Preschool Center Director

Job Description

Job Description

Job Details:

Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt
Schedule: Monday–Friday
Location: In-Person — Alameda, CA
Reports To: Executive Director

Pay: $71,000.00 - $81,000.00 per year

Benefits:
Multiple Performance Bonus plans
Paid time off (vacation and sick leave)
Paid holidays including MLK Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (2 days), and a one-week winter holiday break
Childcare discount for employees’ enrolled children
Professional development support and continuing education opportunities
Health insurance
Medical, Dental and vision insurance
Collaborative, family-oriented team culture rooted in respect and shared purpose
Supportive, family-oriented team environment
Performance based bonus plans

About Us:
We are a CDSS licensed early childhood education program Center serving infants through Pre-Kindergarten across multiple Alameda locations. We are a close-knit, family-oriented community where quality caregiving, play-based learning, and genuine love for children drive everything we do.

Job Summary:
The Site Director reports directly to the Executive Director and serves as the primary operational leader of the assigned site, setting the tone for program quality, staff culture, and family experience.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Compliance:

Grow enrollments by giving timely responses to new enrollment inquiries, schedule tours, conduct open houses, help with marketing and advertisements.
Ensure full compliance with Title 22 Community Child Care Licensing regulations across all areas: safety, facilities, teacher-to-child ratios, staff records, program delivery, and family communications
Oversee the planned program of daily activities with attention to each child’s safety, nutrition, health, physical, emotional, and educational needs
Supervise classroom schedules, playground rotations, and teacher lesson plans to ensure a balanced, developmentally appropriate curriculum
Plan and maintain a yearly calendar of holidays, special events, parent functions, and staff development training (with Executive Director approval)
Coordinate enrichment visitors and supplemental programming to enhance children’s experiences

Staff Supervision & Development

Recruit, onboard, supervise, and evaluate all site staff; promote positive morale and professional growth
Assign and track staff hours; monitor absences, tardiness, vacation, sick leave, and injury leave for payroll accuracy
Plan and facilitate monthly staff meetings
Coordinate and implement staff training, including onboarding of new programs and best practices in early childhood education
Address and resolve staff performance and conduct issues promptly and professionally

Family & Community Relations

Build and maintain warm, professional relationships with families; be consistently available to address questions and concerns
Conduct parent conferences as needed; prepare and distribute family communications with Executive Director approval
Represent the school positively in the community; support enrollment growth through tours and outreach
Maintain full enrollment at the site; conduct prospective family tours and complete enrollment contracts and paperwork

Administrative & Financial Operations

Manage site operations within the approved budget; oversee purchasing of equipment and supplies
Maintain accurate and current records: child attendance, discipline logs, staff files, parent complaints, workers’ comp claims, enrollment contracts, and all collected funds
Maintain an up-to-date inventory of site equipment and supplies; report replacement or repair needs to the Executive Director immediately
Manage custodial and maintenance staff; report facility issues promptly
Assist the Executive Director in setting and reviewing policies for admissions, attendance, tuition, and educational programming

Health, Safety & Incident Management

Maintain clean, orderly, and attractive facilities at all times
Report any major child or staff injury to the Executive Director immediately
Oversee the site’s food service program to ensure it runs safely and in compliance with applicable regulations
Respond to and manage on-site emergencies and problems with professionalism and urgency

Technology & Computer Skills

Candidates must demonstrate strong, business-level computer proficiency. This is a working requirement of the role, not a preference.

Google Workspace proficiency is required: Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Meet, and Calendar
Comfortable composing and managing professional email communications with families, staff, and licensing agencies
Ability to create and maintain spreadsheets for tracking enrollment, attendance, and operational data
Proficient in building and presenting documents and slide decks for staff meetings, parent communications, and reports
Competent in using and managing a CRM or childcare management system (e.g., Procare, Brightwheel, Playground, HiMama, equivalent), including: Online enrollment applications and digital contract management

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Must meet one of the following per Title 22, Section 101215.1:

12 ECE/CD units (incl. child development, family/community, curriculum) + 3 admin units + 4 years teaching in a licensed center; OR
Associate’s degree or higher in ECE/Child Development + 2 years teaching in a licensed center; OR
Valid California Child Development Site Supervisor Permit (or higher)

All candidates must also have:

3 units Infant/Toddler coursework (CDSS requirement)
DOJ, FBI, and CACI criminal record clearance
Current TB clearance and immunizations (MMR, Tdap, Influenza or waiver)
Current CPR/First Aid and Preventive Health & Safety certifications
AB1207 Mandated Reporter Certificate and LIC 9108 completion
Some previous leadership experience at a childcare center

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Educational Leadership
3+ years of experience in a Site Director, Center Director, or Program Supervisor role
Demonstrated experience with growing enrollment, community outreach, and family engagement
Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills

Equal Opportunity Employer

Memory Lane LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of national or ethnic origin, religion, sex or gender, age, politics, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the community we serve.