El Busesito Program Manager

To apply for this position, please use the link to complete the application on the TriNet platform or send your resume and cover letter to HR@valleysettlement.org. Someone will reach out to you to complete the application process.

Program: El Busesito Preschool

Title: El Busesito Preschool Program Manager                                

Report to: Director of Programs and Innovation

Schedule: This is a full-time, exempt position. It requires availability during programming hours from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some evening and weekend availability required. Times are subject to change based on programming needs.

Salary Range: $65,000.00 – $95,000.00, based on qualifications and previous related work experience.

Benefits: Valley Settlement’s benefits include the following

• Employer-sponsored health plan that includes medical, vision, dental, and life
• Simple IRA
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plan
• Up to 16 paid holidays annually
• Professional development assistance

General Description:

El Busesito preschool is a bilingual program with a strong emphasis on family engagement. Our fleet of “Little Buses” travel to neighborhoods to provide bilingual preschool education to children who would otherwise have no access to preschool. Equipped with a strong foundation of social-emotional learning, students arrive at kindergarten each year ready to learn alongside their peers. Parents are engaged as partners in their child’s education through volunteering, home visits, and Family Nights each year.

The Program Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of El Busesito Preschool, including program operations, staff supervision, curriculum implementation, compliance, family engagement, and evaluation. This role ensures fidelity to Valley Settlement’s mission and alignment with state licensing and UPK requirements while fostering a collaborative, supportive environment for staff, children, and families.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Staff Supervision

• Provide leadership and supervision for teaching staff on the daily program operations.
• Facilitate weekly team meetings, 1:1 check-ins, coaching sessions, observe classroom practice and provide constructive feedback.
• Support staff in setting and achieving professional development goals.
• Oversee staff hiring, onboarding, ongoing staff training, and annual performance reviews.
• Address staff performance or personnel concerns in alignment with organizational policies and  protocols.
• Ensure accurate and timely approval of timesheets, reimbursements, and PTO.

Planning & Operations

• Develop the annual program calendar and class schedule
• Coordinate any new and existing facility sites where mobile preschool classes are held
• Maintain, update, and ensure staff adhere to the established Busesito Program policies and procedures.
• Ensure curriculum and assessments are culturally responsive and implemented with fidelity.
• Review and support lesson planning, maintaining alignment with program goals.
• Monitor and coordinate program enrollment, attendance, and recruitment.
• Manage program budget, approve purchases, and monitor inventory and supplies.
• Organize and oversee all program events.
• Coordinate bus maintenance, safety compliance, and vehicle agreements with the School District.
• Oversee program newsletters, communications, and content submissions.

Family Engagement & Support

• Support teachers in developing positive relationships and engagement with parents and families.
• Support teachers in family engagement events such as parent-teacher conferences, home visits, and family nights.
• Follow up with teachers regarding participant attendance, referrals, or any challenges related to program engagement.
• Facilitate program recruitment and outreach, including door-knocking efforts.
• Ensure staff follow organizational home visiting practices and protocols
• Lead and support staff on trauma-informed, asset-based learning and equity-informed best practices

Compliance & Licensing

• Maintain compliance with all Colorado childcare licensing requirements, including health and fire inspections, background checks, injury reports, and staff qualification records.
• Responsible for completing all necessary licensing inspections, reports, and application processes.
• Oversee and update staff files, facility agreements, vehicle agreements, and program documents.
• Monitor and manage UPK provider portal responsibilities, including contracts, payments, and communications with the local early childhood councils.
• Complete all required staff and program reports.

Program Monitoring & Evaluation

• Ensure the accuracy of and oversee data collection and reporting for the program (such as TS GOLD, Bracken, pre/post surveys, programming reports, program database, etc.).
• Manage the TS GOLD evaluation portal.
• Lead and support the development and implementation of evaluation tools
• Support the development of the annual evaluation retreat
• Prepare and submit program data to be evaluated by a third-party analyst.
• Manage the administration of internal and external program surveys.

Organizational Leadership & External Partnerships

• Participate in Valley Settlement leadership team meetings, manager meetings, and cross-program meetings or events.
• Maintain and strengthen both internal and external partnerships and collaborations within programs and the organization.
• Represent the program at local and regional early childhood committees, provider meetings, and community partnerships.
• Collaborate with the Valley Settlement’s development and finance departments on related program grant deliverables, reporting, funding requirements, events, and the budget.
• Participate in program site tours in collaboration with the development team.
• Support organizational strategic planning, program improvement, and special initiatives.
• Participate in any special initiatives that the organization leans into
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bilingual (Spanish/English), both oral and written.
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, or Director Certification in Colorado, with equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in early childhood education, preferably in program management or staff supervision.
• Knowledge of Teaching Strategies GOLD (or ability to achieve certification within 2 months).
• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Experience in staff supervision, budget management, and childcare licensing compliance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Drive.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable vehicle for travel between sites (mileage reimbursed).
• Ability to meet all Colorado childcare licensing requirements.

Qualifications & Skills

• Cultural awareness and sensitivity, with a commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Experience working directly with children and families in early childhood education settings.
• Effective leadership and team-building skills to support staff.
• Trustworthy, responsive, punctual, and reliable.
• Strong active listening, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing training and professional development.
• Ability to evaluate, design, and implement curriculum and program improvements.
• Knowledge of child development principles, health and safety standards, and best practices in early childhood education.
• Flexibility and adaptability to manage multiple priorities.

The following trainings are to be completed by the employee in the following timeframes.  Valley Settlement will provide opportunities for completing these trainings:

Complete Prior to Caring for Children

• Building & Physical Premises Safety/Storage of Hazardous Materials & Bio-Contaminants
• CPR & First Aid Certification
• Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Child Care Providers
• Standard Precautions
• Medication Administration Part 1
• Medication Administration Part 2

Complete within 30 Calendar Days of Employment

• Introduction to First Aid and CPR
• Recognition and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
• Child Care and Preschool Immunizations
• RE-1 Small Bus Driver Training

Complete within 90 Calendar Days of Employment

• Introduction to the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs
• Recognizing the Impact of Bias on Early Childhood Professionals
• Playground Safety for Child Care Centers
• Injury Prevention for Child Care Centers
• Introduction to Child Care Health Consultation
• Working with an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Physical Requirements:

The job duties require an employee to handle the physical demands of the work, including prolonged periods of standing, frequent bending and sitting on the floor. The employee must also be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time and load and unload materials at various class sites. Lastly, this job may require going up and down stairs.

Non–discrimination Policy

Valley Settlement does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, cultural heritage, political beliefs, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, disability, color, country of origin, or marital status, in any of its activities or operations, including, but not limited to, the provision of providing services to children and their families, its employment practices, and selection of vendors or volunteers.