Program Lead

About the role

The Program Lead manages all programmatic and staffing aspects of an early care and education center, in accordance with the agency’s program and people management goals. This position ensures program quality is maintained in a single Catalyst Family Inc. licensed childcare center.

Responsibilities

• Program Quality Liaison for communicating Catalyst Family Inc. vision, mission, philosophy, and curriculum approaches to staff, parents, school personnel, the community, and State and local government agencies, as needed.
• Ensures streamlined processes for documented learning from observations/anecdotes to lesson plans, documentation, all assessments, internal and external reviews are consistent with Catalyst Family Inc.’s mission, values, philosophy, and position statements.
• Shares program information and assessment results with the center, supports, mentors’ and role models for teachers in the creation and implementation and evaluation/completion of center action plans through diverse strategies or approaches.
• Collaborates with center staff to provide an enriched, dynamic indoor/outdoor environments, that meet the diverse and cultural needs and interests of children, utilizes staff, family, and community expertise.
• Affirmative Action Plan: Assess program quality and curriculum implementation, health/safety, and licensing standards; take steps to continuously improve in alignment with our agency’s quality standards as well as meet/exceed licensing and other external quality tools.
• Manage a team at the center with a size ranging from 2-5 staff depending on center size and enrollment.
• Manage staff performance proactively; coach, support and provide feedback to staff regularly so that they can deliver their best.
• Conduct Annual Performance review on time and provide regular feedback.
• Facilitate highly effective, participatory team meetings that foster ownership for expected outcomes.
• Observe staff interactions with children, effectiveness of planned activities, maintenance and development of the learning environment and give staff immediate and useful feedback to achieve high program quality.
• Provide on-site mentoring and modeling in the classroom. Train and mentor teaching staff as needed, including frequently observing weekly lesson plans to include a range of age-appropriate activities that support social emotional, physical, cognitive development, observe impact of curriculum implementation, and provide relevant and constructive feedback.
• Orient and integrate new staff into the team to achieve high staff retention. Set and communicate clear job expectations. Communicate Mission, philosophy to all staff; ensure behavior and outcomes of center are staff consistent with agency values.
• Co-develop and implement immediate corrective action plans as necessary to address underperformance.
• Nurture team spirit and maintain high staff morale. Mentor and develop internal candidates for new positions.
• Engages in ongoing, two-way interactions with families to discuss daily activities, observations and child progress. Encourage shared decision making, problem solving and address questions and concerns.
• Provide ongoing information to parents/families including parent education, and other request parents have for community resources.
• Participate in local, regional, and statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of children and families.
• Ensure and maintain full compliance with all agency policies/procedures and protect agency assets and resources.
• Partner with Recruiting to support interview process and hire best candidates to match the needs of the center.
• Create and maintain staffing schedules and purchasing for the classrooms and center, as appropriate.
• Identify ways to improve the performance of the center, take proactive actions to support center enrollment and marketing, and follow center budget/purchasing guidelines.

Requirements

The MINIMUM formal relevant education required by the position. Minimum education requirements may change as needed based on state and center requirements

• HS Degree or GED AND Completion of 15 units of ECE (3 in administration or staff relations and core units)
• AA degree with 24 ECE/CD units, 6 units in administration and 2 units in adult supervision
• BA with 12 ECE/CD units, 6 units in administration and 2 units in adult supervision
• Site Supervisor Permit or above preferred, or expected to acquire Site Supervisor permit upon hire

Qualifications

• Continuing education to meet professional growth standards required.
• 2-3 years' experience in ECE/CD setting
• At least 1 year of experience mentoring and leading other adults or teaching staff.

Other Qualifications

• Must be able to complete Child Care Center Part II Orientation Certificate and Mandate Reporter training.
• Able to pass Criminal Record Clearance, health screening, TB test, and have updated immunizations.
• Knowledgeable and values the impact of culture on the development of children.
• Ability to provide strategic approaches as well as assist in implementation.
• Understands and values diversity and the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.
• Strong interpersonal skills: ability to listen, receive take feedback and provide constructive feedback to peers and staff.
• Possesses a high a high level of initiative, motivation, and direction.
• Ability to interact with children in a manner consistent with Catalyst Family Inc. philosophy.
• Knowledgeable about agency philosophy and curriculum standards, DAP and able to implement and role model consistent program practices and standards.
• Ability to take initiative to appropriately partner within the community as well as with internal departments.
• Stays abreast of new research and theories in the ECE/Youth fields.
• Working knowledge of staffing, marketing communication, highly desirable.
• Proficiency in second languages also desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff, coach and mentor.
• Provides effective customer service.
• Effective Leadership skills; committed to continual improvement of these skills.
• Strategic thinking and planning.
• Interpersonal and team communications.
• Highly effective in program quality, program implementation and people management.
• Demonstrates a team player mentality.
• Shift Type: Full Time
• Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm