Job Description
Summary Are you a passionate and experienced leader in early childhood education with a heart for serving your community? Do you thrive in an environment where faith, grace, integrity, service, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence are core to everything you do? If so, we invite you to consider joining our team as our next Child Care Center Director!
Our center is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable child care services to low and middle-income families with children ages 1-12 years in South Phoenix, AZ. We believe in nurturing the whole child and supporting families as they build brighter futures.
The Child Care Center Director is a pivotal leadership position responsible for the overall operation, management, and strategic direction of our child care center. This full-time role requires an individual who is not only a strong administrator but also a compassionate advocate for children and families.
Duties - Implement the selected comprehensive early childhood education curriculum that aligns with best practices and state standards.
- Provide leadership and guidance to teaching staff, including professional development opportunities and support.
- Oversee daily operations of the early childhood education center, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children.
- Collaborate with parents, community partners, and other stakeholders to promote family engagement and support the needs of the whole child.
- Maintain compliance with all relevant regulations and accreditation standards.
- Manage budgetary and financial aspects of the program, including grant funding and resource allocation.
- Evaluate program effectiveness and make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.
- Foster a positive organizational culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Work collaboratively with site owner and other support team members
Requirements Program Leadership & Oversight: * Ensure the implementation of a high-quality, age-appropriate educational program for children ages 1-12, aligning with best practices in early childhood education.
* Oversee daily center operations, maintaining a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment.
* Develop and implement policies and procedures in compliance with state licensing requirements and agency standards.
* Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, making data-driven adjustments as needed.
Team Leadership & Development: * Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate a team of dedicated child care professionals.
* Foster a positive and collaborative work environment, promoting professional growth and teamwork.
* Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback to staff.
* Ensure effective communication and information flow within the team.
Financial Management & Business Acumen: * Manage and monitor the center's financial data, including budget development, expense tracking, and revenue management.
* Identify opportunities for financial sustainability and growth.
* Oversee billing and payment processes for families.
* Ensure compliance with all financial policies and procedures.
Family & Community Engagement: * Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with families, acting as a primary point of contact for concerns and feedback.
* Promote effective communication with parents regarding their child's development and center activities.
* Collaborate with community partners and agencies to enhance resources and support for families.
Strategic Planning & Implementation: * Contribute to the strategic planning process for the center, identifying opportunities for growth and improvement.
* Effectively implement strategic initiatives and goals.
* Demonstrate understanding and the ability to implement the "Seven Habits of Highly Effective Leaders" (or similar leadership principles).
Compliance & Administration: * Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements (e.g., DES, child care licensing).
* Oversee facility maintenance and ensure a safe and healthy environment.
* Manage administrative tasks efficiently, including enrollment, attendance, and record-keeping.
The Ideal Candidate Will Possess: * Independent & Proactive: Able to work independently with minimal supervision, demonstrating initiative and self-direction.
* Professional Communicator: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, maintaining professional interactions with staff, families, the public, and peers.
* Detail-Oriented & Organized: Meticulous attention to detail with strong organizational and prioritization skills, adept at managing multiple tasks effectively.
* Sound Business Acumen: Proven experience in managing and monitoring business financials, with a solid understanding of budget management and operational efficiency.
* Educational Background: A Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a closely related field.
* Relationship Builder: Excellent rapport-building skills, fostering trust and positive connections with diverse stakeholders.
* Strategic Thinker & Implementer: Ability to think strategically, identify opportunities, and translate vision into actionable plans and successful outcomes.
* Leadership Principles: A strong understanding and demonstrated ability to implement effective leadership principles, such as those outlined in "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People."
* Computer Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfortable with child care management software.
* Commitment to Values: A deep commitment to our core values of faith, grace, integrity, service, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence.
Qualifications: * Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field.
* Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a leadership or administrative role within a licensed child care setting.
* Thorough knowledge of Arizona child care licensing regulations.
* Current CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain immediately upon hire).
* Valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card (or willingness to obtain immediately upon hire).
Nice To Haves - State certification or licensure in Early Childhood Education or related field.
- Experience working in a diverse community or with diverse populations.
- Familiarity with early childhood education technology and innovative teaching practices.
- Bi-lingual (Spanish/English)
Benefits Available after a successful probationary period of 60 days.
Job Tags
Full time, Immediate start,