Childcare Center Administrative Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Cheyenne’s Early Learning Center, a NAEYC-accredited and Connecticut OEC-licensed early childhood program, is seeking an experienced, dependable, and organized Assistant Director to join our leadership team.

The Assistant Director will work closely with the Director and Executive Director to support the center’s daily operations, maintain high-quality programming, supervise and coach staff, ensure regulatory compliance, and build positive relationships with children and families. This is a hands-on leadership position. The ideal candidate will be visible throughout the center, comfortable addressing concerns, able to make sound decisions, and willing to assist in classrooms when necessary. We are looking for someone who can balance administrative responsibilities with active staff and classroom support.

This is a full-time position requiring availability during the center’s operating hours of Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., including opening or closing responsibilities when assigned.

We offer:

• A supportive and collaborative leadership team
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Paid time off
• Opportunities for continued professional growth
• The opportunity to help strengthen a high-quality, NAEYC-accredited early childhood program
• Meaningful work supporting children, families, and early childhood professionals

Compensation is based on education, credentials, qualifications, leadership experience, and relevant early childhood experience.

To apply, please attach your résumé. Qualified candidates will be contacted to complete CELC’s employment application and schedule an interview.

What You'll Do

• Assist the Director and Executive Director with the daily management and operation of the center.
• Help supervise, support, coach, and hold staff accountable for meeting program expectations.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence throughout the center and build positive working relationships with staff, children, and families.
• Conduct classroom observations, review classroom practices and lesson plans, and provide teachers with constructive feedback and support.
• Assist with staff scheduling, classroom assignments, breaks, call-outs, and coverage to maintain required staff-to-child ratios.
• Provide classroom coverage and direct support when needed to maintain safe and effective center operations.
• Support the hiring, onboarding, orientation, training, and professional development of new and current employees.
• Help address employee concerns, attendance issues, performance concerns, and workplace conflicts professionally and consistently.
• Ensure compliance with Connecticut OEC licensing regulations, NAEYC standards, CELC policies, and applicable health and safety requirements.
• Monitor classroom and center-wide compliance, including active supervision, health and safety practices, required documentation, and appropriate classroom environments.
• Assist with maintaining accurate child, family, enrollment, health, medication, allergy, incident, and staff-training records.
• Support emergency preparedness, required drills, incident response, and proper documentation.
• Communicate with families regarding enrollment, program expectations, classroom concerns, children’s development, and available community resources.
• Respond to parent questions and concerns in a timely, respectful, and solution-focused manner.
• Support enrollment, attendance, family documentation, subsidy requirements, and other program-related administrative processes.
• Collaborate with Birth to Three, behavioral consultants, community providers, and other support professionals serving enrolled children and families.
• Help ensure that children with different abilities and developmental needs are included in the program in a positive and respectful manner.
• Support continuous quality improvement, program evaluations, accreditation requirements, and center-wide goals.
• Assume responsibility for center operations when the Director or Executive Director is unavailable.
• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, and consistency in all interactions.

Requirements

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Child Studies, or a closely related field required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• At least three years of experience working in a licensed early childhood program.
• Previous supervisory, administrative, lead-teacher, or program-leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Connecticut OEC Head Teacher approval or the ability to meet applicable OEC qualification requirements preferred.
• Knowledge of Connecticut childcare licensing regulations and developmentally appropriate early childhood practices.
• Familiarity with NAEYC standards and accreditation expectations preferred.
• Experience with Procare, staff scheduling, enrollment records, compliance documentation, or similar childcare-management systems preferred.
• Strong leadership, organization, communication, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to provide clear direction, constructive feedback, and appropriate accountability while maintaining positive professional relationships.
• CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee, child, and family information appropriately.
• Dependable attendance, punctuality, flexibility, and the ability to remain calm and professional in a busy early childhood environment.
• Must complete all required background checks, health requirements, and mandatory training.