PROGRAM SUMMARY

Kids Place offers an engaging, high-quality, enriching, and choice-based school-age care program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Kids Place Preschool operates as part of St. Louis Park Public Schools’ Community Education department and is offered at each elementary location. The mission of St. Louis Park Public Schools is to see, inspire, and empower each learner to live their brilliance in an environment that centers student voice and experience to create racially equitable learning that energizes the spirit of community.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of practices, techniques, and fundamentals of child care programming and services, teaching principles, techniques, and procedures.
• Knowledge of child development theories, development stages, and needs.
• General understanding of working with an equity lens and commitment to furthering personal and professional growth in equity.
• Planning and making arrangements for building use and scheduling requirements.
• Applying judgment and discretion in handling problems and issues in accordance with the policies and procedures of the District and the department.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, rules, regulations, or guidelines pertaining to child care programs, operations, and safety requirements.
• Supervising groups of children in accordance with behavioral guidelines and rules to assure an appropriate environment and the safety of participants and staff.
• Planning and implementing site activities in accordance with program themes, field trips, and academic subject activities.
• Knowledge of DHS Certified Center requirements.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with parents, colleagues, and community members from diverse backgrounds.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Requires a minimum of two years of experience developing, implementing, supervising, or coordinating youth programs.
• Requires DHS Background Study.
• Child Development Associate’s degree (CDA) or Baccalaureate degree in Child Development, Elementary Education, Recreation, or related field preferred.
• Training on all approved DHS Health and Safety Policies regarding illness and medication. Administration, all sanitary practices of food handling & diaper/toileting, and child safety.
• Complete First Aid & CPR within 90 days of employment.
• Experience working with individuals with special needs is preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish/English or Somali/English language skills are desirable.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

A CE Educator’s primary responsibility is to create a safe and nurturing learning environment that reflects and celebrates the brilliance of each participant.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure programming aligns with the St. Louis Park Public Schools’ vision, mission, and core values.
• Provide overall daily direction and supervision of the program at the site level and ensure the safety of all program participants.
• Provides supervision to participants at all times, serving as a positive role model.
• Provide work direction and mentorship to program staff, fostering skill development and ensuring effective program delivery.
• Accountable for promptly documenting and reporting performance concerns to the SAC supervisor, ensuring timely communication and thorough documentation to facilitate effective resolution and ongoing performance management.
• Monitor program activities to ensure all participants experience a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment conducive to learning and play.
• Establish and maintain positive, effective communication with families, participants, coworkers, and school district staff through multiple methods consistently.
• Ensure District and program policies, procedures, and guidance plans for working with children, including children with special needs, are implemented.
• Maintain site status as a MN Department of Human Services (DHS) certified child care program, including the annual recertification process, and ensure all DHS rules and regulations are met and followed on a daily basis.
• Plan and implement daily pre-program huddles and weekly planning meetings with site staff.
• Maintain accurate program records, including accident/incident reports, payroll vouchers, attendance records, accounting, etc.
• Collaborate with the site team to offer age-appropriate enrichment and recreational activities that engage participants individually, in pairs, and in both small and large groups.
• Foster conflict resolution skills through games, role-playing, and program events/activities.
• Partner with SAC Supervisor, the site team, and parents when behavior challenges or child development issues arise to support students.
• Attends training sessions, workshops, seminars, etc., to keep skills, certifications, and knowledge current.
• In collaboration with the department, maintain and enact site safety plans; conduct required drills.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records, and Kids Place information.
• Other duties or tasks may be assigned on an as-needed basis.
• At times, may be required to work outside regular business hours and work extended hours to accomplish the requirements of the position.