Early Childhood Program Director

Position: Operations Childcare Director
Organization: Mini Scholars Learning Center, Kansas City, MO

Mini Scholars Learning Center is a new childcare program under Modern Society Labs, aiming to serve approximately 300 children from infants to preschoolers. We are dedicated to fusing modern technology, data, and current educational theory with foundational childhood development methods. We are searching for an Operations Childcare Director who can oversee the daily administrative and operational tasks while ensuring compliance with the highest standards set by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Operations Management

• Oversee day-to-day business operations and management of the center serving nearly 300 children.
• Ensure smooth operation of all classrooms, including staff scheduling, resource allocation, and policy enforcement.
• Implement and maintain all relevant Missouri licensing rules and regulations, including all required documentation and annual filings.
• Report directly to the CEO, Administrative Director, Board and Local Stakeholders on the status, and standing of all daycare operations.

Leadership & Staff Supervision

• Lead, mentor, and support teaching and administrative teams, ensuring a positive and productive environment.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, and professional development of administrative and teaching staff.
• In the absence of the director, designate a responsible individual to be in charge of the facility.

Curriculum & Quality Assurance

• Collaborate with curriculum planners to incorporate advanced educational tech and modern teaching methods with traditional core childhood programming.
• Maintain strong communication with families and ensure that developmentally appropriate learning strategies are in place for all ages.

Compliance & Licensing

• Serve as the onsite director, routinely on duty during the center’s highest attendance hours (minimum 40 hours/week).
• Adhere to the requirements of 5 CSR 25-500.102 regarding personnel and training, including ensuring staff’s annual clock-hour trainings.
• Maintain all mandatory paperwork (including child abuse/neglect laws understanding, emergency procedure records, staff background screenings) in compliance with 5 CSR 25-600.020 and 5 CSR 25-500.042.
• Oversee family care safety registry checks for new hires.

Qualifications

• Must meet the highest level director requirements under 5 CSR 25-500.102 for a center with 100 children. This means one of the following minimums.
• 120 College Semester Hours: At least 24 of these hours must be in child-related courses, with up to 6 of the 24 allowable in business or management; OR
• 4 Years of Experience working with children, plus 24 college semester hours in child-related courses (6 of those 24 may include business or management).
• Demonstrated experience in large-scale childcare center operations (100 or more children), ideally in a leadership or director capacity.
• Strong knowledge of Missouri’s childcare licensing regulations (including staff/child ratios, training, and operational processes).
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills; must be capable of managing multi-faceted tasks, staff teams, and departmental needs simultaneously.
• Proven track record in staff development, supervision, and creating engaging learning environments.
• CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).

Benefits & Growth

• Opportunity to shape an innovative early childhood education program leveraging technology and modern educational approaches.
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus benefits.
• Continuous professional development, including leadership and early childhood education trainings.
• A collaborative environment that values forward-thinking ideas and educational excellence.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• Resume/CV detailing education, leadership roles, and relevant experience.
• Cover Letter summarizing why you are an ideal fit and how your qualifications meet the Missouri director standards.
• References or letters of recommendation highlighting childcare or educational leadership experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Childcare
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends & holidays off

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Childcare: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• CPR/AED/First Aid Certification (Required)

Location:

• Kansas City, MO 64111 (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Kansas City, MO 64111 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Kansas City, MO 64111: Relocate with an employer provided relocation package (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $90,000 - $120,000