Early Childhood Center Advisor, Tompkins Hall Nursery & Child Care Center at Columbia University
New York, NY 10001
About the Job
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
The Early Childhood Center (ECC) Advisor of Tompkins Hall Nursery and Childcare Center reports to the Senior Associate Provost for Administration and Planning with a dotted line to the Associate Director and Interim Lead Educational Director of Tompkins Hall. This part-time, temporary role (through December 20, 2024, with possible extension) involves advising the Interim Lead Educational Director on daily operations and key annual processes of an ECC, including the application and admissions cycle, staffing decisions, employee relations, parent communications, and teacher supervision. This advisory position requires an individual with a strong understanding of Article 47 of the New York City Health Code, which regulates Child Care Programs, excellent communication and organization skills, a keen eye for administrative detail, and the ability to advise on specific leadership needs of an early childhood center. The ideal candidate has held a leadership role in a NYC-based ECC and has deep experience with an ECC's annual cyclical needs.
The ECC Advisor will also support interim leadership in ensuring total compliance with all NYC regulations (e.g., Article 47) and ensuring adherence to licensing standards, and where relevant, with applying University policies. The Advisor will support interim leadership in curriculum development and all other aspects of leading an ECC.
Tompkins Hall Nursery and Childcare Center is a unit within the Office of the Provost at Columbia University and located close to Columbia's Morningside campus. Founded by faculty in the 1930s, Tompkins Hall is a progressive learning environment for children aged three months through five years, with deep roots in constructivist curricular approaches and influenced by the philosophy of Reggio Emilia, both of which center on children and childhood. Its students grow and learn through interacting with interests of their own choice with the guidance of nurturing facilitation from their teachers. The Center's days are full of art, music, books, and open-ended periods of play as well as extensive outdoor explorations.
Responsibilities
Operational Consultation: Serve as a consultant to interim leadership of Tompkins Hall on operational, compliance, and pedagogical matters, including but not limited to:
Compliance and Regulations:
- Support interim leadership in ensuring compliance with all New York City and New York State regulations and with Columbia University policies.
- Help interim leadership gain a strong understanding of regulations and compliance.
Communications:
- Offer guidance for developing clear and consistent messaging for staff and parents on
- Coach interim leadership on managing parent relationships.
- Advise, as needed, on written documentation of teaching and learning policies, procedures, and annual cyclical needs, such as structured teacher reports to parents/guardians about student progress.
Supervision and Training:
- Advise on teacher supervision and professional development.
- Offer guidance on leadership development among the Lead Teaching Team, as well as additional teacher development and Individualized Education Program (IEP) implementation, as needed.
- Provide input on potential parent workshops on child development and other relevant topics.
Admissions, and other Processes:
- Support the set-up of, and ensure consistency in, application and admissions processes.
- Assist in creating organizational timelines to streamline and improve process efficiency.
- Recommend improvements for application, admissions, and enrollment processes, and offer guidance on admissions and marketing materials, such as flyers, acceptance and waitlist letters, school contracts and tuition bills, financial aid application process, etc.
Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.
Minimum Qualifications
- Seven to nine years of related experience
- Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
- Significant understanding of NYC Health regulations (specifically Article 47) and compliance
- Leadership experience in an Early Childhood Center school environment
- Demonstrated understanding of developmental needs of infants, toddlers, and young children
- Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and organization skills
- Flexibility, diplomacy, collegiality, professionalism, ability to remain unflappable in high-pressure situations
- Absolute discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality of all parties at all times
- Demonstrated excellence at understanding of administrative and operational services
Preferred Qualifications
- NY State Certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth to Grade 2)
- Experience interfacing with government agencies to ensure regulatory compliance and timely issuance of operating permits
- Experience interfacing with government and non-government agencies providing services and support for children with special needs including Early Intervention and NYC Committee for Preschool Special Education.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
- NY State Certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth to Grade 2)
- Seven to nine years of related experience
- Support the set-up of, and ensure consistency in, application and admissions processes.
- Advise on teacher supervision and professional development.
- Offer guidance for developing clear and consistent messaging for staff and parents on