Preschool Director

PHILOSOPHY:  

Monarch Learning Academy is a Christ-Centered Preschool that applies the Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, understanding that children learn in a variety of ways. Visual, spatial, musical, and naturalistic experiences hold equal court with traditional analytical and linguistic activities. This learner-centered approach places the spotlight on student development and advancement instead of attempting to fit children into templates for the sake of convenience.

GENERAL DUTIES:

The Preschool Director must have strong leadership and communication skills alongside a warm and nurturing disposition. He/She must be enthusiastic and passionate about developing and implementing Monarch’s preschool program alongside the nature-based emergent program that promotes whole-child development for preschool-aged children. He/She must be able to plan, organize, direct, manage, and supervise programs for preschool age children and facilitate positive relations among preschool staff and families. He/She is expected to carry out a daily program that is designed to meet the physical and developmental needs of children, be able to support and supervise teachers, facilitate supportive relationships with owners, director, co-workers, parents, and students. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support a Christ-filled learning environment. 
• Ensure the safety of each child enrolled in the class, on the playground, and common areas.
• Maintain and observe daily cleanliness, appearance, safety of play equipment and toys, décor, arrangement of the learning environment in the classroom and outdoor learning space.  
• Oversee that teachers maintain well-defined Learning Centers:  Science, Art, Writing, Reading, Building, and Drama Centers. 
• Oversee that classroom bulletin boards are updated monthly/seasonally.
• Oversee that toys are rotated and introduce new materials monthly in defined Learning Centers. 
• Awareness of specific allergies/needs of each individual student.
• Maintains school policies and procedures for the preschool operation.
• Ensure that the school and staff are in full compliance with early childhood laws, regulations and requirements.
• Serves as a liaison between preschool and upper school.
• Assumes accountability for the preschool budget as it relates to the whole school.
• Oversee staff scheduling.

FACULTY:

• Supervises and support all preschool staff.
• Assist preschool staff in setting annual professional goals.
• Conducts frequent classroom observations and provides coaching to teachers as needed.
• Creates a positive work environment and culture that encourages team building and staff collaboration.
• Plans and provides staff development opportunities and training.
• Mentors teachers in implementing Nature-Based Learning, Conscious Discipline and Howard Gardner’s Theory and principles in classroom practices.
• Assists teachers in conducting parent conferences.

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION:

• Provides a vision for continuous improvement by remaining current on issues and trends in early childhood education.
• Guides staff in achieving educational excellence.
• Oversees program evaluation and staff instruction.
• Collaborates with teachers to plan instructional activities and lessons.
• Provides support for behavioral and learning issues in collaboration with the teachers. 
• Maintain regular observations and evaluations of children’s development and progress in collaboration with teachers.
• Maintain and support teachers in implementing age and developmentally appropriate lesson plans in all areas of whole child development of cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual needs of young children. 
• Maintain weekly Special Classes such as Chapel, Music, Spanish, Social Bridges and Nature School into teacher’s weekly schedule.

RELATIONSHIPS AND INTERACTIONS WITH CHILDREN:

• Encourage development in areas of self-confidence, problem solving, social skills, independence, and responsibility.  
• Treat each child with respect and dignity no matter what the child’s cultural background may be.
• Be a role model for children in speech and language, attitude, kindness, gentleness, and respect.
• Discipline within the guidelines set by Monarch Learning Academy. 

RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILIES:

• Respect and embrace all families of cultural differences and socioeconomic diversities. 
• Greet parents daily with a positive and welcoming attitude and disposition.
• Return and maintain positive parent communication that include face-to-face time, phone calls/text messages/emails within 24 hours.
• Maintain professional boundaries between administrative and parent relationships.
• Communicate and provide proper signed documentation of all incident reports and field trip forms. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Consistently able to supervise children within the required DCF student to teacher ratio alone without supervision or support.
• Consistently able to supervise children outside in temperatures ranging from 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit, and exposure to rain, wind, heat, and sun.  
• Consistently be able to observe and respond to a child’s needs, conflicts, and/or emergencies in the classroom, playground, and common areas.
• Consistently able to lift children up to 20 pounds from the floor to waist height.
• Consistently able to kneel or crouch down to maintain eye contact at the child’s level.
• Consistently able to respond and reach a child within 30 seconds.
• Able to stand on feet for multiple hours a day and strategically position one-self in areas of the classroom and playground to maintain constant view of children.
• Able to respond to a child’s first aid needs that include bruises, blood/bodily fluids, cuts, scrapes, and head injuries.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 2 years of Childcare Experience
• Early Childhood Education Degree
• Successful completion of CDA or FCCPC credential
• Successful completion credential for Director through DCF
• Experience and Knowledge in Nature-Based learning. 
• Demonstrates enthusiasm, professionalism, strong work ethic, reliability, communication, ability to maintain cooperative relationships with co-workers, and easily maintain busy classroom environments.