On-Site Childcare Center DirectorPosition Overview
The On-Site Childcare Center Director is responsible for the daily operations and overall quality of a small early childhood center serving infants through Pre-K. This position provides hands-on leadership to a team of approximately 8 early childhood educators and support staff, ensuring classrooms are safe, nurturing, organized, and operating smoothly each day.
The Director reports directly to the Director of Early Education Programs and works collaboratively with the administrative team to support the overall goals, policies, and standards of the early education program.
The Director’s primary focus is the children, classrooms, teachers, curriculum, and families. The ideal candidate is a visible and engaged leader who enjoys being present in the classrooms, supporting teachers, building relationships with families, and creating a positive environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.
Primary ResponsibilitiesClassroom & Daily Operations
- Oversee the daily operation of all three classrooms, including Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K.
- Maintain a consistent presence throughout the center and regularly visit classrooms to ensure they are running smoothly.
- Ensure classrooms maintain appropriate staffing levels and required child-to-staff ratios.
- Support teachers with daily classroom challenges, transitions, routines, and behavior guidance.
- Monitor classroom cleanliness, organization, safety, and overall environment.
- Ensure children are appropriately supervised and receive attentive, responsive care throughout the day.
- Assist in classrooms when needed to maintain ratios, provide staff support, or ensure smooth daily operations.
- Identify operational concerns quickly and work with staff and the Director of Early Education Programs to resolve them.
- Help establish consistent routines and expectations across classrooms.
Staff Leadership & Supervision
- Directly supervise and provide day-to-day leadership to a team of approximately 8 staff members.
- Provide ongoing coaching, guidance, and support to classroom teachers and support staff.
- Set clear expectations for professionalism, classroom management, communication, and child care practices.
- Conduct regular classroom observations and provide constructive feedback and coaching.
- Support new staff members with onboarding, classroom expectations, routines, and center procedures.
- Help create a positive, collaborative team culture.
- Address staff concerns and performance issues promptly and communicate significant concerns to the Director of Early Education Programs.
- Assist with scheduling and staff coverage as needed.
- Recognize and celebrate staff successes and contributions.
- Communicate staffing needs, performance concerns, and team successes to the Director of Early Education Programs.
Curriculum & Educational Programming
- Oversee the consistent implementation of the center’s curriculum and educational philosophy.
- Ensure lesson plans, activities, and classroom experiences are developmentally appropriate and aligned with program expectations.
- Support teachers in planning engaging, hands-on learning experiences for children.
- Monitor classroom environments to ensure they provide opportunities for exploration, independence, social-emotional development, and learning.
- Review lesson plans and classroom activities regularly and provide guidance when adjustments are needed.
- Encourage teachers to individualize learning experiences based on children’s developmental needs and interests.
- Ensure curriculum expectations are being implemented consistently across classrooms.
- Collaborate with the Director of Early Education Programs regarding curriculum goals, program improvements, and professional development needs.
Child Safety, Care & Well-Being
- Maintain a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for all children.
- Ensure staff follow appropriate supervision, health, safety, and child care practices.
- Monitor children’s physical, social-emotional, and developmental well-being.
- Ensure incidents, injuries, and other required documentation are completed accurately and communicated appropriately.
- Respond appropriately to concerns involving children and communicate with families and administration when necessary.
- Ensure daily routines such as meals, diapering, toileting, naps, transitions, and outdoor play are handled safely and consistently.
- Promote positive behavior guidance and respectful interactions with children.
Parent & Family Communication
- Serve as the primary on-site point of contact for families.
- Build positive, professional, and trusting relationships with parents and caregivers.
- Communicate regularly with families regarding their child’s experience, classroom activities, progress, and general center information.
- Respond to parent questions and concerns in a timely and professional manner.
- Address concerns with empathy and work toward appropriate solutions.
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all family communications.
- Partner with families to support children’s individual needs and successful development.
- Escalate significant or sensitive family concerns to the Director of Early Education Programs when appropriate.
- Help create a welcoming environment where families feel comfortable communicating with the center.
Licensing, Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure daily practices are consistent with applicable childcare licensing requirements and organizational policies.
- Maintain required classroom and center documentation.
- Monitor staff compliance with required training, certifications, health and safety practices, and center procedures.
- Ensure required records and forms are completed accurately and on time.
- Communicate licensing or compliance concerns to the Director of Early Education Programs and appropriate administrative staff.
- Participate in licensing visits, inspections, and compliance activities as needed.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Assist with daily attendance and enrollment processes.
- Monitor classroom supplies and communicate purchasing needs to administration.
- Help maintain appropriate classroom materials and resources.
- Participate in staff meetings, leadership meetings, and professional development.
- Provide regular updates to the Director of Early Education Programs regarding center operations, staffing, curriculum implementation, family communications, and areas of concern.
- Assist with enrollment tours and new-family orientation when needed.
- Support the implementation of center policies, procedures, and organizational initiatives.
Reporting Structure
Reports To: Director of Early Education Programs
Direct Reports: Approximately 8 early childhood education staff members
Program: Infant–Pre-K Childcare Center
Classrooms: 3
The On-Site Childcare Center Director is the primary on-site leader and is responsible for the daily supervision and operation of the center. The Director of Early Education Programs provides overall departmental leadership, guidance, and support, while the On-Site Center Director is responsible for carrying out those expectations at the center level.
What Success Looks Like
A successful On-Site Childcare Center Director will:
- Be present, engaged, and accessible to teachers, children, and families.
- Maintain classrooms that are organized, calm, safe, and engaging.
- Ensure teachers feel supported while holding them accountable to high standards.
- Know what is happening in each classroom throughout the day.
- Build strong relationships with children, families, and staff.
- Ensure curriculum is consistently implemented and meaningful for children.
- Address problems proactively rather than allowing small issues to become larger concerns.
- Create a positive culture where teachers feel valued and children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.
- Communicate effectively with both families and the Director of Early Education Programs.
- Keep the Director of Early Education Programs informed of significant staffing, operational, licensing, or family concerns.
- Take ownership of the center's daily success while knowing when to seek support or escalate an issue.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 2 years of experience working in an early childhood education or childcare setting.
- Previous leadership, supervisory, or administrative experience preferred.
- Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Strong understanding of classroom management and early childhood curriculum.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to effectively supervise, coach, and motivate a team.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-oriented in a busy childcare environment.
- Must meet all applicable state licensing requirements for the position.
- CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain certification.
- Required background checks and health documentation must be completed prior to employment.
Position Expectations
This is a hands-on, on-site leadership position. The Director is expected to be actively involved in the daily life of the center rather than functioning solely in an office-based administrative capacity.
The Director should be comfortable moving between classrooms, supporting teachers, interacting with children, communicating with families, and addressing operational needs throughout the day.
The goal of this position is simple: to ensure that every child is safe, cared for, engaged, and learning; every classroom is running smoothly; every teacher has the support they need; and every family feels confident in the care their child receives.
Pay: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
