Noah’s Ark Christian Daycare and Preschool, Inc.
A Ministry of the Butler United Methodist Church
5 Bartholdi Avenue, Butler NJ 07405
973-492-3103 Email: noahsark2006@optonline.net
Job Description: Director/Head Teacher
Position Description
The Director/Head Teacher of Noah’s Ark Christian Daycare and Preschool is responsible for the overall operation of Noah’s Ark Christian Daycare and Preschool. The Director/Head Teacher is in charge at the center ensuring the center’s compliance with all applicable licensing requirements and Board policies. The Director/Head Teacher oversees the financial operations, supervises the staff in consultation with the Sponsor, acts as the agent for the Sponsor and serves as the front-line contact for the school with parents, vendors, visitors, and the public at large.
Overview of the Position
The Director/Head Teacher’s position is a full time, salaried position (exempt employee status) of 40 hours per week. One-half of your daily scheduled hours will be spent teaching the four-year old class. Specific hours of work will be set in consultation with the Board of Directors. Employment is at will (see Personnel Manual for definition of “at will” employment) The Director/Head Teacher answers to the Board of Directors. Salary is set by the Board of Directors and benefits are provided consistent with the Statement of Benefits for Noah’s Ark.
Qualifications
The Director/Head Teacher must be able to reflect the ideals and values of the Christian faith, leading by example as a servant-leader. She/he shall hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education or Psychology, Health Care, Nursing or any other field related to Child Growth & Development with six credits and two years of experience OR Teaching Certification from the Department of Education in Elementary Education, Nursery School, Preschool through Third Grade (P-3) or Teacher of the Handicapped, six credits and two years of experience. The Director/Head Teacher shall also have at least one year of managerial or supervisory experience (as per state regulations) as well as demonstrated management skills appropriate to the operations of the center. The Criminal History Record Information fingerprint background check and CARI checks must be completed and be on file prior to hiring.
Responsibilities
While this is a best effort at developing a comprehensive list, it is not to be taken as complete, and flexibility will be required for the smooth operations of Noah’s Ark Christian Daycare and Preschool. The Director/Head Teacher shall:
Regulatory
- Stay current with all regulatory requirements for Daycare centers, reporting changes in laws governing the center’s operations to the Board of Directors for necessary policy action.
- Maintain all files and record keeping as required by the State Licensing Department for staff and students including health information, copy of custodial papers, if necessary, parental releases, and all other required documentation.
- Prepare for necessary reports and documentation needed for licensing.
- Fulfill continuing education and professional development as required by the Bureau of Licensing of the Division of Human Services.
- Manage the center consistent with all state regulations and policies of the Butler United Methodist Church and the Greater New Jersey/Pennsylvania Annual Conference.
Financial Operations
- Work with the Sponsor and Board of Directors in developing a proposed budget, as well as make recommendations to the Board of Directors for a schedule of tuition fees that will provide for meeting the budget.
- Billing and collecting tuition and other fees, posting payments, and making bank deposits in a timely manner.
- Processing the payroll with the payroll company on a pre-determined schedule.
- Processing all bills to be paid consistent with the approved budget.
- Prepare checks for signature by the Board’s treasurer.
- Prepare monthly financial statements for review by the treasurer, and current financial statements for each meeting of the Board of Directors.
- Receive and refer to the board requests for scholarship assistance
Supervisory
- Development of staff schedule and assignments, guaranteeing that required coverage of teachers and aides is provided for at all times.
- Manage advertising, gathering of applications, interviews, and screening for new employees, making recommendation to the board for all new hires.
- Manage day to day operations of the office
- Develop school calendar for Board Approval
- Notifying parents of closing due to inclement weather based on Public School closure.
- Oversight of the Emergency Management Plan, as well as keeping group teachers and staff familiar with the plan so that others may execute the plan in the absence of or at the direction of the Director/Head Teacher.
- Plan, initiate, and record monthly emergency/fire practice drills and staff training
- Initiate and record monthly visual inspection of center-wide emergency supplies, locations of “go-kits” and battery-checks for flashlights in all rooms
- Work with Sponsor to provide for smooth operations of the center.
Communications and Operations
- Act as the frontline staff person for people calling or coming into the center.
- Provide for on-going communication with parents through ProCare.
- Plan and carry out recruitment of new students for each school year as well as the summer program.
- Oversee on-going operations such as cleaning and maintenance, equipment safety, ordering supplies, etc.
Educational
– Detailed planning, implementation, and ongoing assessment of a child-centered program for all ages served, ensuring the appropriateness of activities according to the age and developmental level of each child using NJ Licensing Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers and NAEYC accreditation criteria for curricula as a guide.
– Confirm staff assessments of an individual child’s developmental delays or concerns and recommend appropriate referrals of child’s parents to professionals for evaluation and early intervention services.
- Coordinate the work of lead teachers in every classroom by providing supervision, training, ongoing support and encouragement.
- Mentor all new lead and/or student teachers
- Be the model of an early childhood professional for all staff
- Involve lead teachers in joint planning of curriculum activities and program events
- Inventory supply needs and initiate closet detail with teachers to support curriculum
- Order supplies within budgeted amounts
- Review and approve each classroom schedule of activities, which includes age-appropriate time allowances for circle time, center activities, snacks/meals, rest, and daily outdoor experiences that are substituted only by equivalent indoor gross motor activities
- Review and approve monthly lesson plans for all age levels one week prior to month
- Require a set of “substitute” lesson plans monthly from each lead teacher for absences
- Maintain an annual file of all written monthly lesson plans for the center
- Be available to teachers for advice on settling individual or classroom grievances
- Plan “team building” events that keep staff morale and enthusiasm high
- Ongoing assessment of staff interactions in the classrooms using NAEYC accreditation criteria as guide to identify areas for individual and group improvement and providing feedback to staff.
- Schedule time weekly in each classroom for observation and feedback
- Initiate or recommend staff training that is individualized to each person’s development
- Prepare written evaluations of lead teachers annually or as required
- Preview evaluations of Aides written by lead classroom teachers for their subordinates
- Be present at staff evaluation feedback meetings or formal disciplinary meetings
Support activities that promote the center, involve parents, or add outside enrichment
- Participate in Open House events/tours for the purpose of securing new enrollments
- Be available for occasional after-hours functions in the evening
- Implement a plan with lead teachers to involve parents in the classroom
- Coordinate center-wide preparation of student progress reports and parent conferences as needed.