Early Childhood Site Supervisor

About the Role

The Early Childhood Site Supervisor serves as both an operational and cultural leader, ensuring the effective implementation of Head Start and/or Early Head Start programs that promote equity, inclusion, and excellence in early learning. Positioned as a mid-level administrative leader, the Site Supervisor operates at the vital intersection between management and frontline staff, translating policies and procedures into daily practice, ensuring compliance, and fostering coordinated service delivery across program components. This role oversees all site-level program operations, integrating educational, health, nutrition, family engagement, and community partnership components to provide holistic, high-quality support to children and families.

Reporting directly to the Education Manager, the Site Supervisor monitors for compliance, follows up on concerns, and ensures that program expectations are consistently and effectively implemented at the site level. As a culture setter and people leader, the Site Supervisor models professionalism, empathy, and collaboration while cultivating a positive, inclusive, and mission-driven workplace. They provide direct supervision, coaching, and evaluation for classroom and/or home visiting staff, support individualized professional growth, and promote reflective, culturally responsive practice. The Site Supervisor also leads staff and volunteer screening, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding processes to ensure alignment with program standards and values.

Responsibilities

• Program Oversight and Integration
  • Oversees all site-level operations for Head Start and/or Early Head Start classrooms to ensure full implementation of program policies, procedures, and performance standards.
  • In collaboration and partnership with component area managers, integrates educational, health, nutrition, and family engagement services to provide comprehensive, coordinated support for children and families.
  • Monitors classroom and site activities to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, and goals and adherence to Head Start Program Performance Standards, state licensing requirements, and agency procedures.
  • Reviews classroom operations, schedules, and curriculum implementation to assess quality and identify areas for improvement; collaborates with management staff to develop and implement corrective action or quality improvement plans.
  • Ensures attendance is accurately recorded and monitored; partners with the Family Services team to follow up on absences, document reasons, and address patterns of unexcused absences.
  • Participates and collaborates as an active member of the agency’s Leadership Team, contributing to site planning, coordination, and problem-solving across program components.
  • Ensures lesson plans, assessments, and child portfolios are completed, reviewed, and posted in alignment with program expectations; provides feedback and follow-up support as needed.
  • Facilitates on-site services provided by mental health and inclusion specialists; ensures classroom staff actively support service delivery and documentation requirements.
  • Maintains CLASS reliability and conducts CLASS observations as assigned.
• Staff Supervision, Development, and Culture Setting
  • Provides direct supervision to approximately 12–15 classroom staff, including teachers, assistant teachers, and classroom aides, ensuring appropriate ratios, scheduling, and classroom coverage.
  • Conducts regular performance observations and evaluations in collaboration with the Education Manager, providing coaching, feedback, and performance improvement support.
  • Holds monthly one-on-one meetings with each staff member to review performance, discuss goals, address challenges, provide professional guidance, monitor professional development hours to ensure compliance with state licensing requirements, and develop individualized professional development plans to address areas for growth and support ongoing competency and career advancement.
  • Promotes a positive, inclusive, and mission-driven workplace culture that reflects the organization’s values of equity, respect, and continuous learning.
  • Ensures staff attendance at all required professional development opportunities, tracks completion of training hours, and follows up with staff to schedule make-up sessions as needed.
  • Screens, interviews, and recommends candidates for hire; leads new hire onboarding and orientation under the direction of the Education Manager.
  • Under the supervision and guidance of the Education Manager, oversees volunteer onboarding, scheduling, and tracking; serves as the direct contact for daily volunteer engagement, ensuring positive experiences and adherence to program expectations.
• Supervision & Team Development
  • Provides consistent supervision, coaching, and mentorship to staff, fostering professional growth, skill development, and accountability.
  • Sets clear goals and expectations and manages performance in alignment with organizational policies.
  • Maintains open and timely communication with staff through regular 1:1 check-ins, feedback, and team meetings.
  • Promotes a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team culture that supports engagement, retention, and employee well-being.
  • Ensures staff have the necessary tools, resources, and training to succeed in their roles.
  • Addresses team conflicts and supports staff in resolving challenges constructively.
  • Supports effective onboarding of new hires.
  • Ensures accurate timecard reporting and attendance tracking.
• Facility and Resource Management
  • Ensures that maintenance, cleanliness, and the organization of the physical facility are a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for children and staff.
  • Reports needed facility repairs, maintenance requests, and janitorial service needs to the Facilities Manager in a timely fashion.
  • Manages site inventory, including janitorial, office, health, and classroom supplies; uses assigned purchasing card responsibly and maintains accurate and timely records in Financial Edge Blackbaud.
  • Ensures meal counts are accurately recorded and submitted daily to the Health and Nutrition Services Manager in accordance with USDA, CACFP, and program requirements.
  • Ensures classrooms and common areas are well-equipped, inclusive, and reflective of children’s cultures, languages, and learning needs.
• Family and Community Engagement
  • Builds and sustains positive relationships with families, serving as a resource and support when concerns arise.
  • Collaborates with Family Advocates and other staff to promote strong home-school connections and encourage family participation in program activities.
  • Represents the site at family events and community activities as appropriate, promoting the program’s mission and values.
  • Supports effective communication between staff, families, and community partners to ensure continuity and quality of services.
• Leadership, Collaboration, and Advocacy
  • Serves as a key member of the agency’s leadership structure, ensuring effective two-way communication between the management team and frontline staff.
  • Promotes a collaborative and solution-oriented work culture that values open communication, shared accountability, and continuous quality improvement.
  • Uses data, observation, and feedback to identify trends and inform planning discussions with the Education Manager and management team.
  • Demonstrates advocacy for children and families through equitable practices, inclusive leadership, and adherence to trauma-informed approaches.
  • Supports organizational initiatives, projects, and cross-functional teams to advance program excellence and community impact.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position directly oversees all classroom staff, including Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and Classroom Aides. Additionally, they provide indirect supervision and support to site staff related to facility oversight.

Qualifications

• Leadership and Management
  • Demonstrated ability to provide operational and cultural leadership at a mid-level administrative site role, ensuring effective program implementation and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Strong leadership skills to guide, support, and motivate classroom staff and volunteers, fostering accountability, collaboration, and a culture of excellence.
  • Ability to set and maintain positive site culture, modeling inclusive, respectful, and equitable practices for staff, families, and community partners.
  • Proven skill in coordinating across multiple program components (education, health, nutrition, family engagement, mental health, and inclusion) to ensure integrated and consistent service delivery.
• Early Childhood Education Knowledge
  • Solid understanding of early childhood development principles and best practices for children from birth through age five.
  • Knowledge of developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches in classroom and site-level practices.
  • Understanding of curriculum implementation standards, school readiness goals, and assessment protocols; ability to monitor and provide feedback to staff to ensure fidelity to curriculum and developmental outcomes.
• Staff Supervision and Development
  • Experience providing direct supervision to teaching staff, including performance observation, feedback, and coaching.
  • Ability to conduct monthly 1:1 meetings with staff to discuss goals, performance, and professional growth.
  • Skill in monitoring staff professional development attendance, ensuring required training completion, scheduling make-ups, and maintaining accurate records.
  • Ability to manage volunteers on-site, providing daily guidance, tracking hours, and ensuring adherence to program expectations.
• Facility and Operations Management
  • Ability to oversee site operations to ensure a safe, organized, and developmentally appropriate environment for children and staff.
  • Knowledge of health and safety compliance, including licensing and program monitoring requirements.