Laurelwood Community Preschool

Position Description Director of Education Job Title: Director of Education Classification: Exempt FT/PT: Full-time Job Type: Regular Reports to: Director of Operations Date: August 2016 Position Description The Director of Education is co-responsible with the Director of Operations and Art Director for setting the tone of Laurelwood Community Preschool, managing the overall image of the center and engaging in public relations / networking on behalf of the school. The Director of Education is co-responsible with the Art Director for ensuring that Reggio-inspired practices are taking place throughout the school. For example, environmental aesthetics; the care, education, and child guidance of the children; and that best practices are in place for the training and development of the teaching staff in Reggio-inspired practices. The Director of Education ensures that 5-star practices are in place governing the care and education of the children. This position reports to the Director of Operations. Essential Functions To perform in the Director of Education position with Laurelwood, an individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Parental Communication and Involvement • Develops and sends monthly newsletter via e-mail to the parents, works with teacher to

devise consistent daily communication plan for the parents regarding their children • Plans monthly parent education topic and changes greeting area as needed to support

topic (books, handouts, etc.). Conducts parent education training as needed on these topics.

• Answers the telephone; greets incoming guests in the Director of Operations absence • Communicate any incident reports to the parents in the educator’s absence • Assists the educators as needed in resolving any issues/concerns with the parents,

effectively communicates all policies and procedures to the parents • Conducts tours of the preschool, holds pre-enrollment meetings with the parents

Staffing Management • Works with the Director of Operations on staff hiring decisions, terminations and

disciplinary actions

• Responsible for performance reviews of educators and extended day staff. Works with educators and extended day staff on setting their professional development goals and preparing ways to achieve these goals.

• Conducts weekly meetings with the teaching staff to ensure that they are on track with their curriculum, identifying any staff needs, discussing the direction that the school is headed with any major upcoming events such as holiday celebrations, parent nights, meeting with parents, etc.

• Maintains up-to-date staff records regarding credentials, certifications and trainings. Ensures yearly required training is met for licensing.

• Relieves other staff members for breaks and meals. The Director of Education will fill in for teachers who call in unexpectedly and for scheduled days off/vacations. Should two teachers unexpectedly be out at the same time, then the Director of Operations will cover for one of the teachers.

Financial Responsibilities • Works with the educators on developing supply checklists for their classrooms and food

items which will be used by the Director of Operations to make needed purchases. The Director of Education will be vigilant on ensuring that quality materials are selected for items of repetitive use and cost conscious on disposable items. Director of Education will purchase supplies in the Director of Operations absence.

• Responsible for presenting costs of field trips needed, costs of parent appreciation activities and costs of teacher training/development to the Operations Director.

Licensing Compliance • Ensures that the Preschool maintains a 5-star rating with the N.C. Division of Child

Development • Selects and implements the curriculum standards and assessments for the preschool.

Sets the structure/educational activities for the extended care program and for the summer programs to ensure consistency with the preschool’s main values.

• Writes all necessary policies related to licensing compliance.

Advertising/Media Relations • Will collaborate with the Director of Operations and Art Director to ensure a consistent

message and image in all literature / communications produced, presentations given about the center and interviews conducted.

• Coordinates, plans, and facilitates with the Director of Education for Educator Exchange Days.

• Assists fellow teachers in understanding how the children’s learning can be scaffolded using art as an expressive medium.

• Ensures that fellow teachers understand the properties of different mediums so they can assist the children in being successful in their artistic/expressive endeavors.

• Serves a mentor to fellow staff members in understanding Reggio-inspired practices. • Works with small groups of children in the Preschool as necessary to further current

classroom investigations, projects, etc. • Fulfills the Teacher position description as well.

Physical Demands Child care staff must be able to perform the following physical activities: • Observe, see, hear and respond to children’s needs, emergencies and conflicts that may occur

inside the Preschool or on the playground. • Lift 35 pounds from the floor to waist height (ability to carry a 2- or 3-year-old child). • Push, pull and/or lift child care equipment up to 35 pounds. • Walk up and down stairs. • Reach a child 20 to 30 feet away within 30 seconds without endangering the staff person’s

health. • Crouch to a child’s height, maintain eye contact at the child’s level, sit on the floor and ability

to bend over to pick items up off of ground level. Work Environment Inside and outside activities required. Ability to be outside in all types of weather in order to assist the children in their growth of an appreciation for nature, the wonder and benefit it holds for them and what it means to be good stewards of the environment. Noise level can be above normal speaking tone numerous times a day as children are enjoying play and life. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets. Frequent exposure to messy, non-toxic art mediums such as paint, clay, colored pencils, pens, chalk, etc. is required. The use of wire, wood, wood-working equipment/tools is also needed. Supervisory Responsibilities

Educators and Extended Day Teachers Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties,