Childcare Education & Development Specialist

To be considered for the Childcare Education & Development Specialist position at Foundations Early Learning Center, candidates typically require a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field, although an Associate's degree with relevant experience is acceptable. Additionally, candidates should possess NC/SC Qualifying Letters and certifications in Child/Infant CPR and First Aid, along with two to five years of experience in a licensed childcare facility, ideally with at least two years in a management or leadership role.

The primary responsibilities of the Childcare Education & Development Specialist at Foundations Early Learning Center include developing and implementing engaging STEAM activities, supporting Center Program Managers in curriculum development, conducting regular classroom observations, assisting with hiring and onboarding, and facilitating ongoing professional development. You'll also work closely with leadership to align education strategies with organizational goals and maintain positive relationships with teachers, families, and community stakeholders.

The Childcare Education & Development Specialist role at Foundations Early Learning Center involves significant travel, with approximately 80%-90% of the job requiring on-site visits to preschools located primarily in North Carolina and South Carolina. This means you'll have the opportunity to spend most of your time working directly with educators and children in a variety of environments, making a real impact on early childhood education.

Foundations Early Learning Center offers a competitive benefits package for the Childcare Education & Development Specialist position, which includes a car allowance, reimbursement for travel expenses, a company cell phone, and a laptop for work purposes. Additional benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous paid leave, free childcare, tuition reimbursement programs, same-day pay options, employee discounts, and opportunities for professional growth.

The mission of Foundations Early Learning Center is to enrich children’s lives through meaningful and innovative early learning experiences. As a Childcare Education & Development Specialist, you will play a crucial role in fulfilling this mission by implementing quality initiatives, providing targeted educational support, and fostering an environment that encourages children's growth and development through engaging learning opportunities.

This question offers you the opportunity to express your passion for early childhood education and your commitment to improving educational standards. Be sure to highlight experiences that inspired your career path, emphasizing how your goals align with Foundations Early Learning Center's mission.

When answering this question, focus on specific examples of STEAM activities you've created or implemented. Explain how these activities engaged children in learning and how they aligned with curriculum standards. Emphasize the positive outcomes observed from your efforts.

Discuss your strategies for assessing and enhancing quality in educational environments. Consider mentioning techniques such as regular observations, feedback mechanisms, and setting measurable goals. Highlight your experience in collaborating with staff to achieve these improvements.

Reflect on your experience in mentorship and professional development. Talk about specific approaches you used to guide teachers, including how you tailor support to individual needs while encouraging best practices in the classroom.

Demonstrate your commitment to professional development by discussing how you seek out training, seminars, or literature related to childcare regulations. Mention any associations or groups you are part of to exhibit your dedication to continuous learning.

Emphasize the importance of collaboration by sharing examples of successful partnerships you’ve formed in past roles. Highlight how working alongside other educators, families, and community members has improved educational outcomes.

This question allows you to showcase your problem-solving skills. Describe a specific challenge, your approach to addressing it, and the positive outcome that resulted from your actions, emphasizing what you learned from the experience.

Explain your process for gathering and utilizing feedback from teachers, parents, and administrators. Articulate how feedback influences your professional decisions and improvements you make, illustrating your commitment to growing as an educator.

Discuss specific approaches you have employed to engage families and community members. This could include hosting events, regular communication, or collaborative projects, all aimed at fostering a welcoming and supportive education environment.

Talk about the metrics and evaluation methods you would use to assess the effectiveness of your initiatives. Include any examples from past experiences where you successfully measured impact, focusing on how your work directly benefited children.