Northern Hills Child Care is looking for a compassionate, organized, and hands-on leader to serve as our Assistant Childcare Director. This is a boots-on-the-ground position for someone who wants to work alongside teachers, support children, improve classroom quality, and help the center run smoothly.
We believe there is no such thing as a “bad” kid. We are looking for someone who leads children and employees with empathy, curiosity, connection, and calm.
The Assistant Director will work under the guidance of The Well's Executive Director, who also serves as the Childcare Director.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and Support Employees
- Be visible, approachable, and actively involved throughout the center.
- Coach, support, and hold teachers and cooks accountable.
- Help recruit, interview, onboard, train, and retain employees.
- Create the staffing schedule based on enrollment, classroom needs, and licensing ratios.
- Make daily coverage adjustments and provide classroom coverage when needed.
- Help employees complete orientation, required training, CPR, first aid, and professional development.
- Build a positive, professional environment where employees and children feel supported and safe.
Improve Quality and Classroom Practices
- Lead Northern Hills through the Nebraska Step Up to Quality process.
- Help teachers strengthen classroom environments, interactions, curriculum, and documentation.
- Organize required quality-improvement activities and prepare for observations and reviews.
- Support developmentally appropriate practices and positive responses to challenging behavior.
- Build practical classroom systems that teachers can consistently follow.
Oversee Daily Operations
- Monitor classrooms, staffing ratios, kitchens, common areas, and outdoor spaces.
- Create checklists, routines, and systems that help the center operate effectively.
- Oversee cooks and daily food-service operations.
- Fill in for teachers, cooks, or other employees when necessary.
- Ensure classrooms, kitchens, storage areas, and common spaces remain clean and organized.
- Identify supply, cleaning, maintenance, and facility needs.
- Coordinate grocery and supply needs with the Business Manager.
- Make sure tasks are assigned, completed, and followed through.
Support Licensing and Compliance
- Help ensure daily compliance with Nebraska DHHS child care licensing requirements.
- Maintain readiness for inspections and licensing visits.
- Monitor safety, sanitation, staff-to-child ratios, training, and required classroom practices.
- Report licensing, safety, staffing, or facility concerns promptly to the Childcare Director.
- Serve as the designated person in charge when assigned by the Childcare Director.
What We’re Looking For
- Meets or can meet Nebraska DHHS requirements to work as a teacher in a licensed child care center.
- Experience working with children in a licensed child care, preschool, school, or similar group setting.
- A strong desire to grow into a child care leadership role.
- Strong communication, organization, follow-through, and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to provide classroom care, prepare food, clean, organize, and step into any area where help is needed.
- Ability to meet all background check, health, safety, training, CPR, and first aid requirements.
Previous supervisory, Step Up to Quality, or Nebraska DHHS licensing experience is helpful but not required.
Why Join Us
- Mission-driven, child-centered environment.
- Hands-on leadership role with a direct impact on children and teachers.
- Support and opportunities for professional growth.
- A defined opportunity to develop toward a future Childcare Director role.
- A joyful, connected team committed to creating a place where everyone belongs.
Work Location: In person
Pay: $38,000.00 - $42,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
