Early Childhood Education Director

Position: Center Director

Locations: 2011 Savannah Street SE; 340 Rhode Island Avenue NE, 4415 South Capitol Street SW, WDC

Reports To: CEO

Compensation: Tiered Salary Based on Experience & Performance Incentives

About Emergent Preparatory Academy

Emergent Preparatory Academy is a leader in early childhood education, providing an innovative and nurturing learning environment for young children. We are seeking a dynamic, results-driven Center Directors who are committed to excellence, accountability, and leadership in managing daily operations while fostering a culture of learning, engagement, and professional growth.

Position Overview

The Center Director is an energetic, creative person responsible for the overall success of the center, ensuring it meets high standards for quality education, compliance, enrollment growth, and staff retention. This role requires strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and proactive decision-making to oversee operations without constant oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of center operations, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead with confidence and decisiveness, ensuring all staff execute their roles to high standards.
• Enforce state licensing requirements and center policies to maintain compliance.
• Conduct weekly team meetings to align staff on expectations, performance goals, and center objectives.
• Ensure a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
• Recruit, hire, and retain high-performing teachers and staff.
• Provide regular coaching, training, and mentorship to support staff growth.
• Address performance issues immediately, implementing a structured improvement plan as needed.
• Conduct quarterly performance reviews to assess staff effectiveness and engagement.
• Implement teacher incentives and growth pathways to promote retention and excellence.
• Drive enrollment growth strategies, ensuring classrooms remain full and thriving.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with families, addressing concerns with professionalism.
• Ensure timely communication with parents regarding center updates, policies, and child progress.
• Handle parent complaints and concerns effectively, de-escalating issues while upholding center policies.
• Maintain center profitability and financial health, meeting revenue targets.
• Implement cost-effective strategies to manage expenses without sacrificing quality.
• Ensure timely collection of tuition and fees, reducing outstanding balances.
• Monitor supply and resource usage, preventing unnecessary expenses.
• Ensure the center meets all state licensing regulations and accreditation standards.
• Maintain flawless documentation for staff qualifications, child records, and safety procedures.
• Conduct regular self-audits to identify and correct compliance gaps before inspections.
• Implement emergency preparedness plans and ensure all staff are trained on safety protocols.

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Minimum 3 years of experience as a Center Director or similar leadership role in early childhood education.
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (or equivalent experience with a CDA and strong leadership background).
• Deep knowledge of state licensing regulations, ECE best practices, and staff management.
• Proven ability to increase enrollment, retain staff, and maintain compliance.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to make quick, effective decisions.
• Exceptional communication, organization, and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency in childcare management software (e.g., Procare, Brightwheel, or similar).

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Education, Business Management, or related field.
• Experience with multi-site leadership or a growing childcare operation.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a tiered compensation model that rewards performance and experience:

Position Level Base Salary Bonus Potential

Site Coordinator (Entry-Level Director) $60,000/year $2,000 performance bonus potential

Center Director (Fully Responsible for Site Operations) $80,000/year $5,000 performance bonus potential

Senior Director (Oversees Multiple Sites, High-Performance Track Record) $100,000/year $10,000 performance bonus potential

Additional Benefits:

• Performance-based bonuses tied to enrollment growth, compliance success, and staff retention.
• Retention bonuses ($1,000 after one year, $2,500 after three years).
• Paid professional development and leadership training.
• Paid time off and additional personal days based on tenure.
• Childcare tuition discounts for Director’s children.
• Flexible scheduling options for work-life balance.

How to Apply

If you are a strong, results-driven leader ready to take ownership of a thriving early childhood education center, we want to hear from you!

Submit your résumé, cover letter, and a brief statement on why you would be the perfect fit for this role to Delores.McGee@emergentprepacademy.com.

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Early Childhood Education!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000 - $100,000