Assistant Director - Head Start / Early Head Start

Assistant Director HS/EHS

Location: Stamford, CT

Reports to: Director HS/EHS

Salary Range:: $80,000 – $88,000, commensurate with experience

ABOUT US

Children's Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC) has been Stamford's leading early childhood education provider for more than 120 years, serving over 800 children annually. Through early learning, health, nutrition, and family support, CLC helps children build strong foundations for lifelong success.

CLC's work strengthens families, supports the workforce, and contributes to a more equitable community. We are a mission-driven organization committed to high-quality service, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

POSITION OVERVIEW

• The Assistant Director will support the HS/EHS Director with strategic leadership, and manage the day-to-day program operations of the Head Start and Early Head Start program.
• The Assistant Director will have oversight of the education functions of the Head Start/Early Head Start program; including special education services.
• The Assistant Director will be responsible for supervising Education Coordinators, teaching staff, and consultants.

PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In the absence of the Head Start Director, manage the day-to-day operations of the HS/EHS program in accordance with the established policies and procedures.
• Support the Head Start Director with implementing and managing compliance controls, ensuring all federal, state, and local regulatory and program compliance requirements are met; including health and licensing inspections and monitoring visits.
• Collaborate in the development of programs, grants and grant reports (local, state, federal), quarterly and annual reports, Community Assessment, PIR, and Self-Assessment.
• Coordinate with the Head Start Director to plan, resolve challenges, monitor quality, and implement a system of continuous improvement.
• Effectively communicate with parents and staff, addressing any concerns and maintaining a high level of professionalism and communication at all times.
• Schedule case conferences, staff meetings, parent meetings, and other meetings as required.
• Prepare and submit requisitions for classroom supplies and materials; maintain an inventory, forecast needs, and manage the budget.
• Oversee the implementation of innovative children's programming and educational enrichments, curriculum and assessment of all HS/EHS children.
• Update all organizational policies, procedures, and forms related to educational services.
• Responsible for onboarding new Head Start/Early Head Start education staff; including the review of policies & procedures, curriculum implementation and lesson planning, completion of required regulatory and CLC training; including active supervision &; culture of safety.
• Coordinate CLASS observations, be a CLASS reliable observer and/or maintain reliability on an annual basis.
• Organize and plan professional development training throughout the school year; including annual pre-service training.
• Train, mentor, monitor, supervise, and evaluate education staff; and effectively communicate agency and program expectations.
• Participate in the recruitment and hire of teaching staff, and assist in developing individualized professional development plans for all teaching staff.
• Provide regular ongoing monitoring of metrics and analysis of data, ensure integrity of data in the internal data system, generate and analyze child outcomes data (Fall, Winter, Spring), and track progress of program goals throughout the school year. Review children's records for ongoing monitoring and accuracy.

SPECIAL EDUCATION:

• Implement a coordinated approach that ensures the full and effective participation of all children with special needs and their families.
• Work in collaboration with the family services staff to ensure that at least 10% of children enrolled are children with disabilities, and attend community recruitment fairs to recruit children with special needs.
• Work closely with the HS/EHS education team to ensure that special needs children are fully included in all learning opportunities, and families are empowered as their advocates.
• Establish a formal agreement, and facilitate referrals to the LEA and Part C agencies for children with disabilities or suspected disabilities with parental consent.
• Follow up on birth to 3 and pre-k special education referrals, and ensure that all services for children with disabilities are provided and delivered in a timely manner.
• Work closely with Stamford Public Schools to facilitate the special education evaluation process, coordinate special education services, and attend IEP/PPT meetings with parents and staff. Participate in regular collaboration meetings with Stamford Public School teachers & CLC Teachers in discussions of children attending the Head Start program and APPLES Preschool program.
• Offer guidance and support for parents of children with special needs by informing them of their rights under IDEA, connect them to advocacy groups, and engage them as full participants in their child's education.
• Coordinate with the HS/EHS education team to support the implementation of interim plans, IEP's, and IFSP's for children with special needs.
• Coordinate with the CLC Health Manager/Nurse and Nutrition Manager to develop plans that support the special health care needs of children with disabilities.
• Administer, monitor, and track developmental screenings for HS/EHS infants and toddlers and pre-school aged children.
• Maintain a tracking system to monitor the provision of the special education referral, evaluation, and implementation process to ensure timely follow up and high quality service delivery.
• Maintain confidential record keeping of special education files.
• Coordinate the transition of children with special needs from EHS to HS, Head Start to other childcare providers, and from Head Start to elementary school.
• Mobilize community resources and partnerships and work with organizations in the community to foster collaboration i.e. Stamford Public Schools, Birth to 3, and mental health agencies.

Other Responsibilities:

• Represent the CLC HS/EHS program in collaborative projects with local partner agencies, and the greater Stamford/CT community.
• All other duties as assigned by supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS/JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, special education, or related field. At least 5 years of administrative experience.

Ability to travel throughout Stamford, valid driver's license, ability to prioritize and multi-task, ability to support teachers and families with the special education process, required to work closely with community agencies and Stamford Public Schools, strong interpersonal skills required.