_The Boston University Children’s Center is located in a newly renovated beautiful historic home in the Cottage Farm neighborhood of Brookline.  The Center is open year-round and serves children as young as infants through Pre-Kindergarten in a homelike setting, with an expansive outdoor space for the children to explore.  Please click here to learn more about our program and click here to see images of our Center and the classroom spaces.    _ 

CENTER PHILOSOPHY

The Children’s Center’s philosophy is based on blending of a variety of early childhood educational philosophies and approaches, including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Constructivist.  Children at the Center are viewed as active participants in their own learning, making choices and seeking out experiences that further their development.   Educators at the Center strive to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment that supports children as they learn and grow at their own pace through play-based and child-centered experiences.  Educators at the Center believe in viewing each child as an individual, and they understand the importance of getting to know each child and meeting them where they are developmentally.

Children’s Center Staff are COVID tested twice weekly at no cost at the on campus testing centers and have access to extensive COVID related support through BU’s Healthway Team https://www.bu.edu/healthway/

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary focus of this position is the oversight of all aspects of the Children Center’s Infant/Toddler program operation.   The person in this position works collaboratively with the Director and the Preschool Assistant Director to develop and achieve a vision for the Center ensuring a safe and high quality early learning environment that meets the developmental needs of young children. The person in this position is expected to create a professional atmosphere which fosters supportive relationships among children, staff, and families. In depth knowledge of and the ability to implement all Department of Early Education & Care (EEC) licensing regulations as well as all policies and procedures set forth in the staff and parent handbooks is required.  Knowledge of the NAEYC Accreditation Standards and the overall Accreditation process is also required. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PROGRAM

• Articulate and apply the Center’s vision and philosophy
• Responsible for building on the Center’s child centered approach by using the latest research to enhance curriculum
• Substitute in classroom as needed for teacher breaks or absences
• Assist with overseeing assessment and referral system for children with special needs
• Ensure all child assessments and child conferences take place and conference reports are reviewed
• Assist in creating short-and long-term strategic vision for the Center’s curriculum and programming
• Take an active role in child observations in the classroom

PERSONNEL

• Monitor staff performance through conducting annual performance reviews and classroom observations
• Create agenda and facilitate staff meetings
• Provide input on updating staff and parent handbooks
• Address staff issues that may arise.
• Recruit, hire, orient, train and supervise all teaching staff
• Ensure orientation and background checks are completed for all volunteers and teachers
• Develop and enhance Center policies and procedures along with Director

ADMINISTRATION

• Manage staff vacation and time off schedule
• Oversee all Infant/Toddler child and staff record keeping
• Demonstrates expertise in program policies and procedures

FINANCIAL

• Participate in budget planning and management
• Generate ideas on increasing revenue

LICENSING

• Understand, interpret, and support Infant/Toddler staff regarding state licensing regulations
• Ensure Infant/Toddler staff meets licensing requirements and update as needed
• Ensure proper ratios in each Infant/Toddler classroom and train staff to understand how ratios change as children age
• Ensure Infant/Toddler staff meets all training requirements
• Assist Director in developing professional development plans for Infant/Toddler teachers individually and as a group

FAMILY RELATIONS

• Provide support to families as they enter the Center
• Partner with Center Director and teachers on any challenging family conferences or family complaints
• Work with families and teachers to successfully transition children to new classrooms or programs

Required Skills

• Director I or Director II Certified by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
• Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, or a related field – Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum five years of experience in the early education field – specific experience with infants and toddlers required
• Demonstrated leadership ability and supervisory experience with infants and toddlers
• Strong administrative and computer skills (Word, Power Point, Excel, Email, WordPress, EZ Care, Kaymbu, COR Advantage, and WordPress)
• Strong interpersonal skills - ability to work cooperatively and communicate well with others
• Strong collaborator and team builder
• Ability to build parent partnerships
• Background in child development and knowledge of developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Understanding of emergent and child centered curriculum
• Experience working with children with a variety of learning needs and styles
• Highly engaged in personal professional development and up-to-date on the latest early childhood education research
• Organized, self-motivated, and reliable
• CPR and First Aid Certification

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Required Experience

• Director I or Director II Certified by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
• Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, or a related field – Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum five years of experience in the early education field – specific experience with infants and toddlers required
• Demonstrated leadership ability and supervisory experience with infants and toddlers
• Strong administrative and computer skills (Word, Power Point, Excel, Email, WordPress, EZ Care, Kaymbu, COR Advantage, and WordPress)
• Strong interpersonal skills - ability to work cooperatively and communicate well with others
• Strong collaborator and team builder
• Ability to build parent partnerships
• Background in child development and knowledge of developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Understanding of emergent and child centered curriculum
• Experience working with children with a variety of learning needs and styles
• Highly engaged in personal professional development and up-to-date on the latest early childhood education research
• Organized, self-motivated, and reliable
• CPR and First Aid Certification

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.