We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and dedicated Childcare Center Director to lead our center with professionalism, warmth, and a strong commitment to early childhood education. The Director will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the center while creating a positive, nurturing, and professional environment for children, families, and staff. The ideal candidate will have a strong educational background in early childhood education or a related field, a thorough understanding of Alabama childcare licensing regulations, and a strong understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. This position requires a leader who is confident in making decisions, comfortable managing both people and operations, and genuinely committed to building meaningful relationships with children, families, and staff. Educational Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Education, Child Development, or a closely related field required. Previous leadership or administrative experience in an early childhood setting strongly preferred. Strong knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices. Knowledge and understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach and its core principles. Experience working within or implementing a Reggio-inspired early childhood environment is strongly preferred. Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with best practices in early childhood education. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Center Operations Oversee the daily operations of the childcare center. Ensure the center consistently provides a safe, nurturing, organized, and high-quality environment for children. Lead, support, and hold staff accountable to established policies, procedures, and expectations. Assist with staffing, scheduling, hiring, onboarding, training, and staff development. Maintain a professional and positive workplace culture. Work closely with leadership to establish goals and continuously improve the center. Licensing & Compliance Maintain thorough knowledge of Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) childcare licensing regulations and requirements. 1 Ensure the center remains in compliance with all applicable Alabama childcare regulations, policies, and standards. Maintain accurate records and documentation required for licensing and center operations. Prepare for and participate in licensing visits, inspections, and audits. Ensure staff understand and consistently follow all health, safety, supervision, and licensing requirements. Educational Leadership & Reggio Emilia Approach Support and promote the Reggio Emilia philosophy throughout the center. Help teachers understand and implement the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach in their classrooms. Encourage children to be viewed as capable, curious, competent learners with their own ideas, interests, and ways of expressing themselves. Support teachers in using observation, documentation, reflection, and children's interests to guide curriculum development. Encourage thoughtfully prepared environments that invite exploration, creativity, collaboration, and discovery. Promote the use of open-ended, natural, and meaningful materials that encourage children to investigate and express their ideas. Support teachers in creating learning experiences that emerge from children's interests and questions. Encourage collaboration among teachers, children, and families as an essential part of the learning process. Foster a culture of reflection and continuous improvement among educators. Family & Community Relationships Build strong, respectful, and trusting relationships with families. Maintain open, professional, and timely communication with parents and guardians. Work collaboratively with families to support each child's individual needs and development. Address family questions and concerns with professionalism, empathy, and appropriate follow through. Create opportunities for families to feel welcomed, valued, and connected to the center. Foster a strong sense of community and partnership among families, teachers, children, and administration. Recognize families as an important part of the child's educational experience. Staff Development & Support Develop positive relationships with teachers and support staff. Provide coaching, guidance, and constructive feedback. Support teachers in their understanding and implementation of Reggio-inspired practices. Encourage teachers to observe, document, reflect, and collaborate as part of their professional practice. Recognize staff accomplishments and encourage professional growth. Promote teamwork, collaboration, and respectful communication. 2 Ensure teachers have the resources and support necessary to provide high-quality care and education. Ideal Candidate The successful candidate will be: A confident, compassionate, and collaborative leader. Passionate about early childhood education and child development. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the Reggio Emilia approach. Highly organized and detail-oriented. Knowledgeable about Alabama childcare regulations and licensing requirements. A strong communicator who is comfortable communicating with both families and staff. Able to have difficult conversations while maintaining professionalism and respect. A team builder who understands that a successful center depends on strong relationships. Committed to creating an environment where teachers are encouraged to think deeply about their practice and children's learning. Dependable, professional, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Committed to creating a school culture where children feel safe, teachers feel supported, families feel valued, and everyone feels part of a strong community. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, or a related field. Demonstrated experience working in an early childhood setting. Leadership or supervisory experience preferred. Knowledge of the Reggio Emilia approach and its application in an early childhood setting. Strong working knowledge of Alabama childcare licensing regulations. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to successfully pass all required background checks and meet applicable Alabama childcare employment requirements. What We Are Looking For We are looking for more than someone who can manage the day-to-day operations of a childcare center. We are looking for an educational leader who believes in children, invests in teachers, and understands the importance of community. Our Director should understand that children are capable, curious, and full of ideas. They should value observation, relationships, meaningful environments, documentation, and collaboration — and understand how these principles come together through the Reggio Emilia approach. The Director will play a key role in creating a culture where children are respected as capable learners, teachers feel empowered and supported, and families feel welcomed, valued, and connected to the school community.

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person