our team

First Circle is a place where staff are supported, respected, and appreciated. Our group-teaching environment and open layout enhances collegiality and team unity. Because staff consistency is one of the cornerstones of a quality program, teacher retention is one of our top priorities. In a field that is not renowned for high compensation, we provide generous benefits, regular pay increases, on-going training, and tuition reimbursement.

We’re very proud of our team of dedicated professionals. We work hard to provide opportunities for shared leadership, professional advancement, a voice in every policy and procedure, and—of course—the courtesy and respect we would want for ourselves.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

First Circle Learning Centers is owned by Charlie Marcotty. In cooperation with the administrative team, staff, parents and other child care professionals, Charlie determines all governing policies, procedures, and guidelines for First Circle. She works with the administrative team and teaching staff to implement First Circle’s policies and procedures, and to liaise with staff and families.

ADMINISTRATION

First Circle’s executive administrative team is comprised of the executive director, director of operations, and director of business administration. They work in conjunction with the owner, site directors, administrative staff, and teaching staff to implement First Circle’s policies and procedures and to liaise with staff and families.

LINES OF AUTHORITY + SUPERVISION

We take pride in our ability to care for children to our high standards while respecting each family’s values, culture, and expectations. We also recognize that there will be times when families have questions or concerns regarding the practices in their child’s classroom. With a goal of mutual understanding, collaborative communication, and constant improvement of our program, we invite parents at any time to raise observations, questions, or concerns regarding their child’s care at First Circle.

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

LICENSING AGENCY
Dept. of Early Child Education & Care

HEALTH AUTHORITY
Dept. of Public Health

CO-FOUNDER + PRESIDENT
Charlie Marcotty

EXECUTIVE TEAM

OTHER ADMIN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephanie Monterroso

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Liz Smith

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Kim LoCicero

PROGRAM TEAM

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

OTHER ADMIN

ASSISTANT
DIRECTOR

TEACHERS +
ASSISTANTS

EDUCATORS

Our classroom educators are experts in helping children grow and learn. Educators play a vital role in the development of children—what children learn and experience during their early years shapes their views of themselves and the world, and can directly affect their later success in school, work, and in their personal lives. Educators provide a developmentally appropriate environment, learning activities and materials that children find engaging, and adequate time to explore, play, and interact. Our goal is for children to find learning fun!

QUALIFICATIONS

All of our early childhood teachers have two very important qualities in common: their love for children and their passion for education. Each educator brings their own unique strengths and style to their teaching, but invariably, their primary focus is creating a comfortable and engaging environment for children, families, and fellow staff.

We select staff members based on their knowledge and experience in the field of early childhood education, and because their personal educational philosophy and teaching style are compatible with our philosophy. Most of our staff have specialized degrees or certificates in the fields of education, child development, psychology, or sociology.

Prior to hiring, each potential staff member must pass a rigorous check of personal references, a comprehensive health examination, and a state-mandated Background Records Check, including a criminal background check, a SORI, and a Department of Children and Families check. Each applicant is interviewed extensively and completes a supervised working interview in the classroom.

CLASSROOM ROLE

Educators at First Circle respect, support, and nurture each child’s unique abilities and development while fostering exploration, play, and self-expression. They guide children in understanding appropriate behavior and serve as the primary link to parents, sharing progress and insights.

To ensure that our teachers are the top in their field, educators receive ongoing professional development, including training in CPR, emergency management, first aid, and nutrition.

Staff are supervised daily, observed monthly, and receive regular feedback and annual performance evaluations. At First Circle, we have several different roles for the educators in our classrooms:

TEACHER

Teachers at First Circle are EEC certified as teacher or lead teacher. Most have extensive coursework, workshop, and training experience, and meet annual professional development requirements in addition to their certification. Teachers share responsibility for the educational program, and have primary responsibility for the children in their classroom. They are supported, supervised, and evaluated by the director and administrative team.

CLASSROOM ASSISTANT

Classroom assistants are educators who may or may not have had prior professional experience working with children or early childhood education coursework. However, most have coursework, workshop, and training experience, and are either working towards, or in the process of receiving, their teaching certification from EEC. Classroom assistants are always under the direct supervision of teachers. They are a vital part of the classroom team and have most of the same responsibilities as a Teacher, without primary classroom responsibility. They are supported, supervised, and evaluated by the classroom teachers, director, and administrative team.

VOLUNTEERS/STUDENT INTERNS

From time to time, we have parents, extended family members, or students 16 years or older who would like to volunteer in the classroom. First Circle welcomes the opportunity to expand our ability to nurture and care for the children in our charge. In accordance with EEC regulations, we have a Volunteer Plan to which we adhere strictly. Our plan includes the following:

- All volunteers at First Circle undergo orientation, training, and supervision to ensure compliance with all policies and procedures, including appropriate interactions with children and families, handwashing, and mandated reporting.
- They must pass a Background Records Check, SORI check, and online EEC orientation before working with children and provide a current health assessment verifying they are disease-free and up to date on immunizations.
- Volunteers are always under direct visual supervision of an educator, are never left alone with children, and do not administer First Aid, medication, or change diapers.
- They are included on the written schedule but do not count toward staff ratios unless assigned for at least three months.
- The program maintains detailed records of volunteer service, including dates, hours, and responsibilities.

Detailed job descriptions for each of these roles are available from the director.

STAFF SCHEDULES

Staff schedules at First Circle must be coordinated carefully to account for our long operating hours. There will likely be a different staff member on duty when you drop off and when you pick up your child, but morning and afternoon educators work together to seamlessly implement the curriculum and track each child’s daily needs. Quality care depends on the consistency of caregivers, so we strive as much as possible for day-to-day consistency in the scheduling of classroom staff.

We are not a traditional work environment, where employees who are out sick have the option of working from home while their office stays dark—when we have a staff member out, we must ensure that an equally qualified educator is in the classroom to maintain continuity of care as well as the state-regulated ratios. To be vigilant against the spread of infectious diseases, we exclude our staff from First Circle for the same symptoms as we do the children. We employ floating teachers who are available to help out in any classroom to accommodate staff illnesses, vacations, and emergency absences.

OBSERVATION + OUTSIDE AGENCIES

Occasionally First Circle has outside agencies or providers (including Early Intervention and public school specialists, therapists, Early Education degree candidates, etc.) to observe, evaluate or work with individual children in the classrooms. Such observations and feedback from experts helps us enhance and improve our program as well as individualize children’s education. Observers are always under the supervision of the classroom teachers and do not have unsupervised contact or one-on-one interactions with the children. If appropriate, copies of progress notes or any other written notiﬁcation will be made for the child’s ﬁle.