Preschool Assistant Director

Open Space Early Learning Center•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Come join us at Open Space Early Learning Center! We are looking for an Assistant Director with a proven track record of providing excellent care and education for young children, a passionate and caring approach to teacher coaching, and an unyielding desire to further the field of early education. Duties include but are not limited to: Act as a Director in the Director’s absence, with responsibilities including opening and/or closing the center each day, supervising faculty, communicating with families, ensuring that the center meets DCFS and City of Chicago standards at all times, and, overall, ensuring that daily center operations run smoothly. Manage opening or closing the center each day and ensuring the safety and security of the children, families and teachers at Open Space. Maintain positive relationships with children, staff, parents, and co-workers. Reliably meet deadlines and manages time and attendance well. Follow Open Space’s and Safety policies, procedures and regulations. Follow legal and ethical standards related to job responsibilities. Perform general office duties daily including reading mail and email, making and receiving phone calls, filing documents, managing database systems, and overseeing office activities. Support creation of programming and curriculum within classrooms with teachers. Supervise and advise staff. Manage center facilities. Ensure that the center is adhering to all DCFS and other licensing agencies regulations. Become familiar with the DCFS 407 and City of Chicago Health Requirements Assist in creating and implementing new policies as needed. Assist with planning and executing parent engagement events and initiatives. Assist with managing files and ensure that all documentation is up to date according to DCFS, State, City, Open Space and all licensing agencies. Where we Play to Learn and learn to Grow Open Space Early Learning Center is a family owned center founded in 2019 with a passion for providing high quality education and care for young children. The first five years of a child’s life are the most crucial in development and we strive to support every child through this time by giving them the tools and foundation that they need in order to thrive and be successful later in life. Why Open Space is the Best Start? Open Space is a program that is a welcoming space for all families, children, professionals and contributors. We stand firm in our philosophy and strive to provide high quality early education and care that benefit the development of the whole child. At Open Space we value the differences that each family & child bring into our program. This is why each day is a new experience for our Open Space Family. Each and every day, we strive to meet the individual needs and provide a second home to everyone who walks in our door.

Requirements

Must meet basic requirements of DCFS: Associate's degree that includes 21 ECE credit hours
Ability to relate positively with young children.
Strong leadership and management skills.
Knowledge of the social, emotional, and creative needs of young children.
Previous teaching or assistant teaching position in a public or private school system, quality preschool, or childcare center.
Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs. in connection with the handling of children for the facilitation of programs, child safety, and potential emergency situations.

Nice To Haves

Gateways Level 1 Director Credential or 3 credit hours in administration/leadership
Certification, degree, college-level courses related to early childhood, or preschool or elementary education is desirable.

Responsibilities

Act as a Director in the Director’s absence, with responsibilities including opening and/or closing the center each day, supervising faculty, communicating with families, ensuring that the center meets DCFS and City of Chicago standards at all times, and, overall, ensuring that daily center operations run smoothly.
Manage opening or closing the center each day and ensuring the safety and security of the children, families and teachers at Open Space.
Maintain positive relationships with children, staff, parents, and co-workers.
Reliably meet deadlines and manages time and attendance well.
Follow Open Space’s and Safety policies, procedures and regulations.
Follow legal and ethical standards related to job responsibilities.
Perform general office duties daily including reading mail and email, making and receiving phone calls, filing documents, managing database systems, and overseeing office activities.
Support creation of programming and curriculum within classrooms with teachers.
Supervise and advise staff.
Manage center facilities.
Ensure that the center is adhering to all DCFS and other licensing agencies regulations.
Become familiar with the DCFS 407 and City of Chicago Health Requirements
Assist in creating and implementing new policies as needed.
Assist with planning and executing parent engagement events and initiatives.
Assist with managing files and ensure that all documentation is up to date according to DCFS, State, City, Open Space and all licensing agencies.