Center Director

About the Role

The Center Director oversees the overall supervision and management of a Head Start center, ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, TDFPS Minimum Standards, and all relevant state and local regulations. This role involves implementing programs in an assigned classroom, providing care and education for children and families, and maintaining a supportive, safe, and stimulating learning environment. The Center Director supervises Early Head Start/Head Start Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Classroom Aides, and Substitutes.

Responsibilities

Center Operations

• Ensure efficient operations of the designated Head Start center in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, TDFPS Minimum Standards, and all applicable state and local regulations.
• Maintain appropriate licensing requirements for the center’s operation.
• Ensure classrooms and playgrounds are well-equipped and all required postings are up-to-date.
• Maintain required supervisor-to-child and child-to-staff ratios at all times.
• Keep accurate and up-to-date records of enrolled children, families, staff, and program operations, including ChildPlus.
• Safeguard center property by ensuring proper use and maintenance of equipment and materials; document maintenance as needed.
• Collaborate with Content Area Managers to serve the center’s children and families.
• Assist in recruiting and monitoring volunteers for the center.
• Complete required administrative tasks and submit timely reports.
• Keep the EHS/HS Director and Education and Disabilities Manager informed regarding center operations.

Classroom (As Needed)

• Maintain a calm, safe, and developmentally appropriate classroom and playground environment that reflects the cultures of all enrolled children.
• Ensure the safety of children through constant supervision, proper arrangement of space, and regular practice of emergency procedures.
• Develop lesson plans with the Teacher Assistant that meet the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each child, accounting for variations in ability and individual interests.
• Ensure all classroom staff interact appropriately with children and follow developmentally appropriate practices per Head Start Performance Standards.
• Evaluate teaching techniques of center staff to ensure alignment with NAEYC and Community Council of South Central Texas quality standards.
• Ensure continuity of curriculum and high standards of equality in the classroom; provide individual support to children who experience difficulty in group activities.
• Implement center routines, including hand washing, tooth brushing, eating, napping, and transitioning between activities.
• Operate the classroom in compliance with all childcare-licensing standards, prohibiting any form of physical punishment.
• Complete annual evaluations for supervised employees and maintain documentation of staff competencies.
• Model team leadership and ensure the teamwork concept is upheld at the center.
• Arrange classrooms to provide a stimulating, clean, and safe learning environment per NAEYC standards.
• Ensure proper documentation in children’s files across all content areas.
• Complete Individual Education Plans for each enrolled child and maintain ongoing assessment records.