Manager-Early Childhood Education (Early Childhood Development and Education Center) - Kennedy Krieger Institute

The Manager, Early Child Education (ECE) oversees the early childhood care and education services for World of Care (WOC). The incumbent supervises and trains staff, models best practices in early childhood education, reviews lesson plans and child outcomes, evaluates classroom performance, manages staff schedules and timekeeping, and oversees childcare curriculum implementation through observation and mentoring of staff.

This position collaborates with the Director, World of Care to maintain and continuously improve daily center operations and service delivery. In addition, this position will ensure compliance with licensing/accreditation requirements, grant monitoring, and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) guidelines.

World of Care (WOC) is a specialized childcare center designed to meet the needs of children with and without medical conditions and/or developmental disabilities. Our multidisciplinary team of early care and education teachers, nurses, early intervention therapist, and family support staff use a family-centered, play-based approach to early care and education. In addition to the skilled and nurturing team, the center has an array of adapted materials and equipment to ensure each child explores and learns alongside classroom friends.

While we accept typically developing children, priority for admission is given to children who are medically fragile or developmentally delayed or disabled.

World of Care is accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education and licensed by the Maryland Office of Child Care Administration.

• Manage and supervise all educational programs in accordance with state licensing and accreditation standards, including the development of service delivery standards, effective program monitoring processes, and other issues related to service delivery (e.g., developmental screening, staff training needs, parent engagement, etc.).
• Provide supervision, guidance, and regular performance feedback to assigned staff.
• Ensure classroom staff compliance to classroom curricula and children’s individualized learning plans through regular classroom observations, reflective coaching, support, and training as needed.
• Collaborate with childcare staff, educators, therapists and nurses to ensure each child has an individualized child care plan which is updated quarterly and contains appropriate educational and therapy goals.
• Assist staff in integrating Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP) objectives into daily activities.
• Provide professional early childhood education services, such as assessment, intervention, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Remain current with trends in curriculum and emerging/promising practices in early care and education (such as MSDE standards, Pyramid Model, CLASS, RBI, etc.) and implement practices for ongoing quality improvement. Train, coach, and supervise child care and education staff on implementation and application when appropriate.
• Collaborate with the World of Care Program Director and other members of the leadership team to outline and achieve annual program goals, collect data, and contribute to grant reports.
• Monitor continuing education compliance of child care staff and teachers, ensuring childcare credentials, accreditation, and licensing standards are maintained by scheduling and completing trainings, remaining current with MSDE policies, maintaining appropriate documentation, and meeting regularly with staff to discuss needs.
• Maintain documentation consistent with Institute and Departmental expectations as well as MSDE and grant requirements.
• Create, facilitate and evaluate an early childhood education student teaching program at WOC in partnership with local colleges and universities.
• Manage child care equipment and purchase supplies as needed, ensuring costs remain within budget parameters and keeping all appropriate records and documentation.
• Participate and develop departmental, intra- and interdisciplinary, and community education/outreach programs and activities related to early childhood care and education (e.g., team conferences, presentations, professional training/ staff development, and committee service).

• Must hold current MSDE Early Childhood Education teaching certificate
• Must meet all requirements for Infant, Toddler and Preschool Child Care Center Director per MSDE Office of Child Care regulations.

Master’s degree in Child Life, Early Childhood Education, special education, or related field is required.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in an early childhood setting required.
• Supervisory or teacher mentor experience required.
• Experience working with children with complex medical needs preferred.

Kennedy Krieger Institute offers excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401K with match, tuition reimbursement, free parking and child care subsidies! In addition, we offer rich professional development opportunities.

We require full COVID vaccination or documentation of medical and/or religious exemption(s) approval for this job as we are a healthcare institution committed to putting health and safety first for our patients, students, employees, and the communities we serve.

EOE/M/F/D/V