Early Childcare Education Center Director
13 Days Old
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Bonus based on performance
- Company parties
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Employee discounts
- Flexible schedule
- Free food & snacks
- Free uniforms
- Health insurance
- Opportunity for advancement
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Training & development
- Vision insurance
Are you a passionate early childcare education leader ready to make a lasting impact and can thrive in a fast-paced environment to bring excellence, compliance, and culture together to serve children, teachers and families?
We're seeking an experienced Early Childcare Education Center Director to lead our high-quality program and nurturing school community that fosters a lifelong love of learning through a balanced approach to academic, mental, physical, and social-emotional growth.
About the Role
As Director, you'll be at the heart of our school's success-leading and supporting a dynamic team of teachers and administrators, ensuring compliance with state and franchise standards, partnering with families, and creating a safe, enriching, and inclusive environment for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
Key Responsibilities
Administrative
- Oversee all aspects of school operations, including educational programming, staff management, inventory and supply management, compliance & quality management and driving growth for the school's future
- Maintain all required records, including children's files, faculty records, health & safety logs, licensing documentation, and training records
- Annually review and update the Employee Handbook to reflect current policies and state requirements
- Compliant use of all franchise required systems and data regarding child & family management, class lists, transitions and other such requirements
- Demonstrate highly effective organizational, time management, and multitasking skills with the ability to continually prioritize and reprioritize tasks depending on the events of the day
- Possess genuine love for children and a strong commitment to children's education, growth and well-being
Leadership & Staff Management
- Recruit, hire, onboard, and mentor a high-performing team of teachers and staff
- Thorough onboarding, including training on policies, curriculum, and classroom management, following all state and franchise requirements.
- Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and support professional growth
- Facilitate regular staff meetings and periodic teacher meetings
- Create a positive and collaborative workplace culture rooted in respect and accountability
- Manage scheduling, ratio compliance, and staff coverage with precision
- Ensure the staff is current with all required training, certifications and appropriate documentation
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Ensure full compliance with New Jersey licensing regulations, franchise requirements and health/safety protocols
- Own the compliance and upkeep of records for all state and franchise licensing, accreditation and health/safety regulations
- Maintain complete and current staff and child files, emergency procedures, and licensing documentation
- Lead fire drills, safety checks, and health program implementation
- Work closely with local and state agencies and accreditation bodies
- Develop action plans for all Emergency Preparedness
Curriculum, Classroom & Program Oversight
- Oversee implementation of a developmentally appropriate, engaging curriculum
- Support lesson planning and classroom management in collaboration with teachers
- Conduct classroom observation, student monitoring & reporting regular ratio checks and teacher performance checks against learning objectives
- Manage a maintenance system to maintain facility upkeep and repairs
- Coordinate enrichment programs, field trips, community outreach programs and seasonal events
- Evaluate program effectiveness and identify opportunities for innovation and improvement
Family & Community Engagement
- Build and sustain trusting relationships with families
- Communicate school policies and child development updates clearly and professionally
- Manage the end-to-end Enrollment process for a smooth and easy experience for families
- Maintain effective home-school communication through newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, and progress reports.
- Resolve escalations transparently and quickly
- Plan parent orientations, conferences, and education events
- Develop and maintain relationships with local pediatricians, dentists, and agencies supporting children with special needs
- Represent the school in the community and at professional events
Operations & Fiscal Management
- Manage school budget, purchasing, payroll oversight, and petty cash
- Ensure inventory control and timely ordering of supplies
- Implement a nutritious snack program
- Maintain a clean, well-equipped, and inviting learning environment
- Collaborate with ownership on strategic planning, marketing, and enrollment growth
What You Bring
- B.S. in Early Childcare Education or related field (M.S. preferred)
- Minimum 3 years of leadership in a licensed childcare/preschool center (or 8+ years in absence of degree)
- In-depth knowledge of state licensing standards, developmentally appropriate practices, NJCCIS and NJ Grow and compliance-focused way of working
- Demonstrated leadership and team-building skills with a positive, solutions-oriented mindset
- Ability to handle emergencies and day-to-day challenges with grace and confidence
- Excellent communication, time management, organizational abilities, and fluid use of technologies (computers, Microsoft and iPads)
What We Offer
- Salary: $70,000-$85,000 (commensurate with experience) + Bonus Potential
- Benefits: Health Insurance | Paid Time Off | 401(k) Match | Professional Development | Discounted Childcare
- Competitive Pay with annual performance bonuses
- Full Benefits Package: Health, vision, dental, PTO, and 401(k) match
- Professional Development Support and networking opportunities
- Discounted Childcare and a family-first culture
- Ownership Collaboration: Front-row seat to center operations and potential for career growth
Ready to Lead with Purpose?
We are more than a childcare center-we're a learning community where children flourish, families feel supported, and educators grow. If you're a compassionate, strategic leader ready to elevate early education, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply Today with your resume and cover letter.
Together, we're shaping the future-one child at a time.
Compensation: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
This Is Your Moment
The joy of childhood comes from those bright sparks of discoverymoments that delight and surprise us. Your career at The Goddard School can be just as exciting. For more than 35 years, Goddard Schools have put each teacher at the heart of everything we do because teachers put each student at the heart of everything they do. The Goddard School trusts, empowers, and honors its exceptional educators. Develop your teaching skills in a vibrant and nurturing environment and make a difference in children's lives every day.
Each Goddard School location is privately owned and operated by Goddard Franchisor LLC franchisees. The Goddard School franchise owner(s) are the employers at each school, and the franchise owner(s) set their own wage and benefit programs, which vary by location.
- Location:
- Hazlet
- Job Type:
- PartTime
