Daycare Center Director

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Company parties
• Competitive salary
• Opportunity for advancement
• Paid time off
• Training & development

Now Hiring: Daycare Center Director Little Peoples Park (Amherst, NY)
Where kindness is built into everything we do.

Are you a dedicated early childhood leader who thrives in a warm, community-centered environment? Do you find joy in helping children, teachers, and families flourish? At Little Peoples Park, were seeking a Daycare Director who combines strong compliance and organizational skills with a heart for early learning and a commitment to excellence.

This role is perfect for someone who is calm under pressure, highly organized, and confident managing the day-to-day operations of a licensed childcare center. Youll lead with kindness, uphold the highest standards of care, and be a guiding light for our team and the families we serve.

Benefits/Perks

• Competitive Compensation: Your hard work and dedication will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package that recognizes your expertise and contribution to our organization.

• Generous benefits package: Our comprehensive benefits package including retirement plan with company match to support your future overall well-being. PTO, all Holidays Paid, and No Weekends! Take advantage of paid time off to relax, rejuvenate, and spend quality time with loved ones. Enjoy holidays off, and rest easy knowing that you won't be required to work on weekends.

• Supportive work environment: We foster a supportive work environment that values teamwork, collaboration, and a sense of enjoyment, creating a vibrant and enriching experience for our children.

• Paid Training Hours: We invest in your professional development and provide paid training hours to enhance your skills and knowledge in early childhood education.

• Advancement Opportunities: We believe in promoting from within and providing opportunities for growth and advancement, allowing you to build a fulfilling career in early childhood education.

Core Responsibilities:

• Parent and family engagement: Partner with families and foster positive relationships and communication, promoting open communication, and addressing their needs and concerns. Organize and facilitate parent education programs, workshops, and events to enhance parent involvement. Create a warm and inclusive atmosphere by warmly welcoming children and parents, ensuring that they feel embraced and comfortable from the moment they step through our doors.

• Policy development and compliance: Establish and enforce policies and procedures that align with licensing and regulatory requirements, ensuring the center operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Oversee health and safety protocols , inspections, reporting, company policies, procedures, and safety standards . Stay informed about changes in regulations and update policies accordingly. Communicate policies to staff, parents, and stakeholders.

• Enrollment Activities: Maintain ideal enrollment levels. Respond promptly and courteously to inquiries from parents and prospective families, providing detailed information about our program and addressing any questions or concerns they may have. Clearly and comprehensively explain our program guidelines to parents at enrollment (and as needed following), ensuring that everyone feels informed and supported throughout their journey with us. Provide tours, assist with enrollment & subsidy applications. Participate in community events.

• Staff recruitment and retention: Lead and inspire a dedicated team of teachers and support staff, fostering a positive work environment that encourages professional growth and collaboration. Lead the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process for teachers and support staff, ensuring a qualified and diverse team. Develop strategies to promote staff retention, job satisfaction, and professional growth. Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities for staff. Lead and support teaching staff through scheduling, training, supervision, and coaching .

• Various Administrative Duties: Oversee administrative responsibilities such as enrollment, allergy action plans, individual health care plans, subsidy submissions, company metrics, and staff scheduling to ensure efficient operations and compliance with regulatory requirements. Monitor supplies consumption & ordering. Seek funding opportunities and grants to support program initiatives. Oversee billing and payment processes. Track and report key center performance metrics.
  
  
• Quality Assurance and Assessment: Establish and maintain quality standards for the center, implementing assessment tools and strategies to evaluate program effectiveness and outcomes. Monitor and analyze data on child development, parent satisfaction, and staff performance. Use assessment results to drive continuous improvement efforts.

• Legal and regulatory compliance: Stay informed about legal and regulatory changes affecting child care centers and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Maintain accurate records and documentation.

• Safety Management: Uphold stringent safety protocols to guarantee the well-being and security of all children & staff under your care.

• Curriculum: Supervise the execution of our curriculum , ensuring age-appropriate, engaging learning environments.

• Demeanor: Maintain a calm, responsive approach in a fast-paced setting with shifting priorities. Be a collaborative problem-solver who can juggle multiple needs while supporting others.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• We value collaborative team players who thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, understanding the importance of teamwork and appreciating the contributions of each team member.

• Previous experience in child care or early childhood education is highly desirable, as it provides a solid foundation for success in this role.

• Excellent communication, time management, and decision making abilities are essential, enabling effective interaction with children, parents, and staff members while managing multiple responsibilities seamlessly.

• Physical stamina is crucial as the role requires prolonged periods of being on your feet and the ability to handle tasks such as bending, reaching, and lifting up to 25 pounds frequently.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel). Familiarity with Procare , LineLeader , or similar childcare management systems is preferred.

• A warm, compassionate leadership style with a commitment to equity and respect

Minimum Education & Experience Qualifications

To qualify for the Director position, a candidate must possess one of the following:

1. Bachelors degree , including or in addition to 12 credits in Early Childhood, Child Development, or a related field ; plus 1yr full-time teaching experience* and 1yr experience supervising staff**
   
   
2. New York State Childrens Program Administrator Credential (CPAC) ; plus 1yr full-time teaching experience* and 1yr experience supervising staff**
   
   
3. Associates degree in Early Childhood or a related field, with a plan of study toward a Bachelors degree or CPAC ; plus 2yrs full-time teaching experience* and 2yrs experience supervising staff**
   
   
4. Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential or other OCFS-recognized credential, with a plan of study toward a Bachelors degree or CPAC ; plus 2yrs full-time teaching experience* and 2yrs experience supervising staff**
   
   

* in a licensed or registered child care setting
** in a child care program or related field.

Selected candidate must be ethical, have exceptional spoken and written communication skills, be trustworthy, exceptional time management skills, be able to juggle multiple priorities while ensuring all tasks are completed with the highest quality and in a timely fashion. Must pass OCFS Background check.

Why Join Us?

At Little Peoples Park, we believe that kindness is foundational to every relationshipwith children, families, and coworkers alike. Our Director sets the tone for a nurturing, respectful, and engaging workplace where everyone can thrive. Youll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families in our community.

If youre an experienced early childhood professional ready to lead with heart and purpose, wed love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape a brighter futureone child, one teacher, one family at a time.

Note: We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity in our workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.