Director, Education Administration, Education ​/ Teaching

Position Title: Childcare Director
Reports To: Owner/Executive Director
Location: Explorers Learning Academy - NE (ELA-NE), 8212 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97220
Employment Type: Full-Time, Salaried
Base Salary: $52,000 annually
Bonus Potential: Up to $33,000 annually (performance-based)

The Childcare Director will be responsible for the overall leadership, compliance, performance, and operational excellence of Explorers Learning Academy. This includes maintaining a high-quality, luxurious environment inside and outside the center that reflects excellence, cultural pride, and attention to detail. Ensure that:

All spaces are intentionally designed to be clutter-free, soothing, and conducive to learning.

Classrooms follow Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, with accessible materials, flexible learning spaces, and visual supports that promote independence and inclusivity for all children.

Indoor and outdoor areas reflect a sense of pride, safety, and warmth for children, families, and staff.

Ensure full enrollment capacity of 49 children (36 preschool, 13 infants/toddlers).

Lead SPARK documentation and site visits to achieve and sustain a 5-star rating.

Monitor all Pro Care and Kaymbu data to ensure compliance in child files, ratios, family communication, and licensing documentation.

Manage staffing, family engagement, curriculum fidelity, state compliance, and quality improvement initiatives like SPARK and Preschool for All (PFA).

Oregon Registry Step 9 or Higher (Required)

Minimum of 3 years’ experience in managing a licensed early childhood education program

Proven experience with:

Staff recruitment and retention

Oregon's SPARK Quality Rating and Improvement System

Child Care licensing requirements

Implementing curriculum with fidelity (High Scope, Montessori-Inspired Environments, Second Step, etc.)

Contract compliance for publicly funded programs (e.g., PFA, CCI, ERDC)

Marketing

Ensure full enrollment of 49 children (36 preschool, 13 infants/toddlers)

Maintain compliance with licensing standards and safety regulations

Lead SPARK documentation and site visits

Implement monitoring systems via Playground and other tools to track child files, staff credentials, and program metrics

Maintain compliance with all Preschool For All rules and regulations

The Childcare Director is responsible for maintaining a fully staffed team of 11 core employees and themselves. The staffing structure reflects a balance of credentialed professionals across early childhood age groups and support roles, ensuring optimal adult-child ratios and consistent high-quality care.

Team Composition:

(2) Lead Preschool Teachers – Oregon Registry Step 8

(2) Assistant Preschool Teachers – Oregon Registry Step 7

(2) Infant Teachers – Oregon Registry Step 7

(1) Toddler Teacher – Oregon Registry Step 7

(2) Floaters – Oregon Registry Step 7

(1) Bus Driver – Must hold a valid driver’s license, complete Safety Set, and pass ODE background check

(1) Substitute Director – Oregon Registry Step 8.5

The director is responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of all staff members.

Each classroom team must meet Oregon Child Care Licensing adult-child ratios and Step-level requirements at all times.

Floaters will support across classrooms during breaks, transitions, and absences.

The Substitute Director/Cook provides operational and culinary support and must be prepared to assume administrative leadership when the Director is off-site.

Maintaining 100% staffing levels is a performance-based compensation indicator, evaluated quarterly.

Oversee the delivery of three annual Parent-Teacher Conferences per child

Ensure ASQ and ASQ: SE screenings are…