Childcare Director

Join our team at the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids as a Childcare Director and help lead high-quality early childhood experiences that strengthen children, families, and our community. Our early learning centers provide safe, nurturing, and inclusive environments where children can learn and grow, while supporting families through accessible care and meaningful partnerships.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Center Director is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of child development centers serving six to eight classrooms, including both tuition-based and grant-funded programs. This role ensures high-quality early learning experiences while fostering a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment for children, families, and staff.

In this role, you will lead a team of up to 30 teachers, coach and develop the Assistant Director, and oversee program quality, regulatory compliance, budgets, and enrollment. You will also build strong partnerships with families and community organizations to support the development of children and strengthen the impact of the program.

The ideal candidate is an experienced and dedicated leader with a passion for early childhood education, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to create a positive and supportive atmosphere for both staff and children.

This position requires face-to-face leadership in these programs and may involve early morning, evening, and weekend responsibilities.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Manage Center Operations

• Manages the day-to-day operation of the child development center to ensure a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children.
• Maintains and improves quality standards for educational and care practices.
• Reviews and evaluates facility activities to ensure conformance to state and local regulations and licensing requirements. Maintains a positive relationship with assigned licensing consultants.
• Conduct regular inspections and assessments to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Holds and maintains licensure for program center.
• Liaise with contracted custodial team and maintain all areas in a clean, presentable fashion.
• Participate in management meetings, strategic planning, and effectively cascade communication to team members.

Lead and Develop Your Team

• Interviews, hires, onboards, and trains teaching staff, in collaboration with Regional Director.
• Plans, assigns, and directs work; create staff schedules and manage staffing needs; addresses complaints and resolves problems.
• Sets goals and objectives for staff members; conducts performance evaluations and provides feedback to improve teaching practices.
• Serves in ratio as needed to cover PTO, vacancies, or leaves of absence.

Partner with Children and Families

• Manages recruiting, orientating, and enrolling of children/families, in collaboration with outreach and enrollment specialist.
• Advises and supports parents/guardians of necessary child/family referrals.
• Confers with parents/guardians regarding child/ren progress, facility activities, policies, and enrollment procedures.
• Advises teaching staff regarding child's behavioral or learning problems, and recommends methods of modifying inappropriate behavior and encouraging learning experiences.
• Confers with teaching staff regarding child's behavioral or learning problems, and recommends methods of modifying inappropriate behavior and encouraging learning experiences.

Build Community Partnerships

• Builds and maintains community partner relationships in the facility and in the community.

Manage Program Growth and Resources

• Monitors monthly budget and year-end forecast for responsible program areas.
• Prepare and draft reports for funders as requested.
• Ensures grant compliance, as required.
• Assists with Annual Campaign.

Perform additional duties as assigned to ensure the success of the YMCA and its mission-driven work.

COMPENSATION

$65,000 - $70,000 ;
Full-Time, Annually

BENEFITS

• Free YMCA Family Membership – Enjoy full access to facilities & program discounts for you and your family!
• 50% Childcare Discount – Discount is off the regular rate for each child enrolled in a YMCA childcare program, excluding the infant room.
• Comprehensive Medical…