Director of Early Learning Services (49996)

WESTCARE INC•Pembroke Pines, FL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Early Learning Services is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and operation of the childcare center and campus based Bloom Room program. This position oversees all academic and non academic childcare services, ensuring high quality early learning experiences in a safe, nurturing, and compliant environment. The Director provides strategic direction, supervises staff, manages enrollment and financial processes, ensures regulatory compliance, and collaborates with families, community partners, and leadership to support the organization’s mission. The role requires a strong balance of educational leadership, operational management, regulatory oversight, and family engagement.

Requirements

At minimum, must hold National Child Development Associate (CDA) or other early childhood credential that meets or exceeds the requirements of the National CDA and is recognized by regulatory agencies in at least five states.
Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required
Active Florida DCF Director’s Credential is required
Active VPK Director’s Credential is required
Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development or a related field is required
National Early Childhood credential or an active School-Age Child Care credential may be substituted for formal educational qualifications.
Must have at least 480 hours experience in childcare setting serving children ages birth through eight years of age
CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test
Extensive knowledge of early childhood development principles and developmentally appropriate educational practices
Knowledge of Florida DCF licensing regulations, VPK standards, and ELC reporting requirement
Minimum of two years of experience in early childhood education or childcare administration
Enthusiastic personality that will engage preschool children
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with adults and children
Ability to collaborate and communicate with teachers, support staff, parents, and students in a positive and constructive way
Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives required
Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems required
Ability to develop meaningful goals and objectives required
Skill in group processes including goal setting, planning, and conflict mediation required
High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work required
Experience in youth development model, asset-based relationship building, and experience in motivating youth required
Ability to be empathetic, compassionate, non-judgmental, and enthusiastic
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to plan, manage, and evaluate curriculum
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software as required for recordkeeping and documentation
Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion
Ability to work well in a team environment
Skill in teaching others how to do something
Skill in talking to others to convey information effectively
Ability to think creatively, developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions
Skill in Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action
Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality
Understanding of issues related to individuals with varied identities in prevention, intervention and treatment
Understands that individuals with distinct community backgrounds, have different perceptions of health
Demonstrates respect for individuals with varied identities when conducting assessments, developing Wellness and Recovery Plans, and providing services
Understands that individuals with distinct community backgrounds define and perceive family and its importance differently
Demonstrates ability to work effectively with individuals with distinct community backgrounds
Ability to use trauma informed care principles including ensuring consumer safety, preventing/avoiding re-traumatization, maximizing trustworthiness, enhancing consumer choice, maximizing collaboration, and emphasizing empowerment
Ability to identify and describe key signs, symptoms, impact and manifestations of trauma
Aware of the differences between trauma informed and trauma-specific services
Understands the bidirectional relationships among substance use and mental disorders and trauma
Understands the differences among various kinds of abuse and trauma, including: physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; domestic violence; experiences of war for both combat veterans and survivors of war; natural disasters; and community violence
Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values
Knowledge of Incident Reporting
Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality
Familiarity with WestCare services and programs
Demonstrates a high degree of dependability
Maintains a good attendance record
Observes working hours
Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor
Works independently with minimal supervision
Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job
Work time is always productive
Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and regulatory agencies
Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others
Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time
Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare
Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision
Maintains a positive attitude toward work
Ensures and maintains a safe working environment
Work area is clean and orderly
Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures
Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the agency’s reporting procedures
Presents a positive personal image
Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor

Nice To Haves

Bilingual is preferred

Responsibilities

Oversee and direct all childcare services related daycare and campus bloom room
Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, program policies, and address students behavioral or learning concerns
Monitor students progress and provide students and teachers with assistance in resolving any problems
Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff and recommend personnel actions for programs and services
Teach classes,courses or provide direct care to children, as needed
Direct and coordinate activities of staff assigned
Prepare and maintain attendance, activity, planning, accounting, or personnel reports and records for leadership team as requested
Plan, direct, and monitor instructional methods and content of educational, vocational, or student activity programs
Review and evaluate new and current programs to determine their efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with state, local, and federal regulations and recommend any necessary modifications
Set educational standards and goals and help establish protocols, procedures, and programs to carry them out
Determine the scope of educational program offerings and prepare drafts of program schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements
Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation
Completes all orientation and mandated training activities, including ELearning Courses, within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this position
Ensures timely follow through on all children’s tuition payments and reports any discrepancies in a prompt manner
Provides accurate and timely weekly payment information to support precise accounting processes
Collaborates with the Early Learning Coordinator to develop outreach strategies and recruit new student enrollment
Works toward obtaining childcare accreditation and maintains all required standards to ensure coutinued accreditation
Completes all invoicing and reporting required for the Food Program within established deadlines
Communicate effectively with all parties involved in the Food Program, including vendors, providers, and the funding agency
Maintains accurate and complete files for both teachers and students
Ensures full compliance with all Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) licensing standards, including documentation, staff to child ratios, classroom requirements, and training mandates
Oversee daily operations of the center, including staffing, classroom activities, parent communication, and facility maintenance
Supervises, trains, and evaluates all childcare staff to ensure high quality educational and safety practices
Develops and implements appropriate curriculum and ensures that classrooms follow developmentally appropriate practices
Conducts regular classroom observations and ensures continuous improvement in program quality
Ensures emergency preparedness plans are current, trained, and practiced according to state requirements
Maintains a safe and healthy environment by ensuring that all sanitation, safety, and security procedures are followed
Builds and maintains positive relationships with parents, guardians, staff, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies
Leads enrollment tours, provides program information, and supports families throughout the registration and orientation process
Prepares required reports for funding agencies, licensing bodies, and organizational leadership
Manages inventory, supplies, and equipment to ensure classrooms are well equipped and within budget
Addresses parent concerns or complaints promptly and professionally, ensuring timely resolution
Reviews Early Learning Coalition (ELC) reporting requirements and ensures that all required documentation is completed and submitted in a timely manner
Perform any other duties as assigned