Assistant Director
Little Dreamers Early Learning Center | Lansing, MI
Pay: $18.00–$20.00 per hour, based on education and experience
Who We Are
Little Dreamers Early Learning Center is a relationship-centered early childhood program serving children and families from infancy through preschool. We are committed to creating high-quality learning environments where children are known, loved, challenged, and prepared to thrive.
We are seeking an Assistant Director to join our administrative leadership team. This individual will support the daily operations of the center, help develop and support our teaching team, build strong relationships with families, and assist with the coordination of our growing early childhood programs.
Our Mission
We create safe, nurturing, relationship-centered learning environments where every child is known, loved, challenged, and prepared to thrive.
Our Vision
To redefine what exceptional early childhood education looks like by cultivating confident children, empowered educators, engaged families, and thriving communities.
We envision Little Dreamers as a place where every child is known, every family is valued, every educator is developed, and every experience reflects the highest standard of care.
Through collaboration, innovation, and unwavering excellence, we strive to become a model for early childhood education that transforms lives far beyond the classroom.
Our Core Values
Integrity Ownership Accountability Innovation Excellence Emotional Maturity Partnership Growth Reciprocity
About the Position
The Assistant Director is a member of the Little Dreamers administrative leadership team and reports to the Center Director while working closely with both the Director and Owner.
This position supports the overall operation of the center through staff leadership, administrative coordination, program support, family communication, compliance, and classroom support.
We are looking for someone who takes initiative, follows through, communicates well, contributes to solutions, and can help maintain a high standard of care and professionalism throughout the center.
Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Staff Development
- Support the Center Director with the daily operation of the center
- Assist with leading, coaching, supporting, and developing teaching staff
- Help with staff onboarding, orientation, training, and professional development
- Provide constructive feedback and support staff growth
- Help maintain a positive, professional, accountable, and collaborative workplace culture
- Support staff in understanding and following Little Dreamers policies, procedures, and expectations
- Assist with resolving day-to-day staff and operational concerns
- Model professionalism, emotional maturity, accountability, integrity, and strong communication
- Assume leadership responsibilities when the Center Director is unavailable
Center Operations & Administration
- Assist with opening and/or closing the center as scheduled
- Monitor classroom staffing and teacher-to-child ratios
- Assist with staff scheduling, classroom assignments, breaks, and coverage
- Conduct classroom walkthroughs and provide support as needed
- Step into classrooms when necessary to maintain ratios or support teaching staff
- Support classroom transitions and daily center routines
- Help ensure classrooms remain safe, organized, welcoming, and prepared
- Assist with enrollment, child records, staff records, filing, and center documentation
- Track deadlines, training requirements, classroom needs, and follow-up items
- Order classroom, office, program, and center supplies as needed
- Assist with inventory and ensure classrooms and programs have the resources needed for successful operation
- Support center events, family activities, professional development, and special projects
Program Coordination & Reporting
The Assistant Director will help support the coordination and administration of Little Dreamers' early childhood and family programming, including GSRP, Out-of-School Time programming, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Responsibilities may include:
- Assist with GSRP documentation, data collection, reporting, and program requirements
- Support GSRP classrooms, teaching teams, family engagement requirements, and program monitoring
- Assist with Out-of-School Time enrollment, records, reporting, and program implementation
- Support CACFP meal records, attendance records, menus, reporting, and compliance
- Track program deadlines and required submissions
- Maintain organized program documentation and files
- Assist with preparing information for reports, monitoring visits, audits, and program reviews
- Communicate with program partners and outside agencies as assigned
- Assist with the implementation of grants, contracts, partnerships, and new center initiatives
- Coordinate materials and resources needed for funded programs
Licensing, Compliance & Quality
- Support compliance with Michigan child care licensing requirements
- Help monitor staff credentials, required training, professional development, and documentation
- Support preparation for licensing visits, GSRP monitoring, program reviews, inspections, and quality initiatives
- Help ensure health, safety, supervision, sanitation, and classroom procedures are consistently followed
- Assist with incident documentation and required follow-up
- Support developmentally appropriate practice throughout the center
- Help maintain Little Dreamers' standards for quality and continuous improvement
Family Relationships
- Build positive and professional relationships with children and families
- Communicate with families throughout the day
- Respond to parent questions and concerns professionally and appropriately
- Support teachers and families in resolving concerns
- Assist with center tours, enrollment, family orientation, and onboarding
- Support family engagement activities and center events
- Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive child, family, or employee information
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who:
- Takes initiative and follows through
- Identifies problems and contributes to solutions
- Demonstrates strong ownership and accountability
- Communicates clearly, respectfully, and professionally
- Builds healthy relationships with staff, children, and families
- Can provide direction, coaching, and constructive feedback
- Is comfortable holding themselves and others accountable to expectations
- Remains calm and makes thoughtful decisions under pressure
- Demonstrates emotional maturity and professionalism
- Is organized and able to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines
- Is dependable, punctual, and consistent
- Is receptive to feedback and committed to continued growth
- Understands and respects confidentiality
- Works collaboratively while also being able to operate independently
- Is excited about growing as an early childhood leader
Qualifications
At minimum, candidates should possess one or more of the following educational credentials or backgrounds:
- Associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related child-focused field
- A valid Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
- College coursework in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related child-focused field
- Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field
Candidates should also have:
- Previous experience working in a licensed early childhood program
- Demonstrated knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practice
- The ability to provide classroom leadership and support teaching staff across age groups
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organization, time-management, and problem-solving skills
- Comfort using computers, electronic records, email, and administrative systems
- The ability to successfully complete all required background checks
- CPR, First Aid, and required health and safety certifications, or the ability to obtain them
- A professional, dependable, and collaborative approach to leadership
Previous experience as a Lead Teacher, Assistant Director, Program Coordinator, or in another early childhood leadership role is strongly preferred.
Experience with GSRP, CACFP, Out-of-School Time programming, licensing compliance, grant-funded programs, or early childhood program administration is highly valued.
Physical Requirements
Candidates must be able to participate in the daily operation of an early learning center, including:
- Standing and walking throughout the center
- Bending, kneeling, squatting, and sitting on the floor
- Entering and supporting classrooms as needed
- Lifting children or classroom materials as necessary
- Responding quickly during situations requiring immediate assistance
Grow With Little Dreamers!
If you are an experienced early childhood professional who takes initiative, values excellence, enjoys developing people, and is ready for your next leadership opportunity, we would love to hear from you.
Apply Today
Please submit:
- Resume
- Educational credentials and/or college transcripts
- 3 professional references
Pay: $18.00–$20.00 per hour, based on education and experience
Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
