Childcare Director

Childcare Director

Join our team at the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids as a Childcare Director and help lead high-quality early childhood experiences that strengthen children, families, and our community. Our early learning centers provide safe, nurturing, and inclusive environments where children can learn and grow, while supporting families through accessible care and meaningful partnerships.

The Center Director is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of child development centers serving six to eight classrooms, including both tuition-based and grant-funded programs. This role ensures high-quality early learning experiences while fostering a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment for children, families, and staff.

In this role, you will lead a team of up to 30 teachers, coach and develop the Assistant Director, and oversee program quality, regulatory compliance, budgets, and enrollment. You will also build strong partnerships with families and community organizations to support the development of children and strengthen the impact of the program.

The ideal candidate is an experienced and dedicated leader with a passion for early childhood education, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to create a positive and supportive atmosphere for both staff and children.

This position requires face-to-face leadership in these programs and may involve early morning, evening, and weekend responsibilities.

What You'll Do

Manage Center Operations

• Manages the day-to-day operation of the child development center to ensure a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children.
• Maintains and improves quality standards for educational and care practices.
• Reviews and evaluates facility activities to ensure conformance to state and local regulations and licensing requirements. Maintains a positive relationship with assigned licensing consultants.
• Conduct regular inspections and assessments to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Holds and maintains licensure for program center.
• Liaise with contracted custodial team and maintain all areas in a clean, presentable fashion.
• Participate in management meetings, strategic planning, and effectively cascade communication to team members.

Lead and Develop Your Team

• Interviews, hires, onboards, and trains teaching staff, in collaboration with Regional Director.
• Plans, assigns, and directs work; create staff schedules and manage staffing needs; addresses complaints and resolves problems.
• Sets goals and objectives for staff members; conducts performance evaluations and provides feedback to improve teaching practices.
• Serves in ratio as needed to cover PTO, vacancies, or leaves of absence.

Partner with Children and Families

• Manages recruiting, orientating, and enrolling of children/families, in collaboration with outreach and enrollment specialist.
• Advises and supports parents/guardians of necessary child/family referrals.
• Confers with parents/guardians regarding child/ren progress, facility activities, policies, and enrollment procedures.
• Advises teaching staff regarding child's behavioral or learning problems, and recommends methods of modifying inappropriate behavior and encouraging learning experiences.
• Confers with teaching staff regarding child's behavioral or learning problems, and recommends methods of modifying inappropriate behavior and encouraging learning experiences.

Build Community Partnerships

• Builds and maintains community partner relationships in the facility and in the community.

Manage Program Growth and Resources

• Monitors monthly budget and year-end forecast for responsible program areas.
• Prepare and draft reports for funders as requested.
• Ensures grant compliance, as required.
• Assists with Annual Campaign.

Perform additional duties as assigned to ensure the success of the YMCA and its mission-driven work.

Compensation: $60,000 - $70,000; Full-Time, Annually

Benefits

• Free YMCA Family Membership – Enjoy full access to facilities & program discounts for you and your family!
• 50% Childcare Discount – Discount is off the regular rate for each child enrolled in a YMCA childcare program, excluding the infant room.
• Comprehensive Medical Coverage – Up to 93% employer paid plan options through Blue Care Network.
• Dental and Vision Insurance – low-cost coverage options.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – Receive up to $1,040 in employer contributions each year to help cover qualified medical expenses.
• Generous Paid Time Off – Beginning with 4 weeks of PTO per year , plus 9 paid holidays .
• Paid Parental Leave - Dedicated time off to support you during the arrival or adoption of a child.
• Retirement Savings – 12% employer retirement contribution, no match requirement (upon eligibility) and a 403(b) savings plan.
• Paid Disability Leave – short & long term disability coverage.
• Life Insurance – employer paid life insurance, plus voluntary coverage for the entire family.
• Optional Insurance – Customize your coverage with options like accident, hospital, pet, and legal insurance , plus more to fit your lifestyle and needs.
• Pay on Demand – Access your earned wages before payday.
• Professional Growth – Access to ongoing training, development programs, and career advancement opportunities
• Loan Forgiveness – Eligible employees can also take advantage of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential resources and counseling for you and your family.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Education : Bachelor's degree (BA) from four-year college or university in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; 2 semester hours in child care administration. Must meet minimum licensing requirements
• Experience : Minimum of 5 years' experience with licensed child care management and development; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Past supervision experience preferred.
• Proven Expertise : Strong knowledge of state regulations and licensing requirements for childcare centers. Must have working knowledge of sound fiscal principals. Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills. Working knowledge of computers and experience with a variety of software applications.
• Mission-Driven Leadership : Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages and lifestyles. Ability and desire to work with children infant to 6 years of age.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration:

• Complete required trainings as specified in Michigan State Licensing for Childcare Centers
• Blood Borne Pathogen training
• CPR Certification required within the first 60 days
• First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT)
• Fingerprinting

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel: 5 - 10% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.