Position: Center Director – Child Care Facility
Location: Liberty Missouri
Reports to: Owner
Supervises: Assistant Director; Program Supervisor, Infant/Toddler, Preschool/Pre‑K and, through this leadership team, all classroom and support staff
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Summary:Provides overall leadership and management for all aspects of the childcare center’s operations in Kearney, Missouri. The Center Director is responsible for regulatory compliance with Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Childhood licensing rules (5 CSR 25‑500), high‑quality care and education, financial performance, staffing, and strong family and community relationships. The Director leads the center’s leadership team (Assistant Director and Program Supervisors) to ensure safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years in a 152‑capacity licensed facility.
Essential Responsibilities
- Center Operations & Licensing Oversight (40%)
- Oversee daily operations of the 152‑capacity center in Kearney, Missouri, ensuring smooth opening, operating, and closing procedures each day.
- Ensure full compliance with Missouri DESE Office of Childhood child care licensing rules (5 CSR 25‑500) and applicable local health, fire, and zoning requirements.
- Maintain staff‑to‑child ratios at all times across infant, toddler, preschool, and pre‑K classrooms, working through the Assistant Director and Program Supervisors to adjust staffing as needed.
- Conduct regular facility and classroom safety inspections (indoors, outdoors, kitchen, storage, and common areas), promptly addressing any hazards or maintenance issues.
- Oversee enrollment and waitlist processes, ensuring accurate records, appropriate classroom placement, and alignment of capacity with Missouri licensing limits.
- Keep current on updates to Missouri child care regulations and lead center‑wide implementation of any required policy or practice changes.
- Staff Leadership, Culture & Development (30%)
- Directly supervise and mentor the Assistant Director, Program Supervisor – Infant/Toddler (0–2 Years), and Program Supervisor – Preschool/Pre‑K (2–5 Years), providing clear expectations, regular feedback, and ongoing support.
- Conduct performance evaluations for the leadership team and ensure that they are providing consistent coaching, feedback, and performance documentation for teachers, assistants, and support staff.
- Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, and, when necessary, termination processes for all center staff, in accordance with Missouri background screenings, Family Care Safety Registry requirements, and employment policies.
- Facilitate regular staff and leadership meetings to communicate expectations, review center performance, discuss regulatory updates, and support professional development.
- Promote a positive, inclusive culture that reflects the center’s mission and values, supports retention, and models respect, teamwork, and professionalism.
- Ensure that all staff meet or exceed Missouri training requirements (orientation, annual training hours, and health/safety topics).
- Financial Management & Business Performance (20%)
- Monitor the center’s operating budget, controlling expenses while maintaining quality standards and regulatory compliance.
- Review and approve purchases over the established threshold (e.g., over $100), ensuring alignment with budget priorities and program needs.
- Oversee billing and collections processes, working with the Owner and administrative staff to maintain timely, accurate tuition payments and to resolve account issues.
- Identify and pursue opportunities to increase revenue (e.g., enrollment growth, program enhancements, schedule optimization) and to manage costs responsibly, with a goal of sustaining healthy profit margins.
- Parent & Community Relations (10%)
- Serve as the primary point of contact for parent concerns and complaints, ensuring timely, respectful, and solution‑focused responses, and documenting outcomes.
- Conduct tours for prospective families, clearly explaining curriculum, ratios, licensing standards, safety procedures, and center philosophy.
- Support and oversee family engagement activities (conferences, events, newsletters, communication tools) in partnership with the Assistant Director and Program Supervisors.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with local schools, community organizations, and service providers that support children’s transitions and enrichment.
- Lead or support marketing and outreach initiatives to maintain strong enrollment and a positive reputation in the Kearney community.
Required Qualifications
- Meet Missouri DESE Office of Childhood qualification requirements to serve as Center Director for a licensed child care center of this capacity (i.e., hold or be eligible for a Missouri Director Qualification Certificate for the center’s licensed capacity; typically requires at least an associate degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field—bachelor’s degree preferred—combined with required experience).
- 3+ years of childcare management or equivalent leadership experience in licensed early childhood programs, including direct supervision of staff.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Missouri child care licensing rules (5 CSR 25‑500) and practical experience maintaining compliance in a center setting.
- Strong financial, analytical, and computer skills, including comfort with budgeting, basic accounting concepts, and use of center management software.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with staff, families, owners, and community partners.
- Ability to meet all Missouri requirements for background checks, Family Care Safety Registry, medical exam, immunizations, and required training hours for child care staff.
Success Metrics
- Maintain 90%+ enrollment across licensed capacity, with strong waitlist management where appropriate.
- Achieve and sustain 95%+ parent satisfaction, as measured through surveys and ongoing feedback.
- Keep staff turnover at or below target thresholds (e.g., below 20% annually), particularly within key leadership and lead teacher roles.
- Maintain full regulatory compliance with Missouri licensing requirements, including zero critical licensing violations and prompt correction of any cited issues.
- Achieve financial performance goals established with the Owner, including enrollment, revenue, and profit margin targets while upholding quality standards.
Pay: $45,000.00 - $59,004.75 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
