Director – Early Learning Centre

Job Description:

Early Learning Centre – Director

OVERVIEW:

The Centre Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management and day-to-day operations of the Centre. A key part of their mandate is to ensure the Centre is in compliance with all licensing and regulations. The Centre Director leads by example and works to ensure a safe, stimulating, and welcoming environment for children, families, and staff. The Centre Director works within a collaborative leadership structure alongside the Assistant Director, the Board of Directors, the Treasurer and bookkeeping support, so that no single leader is expected to manage every aspect of the organization alone.

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to the Parkdale-Sherwood Headstart Board of Directors.
• Works closely and collaboratively with the Assistant Director, with clearly defined areas of responsibility, decision-making authority and escalation of operational and employee matters.
• Works with the Treasurer, Board of Directors and the Centre’s bookkeeping service on financial management, reporting and planning.
• Develops and maintains a positive and collaborative working relationship with all educators and staff, families and community resources.
• Draws on specialized external supports (e.g., human resources, governance, financial planning) made available by the Board when additional expertise is needed to support decision-making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure a safe, stimulating, and welcoming environment for children, families, and staff.
• Hire, train and supervise employees, fostering a positive and productive team environment
• Schedule staff shifts and coordinate day-to-day staffing adjustments, including sick day coverage and vacation planning, to maintain adequate coverage at all times.
• Manage and monitor staff levels and children’s enrollment needs to align with regulations and reporting.
• Ensure mandatory government reporting is completed on schedule to maintain compliance with the Centre’s provincial EYC agreement.
• Supervise and evaluate educators to support the delivery of high-quality programs and teaching methods.
• Support governance duties for the Board of Directors by attending all meetings, developing and updating policies, preparing the meeting agenda and preparing a monthly report.
• Develop and maintain the strategic, business and annual operational plans, using the Centre’s documented operating calendar, process guides and templates to support consistency across leadership transitions.
• Schedule regular staff meetings to encourage collaboration, communication and continuous learning.
• Oversee the Centre’s daily cleaning schedule to maintain a clean, sanitized, and organized facility.
• Hold overall financial accountability for the Centre, with clearly defined responsibilities for budgeting, financial reporting, funding forecasts, audit preparation and long-term financial planning shared between the Director, Treasurer, Board and bookkeeping support.
• Approve expenditures, pay expenses and manage workers’ compensation claims, with day-to-day financial administration supported by the Centre’s bookkeeper with oversight from the Treasurer.
• Regularly review the budget with the Treasurer and Board of Directors.
• Supporting the consistent and daily use of family mobile app among educators and staff as the primary communication tool for the Centre.
• Communicate regularly and proactively with families via various channels (mobile app, email, telephone, verbally) as required
• Encourage and assist with new and annual fundraising efforts for the Centre.
• Support and work closely with the Parent Advisory Committee.
• Stay current on and apply for government funding and grant opportunities that benefit the Centre and its staff.
• Responsible for audit-related activities including submission of records and documents, responding to queries and presenting audited statements to the Board of Directors.
• Work on the floor to support educators as needed.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Experience providing services to children while holding an Early Childhood Certification.
• Experience managing staff, overseeing programs, and communicating effectively with families and regulatory bodies.
• Experience supporting and implementing learning programs aligned with early childhood development goals.
• Sound understanding of Early Learning and Child Care landscape nationally and provincially.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Experience managing a Centre budget.
• Comfortable operating within a collaborative leadership team, and knowing when to draw on the Board, Treasurer, bookkeeper or other specialized external supports.
• Ability to lead and support a seasoned, long-tenured staff team, drawing on their experience and institutional knowledge while continuing to build consistency across the Centre.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to follow and help maintain documented processes, tools and templates that support consistency across the Centre’s operations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A diploma or degree in early childhood care or education, approved by the Board.
• A minimum of two years of experience in a leadership and administration role in an Early Learning Centre environment.
• Proof of ongoing training and education.
• Valid CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Food Safety Course Certificate.
• Current Criminal Record Check with vulnerable sector screening.

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