Program Director

Summary

The Program Director is responsible for the daily operations, management, and overall success of the daycare center. This includes ensuring a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children, as well as the effective management of staff, finances, and compliance with all relevant regulations.

Duties

• Develop, implement, and enforce all center policies and procedures related to childcare, safety, health, curriculum, and parent communication.
• Hire, train, schedule, supervise, perform evaluation and disciplinary actions for all staff members.
• Budget, control expenses, collect tuition, and report finances (in collaboration with owners/accountants).
• Ensure the center operates in full compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including licensing requirements, health and safety standards, and background checks.
• Oversee the implementation of the curriculum and ensure its alignment with age-appropriate developmental goals.
• Develop and implement emergency preparedness plans and ensure staff are trained in their execution.
• Review, understand and apply concepts presented in training programs, conferences, and/or professional literatures.
• Strive to maintain and improve professional competence, by keeping abreast of current educational trends.

Requirements

Program Directors must be at least 21 years of age and shall meet one of the following:

1. A graduate degree in a child-related field such as elementary education, nursing, or recreation from a college or university and six months of programmatic experience.
2. An endorsement or bachelor's degree in a child-related field such as elementary education, nursing, or recreation from a college or university and one year of programmatic experience.
3. Forty-eight semester hours or 72 quarter hours of college credit from a college or university of which 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours are in child-related subjects and one year of programmatic experience.

Program Director without management experience* must have one college course in a business-related field, 10 hours of management training, or one childcare management course that satisfactorily covers the management functions of:

1. Planning
2. Budgeting
3. Staffing; and
4. Monitoring

Program Director must:

• Demonstrate overall good health.
• Demonstrate ability to communicate in clear, concise manner with others, both written and verbally.

*Management experience is defined as at least six months of on-the-job training in an administrative position that requires supervising, orienting, training, and scheduling staff.

Nice To Haves

• A Passion for Early Childhood Education
• Proficient in Google Workspace
• Knowledge of Child Development Principles
• Budget Management and Financial Literacy
• Human Resources Management Basics
• Facility Management Oversight
• Technology Proficiency
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Strong Leadership Skills
• Team Player and Collaborative Spirit
• Organizational and Time Management Skills
• Interpersonal Skills and Relationship Building Skills
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills

Benefits

• Competitive Salary*
• Tuition Discount for Employee's Children
• Paid Professional Development Days

*Salary is based on experience.