Director of Preschool Services - Van Buren

 

Are you passionate about helping children succeed? Do you want to join a team of dedicated professionals committed to creating an environment where children thrive?  At Pediatrics Plus, we work to empower children to conquer their world. Pediatrics Plus is a specialized pediatric healthcare provider. We are committed to helping children succeed in all stages of life through evidence-based therapy and education, diagnostic services, state-of-the-art facilities, specialized equipment, family support, and community investment.  We are looking for a Director of Preschool Services to provide strategic leadership to the developmental preschool program, build Pediatrics Plus culture, and ensure excellence in classroom management.  The Director of Preschool Services supports the management of team members, maintenance of all state-mandated guidelines, and all health and safety aspects of the developmental preschool.

 

What we offer:

• Competitive Pay
• Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Retirement plan with company matching
• Company Discounts & Incentives
• Company-provided Paid Training & Professional Development
• Continuing education opportunities
• Cutting edge classroom structures & curriculum
• State of the Art Facilities & Technology

 

What you will do:

• Understand and actively lead the company mission through daily interactions with the Pediatrics Plus team, students, and parents. 
• Ensure the Pediatrics Plus culture is reinforced in all decision-making for the developmental preschool program. 
• Promote culture development and the developmental preschool through being visible daily to all preschool staff. Limit office time and utilize rolling desk when appropriate. 
• Lead and model classroom management, the use of classroom structures and routines, and promote the health and safety of preschool students for optimal learning opportunities within the preschool classroom. 
• Oversee the direction of the preschool program, specifically regarding the preschool being therapeutically/developmentally focused; a collaborative environment between teachers, therapists, and other team members; and with a high priority placed on family engagement and involvement. 
• Lead and hold preschool team members accountable for Pediatrics Plus Employee Handbook, Pediatrics Plus Preschool Supplement, performance expectations of individual job description, and all regulatory boards. 
• Greet preschool team members as they arrive as well as end of day face-to-face check-in.  
• Complete daily leadership walk actively identifying and resolving concerns in safety, site needs, and organization. 
• Participate in daily huddle with leadership team to determine priorities and updates based on time of day. 
• Collaborate with Senior Director for preschool enrollment and overall efficiency of all programs at site. 
• Conduct one-on-one meetings and performance reviews with team members as set by leadership. 
• Collaborate with Senior Director for coaching and disciplinary action as needed. 
• Collaborate with Senior Director to determine hiring needs of the preschool and assist with interview process to hire team members in alignment with the culture, mission, and core values of Pediatrics Plus.  
• Onboard new team members to include pre-employment communication, onboarding planning in cooperation with Trainer (if available) and assure 30/60/90-day reviews are completed per handbook. 
• Ensure initial and annual training on issues regarding the health and safety of our children (beneficiaries) enrolled. 
• Engage and contribute to strategic and streamline planning for the developmental preschool during collaborative meetings. 
• Attend and be an active participant in weekly site leadership meetings. 
• Participate in one-on-one meeting with leader. 
• Maintain quality assurance measures as provided by Pediatrics Plus administration. 
• Identify areas of growth for preschool team members for skill development and implementation of continuing education. Maintain and oversee continuing education hours of team members per regulations. 
• Plan and execute All Staff meetings, team meetings, administrative meetings, and individual meetings as indicated for communication and sustained excellence in classroom performance. 
• Ensure all weekly classroom billing is locked per established timeline. 
• Active in reviewing metrics for preschool team, determining active solutions to meet metrics and site preschool efficiency. 
• Complete monthly expense report per Pediatrics Plus protocols. 
• Manage preparation for and follow up for all audits conducted by any auditing body including DHS Childcare Licensing, local fire department, local health department, AFMC, and DHS EIDT Health Department. 
• Ensure that all human resource functions (payroll, time-off requests, worker’s compensation, leaves of absences, and any needed paperwork) are completed accurately and timely and that adequate communication is maintained with the Human Resources Department and Senior Director. 
• Actively lead in culture and team building events and company initiatives. 
• Assist with recruitment and/or marketing events, as needed and/or requested.
• Be available to parents and staff as needed. Involve the Senior Director with any appropriate concerns. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

What you have:

• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide variety of people.
• Must be able to work with children birth to age 21 and families who are at risk.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a very busy environment.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, policies, and other company documents.
• Ability to author routine reports and correspondence.
• Basic computer skills which include a working knowledge of keyboarding, database, word processing, spreadsheet, and Internet software.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of families or employees of the organization.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to represent the company in a confident, persuasive, and positive manner.
• Good interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under stress and respond quickly in emergency situations.
• In-depth knowledge of operational, clinical and referral development systems.
• Ability to work effectively within a complex matrix organization.
• Reports for work dressed appropriately and complies with company policies regarding dress code.
• Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Travel may be required.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or a related field; or
  • Bachelor’s degree in a non-related field, plus four years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), or Birth to Pre-K Credential; or
  • Associate degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or a related field, plus six years of experience in Early Childhood Education; or
  • Eight years of experience in Early Childhood Education and completion of one of the following within two years of employment:
    • Child Development Associate Credential; or
    • Birth to Pre-K Credential; or
    • Director’s Credential or the equivalent; or
    • Technical Certificate in Early Childhood Education
• Proven leadership experience, preferred.
• Early Childhood Development Specialist (ECDS) qualifications. If ECDS qualifications are not currently met, must actively pursue qualifications that would meet the requirements. Requirements are:
  • Licensed as a Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, or Developmental Therapist; or
  • Bachelor’s Degree and at least one of the following:
    • Early Childhood or Early Childhood Special Education certificate; or
    • Current Child Development Associate’s certificate; or
    • Current Birth to Pre-K credential; or
    • Documented experience working with children with special needs and twelve hours of completed college courses in Early Childhood, Child Development, Special Education, Elementary Education, or Child and Family Studies

 

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to accurately communicate information and ideas so others will understand through sight and hearing. The employee is regularly required to move including walking, running, jumping, and sitting. The employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, lift, reach, and feel. The employee is frequently required to stand and stoop, twist, bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include near and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

 

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination/harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.