CHILD CARE CENTER COORDINATOR
#2531

General Characteristics:     
A Child Care Center Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Child Development Center/Early Childhood Education (ECE) Lab or the Child Care Co-op; ensures compliance with all State rules and regulations pertaining to the certification of day care centers, policies and procedures of the College and sound child development principles; leads the work of assigned staff, parents, volunteers and student assistants in the infant/toddler, co-op and pre-school programs; ensures that required teacher/child ratios are maintained at all times by arranging and training substitute teachers; does related work as required. Work requires considerable knowledge of child development and early childhood education, ability to train and monitor performance of staff, excellent organizational skills and the ability to facilitate conflict resolution with staff, parents and College students.

Examples of Work:
Trains, schedules, observes classroom interactions and documents observations of performance for staff and substitutes; hires and trains substitute teachers to assure required coverage in Center is maintained; provides on-going staff and program evaluation by observing in the centers on a weekly basis and sharing formal observations taken; holds weekly staff meetings and occasional seminars; maintains program focus by scheduling and carrying out conferences with all staff to discuss feedback on teaching methods and develop professional goals each term; meets with staff individually as needed to discuss areas needing improvement; assists in problem solving with staff, parents and/or students by meeting with the parties involved and facilitating conflict resolution; provides input to written evaluations and holds conferences for all staff; participates in the hiring of Center staff according to College policies and procedures.

Ensures required documentation is kept for accidents, injuries, problematic behavior, parent noncompliance with policies or any other situation which may result in parental questions, complaints or legal action; ensures that all records and files required by Children's Services Division, Department of Education and Department of Health for certification of centers is kept current; ensures that records of children's growth, development, feeding, diapering, immunizations, medical needs, special care instructions and early intervention procedures are up-to-date; encourages staff use of written records of observations, notes following events and other means to document behavior of children or parents which may be of concern. 

Prepares required reports and other paperwork for State certification of the childcare center; meets annually with the State Day Care Certifier and assists with inspection of the facility as required. Holds conferences with parents to discuss problems such as child's aggressiveness toward others, noncompliance with teacher requests, immature behavior for age, short attention span or physical/emotional signs of child abuse; refers parents to community resources; schedules and holds monthly parents meetings and special workshops for staff, parents and students.

Evaluates the appropriateness of program policies and procedures and rewrites them as necessary, based on the changing needs and evolving issues related to-childcare programs; meets with staff regularly to maintain knowledge of issues related to billing, enrollment and parent policies; updates parent, staff and student handbooks.

Promotes the use of center(s) by sharing information on the Co-op or the Child Development Center with parents and interested community members through holding open houses, conducting parent orientations, parent meetings and special tours of the facilities; creates network relationships with campus and community agencies and other resources; maintains supplies, materials and children's literature through purchasing, donations and library resources.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of and skill in training and monitoring performance of staff; knowledge of affirmative action, College hiring procedures and contract provisions; knowledge of and skill in applying the principles and practices of healthy early childhood development and nutrition; knowledge of developmentally appropriate curriculum activities and materials for young children; knowledge of special concerns and issues relating to the operation of a co-op childcare facility; knowledge of the program's philosophy and policies; knowledge of State and local child care, sanitation and safety regulations; knowledge of community resources for referral of special child/family needs; knowledge of food reimbursement, enrollment and billing procedures; skill in facilitating conflict resolution; skill in the use of active listening, assertiveness, problem solving and public relations techniques; skill in managing time, staff and resources for efficient operation of a model child development center; skill in first aid; ability to effectively direct and coordinate the activities of assigned staff and students assistants; ability to work well with infants, toddlers and pre-school age children; ability to model appropriate adult-child interactions; ability to observe and document the interactions of staff working in the program; ability to instruct staff in the operation of equipment such as nebulizer, copiers, typewriter, microcomputer, household appliances, video camera and VCR; ability to assist staff to plan and carry out projects; ability to use active listening and constructive feedback to guide ECE students; ability to assess the physical health, well being, growth and development of young children; ability to identify signs of child abuse and neglect and notify appropriate authorities; ability to prepare written materials for parents and staff such as newsletters and informational handouts; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to identify children's needs and provide appropriate responses; ability to maintain a patient, caring and respectful attitude with young children; ability to keep up with current developments and research in child development; ability to ensure that program is based on current knowledge of child development and early childhood education; ability to ensure accurate and detailed records on children and center attendance are maintained by staff; ability to keep the learning environment well stocked with age appropriate learning materials; ability to work safely.

Supervision:
Reports to and work under the general supervision of a faculty member in the Early Childhood Education Program or the Director of Student Activities. Employees receive instructions on the general policies, goals and objectives for the program. Work is performed independently using previously gained knowledge and professional judgment, according to state regulations, applicable laws and College policies. Work is reviewed by observation of the smooth and efficient operation of the Child Development Center or Co-op.

This position may coordinate and lead the work of Instructional Specialists, Food Service Coordinators and Early Childhood Teachers, as well as hourly employees, aides, parents, volunteers and student assistants. This position plans work, assigns tasks, provides priori- ties, trains and monitors work of assigned staff and is available on a daily basis to answer questions and troubleshoot problems. This position may have substantial input into hiring decisions and performance evaluations.

Minimum Qualifications:
An associate degree in Early childhood Education, Child Development or a closely related field is required. Three years of experience teaching and caring for pre-school age children, toddlers and infants in a state certified day care center is required. This experience should be at the level of Early Childhood Teacher, with at least one of the three years at the level of a head teacher. A current Oregon Approved Food Handlers Card and a current first aid/CPR card are required. Good moral character without felony convictions is required. A current Oregon driver's license is required.

Equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered qualifying.

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