Early Childhood Education Associate Director-Preschool

Early Childhood Education Associate Director-Preschool

The Associate Director-Preschool provides operational and educational leadership for the Children's Learning Center preschool program, ensuring high-quality early childhood education in a safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment. Reporting to the Director, this position oversees curriculum implementation, classroom operations, staffing, and regulatory compliance while supervising preschool educators and supporting their professional growth. The Associate Director takes a leadership role with families, campus partners, and community agencies to support children's learning and development, including those with diverse learning needs. This role also assists with budget planning and monitoring, enrollment support, policy development, accreditation and licensing compliance, and the daily operation of the center to ensure alignment with the Children's Learning Center's mission, NAEYC Accreditation Standards, Wisconsin Child Care Licensing regulations, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's strategic goals.

Physical Requirements:

• Lift children up to 50 lbs.
• Sit on floor for long periods
• Walk up and downstairs on a regular basis
• Active participation with children during play in classroom, gyms, and playgrounds

The Children's Learning Center in Student Affairs is required to conduct Post-Offer Pre-Employment (POPE) physical screening on all selected candidates for Assistant Director positions. The test involves squatting, bending, reaching lifting, carrying, etc. of varying weights to simulate the physical demands you may experience while on the job. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing the screening.

Department: Children's Learning Center

Compensation: $ 53,900 -$58,000

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood, or Elementary Education
• 3-5 years of experience teaching in an ECE environment
• At least 3 years directly supervising in an early learning environment
• Knowledge of services in the CLC community related to support for young children with unique learning needs or identified disabilities/delays - such as Birth to Three, Special Education (LEAs), Infant Mental Health and other therapies
• Working understanding of ADA and IDEA as they apply to early learning programs
• Pedagogical Administrator and Operational Administrator - credits in ECE/Child Development (12 - 35).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in early learning (or related field with ECE classroom experience)
• Expertise with Pyramid Model implementation including classroom assessment of Pyramid strategies such as T-POT and T-PITOS
• Hands on experience with practice-based coaching of educators serving children 3-5
• Experience with an emergent, play-based curriculum approach
• Knowledge of Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards, NAEYC accreditation and Youngstar rating systems
• Direct experience leading teachers through the NAEYC accreditation process
• Experience facilitating professional development for educators with demonstrated knowledge of adult learning principles and best practices
• Experience in environments committed to trauma-informed practices
• Familiarity and/or training in ABA and related support provided to children with disabilities and/or delays

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are required to apply online and provide a cover letter and a detailed resume/CV that addresses their professional-level work experience as it relates to all required and preferred qualifications.

Finalist candidate(s) being considered for hire will be required to provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified.

In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from the candidates' application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they may be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.

This is an Evergreen recruitment with an initial review date of 09/14/2026. To ensure consideration, applications must be submitted by 09/13/2026. Applications submitted after 09/14/2026 may not be reviewed.

Contact:

Please contact Luke Messmann at View email address on click.appcast.io with any questions