Child Development Center Director

Position Overview

The Child Development Center (CDC) Director provides expertise, oversight, training, and leadership to ensure the CDC delivers high‑quality, relationship‑based, inclusive services to all children and families. The Director ensures evidence‑based instructional practices, engages families, maintains a healthy and safe environment, and achieves full enrollment. Oversight extends to all staff, directly supervising the Assistant Center Director and others, monitoring compliance, quality, enrollment, staff retention, engagement, and financial results, and leading continuous improvement initiatives.

$3,000 Sign On Bonus

This position is located at the Easterseals Gilchrist Marchman Child Development Center at 1312 S. Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608.

Planning and Program Services

• Facilitate enrollment and develop a recruitment plan in collaboration with the ERSEA & Family Health Team to ensure full enrollment.
• Oversee staff schedules, manage PTO approvals, and arrange substitutes to maintain operational continuity, ensuring classroom ratios and a qualified director on site at all times.
• Collaborate with the Director of ECR programs to develop an annual parent handbook with policies, procedures, and service/management plans.
• Implement systems to ensure consistent, high‑quality services per Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Excele Rate, NAEYC, DCFS licensing, and all applicable regulations.
• Develop an annual training calendar with the Director of ECR Programs and Learning & Development Manager, matching staff interests and needs.
• Form linkages with community organizations to provide resources for children, families, and staff.
• Make effective resource allocation decisions to support quality program services while operating within the budget and staffing model.
• Participate in the self‑assessment process and strategic planning.
• Implement strategies to maximize child care assistance funding.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents, engage families, and create a yearly Family Engagement plan per program guidance and budget.
• Address parental questions, concerns, and complaints regarding safety, staffing, curriculum, philosophy, and structure, reporting resolutions to the Director of ECR Programs.
• Establish a collaborative and transparent center culture emphasizing direct conflict resolution.
• Maintain systems for regular, ongoing communication with staff and families.
• Facilitate and/or participate in regional, team, leadership, and other meetings.
• Participate in agency-sponsored events, committees, and meetings.

Implement Research-Based Curriculum

• Monitor, assess, and review classrooms regularly to maintain curriculum fidelity and alignment with educational standards.
• Collaborate with the Instructional Coordinator, using assessment data to drive coaching strategies and align coaching with school readiness goals.
• Ensure lead teachers facilitate lesson‑planning meetings.
• Participate in regular meetings to assess progress and plan for education and disability content areas.
• Assist teaching staff to complete child assessments, parent/teacher conferences, and other requirements within designated time frames.
• Ensure all enrolled children receive developmental screening, maintain Child Plus and Teaching Strategies GOLD data, and keep child portfolios and observation logs.
• Review and analyze child outcome data, home visits, parent/teacher conferences, and screenings with the regional and teaching teams to inform individual child and program planning.

Support Inclusive Practices

• Collaborate with coordinators and managers to create an inclusive environment for children with disabilities, social‑emotional needs, and challenging behaviors.
• Work with the Child Service Coordinator and Social Emotional Specialist to implement a system for supporting behavioral concerns, including review processes and behavior plans.
• Assist teachers in modifying curriculum and individualizing lesson plans based on IEP goals.
• Provide ongoing training related to Education and Disabilities across all programs.
• Share screening results with parents and facilitate re‑screenings, referrals, and…