Child Care Center Director (Startup Opportunity)
First Steps Learning Centers South Loop (DBA of Bright Steps Child Development Services LLC)
Location: Chicago, IL (South Loop)
Help Build One of Chicago's Premier Early Learning Centers
We are looking for an experienced, energetic, and servant-hearted Child Care Center Director to help launch our brand-new early learning center in Chicago's South Loop.
This is more than a director position—you'll work alongside ownership to build the school from the ground up, create an exceptional team, and establish a culture of excellence from day one.
Illinois Director experience is strongly preferred, but we welcome outstanding directors willing to relocate.
Responsibilities
- Partner with ownership to successfully open the center
- Lead daily operations while maintaining a positive, servant leadership culture
- Recruit, coach, and develop outstanding teachers
- Ensure compliance with Illinois DCFS licensing standards
- Maintain a clean, organized, licensing-ready facility
- Build strong relationships with children, families, and staff
- Conduct tours and help grow enrollment
- Oversee CCAP, CACFP (Food Program), Gateways Registry, staff files, and licensing compliance
- Manage staffing, scheduling, classroom quality, and parent satisfaction
- Foster a warm, welcoming environment where children and teachers thrive
Qualifications
- Director or Assistant Director experience in a licensed child care center
- Strong knowledge of Illinois DCFS licensing (preferred)
- Experience with CCAP, CACFP, and Gateways Registry
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Passion for coaching teachers and delivering exceptional customer service
- Ability to work collaboratively in a startup environment
- Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience considered
What We're Looking For
Our ideal Director:
- Leads with humility and integrity
- Takes ownership and solves problems
- Loves building teams and mentoring teachers
- Maintains high standards for cleanliness, organization, and quality
- Creates an exceptional experience for every family who walks through our doors
- Is excited to help build something special from the ground up
Relocation assistance may be available for highly qualified candidates.
If you're passionate about early childhood education and ready to help build one of Chicago's premier child care centers, we'd love to hear from you!
Pay: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you Director-qualified under Illinois DCFS licensing requirements?
- Have you successfully led a child care licensing inspection?
- Do you have experience with Illinois CCAP, CACFP, and Gateways Registry?
- Are you willing to participate in opening a brand-new child care center?
- Are you able to coach staff to give parents and children the best experience we can possibly offer?
- Are you willing to make sure that the school enjoys being part of the Chicago culture (be in the community)?
- Are you willing to coach staff to be the best they can and show up according to our core values?
Work Location: In person
