Christian Daycare Director

Position Summary

The Christian Daycare Director provides leadership, administration, and oversight for the daily operation of the church's early childhood daycare program serving approximately 28 children from infancy through Pre-K.

The Director is responsible for maintaining a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and Christ-centered environment in which children can grow academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The Director oversees daycare staff, curriculum, enrollment, parent communication, licensing compliance, health and safety, and the overall quality of the program.

As a ministry of the church, the daycare seeks a Director who demonstrates Christian character, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a genuine love for children and families.

Salary is negotiable!

Essential Responsibilities

Christian Leadership & Ministry

• Promote and maintain a Christ-centered environment throughout the daycare.
• Support the mission, values, and statement of faith of the church and school.
• Ensure that age-appropriate Bible teaching, prayer, Christian values, and character development are incorporated into the daycare program.
• Model Christian character, integrity, compassion, and servant leadership in interactions with children, parents, staff, and church members.
• Help foster positive relationships between daycare families and the broader church community.

Program Administration

• Provide overall leadership and supervision of the daycare's daily operations.
• Coordinate classroom assignments, daily schedules, staffing, and program activities.
• Maintain accurate enrollment, attendance, personnel, and children's records.
• Oversee daycare communications, calendars, policies, and administrative procedures.
• Coordinate with church or school administration regarding tuition, purchasing, payroll information, budgeting, and other operational matters.
• Recommend improvements to policies, procedures, facilities, curriculum, and program operations.

Licensing, Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with applicable state childcare licensing regulations and health and safety requirements.
• Maintain required licensing documentation and prepare for inspections and licensing reviews.
• Ensure appropriate staff-to-child ratios are maintained.
• Oversee emergency preparedness, sanitation, food safety, medication procedures, incident reporting, and child pickup and release procedures.
• Ensure staff members maintain required certifications, background checks, training, and professional development.
• Maintain a clean, safe, secure, and welcoming environment for children, families, and staff.

Staff Leadership & Supervision

• Assist with recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, and onboarding daycare employees in coordination with church or school administration.
• Supervise, encourage, coach, and evaluate teachers and daycare staff.
• Prepare staff schedules and coordinate substitute or classroom coverage when necessary.
• Conduct regular staff meetings and provide ongoing professional guidance.
• Ensure staff understand and follow daycare policies, classroom expectations, licensing requirements, child supervision standards, and Christian ministry expectations.
• Address staff concerns and performance matters professionally and in coordination with church or school leadership.

Curriculum & Classroom Quality

• Oversee developmentally appropriate curriculum for infants, toddlers, preschool, and Pre-K children.
• Ensure classrooms provide opportunities for age-appropriate learning, play, creativity, physical development, social development, and spiritual formation.
• Regularly observe classrooms and support teachers in maintaining effective classroom environments.
• Ensure classrooms have appropriate educational materials, equipment, toys, and supplies.
• Support school-readiness activities that prepare older children for a successful transition into kindergarten.

Parent & Family Relations

• Serve as a primary point of contact for daycare parents and families.
• Communicate clearly and regularly with families regarding policies, schedules, events, and program matters.
• Respond to parent questions, concerns, and feedback professionally and compassionately.
• Welcome prospective families, provide daycare tours, and explain the program's philosophy and expectations.
• Build positive and trusting relationships between families, daycare staff, and church leadership.

Enrollment & Program Development

• Manage enrollment inquiries, applications, admissions, and waiting lists.
• Maintain appropriate enrollment levels and classroom capacity.
• Assist with promoting the daycare within the church and surrounding community.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the quality, reputation, and effectiveness of the daycare ministry.

Qualifications

• Must meet all applicable state requirements for serving as a childcare center director.
• Previous experience in early childhood education, preschool, daycare, or a related field required.
• Previous supervisory, administrative, or leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of child development from infancy through Pre-K.
• Strong organizational, leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and support teachers while maintaining positive relationships with families.
• CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain required certification.
• Ability to successfully complete required background checks and state-mandated training.
• Basic proficiency with computers and administrative recordkeeping.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, patience, and professionalism.

Christian Ministry Qualifications

Because the daycare operates as a ministry of the church, the Director should:

• Demonstrate a personal commitment to the Christian faith and Christian living.
• Support the church's statement of faith, mission, and ministry philosophy.
• Demonstrate Christian character in leadership and relationships.
• Have a genuine desire to serve children and families through Christian education and ministry.
• Be comfortable leading and participating in prayer, Bible teaching, and other age-appropriate Christian activities.

Physical & Classroom Responsibilities

Because of the size and ministry-oriented nature of the daycare, the Director is expected to maintain a visible and active presence throughout the program. The Director should regularly interact with children, families, and teachers and be willing to assist in classrooms or provide temporary classroom coverage when reasonably necessary.

The position may require standing, walking, bending, lifting classroom materials, assisting young children, and performing other normal activities associated with an early childhood education environment.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a caring and capable Christian leader who combines a heart for children's ministry with strong administrative and organizational abilities. The Director should be able to build a healthy team environment, communicate effectively with parents, maintain high standards of safety and professionalism, and help create a daycare where children are known, loved, nurtured, and encouraged to grow in a Christ-centered environment.

Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person