The Early Care and Education Specialist plays a vital role in strengthening the early childhood community by recruiting, supporting, and retaining family child care providers. This position builds meaningful partnerships with providers, child care centers, preschools, and families to expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities.

As a trusted resource, the Specialist researches, develops, and delivers engaging professional development opportunities that help early childhood professionals grow their skills and provide exceptional care. They also offer consultation and guidance to providers, educators, and parents on a variety of child care and early education topics, helping address unique challenges and promote positive outcomes for children.

This role is key to advancing the mission of the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Program by supporting membership growth, enhancing service quality, and connecting families with valuable early childhood resources. If you are passionate about empowering educators, building community partnerships, and making a lasting impact on young children and families, we encourage you to join our team.

• Build relationships with early care and education providers in the community to help determine needs and recruit for services.
• Provides consultation and/or assistance to potential and new child care providers.
• Researches, develops and presents professional development events as per agency and contractual requirements for providers and parents.
• Develops and presents one or more new trainings, as needed.
• Offers program management training to family child care providers and center-based directors.
• Communicate between educators and state licensing specialists when needed.
• Carries out on-site technical assistance for providers regarding child development, daily program, business practice, learning environment and quality improvement.
• Maintains current information on community resources and guides parents/ providers to appropriate referral as requested.
• Works in collaboration with other specialists on staff including bilingual staff to meet the needs of clients speaking languages other than English.
• Actively participates in ensuring the program is Quality Assurance Certified in best practices.
• Outreach to businesses and community organizations.
• Actively pursues knowledge of linguistic, racial and ethnic populations in SDA to address that population’s needs.

Requirements

• Minimum of Associate Degree (A.A. or A.S.) in Child Development or Early Childhood Education or equivalent. Bachelor’s degree preferred.  Working Knowledge of Microsoft applications. Knowledge of child care required.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in providing direct care for infants and/or toddlers or children ages two to eight in a group setting. Minimum of one-year experience providing training to adult audiences. Working knowledge of Microsoft applications.
• Ability to work with a diverse client population.
• Requires good interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Holds a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to complete projects in a timely manner and to multi-task.
• Proficient using Microsoft Word, Excel, including creating and editing documents, and spreadsheets.
• Complies a variety of reports and data information with a high degree of accuracy to support compiling and synthesizing reports.

Benefits

Child Start's Early Care and Education Specialist is $17.51 per hour, 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Child Start offers competitive salary and benefits, including Medical/Dental/Vision plans, company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage, 403(b) retirement plan, 9 paid holidays each year, and much more!

Must have legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship.

In compliance with KDHE requirements, Child Start will request proof of measles (MMR) vaccination or documented immunity during the employment process.

Must be able to commute daily to Wichita, KS.