Childcare Area Director

Area Director

The Area Director is the execution engine of Healthy Kids Programs' field structure. They are closest to the daily work — making sure programs run well, sites are fully staffed, every site meets state licensing standards, and the principals and school staff they partner with see HKP as a reliable, responsive presence. This is a role for someone who is hands-on, organized, and energized by keeping things running well every single day.

What Success Looks Like

Staffing - Sites are fully staffed every day; schedules are built proactively; coverage gaps are filled before they become problems

Enrollment - Enrollment is at or above target across sites; programs are engaging and families are choosing to re-enroll

Compliance - All sites operate in full compliance with state licensing; records are current; sites pass inspections without issue

Building Partnerships - Principals and school staff view HKP as a dependable, communicative partner; day-to-day issues are resolved quickly at the building level

Key Responsibilities

1. Staffing — Recruiting, Hiring & Leading

• Actively recruit to maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified candidates across your sites
• Interview, hire, and onboard site-level staff; set expectations clearly from day one
• Build and manage staff schedules proactively; ensure every site has coverage before the day starts
• Maintain a reliable substitute bench so that gaps never leave a site exposed
• Conduct regular check-ins with Site Directors; coach in the moment and through formal conversations
• Address performance issues directly and document appropriately
• Create a team environment where staff feel supported, recognized, and connected to the mission

Payroll, Labor & Scheduling Efficiency

• Schedule staff to ratio — never over or under; right-sizing hours is both a compliance and a budget responsibility
• Review and approve timecards accurately and on time; ensure hours reflect actual time worked
• Monitor payroll costs against budget; flag anomalies and take corrective action when hours exceed plan
• Build schedules with efficiency in mind — minimize unnecessary overtime and maximize coverage with the staff you have
• Communicate schedule changes proactively; keep staff informed and document adjustments
• Use HKP's payroll and scheduling platforms (e.g., Paylocity) accurately and consistently

2. Enrollment & Program Quality

• Monitor enrollment at each site; identify soft spots early and bring action plans to the Regional Director
• Visit sites regularly to observe program quality and compliance firsthand; provide real-time coaching and feedback to site staff based on what you see
• Ensure teachers are using HKP's daily programming materials and engagement strategies consistently
• Track re-enrollment as a signal of program quality; address concerns before families walk away
• Support enrollment events and outreach at the school and community level
• Report enrollment status and program quality observations to the Regional Director on a regular cadence

3. State Licensing Compliance

• Ensure every site in your cluster maintains active, current state licensing at all times
• Conduct regular compliance walkthroughs: verify ratios, records, staff credentials, and environment standards
• Ensure all staff certifications (CPR, first aid, mandated reporter training, etc.) are kept current
• Respond promptly to any licensing concerns, agency inquiries, or corrective actions
• Keep site staff informed of day-to-day compliance expectations; make it routine, not reactive
• Escalate unresolved compliance issues to the Regional Director immediately

4. Building-Level School Partnerships

• Serve as HKP's primary day-to-day contact with school building leadership — principally principals and school office staff
• Build strong, proactive relationships with each building's leadership; show up consistently and communicate well
• Address building-level concerns and complaints quickly; resolve issues at the lowest level whenever possible
• Coordinate with school staff on logistics, space use, schedules, and building-specific requirements
• Keep principals informed on program news, staff changes, enrollment updates, and any operational issues
• Escalate district-level concerns or relationship matters to the Regional Director

Requirements

What We're Looking For

Experience and Education

• 3–5 years of experience in program leadership, site management, or a related field
• Background in childcare, youth development, K–12 education, or a similar environment
• Experience managing and controlling staff schedules and daily operational coverage across multiple locations
• Comfort working directly with school administrators and building staff
• Familiarity with state childcare licensing requirements a plus
• Bachelor's degree preferred

Who You Are

• A hands-on operator who takes ownership of the day-to-day and doesn't wait for problems to find them
• A clear communicator who keeps principals, staff, and the Regional Director/AED/Executive Director in the loop without being prompted
• Organized and detail-oriented; able to track multiple sites without dropping the ball
• A natural coach who develops people through real-time feedback and consistent support
• Calm under pressure and resourceful when things don't go as planned
• Must pass a full background check including fingerprinting and reference checks

Key HK Executive Skills — Bringing Your "A-Game" Means You Excel in All Three:

• Relationship with your job: Focus on results, not excuses. Purpose driven.
• Relationship with others: Motivating, positivity, leadership.
• How you handle yourself: Empathy, professionalism, G-rated work environment.

Benefits

• Employer-paid childcare for school-age children enrolled in our program on the days and during the hours you are working with us
• Telehealth, vision, and dental coverage
• AFLAC supplemental plans
• 401(k) for eligible employees
• Paid sick time
• On-demand pay
• Career development and growth opportunities

About Healthy Kids Programs

Healthy Kids Programs is more than a childcare provider. We're shaping the future of childcare. As one of Inc. 5,000's fastest-growing organizations, we offer Early Learning, Before and After School, and Summer Camp programs at over 150 locations. We're a certified benefit corporation committed to providing accessible, affordable childcare while creating meaningful opportunities for our team.

Why Join Healthy Kids Programs? At Healthy Kids Programs, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We create supportive and engaging environments where team members feel valued, empowered, and excited to grow. When you join our award-winning team, you become part of a community that values purpose, professional development, and meaningful work. If you are passionate about working with children and making a difference, Healthy Kids Programs is the place to build your career.

Healthy Kids Programs is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic. Hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.