Early Childhood Quality Coach

Think Small, Minnesota’s leader in early learning, is dedicated to advancing early childhood care and education. We are still committed to the principles that gave rise to our organization 50 years ago - that the quality of a child's early experiences greatly influences their success later in life and that more can be done to improve the quality of early childhood settings to optimize a child's development. To support the full potential for every child, Think Small commits to championing policies and practices of equity that empower a just, inclusive, and equitable care and education system for children in their crucial early years.

The Early Childhood Quality Coach position offers outreach and early childhood quality coaching to licensed childcare centers and family childcare businesses, focused on serving historically-underserved clients or new American clients and builds strong partnerships with early childhood educators, which supports intentional and culturally-affirming high-quality practices and positive early childhood outcomes. We use research-based principles of effective coaching in daily practices with early childhood educators, coordinate and facilitate networking opportunities to foster relationships, and actively recruit early childhood educators to participate in Think Small programs and activities that support ongoing professional development and kindergarten readiness.

Candidates proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish, Somali, or Hmong are strongly encouraged to apply.

Essential Job Functions:

• Implement the Parent Aware coaching models for Building Quality and Continuous Quality Improvement
• Implement the CLASS coaching model
• Provide technical assistance to childcare educators in the Full Rating pathway of Parent Aware
• Foster childcare educators growth and development through providing resources, tools, and information relating to early childhood education.
• Participate in the development and implementation of culturally relevant early childhood services
• Collaborate with PDAs, Grant Administrators and other partner departments and agencies.
• Document coaching and technical assistance of Relationship Based Professional Development events on Develop and Think Small digital platforms
• Build capacity of new American childcare educators through technical support
• Expand and strengthen the childcare delivery system by building and maintaining coaching, consultation, technical assistance contacts with parents, childcare educators, members of historically underserved and new American communities, and other groups.
• Work with Quality Supports Recruiter and childcare educators to recruit licensed childcare centers and family childcare owners to join Parent Aware and other Think Small initiatives
• Work with Quality Supports Recruiter to facilitate Information Sessions and Orientations
• Facilitate monthly learning community for Somali-speaking Parent Aware participants.
• Facilitate partnerships through community research
• Represent Think Small at community events and meetings
• Assist community members preparing for licensing in partnership with Think Small's Capacity Building team

Requirements:

• Candidates proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish, Somali, or Hmong are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Must have the following credentials or be otherwise qualified and working toward MCNPD/Achieve required credentials:

1. Bachelor’s degree in early childhood, family science, or social work; OR
2. Bachelor’s degree in another discipline, AND at least 24 MNCPD/Achieve approved ECE/Child Development credits
3. Meets and maintains MNCPD/Achieve educational criteria
4. Completed MN DHS required training related to Quality Coach endorsement

Benefits:

• Salary: The salary range for this position is $46,000-$54,000/yr. based on experience and educational background.
• Hybrid Work Schedule: A mix of on-site and remote days for work-life balance.
• Comprehensive Insurance Options: Medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, life, pet, critical illness, and long-term care insurance.
• Flexible Spending and Savings Accounts: Medical and dependent care FSA, Health Savings Account (HSA), and legal/ID protection plans.
• Retirement Savings: Pre-tax and ROTH 401(k) plans with employer match.
• Generous Paid Time Off:
  • 23 days of sick/vacation time earned in the first year.
  • Eight scheduled holidays and five floating holidays.
  • Six weeks of paid parental leave.

Application Process: If you are a mission-driven Early Childhood Quality Coach ready to make an impact in the early childhood education sector, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity. Think Small is an equal-opportunity employer, and we welcome candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Join us in our mission to make a difference in the community and the lives of young children. If you have a passion and desire to drive organizational success, we encourage you to apply.

Think Small is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.