Early Childcare Center Director

Child Care Center Director / Early Childhood Director

Full-time, Chicago, IL

$75,000–$90,000 + performance bonus

About Us

Whole Child Academy is an Education Company built on a simple philosophy: We believe in nurturing the complete development of every child, cultivating their curiosity, confidence, and kindness in an environment where they are genuinely known and supported. Our name reflects our purpose and guides how we build our team.

We are seeking an experienced, high energy Child Care Center Director / Early Childhood Director to lead our boutique Chicago school. We welcome successful Center Directors, Preschool Directors, Daycare Directors, and exceptional Assistant Directors ready for their next leadership opportunity. This full time leadership role is designed for someone who wants true ownership of the team, school culture, enrollment growth, admissions, parent experience, and the daily experience of every child and family.

In this vital role, you will oversee daily operations, ensure Illinois DCFS licensing and compliance, and foster a nurturing environment that promotes early childhood development and learning. Your leadership will develop and inspire teachers, build strong relationships with families, conduct parent tours, support enrollment growth, and uphold the highest standards of care and education.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to help build and grow a modern early childhood school while maintaining a vibrant, organized, high quality, and compliant center.

Responsibilities :

• Center Leadership & Operations: Lead the daily operations of our boutique early childhood center, creating an organized, welcoming, high-performing school while overseeing staffing, administration, policies, schedules, and required records.
• Enrollment & Admissions: Take ownership of enrollment growth, respond to prospective families, conduct engaging school tours, follow up with leads, manage admissions, and help convert inquiries into enrollments.
• Team Leadership & Development: Recruit, onboard, coach, supervise, and evaluate teachers and support staff while creating a positive, accountable, and collaborative school culture.
• Curriculum & Program Quality: Support teachers in implementing high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood experiences that promote children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, creative, and physical development.
• Technology & Systems: Confidently use and learn childcare management software, enrollment/CRM systems, parent communication platforms, scheduling tools, and other digital systems that improve center operations and family communication.
• Financial & Operational Management: Manage staffing, purchasing, supplies, resources, and center expenses responsibly while supporting enrollment and overall center performance.
• Illinois DCFS Compliance: Maintain compliance with Illinois DCFS licensing requirements, including health and safety practices, staffing requirements, personnel documentation, children's records, and required center documentation.
• Family Experience: Develop strong relationships with families through responsive communication, parent meetings, school events, and a consistently warm and professional experience.
• Continuous Improvement: Bring new ideas, identify opportunities, solve problems, and continually look for ways to improve the school, classrooms, team, enrollment, and family experience.

Qualifications & Education Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years old and meet applicable Illinois DCFS Child Care Director qualifications.
• Must meet applicable DCFS education, early childhood/child development coursework, and administration/leadership requirements for a Child Care Director.
• Gateways Illinois Director Credential (IDC) strongly preferred where applicable; candidates actively working toward an applicable credential are encouraged to apply.
• Experience working in a licensed childcare center, preschool, or early childhood education program.
• Exceptional Assistant Directors who meet DCFS Director qualifications and are ready to step into their first Center Director position are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Working knowledge of Illinois DCFS licensing and early childhood compliance, combined with the willingness and ability to quickly master center specific requirements.
• Growth minded, energetic, highly motivated, and eager to learn and grow with the organization.
• Tech savvy and adaptable: Comfortable using technology and learning new platforms, including childcare management software, enrollment/CRM systems, parent communication apps, scheduling tools, and basic digital marketing/social media.
• Strong ability to connect with prospective families, conduct engaging school tours, follow up consistently, and help convert inquiries into enrollments.
• Strong communication and people-leadership skills, with the confidence to coach, motivate, develop, and hold a teaching team accountable.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: Takes initiative, identifies opportunities, solves problems, and is excited about helping build and improve a growing school.
• Previous leadership experience as an Assistant Director, Education Coordinator, Program Coordinator, Preschool Director, Child Care Director, or Center Director preferred.

Benefits & What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: $75,000–$90,000 based on experience
• Performance & Enrollment Bonus
• Medical & Vision Insurance
• Clear Career Growth & Leadership Opportunities
• Modern, Technology-Forward Work Environment
• Real Ownership, Autonomy & Opportunity to Make an Impact

To Apply

Submit your resume through Indeed, along with a brief note about a school, a classroom, or a team you have made better. This position is open until filled.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person