Educare Program Manager - Project Eagle

University of Kansas Medical Center • Kansas City, MO

1d

About The Position

Position Summary: Project Eagle is an early childhood program focused on preparing children, engaging families, and promoting excellence for children and families in Kansas City, Kansas. Project Eagle provides home-based and center-based services to pregnant women and/or children ages birth to five through a variety of programs, the largest being Head Start. Project Eagle is also a member of the Educare Learning Network, part of a national initiative that serves as a platform for broader change, inspiring high-quality programs in communities, improving public policies within each state, and demonstrating a comprehensive approach to the first five years of life and learning. Educare Kansas City (kumc.edu) https://www.kumc.edu/project-eagle/our-programs/educare-kansas-city.html The Educare Program Manager will be responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day operations of Educare Kansas City. This position monitors and assures that the Early Head Start center based program is following and meeting all Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) childcare licensing regulations and Head Start Program Performance Standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or closely related field.
• This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
• CPR and First Aid Certified within 30 days of employment (paid for by employer).
• Three years of experience in center-based programs serving early childhood.
• Experience working with children and families from various backgrounds.
• Experience with developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood education.
• Knowledge of KDHE Licensing Requirements as evidenced by application materials.
• This position requires the incumbent to pass background check including fingerprinting.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development or closely related field.
• Experience working in a Head Start Center-based program and knowledge of the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Experience with the Department for Children and Families childcare subsidy program.
• Experience with the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
• Knowledge of Conscious Discipline and High Scope Curriculum.
• Experience providing training in early childhood best practices.
• Communication skills.
• Organization.
• Collaboration.
• Computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Foster respectful, collaborative relationships with families and staff.
• Maintain positive family–school partnerships.
• Communicate regularly with multidisciplinary team members.
• Attend two annual policy council/parent committee meetings.
• Create and manage staffing schedules, calendars, and attendance tracking to maintain ratios.
• Coordinate staff coverage for breaks; participate in open/close rotations.
• Serve as backup classroom substitute and staffing phone contact.
• Manage child attendance system, daily attendance emails, and weekly timesheets.
• Maintain professional development records, including KDHE hours and annual CACFP Civil Rights training.
• Coordinate CACFP enrollment, meal records, attendance documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage childcare subsidy reminders, payments, and KDHE-required records.
• Monitor and maintain child files, including immunizations and emergency authorizations.
• Maintain child, staff, and classroom data across required databases (COR Advantage, eDECA, DAISEY, Child Plus).
• Assist with tracking and reporting non-federal share/in-kind.
• Supervise kitchen staff and monitor kitchen health, safety, and CACFP documentation.
• Coordinate new employee orientation, required training, and documentation.
• Monitor orientation progress and completion.
• Monitor, file, and report health and safety documentation.
• Conduct monthly monitoring, track trends, and coordinate maintenance as needed.
• Maintain food/allergy charts and manage illness exclusion decisions.
• Manage family security badges and coordinate annual playground audits.

Benefits

• Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan.
• Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available.
• Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays.
• One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment.
• A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager