Creative Learning Academy — Harvard, Massachusetts
Salary: $25-$30 per hour
Position: Full-Time, Year-Round
Location: Harvard, Massachusetts
Age Groups: Infants through Preschool — approximately 2 months to 7 years old
Creative Learning Academy is seeking a qualified, experienced, and caring Child Care Center Director to lead our early education and care program in Harvard, Massachusetts.
We are looking for a professional who is passionate about early childhood education, understands Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) regulations, and can confidently oversee the daily operation of a high-quality child care center.
EEC QUALIFICATIONS — REQUIRED
The successful candidate must meet the Massachusetts EEC requirements for the applicable Director certification/position level and provide documentation of education, experience, and required coursework.
Candidates must have the qualifications required by applicable Massachusetts EEC regulations, including the applicable Lead Teacher qualifications and Director-level requirements. Depending on the candidate’s education pathway, EEC requirements may include:
* Required college-level Early Childhood Education coursework in the applicable categories of study
* Required coursework in Child Growth and Development
* Required coursework in Planning Programs, Curriculum, or Classroom Management
* Required qualifying early childhood education work experience
* Required Child Care Administration coursework
* Additional education/coursework required for the applicable EEC Director level
* Appropriate EEC professional certification/qualification or eligibility for the position
* Minimum age requirements applicable to the EEC Director level
* Compliance with all applicable EEC Background Record Check requirements
EEC’s current Director certification guidance states that Director candidates must first meet the applicable teacher/lead teacher education requirements and then complete additional Child Care Administration requirements and other Director-level requirements.
Applicants will be required to provide transcripts, EEC certification/qualification documentation, and verification of qualifying experience as requested.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director will assume overall responsibility for the safe, compliant, and effective operation of the child care center.
Program Leadership & Administration
* Oversee the daily operation of the child care center serving children approximately 2 months through 7 years old.
* Ensure the program operates in compliance with all applicable Massachusetts EEC regulations, policies, and licensing requirements.
* Maintain a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment for all children.
* Serve as the primary leader for teachers, assistant teachers, and other staff.
* Develop and maintain staff schedules while ensuring appropriate staffing and child-to-staff ratios.
* Ensure qualified educators are assigned to classrooms and age groups appropriately.
* Maintain required program records, staff records, children’s records, attendance records, and other EEC documentation.
* Prepare the center for EEC monitoring visits and respond appropriately to licensing requirements and corrective actions.
* Ensure required policies, procedures, emergency plans, and health and safety practices are implemented.
Staff Management
* Recruit, interview, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate teaching staff.
* Verify that employees meet applicable EEC education, experience, training, and background-check requirements before performing duties requiring those qualifications.
* Provide staff orientation and ongoing professional development.
* Conduct staff meetings, observations, evaluations, and performance discussions.
* Address employee performance, attendance, professionalism, and classroom concerns.
* Maintain a positive, respectful, and professional workplace culture.
* Ensure staff follow center policies and EEC requirements.
Classroom & Educational Oversight
* Monitor classrooms to ensure high-quality care and education.
* Support teachers in developing age-appropriate curriculum and activities.
* Ensure classrooms provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and older children within the program’s licensed age range.
* Monitor children’s individual needs, development, behavior, and progress.
* Support teachers with classroom management and positive guidance strategies.
* Ensure appropriate supervision of children at all times.
* Ensure safe sleep, diapering, feeding, sanitation, and other age-specific practices are followed.
Health & Safety
* Maintain compliance with EEC health and safety requirements.
* Ensure proper supervision, attendance tracking, emergency preparedness, and emergency procedures.
* Monitor required CPR/First Aid and other staff training documentation.
* Ensure medication, illness, injury, incident, and emergency procedures are followed.
* Ensure the facility, playground, classrooms, equipment, and materials remain safe and appropriate for children.
* Respond appropriately to emergencies and report incidents as required.
Family & Community Relations
* Build positive relationships with enrolled families.
* Communicate professionally with parents and guardians regarding children’s care, development, classroom concerns, and program policies.
* Address parent concerns promptly and professionally.
* Support enrollment, orientation, and family engagement.
* Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and employees.
Licensing & Compliance
* Act as a key point of contact for EEC licensing matters.
* Maintain readiness for EEC visits and inspections.
* Ensure required documentation is current and accessible.
* Implement EEC-required corrective actions when applicable.
* Stay current on changes to Massachusetts EEC regulations, policies, and guidance.
* Ensure the center maintains compliance with applicable regulations governing staffing, supervision, ratios, qualifications, records, health, safety, curriculum, and administration.
Massachusetts EEC regulations apply broadly to programs providing non-residential care to children under age 14, and EEC requires programs to maintain appropriate supervision, qualified staff, staffing schedules, personnel records, and administrative oversight.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
We are looking for someone who is:
* Experienced in early childhood education and child care administration
* Knowledgeable about Massachusetts EEC regulations
* A strong and confident leader
* Organized and detail-oriented
* Professional and dependable
* Warm, patient, and caring with children
* Comfortable supervising and supporting a teaching team
* An excellent communicator with families and staff
* Able to manage multiple responsibilities in a busy child care environment
* Committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and high-quality learning environment
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
* Current resume
* College transcripts
* EEC certification or qualification documentation, if applicable
* Documentation of required EEC coursework
* Verification of qualifying child care experience
* Professional references
* Required background-check information
* CPR/First Aid documentation, as applicable
All employees working in Massachusetts group child care programs are subject to applicable EEC Background Record Check requirements.
COMPENSATION
$25–$30 per hour, based on education, EEC qualifications, experience, and overall qualifications for the Director position.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and EEC qualification/certification documentation for consideration.
Creative Learning Academy
Harvard, Massachusetts
We are looking for a Director who is ready to take ownership of the program, support our teachers, build strong relationships with families, and provide excellent care and education for children from infancy through the early childhood years.
Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
