Center Director (Early Childhood Education)- Courtland

Center Director (Early Childhood Education) - Courtland

Position Summary

The Early Childhood Impact (ECI) Center Director is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of YMCA child development centers, including infant, toddler, and preschool programs. Reporting to the Area Manager, this role ensures the delivery of high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive programming aligned with the YMCA's mission, policies, and organizational goals. This position requires a valid Child Development Site Supervisor Permit or Program Director Permit.

Because this role serves a community that is primarily Spanish-speaking, bilingual proficiency in both Spanish and English is required. Core responsibilities include providing direct services and communication with families and community partners, completing program documentation, and participating in meetings and trainings conducted in Spanish. As such, bilingual proficiency is an essential function of the position and is necessary for effective job performance. Language proficiency may be assessed during the selection process.

The YMCA of the East Bay is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on any protected characteristic, including national origin or related linguistic characteristics. This bilingual requirement is job-related, consistent with business necessity, and directly connected to the needs of the community served.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Full-time employees are eligible for heavily subsidized coverage with several plan options.
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, with options for Voluntary Life and AD&D coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance for added financial protection.
• Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs to support mental health and work-life balance.
• Commuter Benefits available for eligible employees.
• 12 Designated Holidays.
• Paid Time Off for vacation and sick leave.
• Professional Development Opportunities and ongoing training to support your career growth.
• YMCA Membership Benefits and discounts on programs for you and your family

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field (with 12 semester units in child development if degree is related).
• Valid California Child Development Site Supervisor or Program Director Permit (or official verification of pending application). Must maintain permit through required continuing education.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English required.
• Minimum of two years of teaching or administrative experience in a publicly funded preschool or child development program, including one year in a supervisory role.
• Valid California driver's license, proof of auto insurance, and annual DMV check.
• Completion of 15 hours of preventive health practices training; current pediatric first aid and CPR certification.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood development and inclusive programming for ages 0–5.
• Experience working in multi-cultural, interdisciplinary settings and with community agencies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Successful completion of criminal background clearance and health requirements (physical exam, TB test, immunizations).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related computer programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support, and develop staff to ensure effective program delivery.
• Oversee center and classroom operations, maintaining compliance with California regulations and Head Start/Early Learning standards.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for children, families, and staff.
• Collaborate with families and community partners to support child development and center goals.
• Manage administrative functions, including staffing, budgeting, and reporting.

Work environment and physical requirements

• Ability to supervise children safely indoors and outdoors.
• Lift and carry up to 50 lbs; stand or walk for up to two hours; perform bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, and reaching.
• Provide visual and auditory supervision in varied environments.
• Travel locally for meetings, training, and events, including occasional evenings.
• Reasonable accommodations available for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Specific Essential Function from the Job Description for this role

1. Design and deliver high-quality programming that achieves the educational, administrative and service delivery goals. Work with staff, parents and resource professionals to develop and implement a developmentally and age appropriate program.
2. Oversee the Early Childhood Impact Center including supervision of the staff, coaching, performance management and evaluation, certifications, training and ensure all staff have professional development plans.
3. Make classroom observations on a regular basis and review weekly classroom lesson plans.
4. Hold individual classroom team conferences related to classroom observations and classroom plans.
5. Identify training needs of the education staff, and family service staff as appropriate.
6. Maintain necessary records to document the growth and development of the education staff.
7. Facilitate and monitor the home visit responsibilities of the education staff.
8. Ensure that daily staffing requirements and child/staff ratios are met at all times and may be required to fill-in for teaching and other staff to maintain ratios.
9. Make recommendations on staffing, program and expenditures, and maintain inventory documents.
10. In coordination with the Human Resources Department, assist in the hiring process for center staff.
11. Provide on-going and frequent communication to staff and arrange and facilitate regular meetings with staff and provide for mandated trainings and updates to policies and procedures.
12. Ensure and monitor program compliance including staff educational requirements with federal/state requirements; understand, interpret and implement federal, state and agency rules and regulations.
13. Ensure accurate reports and documentation that complies with applicable laws, policies and procedures; submit reports on program activities and status to the Area Manager as required.
14. Ensure proper maintenance and confidentiality of child, family and program files.
15. Follow procedures for making verbal and written reports of suspected child abuse to Children's Protective Services and to others as required; report unusual incidents to Community Care Licensing and to supervisors as required.
16. Ensure a healthy, safe and clean indoor and outdoor environment at the facility; handle emergency situations in a calm and professional manner and administer first aid and/or CPR if required.
17. Monitor parent involvement through individual and group contacts and meetings.
18. Complete accounting records, time cards, reports, insurance claims, Early Childhood Impact or YMCA records accurately and in a timely fashion.
19. Make referrals to support services based upon children's needs and follows-up to see that the needs are met.
20. Coordinate the support services offered by other service areas within the center.
21. Review each child's developmental screening results and individualized service plans for completion and accuracy, as well as, the classroom lesson plans and home visit reports.
22. Use Facilities software to request repairs at the center, keeping the Area Manager informed.
23. Complete all purchase requisitions and submits completed purchase paperwork.
24. Serve as a resource/liaison to all licensing representatives, health and fire inspectors who may visit the center, as well as other partners and community service agencies.
25. Maintain excellent rapport with parents and extended family members and effectively and sensitively deal with parents and community members from various cultural and economic groups.
26. Encourage, promote and develop programmatic opportunities for parents to fully participate in their children's educational experience.
27. Monitor parent involvement through individual and group contacts, monthly parent meetings and address parent and community concerns.
28. Perform other tasks as may be required for the efficient operation of the comprehensive, integrated program.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.