Executive Director

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

At Little Anchor Child Care (LACC), we believe children learn best when they are loved, respected, and celebrated as capable individuals. Anchored at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Western Regional Center campus, our non-profit center champions an environment of self-direction and responsible free choice. We provide a space where young children learn to problem-solve through active, hands-on play. We actively embrace individual and cultural differences, operating under the firm belief that diversity enriches our social experiences and that our differences are to be anticipated and embraced.

The Little Anchor Advantage:

• Zero Facility Overhead: NOAA provides our physical facility (rent free) and full janitorial services, allowing you to focus on program excellence, rather than facility maintenance or heavy fundraising.
• Built-In Peace of Mind: Located on a secure federal campus, campus safety is built-in, providing a rare, low-stress environment for a childcare leader.
• An Exceptionally Tenured Team: We enjoy remarkably low turnover, inheriting a deeply dedicated, passionate crew of long-term educators who truly know our community. Nearly 50% have been with us for 5 years and over 20% of staff have been here for 10 years.
• Engaged and Supportive Families: Enjoy a true partnership with highly invested families who join center events, serve on the Board, and volunteer in classrooms. Over half of our families have members who work at NOAA, creating a unique, close-knit community.
• Streamlined Enrollment Pipeline: You will manage a unique priority enrollment structure that serves NOAA, federal, and local community families, ensuring a steady, reliable waitlist.
• Unbeatable Waterfront Location: Each day, you’ll enjoy magnificent views of Lake Washington and the tranquility of sailboats, seaplanes, and kayakers gliding by the large outdoor play area. We also frequently see bald eagles, osprey, Canadian geese, and deer.

Why this role?

As our Executive Director, you aren't just managing a facility; you are steering the ship. You will champion our anti-bias curriculum, foster a deeply supportive workplace for our educators, and partner with a volunteer Board of Directors and parent community. If you want to lead an organization where professional acumen meets a nurturing, whimsical, and progressive learning environment, you’ve found your safe harbor.

• You view children as capable, independent learners: You are inspired by a curriculum that prioritizes self-paced exploration and “hands-on” experience over rigid structure, and you know how to support teachers in fostering student independence.
• You see diversity as an asset, not a checklist: You are deeply committed to an anti-bias curriculum and possess the cultural humility and proactive mindset needed to ensure our learning environments reflect, respect, and embrace individual differences.
• You love the business side and the sandbox side: You can transition seamlessly from analyzing a budget spreadsheet with the Board Treasurer to stepping into a classroom and instantly connecting with the children to support their play and learning. You can pivot quickly when immediate needs arise, with the ability to pause a project and circle back to it later.
• You are highly adaptable and resilient under pressure: You are efficient and decisive when unexpected campus issues, government shutdowns, or staffing shortages require immediate, tactical decisions on changes to room coverage or early closures. You welcome questions and feedback from families, teachers, staff, and the Board, navigating challenging conversations with professionalism while maintaining strong relationships.
• You know how to help strengthen community values: You understand the importance of preserving Little Anchor’s personal, responsive culture. You bring this culture to life by prioritizing a warm, collaborative space where staff and families communicate openly and collectively shape a thriving environment.
• You invest in and unlock staff potential: Your leadership style is rooted in mutual respect and trust, and you have a track record of listening to and valuing staff feedback to drive engagement and retention. You are also mindful of staff professional development and know how to leverage and recognize the qualities and skills of each individual staff member.
• You are committed to building strong systems that help people succeed: You value formalizing and documenting internal knowledge and processes such as transition schedules, operational policies, and onboarding procedures to ensure organizational continuity.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Little Anchor Child Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-bias environment for all employees and families. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by law.

Employment Contingencies: Final candidate availability is contingent upon the successful completion of a federal background check, a Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) portable background check, including FBI fingerprinting, a negative TB test, and proof of current immunizations. Additionally, under Washington State law, all childcare employees are Mandated Reporters and are required to report any suspected child abuse or neglect.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and it is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position. Little Anchor Child Care reserves the right to modify duties as organizational needs dictate. Employment with LACC is "at-will," meaning either the employee or the employer can terminate the relationship at any time, with or without cause.

To Apply

Submit Your Resume and Cover Letter to

In your cover letter, please describe your interest in leading the community at Little Anchor Child Care and how your skills and experience fit with the goals for the position as described in this announcement.

Application questions:

1. What is the #1 skill or experience you bring that will help our staff and families thrive?
2. What is one thing you read about Little Anchor Child Care in this posting that made you think, “I want to work there”?

Posting Date: June 30, 2026

Consideration will be given to applications as soon as they are received, with a priority deadline of July 31, 2026. The posting will remain open until filled.

Note: At LACC, organizational leadership is a shared partnership. While the Executive Director maintains ultimate accountability for center compliance and staff management, many of the below responsibilities are actively shared and split with the Assistant Director. You will work together as a cohesive administrative team to ensure seamless center operations.

• Partner with the Board of Directors to develop and execute a visionary strategic plan for the center.
• Act as the professional advisor to the Board, delivering transparent monthly operational, financial, and enrollment updates.
• Maintain a stellar relationship with NOAA campus personnel (Facilities, Security) to ensure seamless day-to-day operations.

• Recruit, onboard, mentor, and retain a high-performing team of early childhood educators.
• Foster a supportive, team-first environment where educators feel valued and empowered.
• Conduct performance evaluations, lead monthly staff meetings, and design engaging annual in-service days.

• Formulate and manage the annual operating budget in lockstep with the Board Treasurer.
• Oversee financial administrative systems and day-to-day center purchasing.
• Actively manage enrollment pipelines, waitlists, and internal room-transition ("moving-up") schedules. You will decisively manage complex priority criteria (NOAA, federal families, community, siblings) and optimize age-group balancing to maximize center capacity while strategically avoiding classroom "traffic jams."
• Proactively manage organizational risk, compliance, and health and safety standards mandated by King County and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).

• Foster a warm, inclusive environment that actively invites parent participation, fundraising support, and volunteerism.
• Maintain open, reliable lines of communication with families via daily touchpoints, newsletters, and conferences.
• Advocate for children with diverse learning styles and coordinate with specialized external support agencies when needed.

• Leadership Experience: Minimum of 5 years of dedicated supervisory, administrative, and program management experience within a licensed childcare center or early childhood education setting.
• Instructional Context: Proven foundational experience working directly in an early childhood classroom, demonstrating a deep understanding of classroom demands and child-led development.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licensing regulations.
• Compliance: Must possess a valid U.S. Passport or REAL ID and pass a federal background check with no criminal record. Must provide verification of current tuberculosis test and up-to-date immunizations.
• Certifications: Current Pediatric First Aid, CPR certifications, and WA State Food Handlers permit (or willingness to obtain immediately).
• Fiscal & Administrative Savvy: Demonstrated experience managing operational budgets, tracking enrollment fees, navigating online database administration, and working with standard business tools (e.g., Microsoft Office).
• Age: Must be at least 21 years of age.

• Education: Degree, diploma, or certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or a closely related field.
• Sector Knowledge: Experience navigating non-profit operations, including working alongside a Board of Directors.
• Accreditation Expertise: Experience maintaining Early Achievers accreditation.
• Curriculum: Familiarity with the HighScope curriculum approach and a passion for child-led, play-oriented frameworks.

• Healthcare: We offer medical, vision, and dental insurance through Regence BlueShield. LACC pays 75% of health premiums and 80% for staff tenured at least five consecutive years. Dependents can be added at your expense.
• Retirement: Employees are eligible to participate in a Fidelity Simple IRA retirement plan (similar to a 401K) with 3% employer match after one year of employment.
• Paid Time Off: Accrued PTO and sick leave, 10 paid federal holidays, paid birthdays, work anniversaries, and snow days.
• Bonuses: Annual raises, tenure bonuses, and holiday bonuses.
• Education & Growth: College tuition assistance, paid training, and overtime reimbursement.
• Perks: Discounted childcare, Orca pass, on-site small gym, provided meals in the classroom, free secured parking, and direct bus access to campus.