Assistant Director

About Building Kidz

Building Kidz is a performing arts-focused preschool serving infants through preschool-aged children. Our program combines early childhood education with music, dance, musical theater, creative exploration, and hands-on learning experiences.

We are looking for a dependable, organized, and proactive Assistant Director to help lead our school, support our teachers, build strong family relationships, and ensure that the center operates safely, professionally, and efficiently.

This is a leadership position for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced growing environment. The ideal candidate enjoys with children and teachers and equally able to manage day-to-day administrative responsibilities, thrive in ambiguious situations and demonstrates ownership of school operations.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director works closely with the Center Director to oversee the daily operation of the preschool. This person will support staff, families, classroom quality, enrollment, licensing compliance, scheduling, documentation, and the overall culture of the school.

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Takes initiative without needing constant direction.
• Follows through on assignments and deadlines.
• Handles ambiguity well and applies solution mindset.
• Communicates clearly, respectfully, and professionally.
• Can prioritize urgent needs while managing multiple responsibilities.
• Maintains a positive team environment while holding staff accountable .
• Understands that leadership requires dependability, flexibility, and ownership.

The Assistant Director must be able to assume delegated leadership responsibilities when the Center Director is unavailable.

Key Responsibilities

Daily Center Operations

• Support the safe, organized, and efficient operation of the preschool.
• Assist with opening and closing procedures, daily checklists, classroom coverage, and staff assignments.
• Monitor attendance, staffing, classroom ratios, breaks, transitions, and daily schedules.
• Respond promptly to operational issues, emergencies, parent concerns, and staff needs.
• Ensure classrooms and common areas are clean, organized, supplied, and ready for children.
• Help coordinate meals, snacks, supplies, emergency bags, and other daily operational needs.
• Assist with coverage during staff absences and unexpected changes in staffing.
• Identify problems early and take appropriate action or communicate a clear proposed solution.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Support hiring, onboarding, orientation, and training of new employees.
• Maintain staff training records and follow up on outstanding requirements.
• Track CPR/First Aid, MAT, Health and Safety, professional development, and other required training.
• Coach teachers and support staff in classroom management, professionalism, communication, and program expectations.
• Conduct classroom observations and provide constructive feedback.
• Help maintain a positive, respectful, and accountable staff culture.
• Address performance concerns promptly and communicate issues to the Center Director.
• Lead by example through professionalism, reliability, initiative, and respectful communication.

Licensing, Health, and Safety Compliance

• Support compliance with Virginia Department of Education childcare licensing requirements and center policies.
• Maintain accurate staff and child records, including physicals, medication documentation, training records, and emergency information.
• Review files regularly and identify missing or outdated documentation.
• Assist with medication procedures, emergency preparedness, incident documentation, and health and safety checks.
• Ensure required forms, checklists, and records are completed accurately and on time.
• Communicate compliance concerns immediately to the Center Director.

Virginia childcare staff are expected to be capable of carrying out assigned responsibilities, accepting training and supervision, and communicating effectively in writing and orally as required by the role.

Enrollment and Family Relations

• Conduct professional and welcoming tours for prospective families.
• Clearly communicate the school’s program, curriculum, policies, tuition, and enrollment process.
• Respond promptly to phone calls, emails, website inquiries, and enrollment leads.
• Actively follow up with prospective families and document communication in the CRM system.
• Support enrollment goals and help maintain strong family relationships.
• Address parent questions and concerns with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Assist with enrollment paperwork, physicals, financial clearance, and required documentation.
• Support family events, community outreach, and school marketing activities. Occasional weekend work is expected to support marketing events.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain organized and accurate records.
• Use email, shared documents, calendars, checklists, and center systems consistently.
• Track assignments and provide timely updates on progress.
• Complete administrative tasks within established deadlines.
• Proactively plan and organize daily responsibilities
• Protect confidential information relating to children, families, and employees.

Curriculum and Classroom Support

• Support implementation of Building Kidz’s curriculum.
• Encourage child-led, imaginative, sensory-based, and hands-on learning.
• Support music, dance, musical theater, and performing arts experiences.
• Help teachers maintain engaging, developmentally appropriate classrooms.
• Step into classrooms and work directly with children when needed.
• Support classroom transitions, rest periods, outdoor play, and special activities.

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience in a licensed childcare center, preschool, early learning program, or related educational setting.
• Previous leadership, supervisory, administrative, or program-coordination experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of daily childcare operations and classroom routines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organization, time management, and follow-through.
• Ability to prioritize urgent tasks and manage competing responsibilities.
• Ability to accept coaching and direction professionally.
• Ability to work independently and make appropriate decisions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Center Director, teachers, families, and children.
• Must meet all applicable Virginia childcare employment, background check, and training requirements.

Virginia’s childcare licensing framework includes background-check requirements for individuals involved in the day-to-day operation of a center or who supervise children.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Two or more years of experience in childcare leadership or administration.
• Experience with Virginia childcare licensing and compliance.
• Experience with staff scheduling, enrollment, parent communication, and staff training.
• Current CPR/First Aid and MAT certification.
• Experience using childcare management software, email systems, and shared digital documents.
• Experience conducting tours and supporting enrollment.

Pay: From $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person