Executive Director

Overview

The Play Haven Child Care Center (PHCC) was established in 2022 to meet the need for childcare in our SW Iowa Communities. PHCC formed a relationship with the Peace Haven association and signed a collaborative agreement that enabled a long-term lease and the refurbishment of Wing 7 at Peace Haven to become Play Haven Child Care.
The Director provides and coordinates the necessary support, resources, supervision, and leadership to provide nurturing care and education to young children in a group setting at the Center. The Director shall ensure that services are provided in accordance with the goals and curriculum developed for the Center, as well as the Center’s policies and procedures. The Director will ensure all requirements, licensing needs, and reports required by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and any other State agency are completed and filed appropriately. The Director will report to the Play Haven Child Care Board of Directors with immediate supervision by the Board President.

Responsibilities: Establishing the Organization

  • Prepare the Center to open in accordance with policies, procedures, and licensing standards.
  • With the Board of Directors, raise funds, write grants, and explore opportunities for financial support to support the center’s opening.
  • Prepare and submit licensing documentation with the approval of the Board of Directors.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Board to open the Center according to Center policies, procedures, and licensing standards.
  • Work in coordination with the Board, HGM, SWIPCO, and the City of Walnut to oversee construction and opening.
  • Work with the Board to communicate informative updates on construction and opening information, using all media outlets.
  • Implement a tentative schedule and child sign-up that will allow the Board to make educated decisions about the first 3, 6, 9, and 12-month staff and budget requirements.
  • Research food programs to determine what will be used at opening.
  • Research and establish all critical contracts for the site to become operational.

Responsibilities: Center Operational Duties

  • Maintain the Center in accordance with policies, procedures and licensing standards.
  • Maintain the facility in accordance with the Peace Haven lease agreement and Center policies, procedures, and licensing standards.
  • Maintain and update, as necessary, all Center records.
  • Maintain and update, as necessary, all personnel and operating policies and procedures.
  • Establish a clear budget, accounting and payment process with dual control accounting methods, establishing a limit that will require board approval for expenditure.
  • Prepare all meeting documents for the PHCC Board of Directors meetings and perform any necessary follow-up in connection with all Board meetings.
  • Meet and coordinate with representatives of Peace Haven before events are hosted on site while PHCC is open.
  • Develop and maintain an annual budget with the PHCC Board of Directors.
  • Responsible for bi-weekly payroll and all required payroll duties.
  • Manage payments to the Center for childcare services and ensure prompt payment per the Center’s policies and procedures.
  • Manage all service contracts for the Center and order required items for Center operations.
  • Approve and order materials and supplies for classroom programs and activities.
  • Represent the Center in the community and act as a liaison with other agencies.
  • Establish and maintain a healthy, safe, and enjoyable working and learning environment for staff, parents, children, and visitors.
  • Performs other duties as assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors.
  • Establish a communicative transparent relationship with the Administrator of Peace Haven, ensuring the relationship and success of both entities remains a priority.

Responsibilities: Staff

  • Interview and hire qualified and certified staff. Provide appropriate orientation, training, and evaluation for all staff annually and continuously.
  • Maintain staff as needed for operation of the Center (including interviewing, hiring, performance reviews, disciplinary actions, etc.)
  • Responsible for addressing personnel matters and implementing solutions that are in the best interest of the Center.
  • Responsible for effectively managing and resolving issues with and between the staff, parents, and children.
  • Supervise staff on an ongoing basis, including developing and implementing curriculum plans.
  • Educate staff through regular staff meetings on important and relevant information, including, but not limited to, licensure requirements and policy changes.
  • Identify the required training opportunities for all staff and make the necessary modifications to accommodate all training.
  • Create appropriate staff schedules that adhere to all state and Center requirements, including staff/child ratios.
  • Ensure staff comply with all Center policies and procedures.
  • Ensure compliance with confidentiality requirements and policies.
  • Maintain current and accurate staff records (including all requirements for reporting to the State of Iowa)

Responsibilities: Children/Parents/Guardians

  • Ensure all enrollment and discharge information is documented, complete, and up to date.
  • Ensure all records are complete, updated, and accurate.
  • Ensure that the Center meets all DHS licensing requirements. This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Standards of Health and Safety (Sanitation)
    • Learning environment and curriculum
    • Nutrition and food preparation
    • Physical safety and well-being of children and staff
    • Emergency policies and regulations
  • Establish and execute policies and procedures that ensure the well-being of children. This includes but is not limited to:
    • Developmentally appropriate curriculum
    • Positive behavior management plans
    • Safe arrival and departure
  • Maintain an environment that is tolerant and respectful of child and family cultures, values and differences.
  • Establish relationships with individual children and families and be responsive to requests, comments and concerns.
  • Provide care in classrooms as needed to meet safety and licensing regulations.
  • Provide families with information and assistance with community resources.
  • Report evidence of suspected abuse/neglect to the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Must be able to meet and maintain certification through the Iowa Department of Human Services as a Child Care Director https://iowaccrr.org/resources/files/BGP/47%20Center%20Director%20Req.pdf
  • Must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Must have a high school diploma or have passed a general education development test.
  • Must have work experience working with children.
  • Must be able to maintain a high degree of efficiency in changing from one task to another and establishing priorities.

Minimum Physical Qualifications

  • This position is moderately stressful and requires good organizational and communication skills. The individual must be able to perform several tasks at once and read, write, and communicate with staff and parents/guardians.
  • Position requires constant lifting, twisting, stooping, bending, squatting, kneeling and reaching. Pushing and pulling may be required.
  • Must be able to lift 30 pounds routinely.

If you are interested:

Please send your resume, cover letter, and three references to the Play Haven Board of Directors at playhavenchildcare@metc.com