Child Care Center Assistant Director

Job Description

Job Description

Childcare Center Assistant Director

Le Petit Elephant Nursery & Preschool | Napa, CA
$26–$28/hour | Full-Time Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:30pm | In Person

Le Petit Elephant Nursery & Preschool (LPE) is looking for a warm, confident, and highly organized Assistant Director to join our leadership team as we enter an exciting new chapter.

After more than a decade serving Napa families, LPE has recently moved into our brand-new 2.5-acre campus and expanded our programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and TK. This is an exciting opportunity for an early childhood leader who wants to help shape a growing, innovative school.

About LPE

LPE is a year-round, child-centered early learning community built around outdoor education, play-based learning, Spanish/English bilingual immersion, social-emotional development, and respectful caregiving . We believe children thrive when they are given meaningful relationships, time outdoors, and space to explore.

About the Role

Working closely with the Director and Founder, the Assistant Director will help oversee daily operations, support teachers, build strong family relationships, and maintain a high-quality, compliant early childhood program.

Key Responsibilities

• Support daily operations and ensure compliance with California CDSS/Title 22 regulations
• Serve as acting Director when needed
• Recruit, onboard, mentor, and support teaching staff
• Conduct classroom observations and help maintain high-quality programming
• Support curriculum implementation across infant, toddler, preschool, and TK programs
• Communicate professionally with families and assist with tours, orientations, and family concerns
• Maintain enrollment, attendance, staff certification, and child records
• Support licensing, safety, training, and staff meetings
• Assist with enrollment, billing, subsidies, and other administrative responsibilities
• Help foster a positive, collaborative, and inclusive school culture

We're Looking For Someone Who Is

• Experienced in early childhood education and comfortable in a leadership role
• Organized, dependable, proactive, and an excellent communicator
• Knowledgeable about child development, infant/toddler care, and California childcare regulations
• Warm and professional with both families and staff
• Comfortable balancing hands-on problem solving with administrative responsibilities
• Passionate about children, educators, and building a strong school community
• Committed to inclusion, respect, and culturally responsive practices
• Spanish-speaking is a strong plus

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in early childhood education, including supervisory or leadership experience
• Bachelor’s degree in ECE, Child Development, Education, or related field preferred
• Must meet applicable California childcare licensing/Child Development Permit requirements
• Current Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain
• Must pass required California childcare background clearances

Why Join LPE?

• Help shape a brand-new 2.5-acre early childhood campus
• Work alongside an experienced Director and tenured leadership team
• Join a school with 10+ years of history and a strong reputation in Napa
• Make a meaningful impact on children, families, and educators
• Enjoy a collaborative, mission-driven work environment
• Live and work in beautiful Napa Valley

Compensation & Benefits

$26–$28/hour, depending on experience

Benefits include:

• Health insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Employee childcare discount
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Referral program

To Apply:
Please submit a resume and brief cover letter explaining why you are interested in joining Le Petit Elephant.

\nCompany Description

Come Grow With Us at Le Petit Elephant!

At Le Petit Elephant Nursery & Preschool (LPE), we believe great teachers deserve a great place to work. Since 2015, we’ve built a close-knit community where educators are respected, supported, and trusted to do what they do best: build meaningful relationships with children.

Our beautiful new 2.5-acre campus in Napa gives teachers the opportunity to work in a truly inspiring environment, with nature, outdoor exploration, and child-led learning at the heart of each day. Our programs blend RIE, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Danish outdoor education with a warm, relationship-based approach.

We value low-drama teamwork, strong communication, professional growth, and genuine respect for both children and educators. Our leadership team is committed to creating a positive workplace where teachers feel heard, supported, and proud of the work they do.

If you’re looking for more than a childcare job—if you want to be part of a thoughtful, collaborative school community where your work matters and every day brings something new—we’d love to meet you.

Come be part of the LPE village, where childhood is honored, teachers are valued, and every day is an adventure.

Company Description

Come Grow With Us at Le Petit Elephant!\r\n\r\nAt Le Petit Elephant Nursery & Preschool (LPE), we believe great teachers deserve a great place to work. Since 2015, we’ve built a close-knit community where educators are respected, supported, and trusted to do what they do best: build meaningful relationships with children.\r\n\r\nOur beautiful new 2.5-acre campus in Napa gives teachers the opportunity to work in a truly inspiring environment, with nature, outdoor exploration, and child-led learning at the heart of each day. Our programs blend RIE, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Danish outdoor education with a warm, relationship-based approach.\r\n\r\nWe value low-drama teamwork, strong communication, professional growth, and genuine respect for both children and educators. Our leadership team is committed to creating a positive workplace where teachers feel heard, supported, and proud of the work they do.\r\n\r\nIf you’re looking for more than a childcare job—if you want to be part of a thoughtful, collaborative school community where your work matters and every day brings something new—we’d love to meet you.\r\n\r\nCome be part of the LPE village, where childhood is honored, teachers are valued, and every day is an adventure.