Program Director - Extended Day - Pre-K to 1st Grade School Age (School Year 26-27/DC)

Why Work for Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day?

Play isn't just fun, It's fundamental! Children need playtime, it is crucial for healthy development. Children learn about the world by exploring ideas, manipulating objects, investigating creative materials, and problem-solving with others. Using imagination and creativity, children take on new roles and test new concepts. Wonders teachers use observation and planning to create learning experiences that are intentional and provide meaningful context for children to practice skills and express ideas.

Join the Wonders family of caring, dedicated, and fun educators!

About Wonders

Our Mission - To cultivate curiosity, resilience, and social responsibility in children by fostering high-quality, nurturing, and inclusive educational communities led by skilled professionals

Since our inception in 1976, our goal has been to provide non-profit, quality child care to working families. Over the years, we have grown from a single center in the basement of All Saint's Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland to multiple accredited early learning, extended day, and summer camp programs across the DC Metropolitan Region.

Our programs support today's workforce, while growing the workforce of tomorrow.

Benefits & Compensation

Our benefits package includes paid time off, holidays, winter break, medical with HRA, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, critical illness, accident insurance, 403(b) retirement savings plan, Wonders tuition discounts, and professional development training. Benefits eligibility is dependent on job type status.

We provide paid pre-employment background checks, fingerprinting, medical exams, & drug screens as well as paid New Hire Orientation.

Wonders values its educators and leaders and we invest in our workforce by prioritizing compensation and nurturing meaningful careers. Our educators are regularly engaged in efforts towards continuous improvement in their skills and knowledge in the classroom. Approximately 80% of our annual budget is directed to staff compensation.

Job Summary

The Extended Day Program Director position is a critically important one within Wonders as the incumbent is responsible for the day-to-day program operations at one of our Early Learning + Extended Day programs. The Program Director represents Wonders to the children, families and community served and has the responsibility for directing the Wonders program staff in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities for the participating children.

In addition, the Program Director will provide thought leadership to the Program staff through in-service training, on-going professional development, and career development opportunities.

A critical aspect of this position is developing and maintaining communications with families and staff. Families, in particular, must be fully informed of Program activities and special events. Families will be welcomed in the Program and the classroom at all times.

The Program Director will implement all Wonders policies, procedures and practices in an efficient and thorough manner and will be involved in the development of those policies.

Essential Functions

• Oversee the planning and implementation of a play-based curriculum
• Supervise and lead staff to create a meaningful learning environment
• Ensure best practices are implemented and maintained to promote the health and safety of all children and staff
• Provide program management reports on a regular basis
• Participate in recruitment activities
• Order and maintain adequate program and office supplies and resources
• Oversee enrollment processes, manage program financials, and ensure budget adherence.
• Conduct regular meetings with staff, parents, and community representatives
• Organize and maintain filing systems including children and staff files
• Conduct open houses and other community outreach activities
• Complete all enrollment and re-enrollment processes, including the use of enrollment software
• Ensure the program meets all state licensing requirements
• Aid in establishing and/or maintaining accreditation
• Wonders actively supports the career and professional advancement of staff through continuing education; attend a minimum of 18 hours of staff training yearly (MSDE/OCC/VA/OSSE approved)
• Maintain Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification
• Establish and nurture partnerships with families.
• Establish and maintain professional and collegial relationships with the host school
• Recognize and report signs of illness, child abuse and safety hazard to appropriate authorities
• Become familiar with and abide by all Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day policies, including those in the staff handbook, parent handbook and terms of employment
• Other duties or responsibilities as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Creative, nurturing, and fun
• Dependable and detail oriented
• Thrives in a high-pressure environment
• People oriented - enjoys interacting with people and working on group projects
• Adaptable - enjoys doing work that requires frequent shifts in direction
• Innovative - prefers working in unconventional ways or on tasks that require creativity

Qualifications

• BA or BS degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or related field preferred
• At least 3 years of teaching experience
• Preference will be given to previous experience as a Program Director
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Supervisory Responsibility

• Teacher, Classroom Aide, Substitute

EEO Statement

Wonders provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, citizenship, current or future military status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

ADA Compliance

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Wonders to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources.

Additional Information

Job Type: Full-time, Exempt

Program Length: School Year (26-27)

Work Schedule: 9:00a to 6:00p

Work Location: Washington DC 20009