Welcome to The Mountains
Gilpin Mountain Kids Early Learning Center is more than a childcare program, we're a tight-knit community, tucked into the mountains west of Denver, built by a community that believes every child deserves a warm, nurturing place to grow, and every family deserves to feel truly known. We opened our doors because our neighbors came together, through fundraising, ballot measures, and a whole lot of heart, to make sure the youngest members of our town, and the people who care for them, have a place that feels like home.
We're looking for an Executive Director who will carry that same spirit forward: someone who leads with as much warmth as skill, who sees this as a chance to shape not just a program but a community, and who wants to spend their days surrounded by little giggles, big milestones, and some of the most beautiful mountain views in Colorado. You'll work closely with our Board of Directors, our devoted staff, our families, and our neighbors to keep Gilpin Mountain Kids a nurturing, educational, and safe place for children from infancy through preschool.
What You'll Do
1. Leadership & Management
You'll be the heart of our team, providing the vision, direction, and steady hand that lets our staff do their best work every day.
- Provide strategic vision and leadership to ensure our mission and goals are met, always keeping the wellbeing of our children and families at the center of every decision.
- Oversee daily operations, including program development, staffing, curriculum implementation, and compliance with licensing and regulatory standards.
- Make sure every staff member feels well-trained, supported, and genuinely valued; a confident, cared-for team is what makes a warm center possible.
- Establish and uphold policies and procedures that reflect best practices in early childhood education, always with our families' trust in mind.
2. Financial Oversight
We need someone who can steward our resources thoughtfully, so this special place can thrive for years to come.
- Manage the center's budget, ensuring financial sustainability and efficient resource allocation.
- Partner with the Board of Directors to develop and carry out strategies for a balanced budget, including tuition collection and fundraising efforts.
- Analyze financial statements and prepare clear, honest reports for the Board, highlighting financial performance, trends, and recommendations.
- Oversee all aspects of billing, including tuition management and payments.
3. Curriculum & Program Development
Every child who walks through our doors deserves a curriculum built with care and rooted in what we know helps little minds and hearts grow.
- Oversee the development and implementation of an age-appropriate curriculum that meets the developmental needs of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
- Promote best practices in early childhood education, ensuring the curriculum aligns with state standards and reflects the latest research.
- Regularly assess the effectiveness of our programs and make thoughtful adjustments based on feedback from staff, parents, and observation.
4. Parent & Community Engagement
Families are at the very center of what we do, we want every parent to feel like part of the Gilpin Mountain Kids family, not just a customer.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with parents, ensuring open communication and genuine involvement in the center's activities and growth.
- Develop and implement programs that support family connection, including parent education, workshops, and community outreach events.
- Represent our center within the local community, cultivating warm partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and other early childhood providers.
5. Staff Development & HR Management
Our team is our heart. We want an ED who will recruit, nurture, and champion the people who show up every day for our kids.
- Recruit, hire, train, and retain qualified, caring staff for all positions within the center.
- Develop and support ongoing professional development opportunities, so our team is well-equipped and confident in meeting the needs of children and families.
- Manage performance evaluations and provide feedback and coaching to staff with encouragement and respect.
- Ensure compliance with state and local employment laws and regulations, including child safety, health, and background checks.
6. Compliance & Quality Assurance
Safety and trust are non-negotiable, families need to know, without a doubt, that their children are safe and well cared for here.
- Ensure the center operates in full compliance with state and local licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and child care policies.
- Regularly conduct facility audits and risk assessments to ensure the safety and cleanliness of our environment.
- Work with accreditation agencies and maintain all necessary certifications, ensuring the center meets high standards of care and education.
7. Marketing & Public Relations
We'd love for more families in our beautiful mountain community to find us and feel welcome here.
- Oversee the center's marketing efforts, ensuring a warm, positive, and consistent presence within the community.
- Develop and execute strategies for increasing enrollment, including community outreach, partnerships, and promotional activities.
- Personally respond to inquiries from prospective families and provide tours of the facility, helping every visiting family feel welcomed and understood.
8. Board & Stakeholder Relations
You'll be a true partner to our Board; open, honest, and collaborative, because we're all in this together.
- Work closely with the Board of Directors to set organizational goals, objectives, and policies.
- Provide regular, candid reports to the Board on financial performance, staffing, programs, and overall center health.
- Support fundraising efforts, including grants, donations, and community partnerships.
What We're Looking For
We know the right person for this role brings both heart and expertise. Here's what we need:
- Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Business Administration, or a related field (Master's preferred).
- Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in early childhood education, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
- In-depth knowledge of early childhood education principles, licensing requirements, and regulatory standards.
- Proven experience in financial management, including budgeting, financial reporting, and resource allocation.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the warmth and ease to connect with staff, parents, children, and the community alike.
- A genuine commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current on best practices in early childhood education.
- Because our center is licensed for a maximum capacity of over 16 children, it is considered a large child care center. A Director's Qualifications Letter or Certificate issued by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, or a current Early Childhood Professional Credential (ECPC) Level III or higher in Version 3.0, is required.
Preferred, but not required:
- Experience with program accreditation processes (e.g., Colorado Shines and NAEYC).
- Familiarity with child development software and management systems.
Where You'll Be
This is a full-time role based on-site at our center in Black Hawk, surrounded by the beauty of the Colorado mountains, with occasional off-site meetings and community engagements. We ask for flexibility now and then, evenings or weekends, for the events and gatherings that make this community what it is.
Compensation & Benefits
- Hiring range: $65,000–$80,000 annual salary
- A full benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan options
- A childcare discount for staff members
- Ongoing professional development opportunities
Come Grow With Us
This role is for someone who wants more than a job, who wants to become part of a community that will welcome you like family from day one. If you're ready to lead with heart, roll up your sleeves, and help shape the future of childcare in our little corner of the mountains, we can't wait to meet you.
Pay: $65,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have a current ECPC Level III Credential or higher?
Experience:
- Early childhood education: 3 years (Preferred)
Location:
- Black Hawk, CO 80422 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
