Position Summary
Responsible for the oversight, management and implementation of all childcare aspects of the Child Care Center, while providing support for child care staff and fostering a warm, safe, enriching environment for the children under care. Also responsible for overseeing program curricula, parent relations, community outreach, enrollment, and finances.
Primary Responsibilities
Provide leadership and implement practices that foster a positive and warm environment for both staff, children, and parents.
- Management & Oversight:
- Oversee the childcare operations of the program, ensuring compliance with all licensing and regulatory requirements. It will be important to be familiar with all Maine regulations to ensure they are adhered to.
- Supervise, train, and support staff to maintain a high standard of performance and childcare professionalism. Maintain records and student files. Serve as the main contact for childcare facility inspections and meetings. Oversee schedule and arrange for planned and emergency substitute staff. Hiring child care technicians and support staff.
- Childcare Program & Facilities
- Prioritize the safety and well-being of all children and staff by ensuring a clean, secure, and hazard-free environment. Arranges training or the purchase of goods to ensure compliance with all requirements.
- Act as a liaison between the program and he hospital and community, fostering positive relationships in maintaining a high-functioning and safe environment.
- Health and Safety:
- Implement health and safety protocols, including emergency procedures and CDC guidelines, medication management, and fire drills, to safeguard the health of everyone on the premises.
- Forecast requirements; provide key information to perform day to day operations, schedule repairs and expenditures, approve invoices, analyze variances, initiate corrective actions.
ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE NMMC PERFORMANCE STANDARDS/CODE OF CONDUCT
Facilities licensed for 21 – 49 Children must employ a Director and/or lead teacher who is at least 21 years of age, and meets one of the following requirements:
- An Associate Degree in Arts/Associate in Science (AA/AS) in Early Childhood Education; or
- An AA/AS with 12 credits in Early Childhood Education or a Department-approved related field, and two years of direct Childcare experience; or 10-148 CMR Ch. 32, Child Care Facility Licensing Rule Child Care Centers, Nursery Schools, Small Child Care Facilities, Other Program 32
- 30 college credits in Early Childhood Education, and one year of direct Child care experience; or
- Child Development Associate (CDA) as awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition or a Maine State-approved credential, and three years’ direct Childcare experience; or
- Five years of direct Childcare experience, and 135 hours of training in early childhood education including healthy, safe, and inclusive environments; Child development; observation and assessment; developmentally appropriate practice; guidance; relationships with families; and cultural diversity
Additionally, the successful candidate will have a minimum of three years of leadership and supervisory experience.
Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
- Possess strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, along with a genuine passion for early childhood education and development.
- Have an understanding of child development principles and best practices in early childhood education.
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with staff and parents.
- Have strong knowledge of licensing regulations, health and safety guidelines, and other relevant legal requirements, with proficiency in administrative tasks, including staff supervision, coordinating substitute teachers, and program evaluation.
- Possess leadership qualities such as problem-solving, adaptability, empathy, and a collaborative mindset.
- Must possess age specific competencies for direct and indirect care providers for children from birth to 12 years of age.
Physical Requirements
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighting up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may only be a negligible amount, a job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree
