Catalyst Family · 13 hours ago
Program Lead
Sunnyvale, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
2+ years expCatalyst Family is an organization focused on early care and education. The Program Lead manages all programmatic and staffing aspects of a childcare center, ensuring program quality and compliance while mentoring staff and fostering community relationships.
Child CareEducationNon Profit
Responsibilities
Manage all programmatic and staffing aspects of an early care and education center
Ensure program quality is maintained in a single Catalyst Family Inc. licensed childcare center
Provide oversight of the planning, implementation, assessment, reflection, and program requirements for school age and/or infant/toddler age children
Coach, mentor and provide ongoing observation and feedback to teaching staff that results in implementation of quality programming
Ensure that all children receive quality staff-child interactions and are supervised, at all times, in a safe and healthy environment
Work collaboratively with the Center Manager/Site Supervisor to support the business of the center including enrollment and attendance, purchasing and community relationship building
Acknowledge and celebrate diversity among staff, children, and families, and provide an environment that reflects the diversity within a community
Create classroom environments that reflect the backgrounds and experiences of children, families, and staff
Be in ratio approximately 33% of the time
Liaison for communicating Catalyst Family Inc. vision, mission, philosophy, and curriculum approaches to staff, parents, school personnel, the community, and State and local government agencies, as needed
Ensure streamlined processes for documented learning from observations/anecdotes to lesson plans, documentation, all assessments, internal and external reviews are consistent with Catalyst Family Inc.’s mission, values, philosophy, and position statements
Share program information and assessment results with the center, supports, mentors’ and role models for teachers in the creation and implementation and evaluation/completion of center action plans through diverse strategies or approaches
Collaborate with center staff to provide an enriched, dynamic indoor/outdoor environments, that meet the diverse and cultural needs and interests of children, utilizes staff, family, and community expertise
Assess program quality and curriculum implementation, health/safety, and licensing standards; take steps to continuously improve in alignment with our agency’s quality standards as well as meet/exceed licensing and other external quality tools
Fully participate and lead QRIS for Infant/Toddler programs
Maintain knowledge of Developmentally Appropriate Practices and applicable curriculum influences such as Reggio Emilia, California’s Learning Framework and Foundations, Search Institute, and Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers (PITC) - as applicable to the age group(s)
Using staff observations and program assessment tools, work with staff to develop and implement child growth plans
In partnership with center leadership and all staff, follows Catalyst’s Positive Behavior Approach and protocol with family members and provides tools and resources to support implementation of agreed upon strategies
Manage a team at the center with a size ranging from 2-5 staff depending on center size and enrollment
Manage staff performance proactively; coach, support and provide feedback to staff regularly so that they can deliver their best
Conduct Annual Performance review on time and provide regular feedback
Facilitate highly effective, participatory team meetings that foster ownership for expected outcomes
Observe staff interactions with children, effectiveness of planned activities, maintenance and development of the learning environment and give staff immediate and useful feedback to achieve high program quality
Provide on-site mentoring and modeling in the classroom. Train and mentor teaching staff as needed, including frequently observing weekly lesson plans to include a range of age-appropriate activities that support social emotional, physical, cognitive development, observe impact of curriculum implementation, and provide relevant and constructive feedback
Orient and integrate new staff into the team to achieve high staff retention. Set and communicate clear job expectations. Communicate Mission, philosophy to all staff; ensure behavior and outcomes of center are staff consistent with agency values
In partnership, develop professional growth plans with staff and provide opportunities for continuous growth and development
Ensure that individual and team goals are aligned with agency goals and hold people accountable to high performance expectations. Co-develop and implement immediate corrective action plans as necessary to address underperformance
Commit to continuous improvement in knowledge of child/youth development, curricular, and implementation of program and leadership skills
Attend internal and/or external trainings, professional development or research-based practice exchanges that supports the needs of the center and implements these practices in the classrooms as appropriate; teaching back to all stakeholders
Act as a change agent to advocate, communicate and implement organizational changes in practices, systems, and processes
Nurture team spirit and maintain high staff morale
Mentor and develop internal candidates for new positions
Encourage all staff to act as recruiters, promote the employee referral program, and help recruit new staff through strong relationships with families, schools, and communities
Provide excellent customer service by establishing and maintaining authentic connections and reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and center/classroom team
In partnership with CM/SS and other staff, organizes and supports a parent advisory committee where families can give useful feedback and have a voice in center operations and program quality
Make authentic connections to the local and school communities as a Catalyst representative
Participate in activities at the school (PBIS meetings, IEP meetings, PTO events, etc.) acting as a representative of the agency
Continually assess community needs, involve the community in planning and adjust program and services to meet community needs
Work with families as partners with an open-door policy. Engages in ongoing, two-way interactions with families to discuss daily activities, observations and child progress. Encourage shared decision making, problem solving and address questions and concerns
Provide ongoing information to parents/families including parent education, and other request parents have for community resources
Participate in local, regional, and statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of children and families
Ensure and maintain full compliance with all agency policies/procedures and protect agency assets and resources
Ensure all center operations meet or exceed state licensing regulations, Funding Terms and conditions including Desired Results compliance, health/safety & nutrition requirements and other Catalyst policies, procedures, and quality tools
Ensure that staff schedules meet required adult to child ratios
Forecast staffing needs in consideration of business requirements and changing environment
Partner with Recruiting to support interview process and hire best candidates to match the needs of the center
In partnership with the CM/SS, create and maintain staffing schedules and purchasing for the classrooms and center, as appropriate
Obtain and maintain full enrollment and attendance at the center; earn all ADE, as determined by center leadership team
Identify ways to improve the performance of the center, take proactive actions to support center enrollment and marketing, and follow center budget/purchasing guidelines
Qualification
Required
HS Degree or GED AND Completion of 15 units of ECE (3 in administration or staff relations and core units) OR
AA degree with 24 ECE/CD units, 6 units in administration and 2 units in adult supervision OR
BA with 12 ECE/CD units, 6 units in administration and 2 units in adult supervision OR
Site Supervisor Permit or above preferred, or expected to acquire Site Supervisor permit upon hire
Continuing education to meet professional growth standards required
2-3 years' experience in ECE/CD setting
At least 1 year of experience mentoring and leading other adults or teaching staff
Must be able to complete Child Care Center Part II Orientation Certificate and Mandate Reporter training
Able to pass Criminal Record Clearance, health screening, TB test, and have updated immunizations
Knowledgeable and values the impact of culture on the development of children
Ability to provide strategic approaches as well as assist in implementation
Understands and values diversity and the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity
Strong interpersonal skills: ability to listen, receive take feedback and provide constructive feedback to peers and staff
Possesses a high a high level of initiative, motivation, and direction
Ability to interact with children in a manner consistent with Catalyst Family Inc. philosophy
Knowledgeable about agency philosophy and curriculum standards, DAP and able to implement and role model consistent program practices and standards
Ability to take initiative to appropriately partner within the community as well as with internal departments
Stays abreast of new research and theories in the ECE/Youth fields
Demonstrated ability to manage staff, coach and mentor
Provides effective customer service
Effective Leadership skills; committed to continual improvement of these skills
Strategic thinking and planning
Interpersonal and team communications
Highly effective in program quality, program implementation and people management
Ability to track and follow a budget
Demonstrates a team player mentality
Preferred
Site Supervisor Permit or above preferred, or expected to acquire Site Supervisor permit upon hire
Working knowledge of staffing, marketing communication, highly desirable
Proficiency in second languages also desirable
Benefits
Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Personal Health Advocate
Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
Education Reimbursement Program
Commuter pre-tax benefit
Discounted childcare
Access to the Calm app
Tickets at Work employee discounts
Be constantly in a learning and growth process with training and professional growth advisory
Company
Catalyst Family
Since 1975, Catalyst Family Inc.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Eva Schulte
Chief Operating Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase