First Presbyterian Nursery School is seeking a Director starting in July 2022. Founded in 1969, the school is an integral part of the community. Its mission is to provide, as a community service, a non-profit, non-sectarian nursery school of the highest educational standards. For over 50 years it has served the needs of children and their families emphasizing closeness, kindness, diversity, and mutual respect. While the school has a close relationship with the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, it is run and operated by a parent board, independent of the church.
Our Preschool Program
At FPNS, we believe that all children learn best in environments arranged with attention to their developmental level. Teachers and the environment encourage physical movement, freedom of expression, active communication, and individual and group problem solving. We have a well-planned facility that has a variety of materials including blocks, sand, water, house corners, table toys, manipulative materials, classroom libraries, paints, and play dough or clay. All children in the 4’s and Pre-K are exposed to the Preschool Wilson Fundations handwriting program that teaches letter formation and beginning phonics. The school hosts a beautiful, expansive playground with many areas of outdoor play and physical expression. The location adjacent to the New Canaan Nature Center offers a wide variety of learning extensions for our children. We can easily and safely walk to the Nature Center to enjoy the trails, animals and special programming such at tree tapping the maple trees in the winter and chick hatching in the spring.
FPNS follows the Connecticut Early Learning and Development standards, that track the progression of developmental standards for children ages 0-5 in the following 8 domains of growth and development:
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Cognition
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Social and emotional development
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Physical development and health
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Language and literacy
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Creative arts
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Mathematics
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Science
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Social studies
The learning progressions within the CT ELDS promote:
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Equity for all children, through the setting of high, but appropriate, expectations
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High-quality early learning experiences, by providing clear goals and trajectories of learning
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Provision of individual support, based on each child’s growth and development;
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Families’ understanding of what their children are learning and how they can support them
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Teachers’ understanding of age-appropriate content and approaches to children’s learning
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Communication across sectors, based upon these common goals for children
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First Presbyterian Nursery School (FPNS) offers two three-morning 3’s programs, two four-morning 4’s programs, and a five-day Pre-K program. Additionally, students may enroll in a lunch bunch program on any weekday. Lunch Bunch runs from 12:00 -1:55 pm. Triple Play (for 3’s) and Jumpstart (for the 4’s) offer an optional extra day with classmates. There is a total of five classes of fourteen- sixteen children, led by a teacher and one or two assistants. The school also offers a camp in May and June that runs from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Monday through Friday. The director has the option to run the camp for a stipend or to hire a camp director.
At FPNS, a Music Specialist spends time with every class, teaching traditional American and international folk music and preparing the children for special programs. The school also has a Science Specialist who meets with each class in our science lab during the week, leading the students, as they become scientists themselves, engaged in age-appropriate inquiry and discovery. In addition, FPNS has an Educational Consultant on staff that assists with identifying children with special needs, behavior plans, implementing the Fundations handwriting program, teacher training and parent communication.
We recognize that each child is a unique person with individual patterns and timing, as well as an individual personality, learning style, and family background. The curriculum and the adults who interact with the children in our community are responsive to these individual differences. In addition parents are an integral part of their child’s education and are encouraged to participate in all aspects of school life. FPNS also reaches out to the broader community through various forms of outreach including providing educational opportunities for parents and working on community service projects.
Director Duties and Responsibilities
The Nursery School Director serves at the discretion of the First Presbyterian Nursery School Board of Trustees and is responsible for the educational and administrative activities of the school. This position is full-time for the twelve-month period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023; details regarding vacations, salary, and benefits will be addressed in the Director’s annual contract. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
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Developing and administering the total program in accordance with the policies and philosophies of the school.
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Taking responsibility for the financial operations of the school as outlined by the approved budget parameters, working with the Board Treasurer and the bookkeeper.
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Work with the church to maintain school compliance with licensing standards and local town ordinances.
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Maintenance of physical facility, procurement of supplies and equipment.
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Marketing the program to prospective families, interviewing, selecting, and placing all students for the school, and maintaining appropriate records.
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Hiring, training, supervising, evaluating, terminating, and scheduling all professional and volunteer staff for the school and maintaining all records.
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Overseeing all internal and external communications, utilizing both print and electronic media to maintain positive relations with all constituents.
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Assessing the effectiveness of the various operations, programs, and curriculum of the school, reporting thereon to the Board of Trustees, and making recommendations for enhancements to meet the evolving needs of parents, children and the community.
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Supporting board decisions and respecting the board’s responsibility to: determine policy; select board members; have fiscal oversight; hire, supervise, evaluate, and establish priorities and allocate resources.
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Working closely with the board to ensure that fundraising priorities and goals are established and met.
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Manage a positive and respectful relationship with the First Presbyterian Church and its pastoral staff, and communicating regularly with church leaders about the use of church rooms and maintenance needs. In addition, the multi-year lease needs to be renegotiated with the church leaders at designated intervals.
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Planning and directing parent educational programs.
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Familiarizing and being knowledgeable about child development issues and children’s progress and being available to provide guidance to parents, making them feel welcome, and encouraging parent participation.
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Maintaining confidentiality at all times.
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Maintaining membership in the New Canaan Pre-school Director’s Group and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
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Involvement in Continuing Education – attends a minimum of one professional conference each year.
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Modeling the mission, philosophy, and values of the school, ensuring that long-time school traditions are maintained.
Position Requirements
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Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or related field (Master’s degree preferred)
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Licensed as a Designated Head Teacher preferred
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Three to five years classroom teaching experience
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Three credits ECE administration or the Connecticut Director’s Credential (may be completed within one year of being hired)
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Proven leadership, management, organization and communication skills
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Knowledge of state licensing procedures
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Ability to successfully recruit and screen new families
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Computer and email proficiency
Required Application Materials
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Cover letter detailing your qualifications and interest for director position
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Complete resume including all schools/degrees and positions held.
Other
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Competitive salary based on experience and education level; medical and retirement benefits available
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First Presbyterian Nursery School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, or national or ethnic origin.
Please email resume and cover letter to Erin Boardman at FPNSdirector2022@gmail.com no later than February 11th, 2022.