Job description

We are looking to hire an enthusiastic and cheerful Director in the Chicago area. We pride ourselves on professionalism and excellence, putting the health, education and development of our children first and foremost. When you consider a career at The Goddard School, know you will be joining a team that is passionate about all we do for our families and community.

As a Director, parents and teachers will look to you for answers, direction, and assistance. You will be trusted with a wide range of tasks that will be essential to the smooth running of the School. The Director reports to the owner and works heavily with the Head Office and various stakeholders.

A Director must meet the qualifications of his or her state and the following qualifications:

• previous management experience in a licensed childcare facility or experience managing faculty members or staff (5-10 years’ experience required)
• the ability to provide effective training to faculty members in performing their responsibilities and complying with all applicable laws, regulations and GSI standards;
• the ability to perform all of the responsibilities of an education director (below);

• the ability to supervise children with sight and hearing at all times;
• the ability to change children’s diapers or assist in toileting where necessary;
• the ability to understand and comply with the franchisee’s employment policies;
• the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with school personnel, children and parents;
• the ability to handle crisis situations, including assisting in evacuating the building during emergencies;
• the ability to comply in all respects with all applicable laws and regulations relating to childcare.

Educational Qualification

All candidates who wish to be considered for the position of education director must meet one or more of the following criteria and any and all requirements that may be mandated by DCFS.

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education, elementary education or child development and management experience in a licensed childcare center or preschool;
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field, including 18 semester hours of completed coursework, including 12 documented hours of completed coursework related to young children from birth to age eight, and management experience in a licensed childcare center or preschool;
• An associate’s degree or higher in early childhood education, elementary education, child development or a related field, one year (1560 clock hours) of experience of working in a licensed childcare center or preschool and one year of management experience;
• An associate’s degree or higher in a related field, including 18 hours of completed coursework related to young children from birth to age eight, two years (3120 clock hours) of experience in a licensed childcare center or preschool and one year of management experience;
• A current CDA or early childhood teaching credential, an additional 12 semester hours of continuing education units in courses related to young children from birth to age eight, two years (3120 documented clock hours) of experience in a licensed childcare center or preschool and one year of management experience. Any candidate with 12 hours of completed coursework must present the franchisee with a written career development plan documenting how and when the remaining six hours of required coursework (ECE or continuing education) will be completed.

Responsibilities:

A Director must be well organized and able to handle many different obligations. An education director’s responsibilities include (but are not limited) to the following:

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Maintain compliance with GSI's standards;
• Maintain accurate records, such as children's and faculty member's files, to meet both the state's and GSI's requirements;
• Implement a health program, including communication with the School’s healthcare consultant;
• Conduct emergency drills, such as fire, tornado and intruder drills, in accordance with GSI's standards and state licensing requirements;

LICENSING

• Initiate and maintain a positive relationship with the licensing agent or agency;
• Maintain the current licensing documentation;
• Comply with all current licensing regulations.

PERSONNEL

• Recruit, interview, hire and manage faculty members;
• Manage faculty members' schedules;
• Plan first aid, CPR and any other required training;
• Plan emergency preparedness training.

PROGRAM, PROGRAM SUPPORT and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Develop the program and curriculum;
• Conduct classroom ratio checks throughout the day;
• Plan and implement procedures for maintaining accurate classroom records;
• Review the lesson plans;
• Review the Daily Activity Reports;
• Review children’s portfolios regularly;
• Implement a playground safety program;

SALES AND MARKETING

• Answer the telephone using the GSI telephone script;
• Conduct tours according to the GSI tour guidelines;
• Enroll new families;
• Implement an orientation program for new families;
• Maintain a system of home-school communication, such as the Daily Activity Reports and school newsletter;
• Conduct meetings with parent(s) or legal guardian(s) when appropriate;'

COVID-19 Precaution(s):

• Personal protective equipment provided or required
• Temperature screenings
• Social distancing guidelines in place
• Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place

Typical school hours:

• 7AM-6:30P

An offer of employment may be made contingent on the following:

• A current physical examination by a physician, including a current tuberculin test or chest x-ray, which may or may not be required by state regulations or by the franchisee;
• An approved criminal record check as required by state regulations.