Open Positions

1.  Executive Director
2.  Operations Manager
3.  Lead Teacher – Young Threes Preschool
4.  Senior Lead Teachers

1. Executive Director

July 1, 2019 Start Date

Garden of Dreams is a thriving, high-quality early childhood development center located in downtown Battle Creek.  Our mission is to create a joyful early learning program that nurtures and supports the development of a diverse group of children in partnership with their families and the community.

We’re looking for a visionary who can lead and inspire our organization in the next major phase of its development.  If you’re energized by the idea of leading a team of people to live into our mission statement and create a dynamic educational program for young children and you have a track record of achieving results, please apply!

In this role you will:

• Serve as our center’s pedagogical leader, coaching and developing all teachers in order to maintain an excellent early learning program, use developmentally appropriate practices, and maintain an environment that is welcoming to all children and adults.  
• Comply with State of Michigan LARA, Child Protective Services, the Great Start to Quality Program, and Great Start Readiness Program regulations.
• Direct all staff and the day-to-day operations of our child care.
• Manage budget and financial reporting for our non-profit organization.
• Work collaboratively with and report directly to the Board of Directors.

Essential Qualifications:

• Must meet qualifications for Early Childhood Program Director for licensing with the State of Michigan (Bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education or child development OR other qualification in the Michigan Child Care Licensing Rules (page 5) https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/Child_Care_Center_Rules_419095_7.pdf)
• Knowledge of best practices for early childhood and family centered services, including  ability to oversee implementation of a curriculum, anti-bias classroom practices, child observation techniques, and child and adult learning styles.
• Effectively  coach classroom teachers to improve their teaching practice.
• Ability to hire, train, supervise, and evaluate varied staff positions, developing a supportive, trusting, professional relationship with all staff members.
• Develop positive, encouraging relationships with all children and family caregivers 
• Successfully resolve conflict in a professional and timely manner.
• Ability to self-direct, manage multiple projects, and focus on details simultaneously.
• Proficiency in use of technology related to the function of a nonprofit child care, such as child care management software, and, business and classroom technology.

2. Operations Manager

June 1, 2019 Start Date

In this role you will:

The operations manager assists the Garden of Dreams Executive Director to effectively and efficiently run the administrative functions of the child care programs, in accordance with the Parent Handbook and Employee Policies and Procedures, in a joyful, caring and respectful manner.   Functional areas of work include maintaining child records, personnel records, and accounting records; daily administrative and licensing operations; and facility and equipment purchasing and maintenance

Description of Duties:

Center Support

• Answer phones promptly, and provide great customer service while on the phone.  
• Monitor individuals coming into the building.  Kindly intercept visitors that haven’t checked in at the office to inquire about their business.  Help visitors, including families, get to the individuals they need to work with.
• Assist families with sign-in and sign-out procedure at drop off and pick up.
• Maintain the general condition, operation, security, and upkeep of Garden of Dreams facilities.
• Maintain or coordinate the maintenance of the technology – software and equipment.
• Provide administrative support to classroom teachers as needed for classroom signs, decorations, learning tools, etc.
• Create and maintain communications such as brochures, flyers, and social media.

Enrollment and Child placement

• Assist with outreach and advertisements for childcare openings
• Maintain child records, both hard copy and electronic, organized and up to date, ensuring confidentiality where necessary, and compliance with licensing and Garden of Dreams policy.
• Maintain child classroom schedules and prepare weekly staff schedules, as determined by licensing ratios, staff availability, and agency policy.  Arrange for substitute child caregivers when necessary.
• Assists with overseeing the care, safety, and well-being of all children at the center.

Business recordkeeping and compliance

• Monitor and assist with billing services outsourced to BC Shared Services Alliance;
• Prepare agency billings for any programs or grants not outsourced to BCSSA.
• Verify daily receipts and prepare bank deposits according to agency policy.
• Purchase supplies and equipment for food service, program, and administration, with approval, according to agency policy.
• Maintain personnel records for agency employees and volunteers in accordance with agency policy and licensing regulations.
• Maintain employee time records and prepare payroll submission for Executive Director approval.
• Work with accounting team to complete monthly financial information for board packets and other stakeholders.
• Assist Garden of Dreams Child Care Director with licensing, re-licensing, inspections, and other compliance.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality with all information obtained.

Essential Qualifications:

• Ability to demonstrate a positive customer service attitude and good personal skills.
• Experience or training with various computer software and hardware configurations. including but not limited to Microsoft Office products, QuickBooks, EZCare.
• Experience or training working with children preferred.
• Ability to present and communicate ideas and concepts in public and private, verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated accuracy and thoroughness to ensure the highest quality of work.

3. Young Threes Preschool Lead Teacher

June 10, 2019 Start Date

In this role, you will be responsible for: 

• Creating an overall atmosphere in the classroom that promotes feelings of security and trust between children and teachers.  Treats each child with dignity and respect, recognizing the cultural and socio-economic diversity of the population.  Responds to the individual needs and learning styles of children.
• Maintaining a safe, clean, care-giving environment, practices good personal hygiene and handwashing, and assures the well being and physical safety of all of the children in that environment.
• Lesson plan for the Young Threes Preschool Classroom.  That means, the lead teacher is responsible for ensuring each day’s activities provide children with a variety of experiences and opportunities that allow them to develop curiosity, initiative, problem-solving skills, and creativity, as well as a sense of self and a feeling of belonging to the group.  
• Maintaining an open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child and family.  Treats all parents with dignity and respect, recognizing the cultural and socio-economic diversity of the population.
• Maintaining a warm, friendly, and positive attitude of working together with the other teachers, the center director, and toddler room parents and volunteers in planning and implementing activities for the program/classroom.

Essential Qualifications:

• Must meet qualifications for Lead Teacher for licensing with the State of Michigan (Bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education or child development OR other qualification in the Michigan Child Care Licensing Rules (page 8) https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/Child_Care_Center_Rules_419095_7.pdf)
• Knowledge of best practices for early childhood and family centered services, including implementation of a curriculum, anti-bias classroom practices, child observation techniques, and child learning styles.
• Several years of experience teaching in a child care setting.
• Ability to self-direct, manage multiple student needs, and focus on details simultaneously.

4. Senior Lead Teachers

August 15, 2019 Start Date

In this role, you will be responsible for: 

• Leading a classroom at Garden of Dreams as a Lead Teacher for six hours a day
• Coaching and training staff at your age-level for two hours daily

Essential Qualifications:

• A self-starter
• Extremely reliable with strong work attendance and work ethic
• Ability to lead other staff members
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong knowledge and implementation of the High Scope Curriculum

Limitations and Disclaimer:  

Garden of Dreams is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. Garden of Dream’s policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or height and weight, in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

Garden of Dreams supports employment of qualified individuals with disabilities. If any employee believes that an accommodation of a disability is necessary to perform the essential functions of a position, Michigan law requires the employee to notify Garden of Dreams this in writing within one hundred eighty two (182) days after the employee knows or reasonably should have known of the need for an accommodation.