About this role
Description
Center Director - Head Start Program
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Center Director to lead our Head Start program, ensuring the delivery of high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive services to children and families in our community. This leadership role offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on young lives while fostering a positive, inclusive, and growth-oriented environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Ensure efficient operation and full compliance with CACFP, maintaining accuracy and adhering to all relevant regulations.
2. Oversee the effective operation and compliance of Head Start.
3. Manage and ensure the effective compliance and operation of the childcare facility in alignment with Childcare Licensing regulation, guaranteeing a safe and nurturing environment for children.
4. Ensuring compliance with accreditation standards such as keystone STARS and NAEYC, working towards the reapplication and reapproval of the center to those accreditations.
5. Ensure that the center consistently achieves a 90% or higher score on operational and compliance visits both internally and externally.
6. Implement strategies and programs to ensure that all children enrolled meet or exceed established educational outcomes of 85%, promoting their overall development and school readiness.
7. Guarantee 100% full enrollment of all funding streams.
8. Ensure 85% Average Daily Attendance.
9. Ensure 100% of families have an Economic Mobility Plan in place and that 80% are meeting their goals.
10. Lead the effective hiring of staff, aiming for an 85% staff retention rate and monitoring staff attendance to maintain operational staff efficiency.
11. Provide effective supervision of staff to ensure high-quality staff performance and development.
12. Promote and maintain a positive and collaborative work environment, where 80% employees demonstrate high commitment and engagement with the organization.
13. Collaborate in budget development and ensure compliance with the approved budget.
14. Ensure that family engagement activities are actively taking place at the center.
15. Manage incidents professionally and effectively, adhering to safety guidelines and protocols, ensuring the safety and well-being of children, staff, and visitors at the center.
16. Conduct weekly visits to classrooms, providing ongoing support and guidance to teachers and staff.
17. Perform monthly classroom observations to assess program quality, identify areas for improvement, and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
18. Assure effective execution of balance scorecard objectives, milestones, metrics, and initiative assigned to its position.
19. Work with direct reports to produce regular Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Reports to communicate program outcomes in your monthly staff meetings, (Management, teachers, advocates etc.)
Join our organization and be part of a dynamic team committed to empowering children and families through quality early childhood education. We offer a supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a lasting difference in the community.
Requirements
Requirements
Skills and Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education
- Master’s degree or Director's Credential
- Proven experience in early childhood education program management, preferably within Head Start or similar programs
- Strong leadership, organizational, and administrative skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
- Knowledge of federal and state regulations governing Head Start programs
- Ability to develop and manage budgets and grants
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles
- Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel as needed
- Must be Bilingual (English/Spanish)
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