Executive Director – Tick Tock Early Learning Center – Avondale, PA

Title: Executive Director

Status: Full Time, Exempt

Reports to: Board of Directors

Date: October 4, 2021

Introduction

Since 1964, Tick Tock Early Learning Center has been the premier early childhood facility in our region.

Our beloved school, located on Baltimore Pike in Avondale, was founded by four women who recognized an imperative need in this community for reliable and affordable childcare and preschool education for the children of low-income workers. That imperative continues to drive our mission to this day, and our facility serves over 150 children each day who benefit from our people, program, and resources.

Tick Tock and a dedicated Board of Directors recently completed a $1,000,000 capital campaign, the funds from which were invested right back into the Tick Tock experience. We renovated our kitchen, which provides three meals each day to every child; we created brand new faculty work and lounge spaces to improve the environment for our staff; we invested in curricular enhancements to better prepare students for matriculation to public Kindergarten; we enhanced multiple classrooms to better accommodate the needs of our students; and we invested in the building’s infrastructure to ensure a safe space for students for many years to come. Tick Tock benefits greatly from a dedicated, nurturing staff and administration, many of whom have been with the center for more than a decade.

Where we live, the name “Tick Tock” is synonymous with quality, dependability, hope, love, and opportunities for young children. We are excited to welcome a dynamic new Executive Director to lead this center into the next phase of its evolution.

The Position

Tick Tock Early Learning Center seeks an Executive Director to plan, organize, implement, coordinate, and manage services at our early learning center in rural Chester County, PA. The ideal candidate uses sound judgment, high ethical standards, and decision making in budget, policies, procedures, and staff supervision. The Director manages the early learning program in conformance with all regulations and state licensing provisions. Responsibilities include the overall management of the center including supervision of staff and faculty, delivering a leading educational curriculum, identifying and pursuing grant and fundraising opportunities, and use of effective marketing strategies to generate and retain enrollment. Tick Tock is a STAR 4 program in the Keystone STARS rating system.

Job Requirements

• Degree in Education, Business Administration or Psychology

• Prior experience managing a nonprofit, preschool and/or child care facility, or related comparable position

• English and Spanish language abilities preferred but not required.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for individuals and families

• Simple IRA with employer match

• Short-term disability and life insurance

• Holiday pay

• Paid time off

• Employee childcare discounts

• Professional Development opportunities

• High quality offices in a professional, attractive facility

The Successful Candidate will Demonstrate:

• Passion for and contemporary knowledge of childhood learning reflected in educational training, teaching experience, and related experiences.

• Communication and listening skills to relate to a wide variety of audiences.

• Organizational leadership and project management skills

• Strategic perspective to plan for the future of Tick Tock.

Core Responsibilities

• Ensure a high-quality educational care program through program development, implementation and continuous improvement

• Meet or exceed the state’s ratings for the top 10% of child care facilities

• Attract, develop, and retain a high-quality staff in a challenging job market

• Effective leadership in early childhood education

• Embrace the adoption of effective early learning and bilingual skill development

• Monitor student learning through regular evaluation

• Generate revenue to support a healthy childcare center

• Maximize state and federal funding to the center and develop alternative funding options proactively. Effectively manage the budget.

• Seek out grant opportunities and act on them.

• Successfully interface with government and regulatory organizations to enhance Tick Tock’s reputation for learning, child safety, and regulatory compliance. Retain an outstanding reputation with rating agencies, specifically Keystone STARS.

• Maintain the facility to the highest standards and study opportunities for physical center improvements that improve student learning after observation.

• Ensure that the center is in compliance with all inspections.

• Work with the Board of Directors, faculty, staff and key center constituents to ensure a healthy, sustainable future for Tick Tock.

• Attend monthly Board meetings to provide updates in key areas

• Lead monthly staff meetings and ensure that all staff engage in developmental learning.

• Partner with the Board as a member of one or more of the Board committees

• Develop marketing strategies to ensure 100% capacity of the center.

• Research and analyze market trends to determine the best approach for recruitment

• Identify process improvements, future trends and opportunities to increase enrollment

• Maximize partnerships within the local community to increase visibility for Tick Tock

Interested candidates should electronically submit a Cover Letter and Resume/CV. Please include the Position Title
(Executive Director) in the subject line.

Mission & Vision

Our Mission

Tick Tock Early Learning Center prepares children from working families for school and life in a loving environment at affordable rates.

Our Vision

Tick Tock Early Learning Center envisions a community which fosters hope, love, and opportunities for every child.

Our Philosophy

To accomplish our Mission, we are committed to keeping our program affordable. Our rates are determined on a sliding scale based on family size and income. We accept state sponsored subsidies and offer private fee subsidies so that quality child care is within the reach of hard-working, low-income families. Sometimes the lack of reliable child care is the only thing preventing a parent from obtaining, keeping, or excelling at a job – we take that obstacle away. Further, we are committed to providing curriculum and a summer camp program in a safe and supportive environment that is stimulating, hands-on, and linked to the PA Early

Learning Standards. We nurture young learners while emphasizing school-readiness and English language acquisition.

To learn more about Tick Tock Early Learning Center, please visit www.ticktockelc.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Tick Tock is fully compliant with all local, state, and federal regulations and CDC guidelines.

Education:

• Bachelor’s (Preferred)

Work Location:

• One location

Work Remotely:

Work Location: One location