About Safari Kid Bothell
Safari Kid is a globally recognized early childhood education brand serving children from infant through school-age, built around our proprietary WISDOM Learning Path a whole child approach to development across the physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional domains.
We're opening a brand new Safari Kid center in Bothell, WA this fall, and we're looking for an experienced, hands on Center Director to lead it. Someone who wants to shape a center's culture, team, and reputation from day one rather than step into something already established.
Position Summary
The Center Director is responsible for executing and managing our Preschool Program, ensuring a safe, developmentally appropriate environment for every child. You'll set the daily rhythm of the center, lead and support staff, partner closely with families, and keep the program in good standing with Washington DCYF at all times.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Curriculum Implementation
- Stay current on community resources, including support for children with special needs
Staff Supervision & Development
- Recruit, orient, supervise, evaluate, and support teachers, aides, and volunteers
- Verify all staff meet qualification, background-check, TB, and training requirements; keep MERIT records current
- Maintain required staff-to-child ratios and group sizes at all times, including transitions and emergencies
Health, Safety & Emergency Preparedness
- Safeguard the health and safety of every child; maintain a clean, hazard-free environment
- Implement the center's Emergency & Disaster Plan (fire, earthquake, lockdown drills)
- Oversee medication handling, allergy/individual care plans, illness exclusion, and incident reporting
- Serve as a mandated reporter
Family Engagement
- Build ongoing relationships with families; communicate regularly on each child's care and development
- Review center policies with families at enrollment and after updates
Licensing & Compliance
- Maintain the center's DCYF license in good standing under WAC 110-300
- Prepare for and cooperate with DCYF licensing visits and corrective-action follow-up
- Keep required postings, records, and reporting current
Qualifications
Must meet Washington State DCYF Director qualifications under WAC 110-300 and be eligible for verification in MERIT and demonstrate competency in:
Administration Experience:
Minimum two years of supervisory or administrative experience in a licensed early learning program.
Training
Must possess or obtain prior to employment all DCYF-required trainings including:
- Child Care Basics, Pediatric CPR/First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, Safe Sleep (if applicable), Mandated Reporter & Food Worker Card (if applicable).
- Complete all DCYF-required professional development.
- Maintain an active MERIT profile and ensure all required education, credentials, and professional development are accurately documented.
Licensing
- Maintain full compliance with all Washington Administrative Code (WAC 110-300) requirements.
Additional requirements:
- Must pass a DCYF background check (fingerprint-based) before unsupervised access to children
- Negative TB test on file
- Prior experience opening a new center a plus
Benefits:
Safari Kid offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid vacation & sick holidays.
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Life insurance
Pay: $80,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
