Director Child Care

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Executive Director
Location: First Friends Childcare Center on a Federal VA Campus
Program Type: Early Childhood Education Center serving children ages newborn through preschool
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and daily operation of a high-quality play-based early childhood education center serving infants through preschool-aged children. The center primarily serves employees of the federal Veterans Affairs (VA) campus while remaining open to the public.

The Executive Director ensures full compliance with all applicable Utah childcare licensing regulations, federal requirements, health and safety standards, and organizational policies. This position provides leadership in program quality, staff supervision, family engagement, financial oversight, licensing compliance, and strategic planning while fostering a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment for children and staff.

The ideal candidate is an experienced childcare leader with prior experience directing a licensed childcare center and demonstrated success in managing staff, licensing compliance, and early childhood program operations. We are seeking a dynamic leader who is passionate about fostering engaging play-based learning while bringing fresh ideas to modernize systems and strengthen daily operations. The ideal candidate will honor and build upon the excellent reputation of our established program while guiding thoughtful growth and innovation for the future.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Operations

• Direct all daily operations of the childcare center serving children from newborn through Pre-K age.
• Maintain a safe, healthy, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable:
  • Utah state childcare licensing regulations
  • Federal and VA campus requirements
  • Health and safety standards
  • CACFP and food service regulations
  • Assist with Re-accreditation process through NAEYC
• Develop and implement center policies, procedures, and operational systems.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and reports required by licensing and federal oversight agencies.
• Oversee classroom quality, curriculum implementation, and child development practices.

Staff Leadership & Human Resources

• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate teaching and administrative staff.
• Promote a professional, respectful, and collaborative workplace culture.
• Ensure staff meet all required licensing qualifications, background clearances, and training requirements. There are additional requirements for background checks and fingerprinting since we also adhere to federal requirements.

• • Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for staff. Encourage education and training among staff, including completion of CDA or similar certifications, if applicable.

• Develop staffing schedules that maintain compliance with required child-to-teacher ratios.
• Work cooperatively with parent-led Board of Directors in monthly and annual strategic planning meetings.
• Perform posting, interviewing and hiring of new staff members and review Board of Directors member(s) with decisions to hire, and including in interview process if there is not an Assistant Director available.

Family & Community Engagement

• Foster positive relationships and communication with families.
• Address parent concerns professionally and promptly via in-person and interactive app.
• Support a welcoming and inclusive environment for children, families, and staff.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the childcare center, governing board, federal campus representatives, and community partners.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Assist with budget development and fiscal oversight. Review budget monthly with Board of Directors.
• Monitor enrollment, tuition collection, payroll coordination, and operational expenses.
• Support long-term sustainability and strategic planning efforts.
• Ensure efficient administrative systems and internal controls are maintained.
• Maintain compliance with Federal Childcare Subsidy Program (CCSP).

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all required inspections, certifications, and audits are completed successfully.
• Maintain emergency preparedness and risk management procedures.
• Report incidents and concerns in accordance with Utah licensing requirements and federal regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all personnel and child-related matters.

Required Qualifications

1) In Utah, center-based child care program directors must meet specific minimum age, education, training, and background eligibility requirements set by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) through the Office of Child Care Licensing.

a) Minimum age and background eligibility

b) Must be at least 21 years old .

c) Must complete a background check through the Office of Background Processing (OBP). Existing checks can be carried over if the individual has held a child care position before .

d) New director training : All directors must complete it before or within 60 days of assuming director duties Division of Licensing and Background Checks.

e) First aid & CPR : Not legally required for directors, but often maintained for professional benefit; required for director designees Division of Licensing and Background Checks.

2) Education credential requirements
Directors must have at least one of the following:

i) Associate degree in early childhood development or a related field*, or

ii) Bachelor’s degree or higher with at least 60 clock hours in child development, social/emotional development, and the child care environment, or

iii) 12+ college credit hours in child development courses.

*Approved career ladder level 9 (equivalent to associate degree) or level 10 (equivalent to bachelor’s degree) Division of Licensing and Background Checks .

iv) Valid national certification such as:

3) Certified Childcare Professional (CCP)

a) Development Associate (CDA) or Certified Childcare Professional (CCP), or

b) National Administrator Credential (NAC) with at least 60 clock hours in child development, social/emotional development, and the child care environment Division of Licensing and Background Checks.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package including:

• Health insurance benefits
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off and holidays, including all federal holidays off
• Professional development opportunities
• Supportive and collaborative work environment

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout the childcare facility and playground areas.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to respond quickly in emergency situations.
• Ability to engage actively with children and staff in classroom environments.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The center is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification under applicable law.

First Friends is a well-reputed, non-profit early childhood program that primarily services federal employee families in Salt Lake City. Because we believe that investing in our staff is the same as investing in the children under our care, we offer competitive wages and full benefits to both full and part time employees and work one-on-one with staff to ensure they feel supported in the classroom.

Company Description

First Friends is a well-reputed, non-profit early childhood program that primarily services federal employee families in Salt Lake City. Because we believe that investing in our staff is the same as investing in the children under our care, we offer competitive wages and full benefits to both full and part time employees and work one-on-one with staff to ensure they feel supported in the classroom.