Assistant Program Director – St. Mary Child Care Center
Position Summary
The Assistant Program Director (APD) supports the Program Director in the daily administration, supervision, and operation of St. Mary Child Care Center. This position plays a vital leadership role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality early childhood education while maintaining compliance with State of Michigan Child Care Licensing Rules, Great Start to Quality (GSTQ) standards, accreditation requirements, and all applicable health and safety regulations.
The Assistant Program Director assists in providing leadership to staff, supporting families, managing enrollment and office operations, ensuring financial accountability, promoting curriculum implementation, and fostering a positive, faith-based learning environment. This position embodies and promotes the Felician Core Values of Compassion, Respect for Human Dignity, Transformation, Solidarity with the Poor, and Justice & Peace in all interactions with children, families, staff, and the community.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess:
- Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field (Early Childhood Specialist preferred)
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a licensed early childhood program
- Successful clearance of the mandatory State of Michigan Child Care Background Check, including fingerprint-based criminal history screening, as required by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), prior to employment and continued eligibility to work in a licensed childcare center.
- Knowledge of State of Michigan Child Care Licensing Rules and Regulations
- Current CPR, First Aid, and MiRegistry certifications (or ability to obtain upon hire)
- Strong understanding of developmentally appropriate practices and early childhood curriculum
- Excellent leadership, organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, childcare management software, and office technology
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while working independently and collaboratively
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership & Program Administration
- Support the Program Director in the daily operation of the child care center.
- Assist with staff supervision, scheduling, coaching, and performance evaluations.
- Ensure compliance with Michigan Child Care Licensing Rules, Great Start to Quality standards, and accreditation requirements.
- Assist in maintaining a safe, healthy, and welcoming learning environment.
- Provide classroom coverage as needed to maintain required staff-to-child ratios.
- Support onboarding, orientation, and ongoing training of new employees.
- Assist in planning staff meetings, professional development opportunities, and parent education events.
- Mentor and coach lead teachers, assistant teachers, and substitute (pool) staff.
Curriculum & Educational Support
- Support teachers in implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum and assessments.
- Conduct classroom observations and provide constructive feedback to improve instructional quality.
- Collaborate with the Educational Liaison to ensure compliance with Great Start to Quality requirements.
- Assist in monitoring classroom environments to ensure quality standards are consistently met.
Family Support & Community Partnerships
- Serve as a welcoming resource for prospective and current families.
- Foster positive communication between teachers and families.
- Maintain professional relationships with community agencies and service providers.
- Serve as liaison with Trinity Health–Livonia when appropriate.
- Coordinate communication with Building Bridges, Early On, MI Side, and other early intervention providers to support children's developmental needs.
Enrollment & Office Management
- Manage enrollment processes, classroom placements, and waiting lists.
- Maintain accurate child records, enrollment documents, emergency forms, and health documentation required by licensing.
- Oversee tuition billing, payment processing, account reconciliation, and collection of overdue balances.
- Maintain confidential family records.
- Ensure efficient daily office operations and administrative support.
Operations & Special Projects
- Assist with planning center events, fundraising activities, and family engagement initiatives.
- Support marketing and enrollment efforts.
- Participate in emergency preparedness planning and implementation.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the Program Director.
Physical & Environmental Requirements
The Assistant Program Director must be able to:
- Sit, stand, and walk throughout the workday.
- Frequently move between classrooms and office areas.
- Lift, carry, or move up to 50 pounds when necessary.
- Respond appropriately during emergencies and critical situations.
- Work in environments with exposure to common childhood illnesses, occasional loud noise, and varying indoor and outdoor weather conditions.
Professional Standards
The Assistant Program Director is expected to:
- Maintain working knowledge of St. Mary Child Care Center policies and procedures.
- Comply with all federal, state, licensing, accreditation, and organizational regulations.
- Demonstrate professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.
- Promote a positive, collaborative work environment.
- Model excellent communication and customer service.
- Support continuous quality improvement throughout the program.
Felician Core Values
The Assistant Program Director is expected to incorporate the Felician Core Values into all aspects of ministry by demonstrating:
- Compassion
- Respect for Human Dignity
- Transformation
- Solidarity with the Poor
- Justice & Peace
Performance will be evaluated in accordance with St. Mary Child Care Center expectations, Great Start to Quality standards, and NAEYC quality benchmarks.
Stewardship
The Assistant Program Director will:
- Demonstrate punctuality and dependable attendance.
- Utilize organizational resources responsibly and efficiently.
- Exercise sound judgment and initiative.
- Promote continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Support a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
Position Information
Employment Status: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday through Friday, generally 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (hours may vary based on program needs)
Work Location: St. Mary Child Care Center (On-site)
Salary: Starting at $47,000 annually; commensurate with education and experience.
Benefits
Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Retirement Plan
- Paid Time Off
- Employee Child Care Discount
- Employee Referral Program
Required Experience & Certifications
Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years of early childhood teaching experience required.
- Supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
Licenses/Certifications
- Child Development Associate (CDA), Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or other qualifying Early Childhood credential required.
- CPR and First Aid Certification required (or obtained upon hire).
- Active MiRegistry account with required annual professional development hours.
Pay: $47,000.00 - $52,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Education:
Experience:
- early childhood: 3 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Livonia, MI 48154 (Required)
Work Location: In person
