Early Childhood Director (Vanderbilt YMCA)

YMCA of Greater New York•Manhattan, NY

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vanderbilt YMCA is seeking an Early Childhood Director responsible for implementing a safe and quality program. This includes staff supervision, training, budgeting, curriculum development, and ensuring compliance with YMCA, funder, and regulatory requirements for various early childhood programs such as DOE Center Base Classrooms, Early Childhood Learning Centers, fee-based enrichment, Early Childhood summer day camp, and wrap-around or Early Childhood after-school programming. The Director provides leadership for program strategy, systems, supervision, and structure, overseeing the overall development, administration, and evaluation of programs. A key aspect of the role is to grow enrollment and the program portfolio to serve more children through structured, engaging, educational, recreational, and developmentally appropriate activities. The Early Childhood Director will ensure a high level of quality, communication, and collaboration within the Early Childhood programs and will support family and community programs, participating in Branch and community committees as needed.

Requirements

Must have one (1) of the following: Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (or a related field with 30 credits in Early Childhood) and has State Certification.
Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, has State certification in Early Childhood Education, and is enrolled in a Master’s program related to Early Childhood Education.
Current teaching license or certificate valid for services in early childhood or childhood grades, according to New York State Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) regulations.
Minimum of two (2) years of Lead Teacher experience in a program for children under the age of six (6).
Knowledge of principles and practices related to Early Childhood education and socioemotional growth.
Demonstrated commitment to Early Childhood education and enrichment.
Ability to identify/document necessary information for program functioning and evaluation.
Strong and polished interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills that facilitate the achievement of desired results.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel, and working knowledge of Microsoft Suite.
Knowledge of Windows-based computer applications and database management.
Must be a self-starter, highly organized, patient, and able to work well with others.
Must be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Nice To Haves

Creative, strategic, and analytical thinker with the ability to manage multiple projects preferred.
Experience developing and managing budgets, and hiring, training, supervising, and assessing personnel preferred.
Knowledge of Creative Curriculum preferred.
Knowledge of implementing new curriculum within a team preferred.
Bilingual English and another language commonly spoken in our community preferred.

Responsibilities

Successfully maintain and continue to improve the quality of all Early Learning, Early Childhood after-school programming, and Early Childhood enrichment programs.
Plan and create new and innovative Early Learner, youth, family, and community programs that meet the needs of the community, in keeping with the Branch's priority objectives and strategic plan.
Ensure that all contractual and regulatory obligations of the Department of Education and the Department of Health are met while fulfilling the program mandates of the YMCA of Greater New York and funders.
Supervise exempt, full-time, part-time, non-exempt staff, volunteers, and interns by monitoring performance, providing support, training, coaching, and recognition, and holding staff accountable for performance expectations.
Develop, manage, and successfully meet budget objectives.
Act as the Branch’s liaison with other community organizations and coalitions within the borough, and partner appropriately to provide services, programs, and referrals to YMCA participants and families.
Represent the Branch at Early Childhood Cabinet meetings.
Become an active member of all Youth & Family-related committees at the Branch level.
Successfully maintain and continue to improve the quality of all Early Childhood programs.
Leverage program surveys to improve programming and maintain consistent quality.
Become a certified trainer in two youth areas (such as Child Abuse Prevention and Ethics and Boundaries) and lead training events.
Work with the Branch and AO leadership to design, develop, and implement a marketing and communication plan that promotes the Early Learner Programs, Early Childhood after-school programming, and Early Childhood enrichment programs to local community groups.
Maintain accurate and timely program documentation (attendance, sign-in/out forms, behavior reports, incident reports, and accident reports, as appropriate).
Report all incidents in accordance with the Y's policies and procedures.
Promote an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment that embraces the diversity of all staff and participants.
Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of participants by understanding, maintaining, and ensuring that staff and participants follow Risk Management and safety procedures.
Actively participate in designated meetings, all training sessions, and special events.
May serve as a Manager on Duty (MOD) when requested.
Other duties as assigned, including classroom teaching responsibilities as the program dictates.