Center Director

Company Overview

Sanbridge Early Learning Center is dedicated to fostering a nurturing, engaging, and innovative environment where young children can thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and creatively. We are committed to providing high-quality early childhood education that supports each child’s individual development and lays the foundation for lifelong learning and success.

Our team values professionalism, collaboration, family engagement, and excellence in early childhood education. We strive to maintain a safe, inclusive, and enriching learning environment that meets applicable childcare licensing standards and regulatory requirements.

Job Summary

Sanbridge Early Learning Center is seeking an energetic, professional, and motivated Center Director to provide strategic leadership and oversee the daily operations of our early learning center. The ideal candidate will have a passion for early childhood education, strong administrative and leadership skills, and the ability to ensure compliance with all applicable childcare licensing standards, regulations, and quality requirements.

The Center Director will lead and support teaching staff, oversee curriculum implementation, manage center operations, foster positive relationships with families, and ensure that the center provides high-quality care and education for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.

The successful candidate must meet the educational, professional experience, certification, and background requirements applicable to the position and the jurisdiction in which the center operates.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Administration

• Provide effective leadership and oversight of the center’s daily operations, ensuring a safe, organized, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
• Establish and maintain high standards for educational quality, professionalism, staff performance, and family engagement.
• Develop, implement, and monitor center policies and procedures in accordance with applicable childcare licensing regulations.
• Oversee enrollment, recordkeeping, scheduling, parent communications, facility maintenance, and administrative functions.
• Support strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives to promote program quality and operational effectiveness.

Licensing, Regulatory Compliance, and Safety

• Ensure the center operates in compliance with applicable state and local childcare licensing requirements, health and safety regulations, and other relevant standards.
• Verify that staff members meet applicable educational, training, certification, background screening, and professional development requirements.
• Maintain accurate licensing documentation, personnel records, training records, and children’s records.
• Monitor compliance with required health, safety, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and child supervision procedures.
• Coordinate licensing inspections, monitoring visits, corrective action plans, and other regulatory requirements as needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of childcare regulations and licensing standards applicable to the center’s location.

Curriculum and Educational Excellence

• Oversee the development and implementation of age-appropriate curriculum and learning activities that promote cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and creative development.
• Ensure that classroom environments support children’s individual needs, developmental milestones, and readiness for future educational experiences.
• Monitor classroom practices and instructional quality to ensure alignment with early childhood education best practices.
• Support teachers in implementing developmentally appropriate learning experiences for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
• Encourage inclusive practices that respect individual differences and support the developmental needs of every child.

Staff Supervision and Professional Development

• Recruit, supervise, and support qualified teachers and childcare personnel.
• Conduct staff evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and establish performance expectations.
• Identify professional development opportunities and ensure staff complete required training and continuing education.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, effective communication, and a positive workplace culture.
• Monitor staff qualifications and certifications to ensure continued compliance with applicable licensing requirements.

Family and Community Engagement

• Build and maintain positive partnerships with parents and families to support each child’s growth and development.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding children’s progress, classroom experiences, and center policies.
• Address family concerns professionally and promptly.
• Foster a welcoming environment that encourages family participation and collaboration.
• Support a strong sense of community among children, families, teachers, and center leadership.

Financial and Operational Management

• Assist with budget development, expense monitoring, resource allocation, and financial planning.
• Oversee staffing schedules, classroom resources, supplies, and facility needs.
• Promote efficient center operations while maintaining high standards of care, safety, and educational quality.
• Identify opportunities to improve program effectiveness and long-term operational sustainability.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must meet the educational, experience, certification, and licensing requirements applicable to the Center Director position.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in any field required.
• A degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of two years of childcare work experience.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, communication, and staff management skills.
• Knowledge of early childhood development, childcare operations, and applicable licensing requirements.

Preferred Certifications and Training

Candidates should possess the following certifications and training credentials, as applicable to the governing state or jurisdiction:

• 45-hour Infant and Toddler Certification.
• 90-hour Child Care Certification.
• 45-hour School-Age Child Care Certification.
• 45-hour Child Care Director Administration Certification.
• 9-hour Communication course, if qualifying college coursework has not been completed.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification.
• Breastfeeding awareness or applicable breastfeeding training certification.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) training or certification, as applicable.
• Basic Health and Safety training.
• Any additional credentials, coursework, or training required to meet the applicable childcare licensing standards for a Center Director.

Continuing education courses and additional professional development credentials are considered a plus.

Licensing and Employment Requirements

• Must meet all applicable childcare licensing requirements for the position and jurisdiction.
• Must satisfy required background checks, suitability determinations, and other childcare employment screening requirements.
• Must provide documentation verifying education, work experience, certifications, and required training.
• Must be able to maintain compliance with all applicable licensing standards throughout employment.
• Must demonstrate professionalism, reliability, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to child safety and well-being.
• Establish and maintain high standards for educational quality, professionalism, staff performance, and family engagement.
• Develop, implement, and monitor center policies and procedures in accordance with applicable childcare licensing regulations.
• Oversee enrollment, recordkeeping, scheduling, parent communications, facility maintenance, and administrative functions.
• Support strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives to promote program quality and operational effectiveness.
• Extensive experience in school administration with a focus on early childhood or K-12 education management.
• Proven ability in curriculum development tailored to childhood development stages.
• Strong leadership skills with experience supervising teams of educators and staff.
• Expertise in managing budgets as an executive education administrator with a clear understanding of financial planning and resource allocation.
• Knowledge of educational compliance regulations, including special education law and school legal requirements.
• Skilled in fundraising strategies to support program initiatives and facility improvements.
• Excellent communication skills suitable for public speaking, community engagement, and staff facilitation.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, instructional leadership in education settings, and personnel management within schools or early learning centers.

Preferred Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of curriculum planning and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Experience supervising teachers and managing early childhood education programs.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and manage multiple administrative responsibilities.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with families, staff, and community partners.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, regulatory compliance, and high-quality early childhood education.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for the Center Director position is $65,000–$70,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits include:

• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid time off.
• Employee discount.

Compensation and benefits will be discussed further during the interview process.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a current résumé outlining their education, childcare experience, leadership qualifications, and relevant certifications.

Applicants should be prepared to provide copies of required credentials and documentation demonstrating that they meet the applicable childcare licensing standards for the Center Director position.

Application Questions:

• How many years of childcare experience do you have?
• Do you currently hold the required childcare certifications?
• Do you have a bachelor’s degree?
• Do you meet the applicable licensing qualifications for a childcare Center Director?

Work Requirements:

• Must be able to reliably commute to the center or be willing to relocate before beginning employment.
• Must be available to work an eight-hour shift.
• Must be able to work in person at the designated center location.

Join Our Team!

At Sanbridge Early Learning Center, we believe that strong leadership and dedicated educators make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families. We are seeking a Center Director who shares our commitment to excellence, values professional growth, and understands the importance of maintaining a safe, nurturing, and fully compliant childcare environment.

If you are passionate about early childhood education, qualified to lead a childcare program, and committed to meeting all applicable licensing standards, we invite you to submit your résumé and join our team.

We look forward to welcoming a dedicated and qualified Center Director to the Sanbridge Early Learning Center team,someone who will lead with energy, inspire excellence in early childhood education, uphold the highest childcare licensing and safety standards, and make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of children, families, and staff!

Pay: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person