Daycare Early Education Director

Title: School Director

Department: Operations

Reports To: Regional Manager

Supervisory Position: Yes

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary: $76,000-$81,000 per year w/ bonus eligibility

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Monroe, CT School

The School Director plays a vital leadership role in ensuring a safe, high‑quality, and nurturing environment for children and families. This position is ideal for someone ready to lead with a people‑first mindset, elevate school operations, mentor staff, engage families, and drive strong enrollment and financial performance.

Operational Management

• Ensure smooth daily operations that meet company standards.
• Maintain safe, clean, and nurturing classroom environments.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all state childcare and school regulations.
• Serve as a Mandated Reporter in accordance with state law, maintaining responsibility to recognize, document, and report suspected child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.
• Prepare for and manage all state inspections.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, mentor, and support staff.
• Build a positive, collaborative workplace culture.
• Achieve staff turnover below 25% annually.
• Ensure 100% completion of required staff training.
• Achieve 80%+ employee engagement score.

Family Engagement

• Build strong, trusting relationships with parents through consistent communication.
• Address parent questions and concerns promptly and professionally.
• Host family‑focused events to strengthen community connection.
• Achieve 90%+ parent satisfaction.
• Respond to 100% of inquiries within 24 hours.
• Host at least 4 family events annually.

Business & Enrollment Growth

• Manage the school’s budget and overall financial performance.
• Implement local marketing strategies to increase enrollment.
• Grow enrollment 5–10% annually while maintaining profit margins (15-20%).

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Exercise independent judgment and decision‑making authority on matters related to school operations, staffing, parent communication, culture, compliance, budgeting, and safety.
• Manage and direct the work of teachers and staff, including hiring, onboarding, scheduling, coaching, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
• Hold primary responsibility for overall success of the school including operational performance, compliance readiness, financial stewardship, staff engagement, and family satisfaction.
• Lead non‑manual, high‑level administrative and managerial work requiring specialized knowledge of ECE licensing, curriculum implementation, staffing models, safety practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Exercise autonomy in setting priorities, solving problems, and determining how to meet operational, financial, and enrollment goals without day‑to‑day supervision.
• Serve as the school’s top‑level leader, representing the organization in external communications, licensing interactions, inspections, community partnerships, and parent relations.
• Develop and implement operational processes and school‑wide improvements, using discretion to interpret company policies, local needs, and regulatory environments.
• Make decisions that directly impact business performance, including enrollment strategy, cost management, staffing ratios, and classroom allocation.
• Provide direct supervision to staff contributing to the business operations of the school, solidifying the role as one that “customarily and regularly directs the work of two or more employees.”
• Hold authority to influence employment decisions, including hiring, corrective action, performance evaluations, and training requirements.
• Lead organizational culture at the school level, shaping employee engagement, morale, retention, and team effectiveness.
• Function as a strategic partner to Regional Managers and senior leadership, offering insights and recommendations that directly influence organizational practices and school‑level outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in childcare or school management.
• Strong knowledge of state childcare and school regulations and licensing standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational abilities.
• Ability to manage budgets and drive enrollment growth.
• Director state credentials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or Business (optional but beneficial).
• Prior experience leading school‑level operational improvement or quality initiatives.

Work Environment

• Active classroom environment with regular interaction with children, families, and team members.
• Movement between indoor and outdoor learning spaces throughout the day.
• Collaborative setting with consistent communication and teamwork.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout the school for prolonged periods, including standing and walking for up to 75 percent of the workday.
• Ability to transition between sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, and squatting throughout the day to engage with children and support staff.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, and move items up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to sit on the floor, engage at a child’s eye level, and participate in age‑appropriate activities including light running, outdoor play supervision, and interactive learning experiences.
• Comfort working in a dynamic, sometimes noisy environment with frequent interruptions and frequent movement between indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Ability to supervise children on playgrounds, in classrooms, hallways, entryways, and common areas.
• Ability to respond quickly and safely in emergency situations, including evacuations, drills, and urgent classroom needs.
• Ability to follow and model all safety procedures.
• All employees must complete a background check as required by the Department of Early Education and Care.

Legal Notice

We are an equal opportunity employer and value a workplace where everyone feels welcome. Employment here is offered on an at‑will basis, meaning either the employee or the company may end the relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, consistent with applicable state and federal laws.