Early Childhood Center Director

Join to apply for the Early Childhood Center Director role at Children's Land 1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants Join to apply for the Early Childhood Center Director role at Children's Land Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Children’s Land is committed to fostering academic excellence and nurturing every child’s full potential. With locations across Chicagoland and ambitious growth plans, we combine rigorous academic programming with a compassionate, child-centered approach. Our mission is to provide a premier learning environment where children thrive, teachers are empowered, and families are supported. Position Summary The Center Director is the operational and instructional leader of the school, responsible for overseeing daily center operations, driving enrollment, ensuring regulatory compliance, supporting curriculum implementation, and cultivating a high-performing team. This individual will uphold the values of Children’s Land while maintaining excellence in safety, learning, staffing, and parent communication. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Management Lead all aspects of center operations including scheduling, staffing, compliance, and quality assurance. Ensure compliance with DCFS regulations and all local/state licensing standards. Model and promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and warmth among staff. Supervise, support, and develop teachers and assistant staff through regular observations, feedback, and coaching. Coordinate and lead team meetings, professional development, and performance evaluations. Educational Excellence Oversee implementation of Children’s Land curriculum and age-appropriate academic programming. Ensure that all classrooms meet the organization’s standards for learning environments, documentation, and child assessments. Work with the Curriculum Director to enhance teaching quality and school readiness outcomes. Parent & Community Engagement Build strong relationships with families through daily communication, parent-teacher conferences, and community events. Manage sensitive situations, including behavioral or developmental concerns, with compassion and professionalism. Represent the center to the local community and participate in outreach and enrollment events. Administrative Operations Monitor budgets, staffing ratios, enrollment goals, tuition collection, and other operational KPIs. Coordinate onboarding and training of new staff in partnership with the HR team. Maintain accurate records in Brightwheel - school management platform. Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field (required). DCFS Director Credential Level I or higher (required). Minimum 2 years of leadership experience in a licensed childcare setting. Strong understanding of DCFS regulations, curriculum planning, staff management, and child development best practices. Exceptional communication, organizational, and leadership skills. Proficiency with digital tools (email, shared drives, school apps) and comfort learning new platforms (e.g., Brightwheel). Seniority level Seniority level Director Employment type Employment type Full-time Job function Job function Education and Training Industries Child Day Care Services Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Children's Land by 2x Sign in to set job alerts for “Early Childhood Director” roles. Laboratory Schools: Dean of Students, Early Childhood Chicago, IL $121,200.00-$150,000.00 1 month ago Data and Continuous Quality Improvement Director Center Director (Early Childhood Education) Glenview, IL $50,000.00-$100,000.00 4 months ago Director of the Early Childhood Education Center Director of Early Childhood and Primary Grades Center Director (Early Childhood Education) Laboratory Schools: Assistant Director of Admissions, Early Childhood Chicago, IL $67,500.00-$71,000.00 1 week ago Childcare-Preschool Co-Director/Assistant Director 1-on-1 Early Childhood Education Aide Position Chicago, IL $100,000.00-$120,000.00 3 weeks ago Early Childhood Assistant Site Supervisor Lead Daycare Teacher / Director-Qualified Creative Corners Preschool Director of Spanish Immersion Program(s) We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI. #J-18808-Ljbffr