Director Youth Development; Early Childhood Education- Family

Director Youth Development (Early Childhood Education)- Central YMCA Family Location

Job Category: CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Requisition Number: YOUTH
003120

• Posted :
  September 3, 2026
• Full-Time

Showing 1 location

Central (Downtown) YMCA
Wilmington, DE 19801, USA

Delaware Promise
:

Ensure every youth and teen we serve is on a pathway to success
Improve the health and wellbeing of every individual and family we serve
Unite communities and inspire service to others

Full benefits package including Dental, Vision & Health Insurance
Generous PTO vacation, 12 paid holidays, and sick leave
Free Nationwide Y Membership for your Household
12% Employer-Funded Retirement Plan upon meeting eligibility
Learning and development workshops
Career advancement opportunities
Staff Discounts on Programs & Services and more!

Salary: $55,515– $62,457 per year. Final compensation is based on factors such as skills, qualifications, and experience.

• Oversees the daily operations of Early Childhood Education programs, ensuring state licensing requirements and YMCA standards are consistently met.
• Responsible for annual licensure of all program sites, including physical inspections, life safety compliance, staff and child file maintenance, and timely completion of developmental assessments (ASQs).
• Ensures compliance with Delaware Stars and NAEYC Accreditation standards, driving continuous quality improvement.
• Maintains adherence to state and local regulations, laws, and codes related to program operations.
• Leads curriculum development and implementation, ensuring alignment with developmental standards and YMCA philosophy.
• Reviews and approves lesson plans, conducts classroom observations, and provides feedback to ensure instructional quality and inclusivity (including ADA compliance).
• Mentors and supports staff ensuring best practices in early childhood education are applied.
• Assists in the recruitment, hiring, training, development, scheduling, and supervision of staff and volunteers.
• Provides coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback to ensure staff growth and accountability.
• Supports succession planning and professional development opportunities for the team.

Operations & Fiscal Management

• Collaborates with the Registrar and Business Manager to manage registrations, transitions, terminations, and billing (including POC/ECAP subsidy updates).
• Maintains budget responsibility for curriculum supplies, equipment, and program expenses, ensuring fiscal accountability.
• Supports revenue goals by ensuring enrollment capacity and maintaining positive family relationships.
• Partners with the Senior Youth Development Director and other YMCA leadership to strengthen youth development strategies and initiatives.
• Acts as a resource for families, staff, and community partners by providing effective communication and problem resolution.
• Participates in association-wide initiatives, quality teams, special events, and fundraising campaigns as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to serve a community of belonging.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, including at least 15 credits in early childhood-related coursework (child development, curriculum planning, positive behavior management, health & safety, nutrition, family/community, professionalism).
• Early Childhood Administrator qualified with the State of Delaware.
• Minimum 24 months of experience working with children ages 0–5 in a licensed group setting.
• At least 12 months of supervisory experience managing a team of 10 or more staff.
• At least 12 months of experience with budget management and fiscal oversight.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of progressive supervisory experience leading 20 or more staff members.
• Extensive experience…