Education Director

Location: Gloria Ainsworth Child Care and Learning Center - Ardmore, OK

Reports To: Administrative Director and Board of Directors

Employment Type: Full-Time

Schedule: 8:30am to 5:30pm

The Education Director serves as the instructional and regulatory leader of the Center and acts as the designated Director for DHS licensing compliance and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This role oversees daily educational operations, staff supervision, licensing compliance, food program oversight, and family engagement. The Education Director reports directly to the Administrative Director and serves as acting administrator in their absence.

• Oversee day-to-day educational operations in accordance with Board-approved policies
• Ensure compliance with all state licensing and regulatory requirements
• Maintain a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning environment
• Plan and maintain an annual calendar of Center-wide programs and events
• Monitor enrollment needs and staffing ratios
• Promote development of the whole child (physical, social, emotional, language, cognitive)
• Assist with classroom instruction and transportation as needed
• Maintain confidentiality of all childcare and personnel records
• Assist in updating and maintaining Center operating manuals
• Serve as acting administrator during the Administrative Director’s absence
• This position requires flexibility to adjust shifts as needed to provide full Center coverage.
• Prepare and maintain job descriptions for teaching staff
• Interview, supervise, support, and evaluate teaching staff
• Schedule daily, weekly, and monthly staff responsibilities
• Secure substitute staff as needed
• Maintain personnel files in compliance with Child Care Services and NECPA
• Plan and conduct regular staff meetings
• Support curriculum planning and classroom implementation
• Assist with staff development and training programs
• Maintain educational and professional resource materials
• Attend and support professional early childhood education conferences

• Assist in planning and implementing curriculum activities
• Ensure appropriate staff-to-child ratios at all times
• Conduct required emergency and safety drills
• Support implementation of a balanced nutritional program
• Encourage and organize age-appropriate field trips
• Serve as a classroom role model for teaching staff
• Support children with special needs in collaboration with parents and teachers
• Coordinate developmental, vision, and hearing screenings
• Maintain referral resources for children requiring additional services

• Plan and participate in parent-teacher conferences
• Arrange parent meetings at least twice per year
• Welcome parents, families, and visitors to the Center
• Provide a monthly parent newsletter
• Coordinate consultants and early childhood professionals for parent training and support
• Work collaboratively with the Parent Advisory Committee President

• Prepare quarterly reports for the Board of Directors
• Purchase educational supplies and equipment
• Assist with Center fundraisers
• Provide program insight and data to support grant development

Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and meet one of the following minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 college credit hours in child development, early childhood education, or a closely related field and a minimum of one (1) year of satisfactory full-time experience in a licensed child care setting;
  or
• Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, or a closely related field and a minimum of one (1) year of satisfactory full-time experience in a licensed child care setting.
• If not already credentialed, the selected candidate must obtain the Oklahoma Director Credential (ODC) within thirty (30) days of hire and maintain the credential in good standing.

(Preference will be given to candidates who have:)

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, administration, or a closely related field plus three (3) years of experience in early childhood education or program leadership.
• Prior experience serving as a DHS-designated Director or program administrator.
• Experience overseeing CACFP or a licensed food program.

• Must maintain 30 clock hours of job-related professional development annually
  .
• Must provide documentation of QRIS orientation
  .
• Must meet all DHS licensing, background check, and training requirements.

The Education Director will assist with any other duties as assigned by the Administrative Director or Board of Directors.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.50 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Professional Childcare Experience : 1 year (Required)