Program Supervisor – Early Childhood Education
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: Is based on education, qualifications, and experience
Reports To: Managing Director
About Building Blocks Learning Center
At Building Blocks Learning Center, we believe that exceptional early childhood education begins with strong leadership, dedicated educators, and a commitment to providing children with a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment. We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and highly organized Program Supervisor (similar to an assistant director) to join our school leadership team. This is a hands-on leadership position for an early childhood professional who is passionate about educational excellence, child safety, staff development, and maintaining high standards across every classroom.
Position Overview
The Program Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the daily educational program, classroom operations, teacher performance, child supervision, and curriculum implementation.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Program Supervisor serves as a key member of the school's leadership team and works closely with the Managing Director to ensure the program operates safely, efficiently, and consistently with Building Blocks Learning Center's expectations.
The ideal candidate is a confident, proactive leader who can effectively supervise teachers, manage classroom staffing and ratios, maintain regulatory compliance, and ensure children receive a high-quality educational experience.
This position requires someone who can lead by example, address challenges independently within their authority, hold team members accountable, and maintain a strong presence throughout the school.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Daily Operations
- Oversee the daily operation and execution of the educational program across assigned classrooms.
- Ensure classrooms are appropriately staffed, organized, and operating according to established schedules and procedures.
- Monitor daily child attendance, enrollment counts, classroom capacity, and teacher-to-child ratios.
- Coordinate classroom coverage, staff breaks, transitions, and adjustments to maintain safe and compliant operations.
- Identify staffing or operational concerns and work with the Managing Director to implement timely solutions.
- Maintain an active, visible presence in classrooms throughout the school day.
- Assist with classroom responsibilities when necessary to support staff, maintain ratios, and ensure program continuity.
- Support the Managing Director in meeting school wide operational, educational, and quality goals.
Child Safety, Supervision & Regulatory Compliance
- Make child safety, active supervision, and student well-being the highest priorities of the program.
- Ensure teachers consistently maintain appropriate supervision, child counts, classroom ratios, and safe learning environments.
- Reinforce Building Blocks Learning Center's D.A.S.H. approach to active supervision: Direct, Assess, See, and Hear.
- Conduct routine classroom walkthroughs to monitor safety, supervision, cleanliness, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure compliance with applicable Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), and other applicable program requirements.
- Monitor required classroom documentation, attendance records, health and safety practices, and emergency procedures.
- Immediately address unsafe conditions or practices and promptly report serious concerns and incidents through established procedures.
- Support licensing inspections, quality assessments, and corrective action plans as assigned.
- Promote a culture where safety and accountability are consistently demonstrated by every employee.
Teacher Supervision, Coaching & Accountability
- Provide direct day-to-day supervision, guidance, and support to assigned teachers and classroom staff.
- Establish clear expectations for classroom performance, professionalism, attendance, communication, and adherence to policies.
- Conduct classroom observations and provide timely, constructive feedback.
- Coach teachers in classroom management, positive guidance, child development, and instructional practices.
- Identify performance concerns early and communicate them to the Managing Director.
- Document observations, coaching conversations, and follow-up actions as required.
- Assist with staff onboarding, orientation, training, and professional development.
- Support employee performance evaluations and improvement plans in collaboration with the Managing Director.
- Promote teamwork, professionalism, and a positive school culture.
Curriculum & Educational Quality
- Oversee the consistent implementation of Building Blocks Learning Center's approved curriculum, including Frog Street and other designated educational approaches.
- Monitor classroom lesson plans, daily schedules, learning environments, and developmentally appropriate activities.
- Ensure teachers are prepared, engaged, and effectively implementing educational expectations.
- Support teachers in applying Conscious Discipline and positive behavior guidance strategies.
- Review classroom practices to ensure alignment with children's developmental needs and learning objectives.
- Monitor child assessments, developmental documentation, and educational progress as applicable.
- Provide instructional coaching and modeling to improve classroom quality.
- Support continuous improvement efforts and applicable Keystone STARS standards.
Classroom Staffing, Ratios & Enrollment Management
- Monitor daily classroom attendance, staffing levels, and teacher-to-child ratios throughout the school day.
- Ensure accurate child counts and timely communication regarding changes in classroom attendance.
- Assist with staff scheduling and classroom assignments in coordination with the Managing Director.
- Identify opportunities to improve classroom efficiency while maintaining safety, educational quality, and regulatory compliance.
- Communicate classroom availability, capacity limitations, and enrollment needs to the Managing Director.
- Support the successful transition and placement of children between classrooms.
- Maintain accurate and timely program records and required documentation.
Family Relationships & Communication
- Help maintain positive, professional, and supportive relationships with children and families.
- Support teachers in communicating effectively with parents regarding classroom activities, developmental progress, and daily experiences.
- Assist with resolving classroom-level family concerns and escalate significant matters to the Managing Director.
- Promote a welcoming, respectful, and family-centered school environment.
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.
Leadership & Accountability
- Serve as a dependable member of the school leadership team and a key support to the Managing Director.
- Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and follow through on commitments without repeated reminders.
- Communicate proactively with the Managing Director regarding staffing, safety, curriculum, performance, and operational concerns.
- Address routine classroom challenges independently while recognizing when escalation is necessary.
- Maintain accurate documentation and complete assigned tasks within established deadlines.
- Demonstrate sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and a solutions-oriented approach.
- Support school leadership during the Managing Director's absence as specifically authorized and consistent with applicable regulatory qualifications.
- Perform other related responsibilities as assigned to support the safe and successful operation of the school.
Required Qualifications
Candidates must possess at least an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or other qualifying associate degree in Early Childhood Education, or a bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in Early Childhood Education or a qualifying related field, from an accredited institution.
Acceptable related fields may include Child Development, Elementary Education, Special Education, or Human Services, subject to applicable Pennsylvania qualification requirements.
Candidates must also meet the education, coursework, and professional experience requirements applicable to their assigned position under Pennsylvania child care regulations.
Additional requirements:
- Minimum of two years of professional experience working with children in a licensed early childhood education or child care setting.
- 2 years of management experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, coaching, or supervising classroom staff.
- Working knowledge of Pennsylvania child care licensing regulations, classroom ratios, and child supervision requirements.
- Understanding of early childhood curriculum, child development, and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
- Ability to address employee performance concerns professionally and maintain accountability.
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced school environment.
- Ability to obtain and maintain all required Pennsylvania child care clearances, certifications, and training.
- Ability to work on-site during assigned school operating hours.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field.
- Three or more years of experience in early childhood education.
- Previous experience as a Program Supervisor, Assistant Director, Education Coordinator, Lead Teacher, or comparable leadership position.
- Experience with Keystone STARS, Frog Street curriculum, Conscious Discipline, or Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts.
- Experience managing classroom staffing, scheduling, teacher performance, and educational quality initiatives.
What Success Looks Like
A successful Program Supervisor ensures that:
- Children are safe, appropriately supervised, and engaged in meaningful learning experiences.
- Classrooms consistently meet staffing, ratio, curriculum, and regulatory expectations.
- Teachers receive clear direction, meaningful coaching, and consistent accountability.
- Daily child counts, classroom transitions, and staffing adjustments are managed accurately.
- Curriculum is implemented consistently and with high quality.
- Concerns are identified early, addressed promptly, and communicated appropriately.
- The Managing Director has a reliable leadership partner who takes ownership of the educational program.
Why Join Building Blocks Learning Center?
At Building Blocks Learning Center, we recognize that strong school leadership makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children, families, and educators. As a Program Supervisor, you will have the opportunity to lead a team of early childhood professionals, strengthen educational programming, and contribute to a school environment built on safety, accountability, teamwork, and excellence. We are looking for someone who is ready to make an impact, lead with purpose, and take pride in the success of their school.
If you are an experienced early childhood educator who is ready to take the next step in school leadership, we encourage you to apply.
Building Blocks Learning Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected characteristics, in accordance with applicable law.
This description outlines the primary responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. Responsibilities may evolve based on school needs and applicable regulatory requirements.