The director is responsible for leadership, management, and administrative functions necessary to the preschool and child care center in a manner that is programmatically, fiscally and strategically consistent with the mission of the Palms Presbyterian Church, Florida Department of Children & Families (DCF), and the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Essential Functions

Managerial/Organizational

• Recruit, screen, assign, schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate staff, adhering to the HR policies and procedures of Palms Presbyterian Church and NAEYC accreditation standards.
• Maintain an environment that conforms to church, DCF and NAEYC standards.
• Ensure a safe and secure environment for the children and staff.
• Organize human and physical resources for appropriate performance and compliance.
• Conduct annual performance reviews of the staff and adheres to performance requirements of NAEYC standards.
• Prepare and review an annual calendar of activities for the preschool, EDP, and summer camp.
• Develop funding, policies, and procedures for financial assistance for families in need.
• Adhere to guidelines outlined in the Palms Employee Handbook for the Preschool and Childcare Center.
• Submit monthly reports to the Human Resources Committee of the church, with updates on enrollment, staffing, specific to the preschool.
• Carry out policies established by the Session of Palms Presbyterian Church and its committees.
• Attend weekly church staff meetings, Preschool Advisory Team meetings, Human Resource Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, regular meetings with supervisor, and other meetings as requested.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships among staff.
• Plan and implement strategic goals as a part of the ministry of Palms Presbyterian Church.
• Is responsible for sound fiscal and operational management in compliance with the policies and procedures of Palms Presbyterian Church, including assistance with the development of the preschool budget
• Provide reports as required by Palms Presbyterian Church and the Session, NAEYC, government licensing and accrediting agencies.

Educational

• Participate in classrooms regularly by observations and engagement with students.
• Oversee curriculum development.
• Plan and execute a year-around program that contributes to the emotional, moral and spiritual development of children, based in developmentally appropriate practice.
• Embrace, maintain and promote a culture of excellence which has been established over a number of years at the Preschool and Child Care Center.
• Screen and evaluate children as needed and refer to appropriate agencies and resources.
• Supervise the operation of the Extended Day and Summer Camp programs, including supervision of the EDP Coordinator.

Collaborative

• Provide opportunities for parental involvement including classroom observations, volunteer opportunities, teacher and/or Director Conferences, service on the Preschool Advisory Team.
• Build positive, healthy relationships with parents.
• Partner with church staff to develop strategic programs that allow for collaboration between Preschool Families and the church.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Preschool Advisory Team.
• Attend weekly staff meetings of church and bridge communication between preschool and church staff.
• Communicate regularly with parents, staff, and congregation through a variety of media: mailings, E-mail, bulletin announcements, newsletter articles, Facebook, texting, and phone calls.

Core Competencies

• Personal Competencies
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Integrity and Trust
  • Self-Differentiation
  • Verbal Communication
  • Written Communication
• Organizational Competencies
  • Team Orientation
  • Negotiation
• Supervisory Competencies
  • Hiring and Staffing
  • Supervising Work
• Managerial Competencies
  • Process Management

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development preferred;
• Experience as Director/Assistant Director of an accredited preschool/childcare center; experience in a NAEYC accredited program preferred
• Knowledge of Department of Children & Family/Gold Seal standards and Florida VPK standards; knowledge of NAEYC Early Childhood standards preferred
• Experience in curriculum development, planning and implementation
• Proven skills in fiscal management, conflict resolution, and use of social media and technology
• Florida Director Level 2 credentials and ability to meet NAEYC Program Administrator Criteria; Director Level 3 credentials preferred