Child Care Center Director

Founded in 1995, Huntey's Clubhouse has grown from a single in-home childcare program into a multi-site organization dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education and care.

Our mission is to provide a nurturing, safe, and enriching environment where children thrive and families feel supported. We believe children learn best through meaningful relationships, engaging experiences, and responsive caregiving. Every member of our team contributes to creating positive experiences that support children's growth, development, and lifelong success.

At Early Learning Company, quality is not just a goal—it's the foundation of everything we do. Our Center Directors play the most critical leadership role in our organization by setting the tone for their center, building a culture of excellence, developing high-performing teams, supporting families, and ensuring exceptional care for every child.

The Center Director serves as the leader, culture-builder, and operational manager of the childcare center. This position is responsible for creating an environment where children thrive, families feel welcomed and supported, and team members are engaged, developed, and empowered to perform at their highest level.

Successful Center Directors lead with professionalism, accountability, compassion, and a growth mindset. They are skilled at balancing relationships and results, providing coaching and feedback, managing difficult conversations, driving enrollment growth, ensuring licensing compliance, and maintaining high standards across every aspect of center operations.

The Center Director works closely with families, center staff, fellow Directors, Regional Directors, and Central Office support teams to ensure the center consistently delivers exceptional experiences and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Culture

• Establish and maintain a positive, professional, and child-centered culture throughout the center.
• Lead by example, modeling the organization's values, expectations, and commitment to excellence.
• Create an environment where children feel safe, supported, and valued; families feel welcomed and connected; and team members feel respected and empowered.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, communication, continuous improvement, and mutual respect.
• Promote a growth mindset by encouraging learning, adaptability, problem-solving, and innovation.
• Effectively delegate responsibilities while maintaining accountability and oversight.

Team Development and Performance Management

• Recruit, interview, hire, onboard, and retain high-quality team members.
• Develop staffing plans that support enrollment needs, classroom quality, and operational efficiency.
• Provide consistent coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to team members.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and ongoing feedback conversations.
• Create individualized development plans that help employees progress through pay scales, qualifications, certifications, and leadership opportunities.
• Identify future leaders and support succession planning within the center.
• Address performance concerns promptly through coaching, corrective action, and accountability measures when necessary.
• Navigate difficult conversations with professionalism, empathy, confidence, and consistency.
• Support team members in understanding expectations, goals, and opportunities for growth.

Training and Professional Development

• Ensure all team members complete required onboarding, licensing, and company training requirements.
• Create a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
• Monitor training compliance and professional development requirements.
• Facilitate center training initiatives, staff meetings, and educational opportunities.
• Coach classroom leaders on curriculum implementation, classroom management, active supervision, family engagement, and child development best practices.
• Partner with Central Office departments to implement company initiatives, policies, and operational improvements.
• Ensure team members understand and consistently follow company standards and procedures.

Family Engagement and Customer Experience

• Build strong, trusting relationships with current and prospective families.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for escalated parent concerns, questions, and feedback.
• Respond to parent concerns and complaints promptly, professionally, and with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Create an environment where families feel informed, valued, and connected to their child's learning experience.
• Conduct center tours that effectively communicate the center's culture, programs, and value to prospective families.
• Guide new families through the enrollment process, ensuring a welcoming and seamless onboarding experience.
• Maintain a visible and approachable presence within the center.

Enrollment and Center Growth

• Drive enrollment growth through relationship-building, community engagement, marketing efforts, and exceptional customer service.
• Monitor enrollment trends and proactively develop strategies to maintain and grow center capacity.
• Partner with enrollment, marketing, and Central Office teams to achieve occupancy goals.
• Track enrollment performance and conversion metrics.
• Ensure timely follow-up with prospective families and tour inquiries.
• Maintain strong community relationships that support awareness and growth of the center.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee all daily center operations to ensure smooth, efficient, and high-quality program delivery.
• Maintain proper staffing levels and classroom coverage.
• Monitor attendance, scheduling, staffing ratios, and operational workflows.
• Ensure classrooms are prepared, organized, and operating according to company standards.
• Manage center communications and operational priorities effectively.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, files, and documentation.
• Utilize company technology systems, including Procare, Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and other required software platforms.

Licensing, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with all state licensing regulations, company policies, and health and safety requirements.
• Maintain readiness for licensing visits, audits, and inspections.
• Monitor classroom practices to ensure regulatory compliance and quality standards are consistently met.
• Stay current on changes to licensing requirements, regulations, and best practices.
• Investigate and address compliance concerns promptly and appropriately.
• Partner with Regional Directors and Central Office teams to resolve compliance issues and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and regulatory excellence.

Facility and Resource Management

• Ensure the center remains clean, organized, welcoming, and safe for children, families, and staff.
• Monitor facility needs and coordinate repairs, maintenance, and work orders as necessary.
• Oversee inventory, supplies, equipment, and classroom materials.
• Ensure learning environments remain engaging, developmentally appropriate, and well-maintained.

Financial and Business Management

• Manage center operations within established budgets and financial expectations.
• Monitor labor costs, enrollment performance, and operational expenses.
• Make informed business decisions that support both quality care and financial sustainability.
• Partner with Regional Directors and Central Office teams to achieve financial goals.
• Utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor center performance and drive improvement.

Key performance indicators may include:

• Enrollment and occupancy
• Employee retention
• Family satisfaction
• Licensing compliance
• Training completion
• Staff development and promotions
• Budget performance
• Program quality measures

Collaboration and Community Engagement

• Partner closely with Central Office departments, including Human Resources, Enrollment, Finance, Licensing, Curriculum, Marketing, and Operations.
• Collaborate with fellow Center Directors and Regional Directors to share best practices and support organizational initiatives.
• Maintain positive relationships with licensing consultants, community organizations, and local partners.
• Represent the company professionally within the community.
• Participate in company events, family events, marketing initiatives, and social media engagement as appropriate.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate Degree or higher.
• Experience in early childhood education.
• Experience supervising, leading, and developing team members.
• Meet all applicable Michigan Child Care Licensing qualifications for Center Director.
• Strong knowledge of childcare licensing requirements and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and relationship-building abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with technology, including Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and childcare management software.
• Professional demeanor, appearance, and work ethic.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in spoken and written English with children, families, coworkers, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders. Must be able to read, write, and comprehend English sufficiently to complete required documentation, understand policies and procedures, and ensure the health and safety of children.

Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Multi-classroom or center leadership experience.
• Experience managing budgets, enrollment, and operational performance metrics.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation

• Base Salary: $40,000–$50,000 annually
• Bonus Potential: Up to 25% of annual salary, paid semi-annually based on performance and center outcomes

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Supplemental Insurance Options
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• Childcare Tuition Discount
• Tri-Share Employer Participant
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Professional Development and Leadership Growth Opportunities
• Supportive Leadership Team and Collaborative Work Environment

Why Join Us?

At Early Learning Company, Center Directors have the opportunity to make a lasting impact far beyond the walls of a classroom. Through leadership, mentorship, family partnerships, and operational excellence, you help shape the experiences of children, support families during critical years of development, and build teams that change lives every day.

If you are a servant leader with a passion for early childhood education, a commitment to excellence, and the ability to inspire others to achieve their best, we invite you to join our team and help lead the future of Early Learning Company.