School Program Director Jobs in Fairfield, CT (NOW HIRING)

Friends Center for Children is a year-round early care and education program serving children ages 3 months to 5

years and their families. FCfC uses an emergent curriculum, is a parent cooperative program, offers a sliding-scale

tuition system, and is rooted in the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equity and

stewardship. Our mission: Educate Children, Empower Families, Inspire Teachers, Engage Community, Embrace

Diversity, Embody Equity drives our work. A Friends Center School Director leads the Friends Center community

in partnership with the Executive Director, the Program Director, and the Emotional Wellbeing coordinator.

The School Director role is a leadership position for one of the Friends Center for Children locations. The School

Director is responsible for the general supervision and management of the educators, children, and families at the

site. The School Director may begin their journey with Friends Center for Children with in-depth modeling and

coaching in the classroom, working closely with children, families, and other educators for up to the first 60 days of

employment. Other parts of onboarding will involve training and hands-on practical experience with existing

Friends Center leadership.

Reports to: Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer

Classification: FTE - Exempt

Hours: Full-time; 40hrs some evenings, and occasional weekend hours

Salary Range: $50-70K

School Director Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Supervision and Administration

• Assumes responsibility for all aspects of running the school site
• Acts as lead and assumes responsibility of a classroom in the absence of a head teacher on an as-needed

basis

• Works in partnership with the Emotional Wellbeing Team
• Collaborates closely with other School Directors and managers to ensure continuity across program sites
• Plans, directs, and supports the activities of staff involved in providing for the physical, emotional,

social, and educational needs of children aged three months to five years

• Oversees curriculum development and implementation
• Provides reflective coaching for educators
• Formulates program goals and objectives, staffing plans and procedures
• Supervises program to ensure compliance with all accreditation and licensing requirements
• Maintains coverage through scheduling staff work shifts and absences; arranges for substitute

coverage as needed

• Supports staff in providing developmentally appropriate care for all children, including children with

special needs in the classroom, in collaboration with the Emotional Well-Being Team and external

providers

• Plans and facilitates staff in-services and training on all topics for all NAEYC and licensing

requirements, in collaboration with the Management Team

• Facilitates staff/parent interactions and participation, supporting staff-family cohesion
• Manages program-related concerns (families, staff, community)
• Provides program-wide communications with the community when necessary, in conjunction with the

Executive Director and/or Program Director.

• Plans, organizes, and facilitates FCfC open houses and events
• Orients children, staff members, interns, volunteers, and parents to the Center
• Represents Friends Center for Children in the community
• Other duties as requested

Communication:

• Communicate with all administrative and teaching staff daily
• Share conversations and interactions with families with the administrative staff and teachers in a

confidential and sensitive manner

• Seek guidance and refer families to the Program Director, School Director, Business Manager, and

Admissions Director as appropriate

Customer Service

• Serve as the face of the school, including providing excellent front-facing customer service in person and

via phone and email

• Arrive on time and ready to receive staff, children, and families
• Assist a wide variety of customers, including parents, children, teachers, staff, interns, and volunteers, with

a range of needs personnel

• With support from Human Resources, Screens, interviews, assesses, and selects staff
• Recruits and trains staff, including teachers, interns, and substitutes
• Oversees and follows up on staff performance according to FCfC policies and procedures
• Maintains the OEC Professional Registry on a monthly basis for all staff members
• Works collaboratively with Human Resources to manage staff performance and accountability

Financial

• Acts as program liaison for, and compiles all child attendance reports for: Early Start CT and Early

Head Start funding programs, and assists the Admissions department with Care4kids follow-up.

Professional Development:

• Attend all staff meetings and program events as scheduled.
• Maintain required continuing education hours and provide documentation of such.
• Maintain knowledge of current theory and best practices.
• Participate in all required early childhood meetings, conferences, and/or events.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Development and/or Education or higher.
• At least 4 years of supervisory experience preferred.
• CPR certified or have the ability to complete training.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to communicate fluently in written and spoken English.
• At least three years of Early Childhood Education Teaching experience.
• Experience in play-based and outdoor learning environments preferred.
• Experience with child-led, emergent curriculum development preferred.
• Experience using Connecticut ELDS and DOTS required.
• Cultural sensitivity and proven ability to work with a diverse population.

Physical Requirements:

• Vision and hearing must be within normal range so as to be able to provide sight and sound supervision.
• Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs.
• Ability to bend, sit on the floor for prolonged periods and get up again is required.

• Experience working in a cooperative model is a plus.
• Experience in developing professional development content and facilitating training sessions
• Experience with public speaking or willingness to develop the skills necessary
• Fluency in Spanish or other languages is preferred.

• Benefits Include:

  Paid Time Off: 34 days of paid time off which include: 11 federal holidays, April Break, Winter Break, and 10 days of paid personal days

  Employee Child Tuition Discount: Up to $22,000 for children enrolled at FCfC

  Health Insurance: 80% of total cost FCfC will contribute 80% of the equivalent of a standard HMO individual coverage cost through our provider for our group health insurance program.

  Teacher Housing Initiative: Free housing as a salaried benefit (value ranges from $15,000 to $30,000 depending on the unit).

  Paid Professional Development: Up to $500 per year.

  Tuition Reimbursement for ECE coursework: Up to 4,000 per year Amount dependent on years of service at FC.

  Emergency Financial Hardship Loan: Up to $1,000 per year dependent on years of service at FC.

  Emergency Financial Hardship Grant: Up to $1,000 per year dependent on years of service at FC.

  Emotional Hardship Program: Emotional Wellbeing support as needed.

  Haven's Harvest Program: Free food from Trader Joe's (once per week).