Head of Early Childhood Development Education at SOS Children's Villages

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Program Director, the Head of Early Childhood Development Education will lead in ECDE programming at the location and provide technical support in the ECDE department to ensure holistic growth, development and learning of the children.

• He/she will ensure fostering of National education goals and implementation of ECDE related policies.
• The ECDE will work with other programmes and partners to develop programmes that support child growth, development and learning.
• She/he will also provide leadership in delivering teaching and learning outcomes as per the CBC curriculum designs.
• The ECDE Head also acts as the overall administrative of the ECDE programme in the location, supporting community ECDE centres, supervising the daily work of all staff, overseeing admissions, fee collection and mobilizing resources to ensure sustainability, and general matters of the institution.

Key performance areas and main responsibilities

Guides, Controls and Coordinates ECDE Activities at the location

• Liaises closely with the Programme Director in admitting children in the centre through a transparency process.
• Prepares an Annual budget for the ECDE department in conjunction with the Programme Director, programme Accountant, and ensures the budget is not exceeded.
• Ensures resource mobilization for the Kindergarten through Proposal writing, partnership and fee collection for sustainability
• Ensures the proper financial management of the Kindergarten, and adherence to the financial and regulations of the Member Association
• Ensures proper records are maintained regarding ECDE department books, stationary, furniture and equipment.
• Ensures all stores have valid store cards, kept in a neat and orderly condition. Maintains a petty cash float, and ensure adequate funds at all times by observing two-thirds rule.
• Collects and records Kindergarten fees as per the financial policy on fee collection.
• Follows-up regarding late payments, and notifies the Management on any concerns
• Purchases all Kindergarten stationary, cleaning materials, equipment, food for the kitchen, and other consumable supplies on timely basis
• Maintains an attendance register for all teaching and support staff
• Ensures compliance with the Government policies in running the centre

Develops a High Quality ECDE Educational Programmes

• Support the Child Development facilitators develop syllabuses as per the early years’ education curriculum designs per level
• Ensure the pre-school strands are covered within the academic year as guided by the Early years’ education curriculum design
• Reviews children’s classes on a rotating basis in order to monitor each Educator’s performance and educational approach.
• Ensures the educational needs of each child are addressed through continuous monitoring and reviewing of each child’s progress.
• Provides continuous technical guidance and training to Child Development facilitators in order to equip them with the necessary skills and expertise.
• Maintains individual files for each Pre-school child, including complete records of progress, achievements, observed learning problems etc.
• Support other programme departments develop quality community ECDE programmes

Supports caregivers provide nurturing care and opportunities for learning

• Develop trainings to sensitize parents/ facilitator/other caregivers on child growth and development and other parenting trainings.
• Support child development facilitators develop learning materials that will provide learning opportunities for the learners.
• Support caregivers understand how to develop attachments/ relationships with young children which supports growth, development and learning.
• Ensures the Kindergarten is clean and all facilities are in order to create conducive learning and working environment.
• Develop sensitization trainings on the roles of parents in learning.

Ensures health, adequate nutrition, Safety and security of the Children

• Organize for child protection training for the parents.
• On admission ensure all children are immunized as per the MOH guidelines
• Provide clean water and sanitation and educate learners on good hygiene
• Ensure child are provided with safe learning environments which are no obstacles, well lit and enough space
• Ensure the play material are safe for children to use
• Provide healthy balanced diet in the feeding programme
• Makes sure the children are properly supervised at all times, and that child development facilitators comply with safety regulations and proper child-care procedures.
• Ensures children are escorted to the group room by their parent or guardian, and only collected by authorized persons.
• Takes prompt action in the event of an accident, and reports any accidents or signs of ill health to the parent or guardian concerned.
• Adhere to OSH guidelines

Builds a Committed and Effective Staff Team

• Oversees the selection, training, development and appraisal of staff to ensure that only the best staff are employed, and that they are developed to reach their full potential.
• Holds regular meetings with staff to discuss current activities, problems, concerns and new ideas, in order to ensure open communication and cooperation.
• Upholds the rights and responsibilities of each staff member ensuring that a positive degree of discipline is maintained at all times.
• Holds regular reviews and performance appraisals with all staff to assess their performance and identify areas for development as catered for by the organization policy on the same.

Acts to integrate the ECDE department with the SOS Children’s Village-Meru Location programme

• Builds close links with the SOS Children’s Village, ensuring all staff take an active part in programme events and activities. Ensures that all staff are familiar with the history, principles and philosophy of SOS Children Villages.
• Participates in Programme or inter-project meetings, and consults project Coordinators prior to taking decisions, which affect children/caregivers in different programmes.
• Performs other reasonable tasks as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience Required

• A Degree in Early Childhood Development
• A Master’s in Early Childhood Development will be an added advantage
• Training in Guidance and counselling will be an added advantage.
• The position holder must be computer literate.
• Minimum of 5 Years’ experience in ECDE
• Must be registered by the Teachers Service Commission
• Be gender sensitive
• Have a genuine liking for and interest in young people and demonstrated patience, tolerance
  and understanding.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, colleagues, administrators, parents and the
  community at large
• Possess report writing skills.
• Significant knowledge of work and educational dynamics in the country