Child Care Center Director
Location: Millersville, Maryland
Job Type: Full-Time or Part-Time, In-Person
Salary: $25 - $32 per hour
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Performance-based bonuses
- Paid time off
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Career advancement opportunities
- Childcare tuition discount (if applicable)
Position Overview
SFKA is seeking an experienced, energetic, and passionate Child Care Center Director to lead the daily operations of our after-school focused program in Millersville, Maryland. The Director is responsible for ensuring licensing compliance, supporting and developing staff, maintaining exceptional educational quality, building strong relationships with families, and driving enrollment growth.
This is an excellent opportunity for a leader who is passionate about helping students to excel, team development, and creating a positive culture for children, families, and staff. The ideal candidate is a visible, hands-on leader who inspires others, promotes excellence, and ensures a high-quality experience throughout the center.
Key Responsibilities Leadership & Administration
- Lead and oversee daily center operations.
- Maintain compliance with all licensing, regulatory, and organizational standards.
- Develop, implement, and enforce center policies and procedures.
- Ensure a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for children, families, staff, and visitors.
- Create and implement policy and procedures
- Develop operational strategies and support continuous program improvement.
Staff Management & Development
- Recruit, hire, onboard, train, and retain qualified teachers and support staff.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluations.
- Create staff schedules and ensure appropriate classroom coverage.
- Foster a positive, professional, and collaborative workplace culture.
- Support ongoing professional development and staff training initiatives.
Educational Program Quality
- Ensure implementation of a high-quality, developmentally appropriate educational program.
- Support teachers in creating engaging and effective lesson plans.
- Conduct classroom observations and provide constructive feedback.
- Maintain high standards for learning, safety, and child engagement.
Family & Community Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with families and community partners.
- Conduct center tours and manage enrollment inquiries.
- Address parent concerns professionally and promptly.
- Communicate regularly with families regarding children's progress and center activities.
- Promote the center through community outreach, marketing initiatives, and special events.
Licensing & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all Maryland Office of Child Care regulations and licensing requirements.
- Maintain accurate employee and child records.
- Prepare for and participate in licensing inspections and audits.
- Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all children in care.
Operations & Financial Management
- Assist with budget development and financial oversight.
- Monitor enrollment, attendance, staffing levels, and operational performance metrics.
- Manage resources efficiently to support program success.
- Coordinate facility maintenance and vendor relationships.
- Support enrollment growth and retention initiatives.
Qualifications Required
- Meet Maryland Office of Child Care qualifications for a Child Care Center Director.
- Current CPR/First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain upon hire.
- Minimum of three (3) years of leadership experience in a licensed child care center, preschool, or early childhood education program.
- Experience with licensing compliance, staff supervision, and enrollment management.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and team-building skills.
- Excellent communication and customer service abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and childcare management software.
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field.
- Experience with Maryland EXCELS and/or accreditation programs.
- Proven success in growing enrollment and building community partnerships.
- Previous experience as a Director or Assistant Director.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate is:
- A visible, engaged, and approachable leader
- Passionate about early childhood education
- Skilled at coaching, mentoring, and holding staff accountable
- Organized, detail-oriented, and proactive
- A problem solver
- Committed to creating exceptional experiences for children and families
- Dedicated to building a positive, supportive team culture
Bonus Opportunities
- Enrollment growth bonus
- Annual performance bonus
- Ongoing professional development opportunities
Join our team and help create a nurturing, high-quality learning environment where children, families, and educators thrive.
Pay: $25.00 - $32.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
Application Question(s):
- Are you a MSDE qualified Director?
- How many years of experience do you have working as a Child Care Center Director?
- Do you have experience maintaining licensing compliance by preparing and submitting staffing patterns, personnel lists, and staff files to the Maryland Office of Child Care?
- Have you successfully managed the day-to-day operations of a child care center for three or more years?
- Please describe your experience developing and implementing school policies and procedures, including the number of years you have performed these responsibilities.
- Please describe your experience recruiting, training, and supervising staff, including the number of employees you have managed.
- Please describe your experience managing student enrollment, including enrollment growth and family retention initiatives.
Work Location: In person
