oriented manner.
Strong communication, interpersonal, collaboration, consensus-building, listening, coordination, monitoring, social perceptiveness, critical thinking, time management, negotiation, problem-solving, judgment, personnel management, persuasion, service, writing, instruction, financial management, learning strategy, systems analysis, and systems evaluation skills.
Technological aptitude and intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook, and Excel; ability to use internet browsers and video conferencing.
Ability to perform necessary physical tasks, including bending and sitting on the floor, and to lift up to 50 pounds frequently, unless exempted under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Responsibilities

Facilitate enrollment and develop a recruitment plan with the ERSEA & Family Health Team to achieve and maintain full enrollment.
Oversee staff schedules, approve PTO, arrange substitutes, maintain classroom ratios, and ensure a qualified director is onsite at all times.
Develop and update the annual parent handbook in collaboration with the Director of ECR Programs.
Implement systems to ensure high-quality services comply with Head Start Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, ExceleRate, NAEYC, DCFS licensing, and applicable regulations.
Develop an annual staff training calendar with the Director of ECR Programs and Learning and Development Manager.
Build community partnerships and linkages to resources for children, families, and staff.
Allocate resources to support quality services within the center's budget and staffing model; participate in self-assessment and strategic planning; and implement strategies to maximize child care assistance funding.
Develop positive relationships with parents, engage them in children's development and learning, and create an annual Family Engagement plan.
Address parent questions, concerns, and complaints promptly and report concerns and resolutions to the Director of ECR Programs.
Promote a collaborative, transparent center culture and maintain ongoing communication with staff and families.
Participate in regional, team, leadership, agency, and other meetings and events.
Monitor and assess classrooms to maintain curriculum fidelity and alignment with educational standards.
Use assessment data with the Instructional Coordinator to guide coaching and align professional development with school readiness goals and curricula.
Ensure Lead Teachers facilitate lesson-planning meetings and assist staff with timely completion of child assessments, parent-teacher conferences, and other requirements.
Ensure developmental screenings are completed and education and disability data, child portfolios, observations, and education folders are maintained in Child Plus and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
Review child outcome data, home visits, parent-teacher conferences, and screenings with regional and teaching teams to inform child and program planning.
Collaborate with coordinators and managers to provide inclusive support for children with disabilities, social-emotional needs, and challenging behaviors.
Work with the Child Service Coordinator and Social Emotional Specialist on behavior support systems, behavior reviews, and behavior plans.
Help teachers adapt curricula and individualize lesson plans for children with disabilities based on IEP goals; support education and disability training as needed.
Ensure screening results are shared with parents and that rescreenings, referrals, and follow-ups are completed, including timely referrals to the LEA and Early Intervention.
Ensure enrollment, education, disability, health, and family information is entered accurately and on time into program databases and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
Complete and submit agency and funder reports accurately and on time, and maintain required licenses and certifications.
Oversee center services and maintain compliance with Illinois DCFS daycare standards, ExceleRate, and NAEYC accreditation requirements.
Implement active supervision and documentation systems to ensure children's safety and that no child is left alone or unsupervised.
Follow up with families regarding timely payment for services as needed.
Monitor compliance across service areas, including classroom observations, and develop action plans in response to Quality, Safety, and Compliance team reports.
Monitor Child Plus and Teaching Strategies GOLD data for accuracy and completeness.
Ensure health and food-handling regulations are followed and the facility meets funding, administrative, and regulatory standards.
Maintain a clean and safe learning environment.
Use reflective, relationship-based practices and provide leadership development and coaching to the Assistant Center Manager and Lead Teachers.
Supervise, train, and support direct reports, including conducting performance evaluations and developing professional development plans.
Recruit, retain, and motivate classroom staff; onboard new staff; clarify roles and expectations; and implement staff-retention strategies.
Provide timely praise and corrective feedback, communicate center goals, encourage staff initiative, and address concerns through individual communication and regular staff meetings.
Enforce agency policies, practices, and standards, and perform other duties as assigned.