Center Director - 2000 Sign On Bonus - City of Rochester - First Learning

Description

Overview

First Learning is one of North America's largest providers of high-quality early education for children. Founded in 1991 with the opening of Care-a-lot's first childcare center in Greece, the organization quickly built a strong reputation that fueled growth across the Rochester community and, between 2023 and 2025, expanded further with the addition of Generations Child Care, Storybook Academy, and Windsor Academy. Now operating under the parent company name First Learning, we are proud to be recognized among North America's Top 50 for-profit childcare organizations by Exchange Magazine and remain deeply committed to delivering exceptional care and education to children and families as we continue to grow.

We care about YOU

What we offer:

• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Discounted childcare
• Health insurance – including telehealth
• Education assistance
• 401k
• Life insurance
• Employee referral program
• Employee assistance program

POSITION: DIRECTOR

Director 1 – Licensed Capacity 0-49

Director 2 – Licensed Capacity 50-99

Director 3 – Licensed Capacity 100+

Pay: $50,000 - $70,000 annually

Purpose:

To be responsible for the leadership, general supervision, management and profitability of the child care center by performing the duties necessary to provide a safe, nurturing and educational environment of the highest quality for children, parents, and staff, and maintaining a quality program so that families remain enrolled in the center and benefit from the Center's programs and services.

Supervises: All Center Staff

Reports To: Regional Director

Requirements:

• Able to observe, see, hear and respond to children's needs, emergencies and conflicts that might occur in a classroom, on the playground, other Center areas, or on field trips
• Able to lift approximately 30 pounds from the floor to a waist high table
• Able to reach a child feet away within 30 seconds
• Able to crouch to a child's height, maintain eye contact at the child's level, and sit on the floor for extended periods of time
• Good health as confirmed by a physician's statement and proof of being free of tuberculosis
• New York State Registry clearance
• Criminal History Fingerprint clearance

Responsibilities:

Program / Administration:

• Adhering to and enforcing all the policies and procedures of Care-a-lot Child Care and the child care licensing regulations of New York State
• Performing work in accordance with governmental laws/state mandates (Health Dept., CACFP, etc.)
• Maintaining program quality to meet national accreditation standards
• Supervising the implementation of an age and developmentally-appropriate, open-ended program of the highest quality that supports learning through play
• Maintaining current customers and promoting the center in the community
• Interacting frequently with children in a positive, respectful, responsive and encouraging manner
• Maintaining a positive work climate, meeting deadlines and organizing center procedures
• Providing timely reports outlining needs, problems, suggestions for improvement, etc.
• Communicating frequently and effectively
• Maintaining records and keeping necessary written documentation current
• Guarding and protecting all information of a confidential manner
• Preparing budgets, collecting tuition, maintaining financial records, and meeting earning targets
• Supervising general housekeeping and repair of entire center, playground, outdoor space
• Purchasing or having available supplies and materials for program and staff
• Assisting and rendering staff support to all classrooms and employees as necessary
• Delegating responsibilities to an appropriate person in his/her absence
• Participating in professional conferences, ongoing training or educational opportunities to remain current in the field
• Completing 15 hours of early childhood training within the first 6 months and every year thereafter
• Maintaining current Aspire account to record education and training with QualitystarsNY
• Taking on additional responsibilities as needed
• Personnel/Supervision:
• Supervising staff and children in accordance with the laws and regulations of all New York State agencies and Care-a-lot policies
• Interviewing, hiring/firing, orienting and supervising subordinates
• Developing, coaching and training subordinates, including developing in-service staff training
• Supervising staffing schedules, breaks, time off, etc.; providing building coverage as needed
• Communicating effectively and directly with all staff
• Measuring progress of staff and creating systems to improve, modify and remediate
• Participating directly in the classroom as a mentor, role model and back-up staff as needed
• Serving in the absence of other staff as necessary
• Parental Involvement:
• Responding to and orienting current and prospective client inquiries
• Developing family relationships and communicating directly with families on a regular basis
• Assisting in the development of parent education or support groups

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of NYS child care regulations
• Knowledge of child development, early childhood education programming, and national accreditation criteria
• Knowledge of and ability to supervise developmentally appropriate practices and age appropriate activities
• Knowledge of first aid procedures
• Effective, professional, timely, courteous, and tactful oral and written communication skills
• Effective supervisory skills and role modeling practices
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with children, co-workers, and parents
• Ability to use sound judgment and tact
• Ability to lead and motivate a team
• Ability to organize, problem solve and respond to emergencies effectively
• Knowledge of community resources
• Flexibility (especially in scheduling and practice to respond to program needs)
• Creativity and patience
• Training and Experience:
  • B.A. Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field OR NYS Administrator Credential AND at least one year each of teaching and supervisory experience

OR

• Associates Degree in ECE or related field

OR

• Child Development Assoc. AND at least two years each of teaching and supervisory experience AND a plan of study leading to a Bachelor's degree or NYS Children's Program Administrator Credential AND
• Prefer one-year experience with office management or financial record keeping AND
• Demonstrated commitment to and interest in professional growth through education, work experience and involvement with the early childhood community