Early Childhood Development Center Director

Description

About the YMCA

The mission of the Plattsburgh YMCA is to strengthen community through programs that focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Job Summary

The YMCA seeks a mission-driven, highly organized Child Care Center Director to lead and oversee the operations of the YMCA Early Childhood Development Center.

• The ideal candidate will understand and be able to implement Developmentally Appropriate Practices and best practices for an early childhood center serving infants through preschoolers.
• The ideal candidate would be familiar with Continuity of Care Classrooms
•  The ideal candidate experience implementing emergent, play-based curriculum 
• The ideal candidate would have experience implementing positive guidance and knowledge and skills in conscious discipline
• The Child Care Center Director is expected to maintain high standards of quality and customer service while ensuring strict compliance with New York State Office of Family Services regulations.
• The Early Childhood Development Center Director must have excellent communication skills and be capable of effectively leading, supervising, and training the staff team, resulting in a child care experience that is safe, positive, nurturing, and educational.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance: Maintain 100% compliance with New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS) and Department of Health (DOH) standards; lead the center through all inspections and licensing renewals. 

Staff Leadership: Recruit, hire, train and coach a qualified and effective staff team, fostering a culture of excellence in the classroom and continuous professional growth.

Financial: Assist in creating and managing the annual budget for the child care center; meeting targets for enrollment, payroll, supplies, equipment, etc. Oversees and maintains a budget and is responsible for overseeing tuition payments. 

Curriculum: Oversee the planning and implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum that prioritizes hands-on, creative, discovery-based learning, physical activity, and sensory exploration.

Quality Assessment: Utilize assessment tools, including the ITERS (Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale) and ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale), to routinely evaluate and improve classroom environments, interactions/communication, and staff performance.

Developmental Monitoring: Ensure staff are trained to recognize and support key developmental milestones and create developmental plans for individual children as needed.

Family and Community Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships and ongoing communication with parents; represent the child care center in the early childhood community and the community at large.

Facilities: Oversee and coordinate the cleaning and maintenance of the child care facility, playgrounds, and grounds.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or closely related field (Master’s Degree preferred); must meet all New York State Office of Children and Family Services requirements for a Child Care Center Director

Expertise: Demonstrated understanding of child development, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, and center management; must be proficient in the use of classroom assessment tools, including but not limited to the Infant-Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS) and Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS)

Skills: Oral, auditory, and written communication skills appropriate for interacting with both children and adults; ability to use typical office technology and applications, including Word, Excel, Google, Daxko, Lillio, etc.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience working with children in a group setting; must include at least 2 years in a teaching or supervisory role (previous experience as a Child Care Center Director preferred).

Compliance: Must meet all New York State Office of Children and Family Services qualifications for a child care center director (education, experience, etc.) and pass all mandated background checks (fingerprinting, SCR, medical clearance, Tuberculosis test, etc.)

Certifications: CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications, Directors Health and Safety Training (or must obtain them within 30 days)