RECE Manager for a Not-for-Profit Child Care Centre

Position Summary

Applying our Centre’s Emergent Curriculum Philosophy, the Centre Manager is responsible for providing leadership to the Childcare and Before & After School Program at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Elementary School. Reporting to the Assistant Director, the Centre Manager manages full operation of the site, which includes staff supervision, training and coaching; child programming; parent engagement; liaising with stakeholders; and meeting licensing requirements.

Major Accountabilities

Child Programming & Parent Engagement

1. Responsible for meeting with prospective parents to provide information on the programs, fees, and enrollment process.
2. Manage the child enrollment process on an ongoing basis and direct parents to the wait list procedure when there are no spots available.
3. Communicate with parents directly when a spot is available and explains the enrollment procedure to be completed on the Childcare Management Software.
4. Ensure that all enrollment forms have been completed and submitted by the parent through the parent portal of the Software.
5. Collect banking information and cheques from parents and submit this information to Head Office for processing within three (3) business days.
6. Contact parents regarding late payments, NSF payments, and other issues regarding registration, billing, and receivables. Relay information back to Head Office.
7. Prepare for the integration of the new child and work with the Assistant Director to apply for external resources, if applicable.
8. In collaboration with the RECEs, maintain child records and track child attendance within Childcare Management Software, ensuring it is accurate and up to date each day of programming.
9. Process any scheduling changes for individual children within the Childcare Management Software and update the Assistant Director of such changes.
10. Lead all program planning for the site with participation from RECEs.
11. Lead all program planning for PA Days, March Break, and Summer Camp, with participation from the Site Supervisors and Assistant Director.
12. Evaluate the programs to ensure they meet the needs of individual children and the needs of the group.
13. Participate in case conferences and other meetings as necessary. Develop Individual Plans and assist the Assistant Director with applications for external funding support.
14. Respond to parents’ queries regarding various matters (e.g. fees, medication, health, clothing, food, community services, etc.).
15. Solicit parent feedback regarding their child on a daily basis; listen to parental concerns and respond appropriately; act as a resource to parents regarding issues, such as child development, age appropriateness, etc.; provide support and empathy to parents while maintaining a professional and objective relationship with them.
16. Encourage parent engagement and participate as necessary with the administration of the parent survey and post-survey action plan.

Staff Supervision

1. Oversee, approve, and submit within the Childcare Management Software daily staff attendance and working hours for payroll processing. This includes staff for Childcare, Before & After Program, PA Days, March Break, and Summer Camp.
2. In collaboration with the Assistant Director, participate in the hiring, onboarding, and training process of new staff, students, and volunteers, including staffing for PA Days, March Break, and Summer Camp.
3. Conduct ongoing individual supervision which includes staff observation in programming; provision of feedback; goal setting; coaching and mentoring; development and succession planning; quarterly monitoring and annual evaluations; performance improvement plans and discipline when required.
4. Lead regular team meetings, in collaboration with the Assistant Director, to provide feedback, training, and site-specific updates.
5. Communicate Centre updates and announcements to the staff in a timely manner and report back questions and concerns to the Assistant Director.
6. Assist the Assistant Director with planning professional development opportunities for the team and for specific staff members.
7. Act as the designate Assistant Director in his/her absence.

Operations

Ensure that site licensing requirements are met and that these requirements are reported to the Assistant Director on a monthly basis. Licensing requirements include, but are not limited to:

1. Ratios maintained
2. Staff files kept up to date
3. Policies and procedures followed at all times, including health and safety
4. Nutritional requirements met in accordance with the Child Care and Early Years Act
5. In collaboration with the Assistant Director, monitor and control the site's budget for food, equipment, and supplies.
6. Submit Purchase Requests, Expense Forms, and receipts to Head Office as per the Centre’s procedures. This includes providing receipts and documentation to support credit card bills.
7. Oversee the performance of the Cook and operations in the kitchen, ensuring all nutritional requirements are met.
8. Attend all Supervisor meetings.
9. Participate on at least one Committee.
10. Support the Centre’s Communication Strategy by drafting communication, or approving staff communication, to be shared on the Centre’s social media accounts and e-mail.
11. Perform other duties, as assigned, that are in accordance with job responsibilities or necessary Centre objectives.

Educational Requirements

1. A Diploma or Degree in Early Childhood Education from a recognized post-secondary institution or the equivalent in education and experience.

Experience

1. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a supervisory capacity within a Childcare environment and Before and After School Program.
2. Five (5) or more years of experience as a Registered Early Childhood Educator, working in an integrated setting with children of different abilities and ages (Infant to School-Age).
3. Experience working with technology, specifically with the MS Office Suite of products and database systems.

Qualifications & Conditions of Employment

1. Current Red Cross or Standard St. John Ambulance certificate in First Aid and Infant and Child CPR Certificate.
2. Certification with the College of Early Childhood in good standing.
3. Working knowledge of the Child Care & Early Years Act (CCEYA).
4. A satisfactory Vulnerable Screening Police Check which is to be resubmitted every five (5) years or at the discretion of the Executive Director.

Knowledge & Abilities

1. Ability to work independently and make decisions regarding crises and difficult situations based on knowledge of the CCEYA, public health, and the policies and procedures of the childcare centre.
2. Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
3. Excellent organizational skills and initiative.
4. Creative problem-solving skills.
5. Able to work varied shifts; lead/participate in staff meetings after-hours; and participate in parent engagement events and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) during evening hours.
6. Fluent in Microsoft Office software.

Equipment Used

1. Private vehicle and valid driver's license.
2. Familiarity with children's adaptive devices an asset.
3. Laptop, printer, copier and other technology.
4. Basic tools necessary to perform minor maintenance and repairs.

Performance Competencies and Criteria

1. Ability to set and meet goals evaluated through ongoing and annual supervisory feedback.
2. Demonstrate ability to make informed decisions and to follow through on decisions made.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of profession and ability to apply that knowledge in the Program.
4. Effective communication and interpersonal skills to be evaluated through staff and client feedback on an ongoing basis.
5. Demonstrate teamwork with internal and external contacts- being able to work collaboratively with others in a participative environment to be evaluated through peer feedback on an ongoing basis.
6. Demonstrate organizational abilities to be evaluated by maintaining necessary documentation and providing reports to Assistant Director.
7. Demonstrate ability to be tactful – being respectful and polite when dealing with people and being able to appropriately diffuse people in the midst of difficult situations. This is to be evaluated through client and staff feedback on an ongoing basis.