The ideal candidate will understand and be able to implement Developmentally Appropriate Practices and best practices for an early childhood center serving infants through preschoolers. The Child Care Center Director is expected to maintain high standards of quality and customer service while ensuring strict compliance with New York State Office of Family Services regulations. The Child Care Center Director must have excellent communication skills and be capable of effectively leading, supervising, and training the staff team, resulting in a child care experience that is safe, positive, nurturing, and educational.
● Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or closely related field (Master’s Degree preferred); must meet all New York State Office of Children and Family Services requirements for a Child Care Center Director
● Expertise: Demonstrated understanding of child development, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, and center management; must be proficient in the use of classroom assessment tools, including but not limited to the Infant-Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS) and Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS)
● Skills: Oral, auditory, and written communication skills appropriate for interacting with both children and adults; ability to use typical office technology and applications, including Word, Excel, Google, Daxko, Lillio, etc.
● Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience working with children in a group setting; must include at least 2 years in a teaching or supervisory role (previous experience as a Child Care Center Director preferred).
● Compliance: Must meet all New York State Office of Children and Family Services qualifications for a child care center director (education, experience, etc.) and pass all mandated background checks (fingerprinting, SCR, medical clearance, Tuberculosis test, etc.)
Key Responsibilities
● Regulatory Compliance: Maintain 100% compliance with New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS) and Department of Health (DOH) standards; lead the center through all inspections and licensing renewals.
● Staff Leadership: Recruit, hire, and coach a qualified and effective staff team, fostering a culture of excellence in the classroom and continuous professional growth.
● Financial: Assist in creating and managing the annual budget for the child care center; meeting targets for enrollment, payroll, supplies, equipment, etc.
● Curriculum: Oversee the planning and implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum that prioritizes hands-on, creative, discovery-based learning, physical activity, and sensory exploration.
● Quality Assessment: Utilize assessment tools, including the ITERS (Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale) and ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale), to routinely evaluate and improve classroom environments, interactions/communication, and staff performance.
● Developmental Monitoring: Ensure staff are trained to recognize and support key developmental milestones and create developmental plans for individual children as needed.
● Family and Community Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships and ongoing communication with parents; represent the child care center in the early childhood community and the community at large.
● Facilities: Oversee and coordinate the cleaning and maintenance of the child care facility, playgrounds, and grounds.
● Maintain current certifications: CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications
● Mandated Reporter training