KID ZONE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: Kid Zone Early Learning Center (KZ) was established in 1989 as a nonprofit childcare organization, setting the foundation of a strong, community-minded culture among parents, administration, teachers, and staff. We sustain a creative, play-based environment that inspires lifelong learning and prepares children to become productive, healthy members of our community. We provide a lower student to staff ratio than is required, ensuring students receive necessary attention and staff receive space for curriculum planning and professional development. We prepare homemade food on-site to ensure meals are nutritious and students have access to a wide variety of foods, some of which are even grown and harvested from our on-site garden program. Diversity and inclusion are central to our mission and are integrated throughout our programming because we believe in creating an environment where all children, families, and staff belong and where diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences are central to our students' learning experience. We are seeking a new center Director who is passionate about fostering and developing a strong culture based on KZ’s values.

 

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Kid Zone Early Learning Center (KZ) Director is responsible for overseeing the safe and nurturing administration of care for all children enrolled at KZ, the development and supervision of best in class staff, and the vision, mission, and future strategies for the organization. The Director shall plan, implement, and administer the programmatic and fiscal operations of KZ in partnership with a parent and community-led Board of Directors.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  The following are specific duties and responsibilities of the Director; however, these are subject to change as needed and directed by the KZ Board.

 

• Leadership

  • Foster and lead a positive center culture that enhances staff well-being.

  • Serve as the brand ambassador and champion the center.

  • Manage the center leadership team (see below for specific roles) and Lead Teachers. Mentor/support the development of all staff and teachers. 

  • Cultivate a proactive, strategic orientation to the work that ensures the strength of the center into the future.

  • Maintain an active role in professional organizations and stay current of new developments in the field.

 

• Administration

  • Ensure compliance with all state and local licensing regulations.

  • Maintain frequent communication and work effectively with the KZ Board of Directors, which includes attendance at Board meetings.

  • Maintain a good relationship and communication with leasing entity.

  • Ensure services are offered in accordance with safety policies and procedures.

  • Develop disaster recovery plans for events, such as unauthorized intrusions, natural disaster, winter closing, water main break, etc., and conduct annual drills.

  • Ensure all policies and procedures are in alignment with our mission and values and well serve the staff, students, and community.

 

• Programming

  • Prepare and evaluate curriculum that will enhance the children’s emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development. 

  • Work with teachers to ensure that classrooms are safe, developmentally appropriate and themes have been implemented.

  • Create a school environment that recognizes and communicates to each child that he/she/they is unique, valued and has great potential.

  • Solicit and respond to feedback from parents and teachers on classroom curriculum.

  • Meet the nutritional standards of KZ Food Program.

  • Assist in classrooms as needed.

 

• Fiscal 

  • Ensure the preparation of an annual budget to be presented to the KZ Board.

  • Operate the child care center within the approved budget and assist in preparing and reviewing fiscal reports monthly.

  • Assess methods for estimating KZ enrollment projections, and if necessary, revise methods.

  • Make timely payments of rent, supplies and other expenses.

  • Purchase equipment and supplies as stipulated in the budget. Advocate for non-budgeted and capital expenses to be approved by the KZ Board.

  • Monitor tuition billing and payment and work with families to resolve payment issues.

  • Pursue outside funding opportunities including fundraisers, grants, etc.

 

• Human Resources

  • Oversee the staffing of the program including hiring, terminations, and annual evaluation of staff performance.

  • Prepare job descriptions and update as necessary.

  • Supervise and conduct yearly evaluations of staff, including goals.

  • Revise personnel handbook as needed.

  • Deliver employment guidelines according to the personnel handbook.

  • Keep personnel records according to Federal and State guidelines.

  • Evaluate and revise, as necessary, staff benefit plans. 

  • Oversee the scheduling of staff to maintain state ratios.

  • Schedule and conduct regular staff training and meetings.

  • Tend to staff complaints, concerns and conflicts.

• Enrollment

  • Guide the development and implementation of activities (i.e., tours) and materials (brochure, website and other media) to promote KZ and attract prospective families.

  • Provide guidance and assistance, when necessary, to the Enrollment Coordinator in enrollment of new students, familiarizing parents with school policies, and planning for orientation of new students.

  • When necessary, assist in the maintenance of children’s files in a secure manner according to State guidelines.

 

• Families

  • Create events to enhance KZ community and culture.

  • Assist in preparation of monthly parent newsletter, menu and activities calendar.

  • Handle parent complaints/questions and concerns.

  • Update and maintain the parent policy handbook.

 

OFFICE LEADERSHIP TEAM IN ADDITION TO THE DIRECTOR:

 

Enrollment Coordinator: Responsible for managing student enrollment throughout the center, collecting and monitoring tuition revenue, updating and maintaining student systems such as Brightwheel and SmartTeach, and managing the Kid Zone budget. 

 

Assistant Director: Responsible for staff on-boarding, training and mentorship; organizing ongoing training for individual staff and center-wide; managing staff concerns, accounts payable, and maintaining licensing standards across the center.

 

Food and Nutrition Director: Responsible for oversight of food and garden programs, including ordering food and equipment, producing meals, managing dietary restrictions and allergies, developing Kid Zone’s “Here We Grow!” program, and managing facility maintenance.

 

SALARY: Minimum $75,000 annually. Salary is commensurate with experience with benefits package including matching 401K of up to 3%.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:
 

• Bachelor's Degree. Preferred in Education/Early Childhood/Child Development.

• Must meet MN Rule 3 education and experience requirements for Child Care Director and Teacher.

• Minimum 5 years of early childhood administration experience including development of programming/activities and understanding of approaches to serving, educating, and enriching students.

• Familiarity with administration of with CCAP, CACFP, Parent Aware and early childhood scholarships

• A background with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and pre-K children. 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated effectiveness in negotiation and conflict resolution.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead a team.

• Highly organized and capable of managing multiple priorities with competing timelines.

• Ability to foster a positive organizational culture and build support for Kid Zone.

• High degree of professionalism and ability to exercise good judgment.

• Proficient computer skills including MS Office, electronic communication, etc.

• MN Drivers License, availability of personal automobile, and proof of auto insurance.

• Ability to pass a criminal background check.

• Proof of ability to work in the United States.