Early Childhood Center Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Cornerstone Center for Early Learning is seeking an Center Manager to provide leadership and oversight for the daily operations of the early childhood center while supporting the organization’s mission of providing high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive early learning experiences for young children and their families.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily center operations, ensuring classrooms and common areas are safe, welcoming, clean, and developmentally appropriate.
• Oversee staffing and classroom coverage, including scheduling, attendance, enrollment, staffing levels, and required classroom ratios.
• Coach, support, and develop staff by providing feedback, addressing performance concerns, recognizing strengths, and promoting a collaborative and professional workplace.
• Support high-quality early childhood programming by ensuring classroom practices reflect the center’s philosophy, curriculum, child development principles, positive guidance, and responsive caregiving.
• Build strong relationships with families and serve as a primary point of contact for questions, concerns, transitions, policies, and center communications while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ensure licensing, health, safety, and compliance requirements are met, including staff credentials, training, background checks, supervision, ratios, emergency procedures, records, inspections, and required reporting.
• Support administrative and financial operations, including purchasing, budgeting, supplies, equipment, operational records, reports, enrollment, and retention efforts.
• Represent and support Cornerstone’s nonprofit mission by building positive relationships with schools, community organizations, service providers, families, and other partners.
• Identify operational and program needs and collaborate with leadership to address challenges, improve quality, and support the center’s long-term goals.

Qualifications

• Experience working in early childhood education or a related field, with experience supervising, coaching, or leading staff.
• Strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to creating safe, inclusive, nurturing, and supportive environments for children and families.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and sound judgment and meet all applicable licensing and background-check requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, educational apps, and office phone systems.
• Ability to move throughout the center and outdoor learning environments, including sitting, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and responding quickly to children’s needs and emergencies.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Human Services, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• Experience managing or leading an early childhood center or program.
• Knowledge of state early childhood licensing requirements.
• Experience with nonprofit organizations and/or mission-driven programs.
• Experience with staff coaching, quality improvement, and family engagement.

Position Details

• FLSA Classification: Exempt
• Schedule: Typically 8 am - 5 pm, will vary on occasion

Equal Opportunity Statement

Cornerstone Center for Early Learning is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for children, families, employees, and community members. Employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable laws and are based on qualifications, experience, organizational needs, and the requirements of the position.

\nCompany Description

Founded in 1969, Cornerstone has received endorsements, accreditations, and awards for early childhood education and childcare from the United Way of Greater St. Louis, the Better Business Bureau, Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis, and Y.W.C.A. Head Start. We are proud to have earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by Candid, which demonstrates Cornerstone’s strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency for our donors.

Our Mission:
Nurturing confident young minds. Supporting all families.
Our Vision: A world where all kids and families thrive.
Our Values: Achieve, Nurture, Respect, Thrive, Trust.

Cornerstone’s community approach fosters collaboration between children, families, therapists, teachers, and our philanthropic network of support to cultivate a love of learning in our children, to strengthen families, and to build a brighter future for St. Louis.

Company Description

Founded in 1969, Cornerstone has received endorsements, accreditations, and awards for early childhood education and childcare from the United Way of Greater St. Louis, the Better Business Bureau, Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis, and Y.W.C.A. Head Start. We are proud to have earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by Candid, which demonstrates Cornerstone’s strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency for our donors.\r\n\r\nOur Mission:\r\nNurturing confident young minds. Supporting all families.\r\nOur Vision: A world where all kids and families thrive.\r\nOur Values: Achieve, Nurture, Respect, Thrive, Trust.\r\n\r\nCornerstone’s community approach fosters collaboration between children, families, therapists, teachers, and our philanthropic network of support to cultivate a love of learning in our children, to strengthen families, and to build a brighter future for St. Louis.