Assistant Director

About the Job

River Road Early Learning Center is seeking an experienced Assistant Director to join our leadership team. We are especially interested in a candidate with a background in early childhood. Experience in early elementary education is also valuable. The ideal candidate will understand child development, classroom instruction, curriculum planning, and positive approaches to behavior and classroom management.

The Assistant Director will work closely with the Executive Director to support the center's daily operations and ensure a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for children, families, and staff. This position requires someone who:

• Has proven experience in early childhood educational leadership or administration, excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility and a solutions-oriented approach to daily operations and unexpected challenges.
• Passion for child development and building relationships with families.
• Ability to mentor and support teaching staff while upholding curriculum, VDOE., and licensing standards.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Director with the center's daily operations and administrative responsibilities.
• Provide guidance, encouragement, and support to teachers and classroom assistants.
• Assist teachers with lesson planning, curriculum development, classroom organization, and age-appropriate instructional practices.
• Help maintain consistent classroom expectations and positive behavior-support strategies.
• Assist with classroom observations and provide constructive feedback to teaching staff.
• Step into classrooms and assist with supervision, instruction, and staff coverage when needed.
• Build positive and professional relationships with children, families, teachers, church staff, and community partners.
• Communicate with families in a warm, respectful, and professional manner.
• Assist with staff scheduling, training, onboarding, and professional development.
• Help organize special programs, school events, chapel activities, and family engagement opportunities.
• Assist with licensing requirements regarding subsidy and religious exemption
• Support compliance with River Road Early Learning Center policies and applicable Virginia requirements.
• Assist with health, safety, emergency-preparedness, arrival, dismissal, and supervision procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and employees.
• Serve as the acting administrator when the Director is unavailable.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood or elementary education required.
• Previous educational leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Classroom teaching experience at the elementary or early childhood level.
• Experience in school leadership, instructional coaching, or program administration preferred.
• Strong understanding of child development, curriculum, and positive classroom management.
• Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Positive, patient, dependable, and team-oriented approach.
• Flexibility and willingness to respond to the changing needs of the center.
• Ability to work effectively with children, families, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to meet all required background-check, health, CPR/first aid, and professional-training requirements.

River Road Early Learning Center is seeking an Assistant Director who is genuinely passionate about supporting young children and the educators who guide them; bringing warmth, professionalism, and a strong foundation in early childhood educational knowledge to our community. Interested candidates should submit a resume and letter of interest to View email address on click.appcast.io.