Childcare Director

Who are we?

Montessori Children’s Center (MCC) in San Francisco has been a leader in Montessori education since 1976. We are dedicated to helping children feel that they belong in the world and that the world belongs to them. Our school is reopening on June 1, 2026, under new leadership and with a new teaching team.

Whom do we serve?

We are a classical Montessori school for children aged 2 to 6 where families feel supported, teachers are well cared for, and where the learning environment extends from the classroom to nature.

How do we serve our team?

We deeply value the experience, care, and dedication that educators bring to a thriving school community. We recognize that working in early childhood education is both joyful and demanding, and we believe that all educators deserve ongoing appreciation and support.

That support includes generous time off. Our calendar includes two weeks of paid summer break, two weeks of winter break, one week of spring break, mandated closures, and all federal holidays, in addition to sick and emergency leave. We believe great educators never stop learning, so we offer opportunities for personal and professional development and pathways for career advancement.

To help sustain a healthy work-life balance, MCC integrates wellness into the workday. Staff have access to wellness amenities within the school, designated wellness days, and an external benefit for professional coaching or therapy. Our goal is to create a workplace where educators feel respected, nurtured, and excited to grow.

To help subsidize the cost of living in San Francisco, MCC has partnered with Parkmerced Apartments and Townhomes to provide housing discounts for MCC employees.

Whom are we looking for?

We are seeking a dedicated Childcare Center Director to lead our vibrant team. The Childcare Center Director will oversee the overall daily operations and ensure compliance with state regulations and standards for childcare. This role will assume responsibility for administrative duties, including enrollment, record-keeping, and communication with parents and regulatory bodies.

Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth functioning and adherence to policies.
• Oversee enrollment, maintain records, and manage communication with parents and regulatory bodies.
• Partner with school owners on enrollment, family engagement, and high-level marketing efforts by participating in tours, open houses, prospective family follow-up, and community outreach, while contributing program insights that help ensure public-facing messaging accurately reflects the school’s Montessori philosophy, programs, and family experience.
• Represent the school thoughtfully in the community and support relationship-building with prospective and current families.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff members, ensuring they meet the required qualifications and perform their duties effectively.
• Prepare budgets, manage expenses, and oversee financial planning to ensure the Center’s financial health.
• Ensure the Montessori curriculum is effectively implemented and aligns with educational standards.
• Act as the primary point of contact for parents, addressing concerns and providing updates on their child’s progress.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure effective center operations.
• Coordinate with external organizations and community partners to enhance program offerings and support.
• Ensure compliance with California Title 22 regulations, maintaining proper licensing and meeting health and safety standards.
• Knowledge of California Community Care Licensing regulations and standards.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

A self-starter who is comfortable wearing multiple hats in a growing school environment, balancing day-to-day operational leadership with hands-on support across enrollment, family communication, staff supervision, compliance, and community engagement. Demonstrates sound judgment, initiative, and strong prioritization skills while maintaining clear, collaborative communication with the school owners.

Minimum Qualifications:

Option 1: Bachelor's Degree and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program in a Director, Assistant Director or Site Supervisor role.

Option 2: Early Childhood Education (ECE) Units and Experience

• Completion of 12 semester units in ECE or Child Development, including core courses in child/human growth and development, child/family/community, and program/curriculum development + at least 3 semester units in Administration or Staff Relations.
• A total of 4 years of teaching experience in a licensed childcare center or preschool program.
• At least 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program in a Director, Assistant Director, or Site Supervisor role.

Option 3: Child Development Site Supervisor Permit

• A valid Child Development Site Supervisor Permit (or higher) issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• At least 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program in a Director, Assistant Director, or Site Supervisor role.

Additional Requirements:

• Montessori certification from a recognized Montessori training program (AMI, AMS, or equivalent) preferred. Alternatively, willingness to enroll in an employer-sponsored Montessori foundations course immediately upon commencing employment.
• CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Clear a background check (criminal history, fingerprinting through CA DOJ, FBI, and Child Abuse Central Index).
• Completion of Mandated Reporter Training within 90 days of employment.
• Completion of a health screening, including a tuberculosis (TB) test prior to employment.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $75,000–$95,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications .
• Health/dental plan, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, retirement savings plan, and professional development opportunities.
• Neighborhood discounted housing benefit.
• Childcare benefit for eligible dependent children of the employee, subject to enrollment availability and program eligibility.
• Mental health/professional coaching benefit.
• Regular compensation reviews to proactively increase compensation as the school grows.