We are hiring in Lake County, IL.

Start Early Lake County provides high-quality care, best-in-class education, and a stimulating learning environment to children from birth to five years old. As a program that serves low-income families, Start Early’s research-based program helps children develop the literacy, language, early math, and social-emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning, and communication.

As an Education Coordinator, you will support the education staff in the planning, coordinating and implementation of the education programs. Ensures effective integration and interdisciplinary work of all aspects of the program work into the educational services for children and families. Provide management and oversite of day -to-day education services provided to children and their families. Provide leadership and management to support high quality school functions. Ensure school operations are in compliance with City, State, and Federal laws, and program performance standards. Support implementation of Start Early philosophies, and company policies and procedures and provide coaching, modeling, and feedback to teaching staff to strengthen instructional quality in key developmental domains (language/literacy, math, social-emotional, and physical development).

When you join our team as an Education Coordinator, you will be responsible for:

• Educational Services: Designs and implements education plans and monitors effectiveness through classroom observations and data analysis. Develops program policies and service delivery plans; monitors program quality and recommends adjustments as needed. Monitors Creative Curriculum fidelity along with classroom effectiveness based on the CLASS and Environmental Rating Scales. Monitors implementation of federal education requirements and benchmarks. Supports classroom teams to implement the delivery of high-quality early childhood education services that promote children’s school readiness and overall development. This role includes planning, coordination, and oversight of curriculum implementation, staff support and monitoring child outcomes. Ensures classroom ratios and group sizes are maintained. Maintains required records and enters required data in ChildPlus/COPA. Ensures all mandates of Head Start performance standards, Chicago Early Learning Standards, federal, state, and local licensing are met or exceeded.
• Supervision and Management: Provides ongoing management and leadership to supporting teaching teams including performance appraisal process and facilitating the disciplinary action process. Clearly communicates job expectations and supports staff to fulfill job expectations outlined in job desctiption. Review individual and classroom-level child assessment data regularly to identify trends, monitor progress, and guide instructional planning. Analyze child outcome data to inform goal-setting, intervention, and curriculum adaptation
• Embedded Professional Development: Guides the ongoing professional development of the teaching staff including: Providing coaching/mentoring, facilitation of staff onboarding, and team development. Developing and implementing training for staff. Facilitation of monthly reflective supervision cycles. Supporting Mentor Teachers to plan and implement age level meetings. Providing guidance and assisting classroom teams to implement the focused teaching cycle. Conduct classroom observations and provide ongoing supervision and performance feedback to teaching staff
• Interdisciplinary Work: Collaborates with other content area experts to plan program needs including case consultation supports/Family Child Reviews. Supports the self-assessment process and family engagement opportunities. Collaborate to develop program schedules that promote success in parent staff conferences, and home visits. Support teachers in partnering with families to understand and support children's learning and development Assist in integrating inclusive practices and accommodations within classrooms to support all learners. Collaborate with Disabilities Supervisor to ensure appropriate supports, services, and individualized plans (IEPs/IFSPs) are in place and implemented.
• Family Engagement: Collaborates with Family Services to plan and implement family engagement experiences including, recruitment events, classroom level meetings, classroom/program newsletters, and program governance (Parent Committee). Implements a collaborative approach to strengthen parent relationships, and parent knowledge of child development. Supports parents as their child’s first and primary teacher by supporting the teaching teams to develop and implement home school connections. Collaborates with key team members to develop and implement phase in plans when it is necessary to support children transitioning into Educare or other program options.
• Other Job Duties: Assists in completion of required reports for PI/PFA, HS/EHS. Collaborates to complete required Job Targets/Milestones, Monthly MARS, and Child Outcomes Report. Participate in monitoring visits and audits; lead quality improvement planning based on findings. Ensures no child is left unattended. Completes 20 hours of continuing education annually. Maintains required certifications. Follows all mandates of federal regulations, state and local licensing and Start Early philosophy, curriculum, and Standards of Conduct. Maintains confidentiality according to Start Early policies and procedures. Attend and actively participate in all required meetings, trainings, and reflective supervision. In the absence of the School Director, Site Administrator, and Education Manager, serves as the acting Director. Perform additional job-related duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education (or related field with a minimum of 30 hours in Child Development or Early Childhood Education). Prior management experience with a minimum of three to five years of experience in teaching, early childhood development, or early childhood daycare.
• Professional Educators Licensure required to support oversite of preschool classrooms.
• Proficient in theories and principles of child growth, development and early childhood education. Knowledge of and ability to implement early childhood curriculum and developmentally appropriate practice for age groups (0-5).
• Remain abreast of developments in the child development field. Knowledgeable of and ability to assess, analyze, and interpret Head Start Standards, State and local licensing requirements and the Start Early philosophy.
• Communicate effectively and function well with parents, staff, and various professional community groups.
• Uses Touchpoints principles and assumptions to develop and sustain positive relationships with key stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills.
• Illinois Gateways Director Level Three preferred. Gateways Infant Toddler Specialist. Gateways ECE Level 5, and Infant Toddler Credential Level 5.
• 20 hours of annual continuing education.
• CPR and First Aid certification, and Food Handlers certification.
• Additional training requirements include Mandated Reporter, Health and Safety Basics, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and Shaken Baby Syndrome.
• Ability to address mental health challenges and work with special needs children.
• Ability to effectively train and mentor teaching staff in small or large groups. Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Ability to utilize and facilitate reflective supervision.
• Ability to work as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high-risk, low-income community.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials. Ability to communicate and respond in a manner that consistently demonstrates respect and concern.
• Ensures no child is left unattended and implements Active Supervision Strategies. Ensures environment is safe and in good repair. Reports any unsafe conditions. Clearance of Background Check by Illinois Department of Children and Families.

Salary: $77,400 - $93,000

We believe that all employees should be paid fairly and equitably. As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.

Our generous benefit plan includes: Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6-months paid parental leave and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.