Early Childhood Director - Fort Firefly

Early Childhood Director

• Fort Firefly AlliancEdu Fort Smith, AR Job Details Full-time $55,000
• $65,000 a year 1 day ago Qualifications Early childhood education center experience Strategic management Team leadership Staff scheduling Performance management Change management Team management Conflict resolution Practicing budget management in an educational setting Financial management Staffing management Compliance Professional development training Senior leadership Interpersonal communication Full Job Description Job Description Fort Firefly Early Childhood Center Director•Extended Hours, Military & First Responder Families The Early Childhood Center Director serves as the senior site leader, responsible for the daily operations, program quality, staffing systems, financial stewardship, and community partnerships of a large, extended-hours early childhood center (operating 5:30 am-9:00 pm).

Fort Firefly is designed to serve military-connected families, first responders, and workforce families whose schedules do not follow a traditional 9-5. This role requires a leader who can navigate complexity with clarity, lead with consistency, and implement systems that ensure safety, continuity of care, and high-quality experiences for children and families. The Director serves as the primary leader and the public face of the center, responsible for building a strong staff culture, maintaining full regulatory compliance, and co-leading the site through NAEYC National Accredidation in partnership with executive leadership team. Core Leadership Responsibilities 1. Operational & Strategic Leadership Lead all daily operations including enrollment, staffing, scheduling, safety, facilities, and family services. Execute the center's strategic plan in alignment with organizational mission, grant deliverables, and financial expectations. Ensure the center operates with consistency, calm, and accountability across extended hours. 2. Staffing & Extended-Hours Systems (Mission-Critical) Design and manage staffing systems that support extended hours (5:00 am

• 9:00 pm, including: Multiple shifts, overlap coverage, and continuity of care Float, substitute, and surge coverage plans Fatigue mitigation and staff wellness safeguards Ensure staffing ratios and supervision requirements are met at all times , including early mornings, evenings, and transitions.

Build a culture where early and late shift staff are fully supported, trained, and valued. 3. Compliance, Accreditation & Quality Assurance Maintain strict compliance with all local, state, and federal licensing and health regulations. Co-lead the center through National Accreditation (e.g., NAEYC) with fidelity, organization, and urgency. Establish and monitor quality systems (documentation, observations, coaching, continuous improvement). Maintain accurate records for compliance, audits, and grant reporting. 4. Financial & Funding Oversight Manage site-level budgets and ensure responsible fiscal stewardship. Oversee complex funding streams, including: Military fee assistance programs (e.g., DoD/Child Care Aware) State and local subsidy programs Veteran-specific benefits Private pay and sliding-scale tuition Partner with leadership and grants teams to provide timely, accurate reporting. 5. Programmatic Excellence & Staff Development Ensure implementation of a high-quality, developmentally appropriate program grounded in a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, where children are capable, learning is inquiry-driven, and the environment serves as a third teacher, aligned with accreditation standards and state frameworks. Recruit, supervise, evaluate, and retain a diverse, professional staff team. Provide or coordinate ongoing professional development with an emphasis on: Trauma-informed care Relationship-based practice Serving children and families affected by deployment, shift work, and stress 6. Family Engagement & Support Oversee family communication systems that are responsive to: Deployment cycles Nontraditional work schedules Emotional and behavioral stressors Ensure smooth transitions, clear handoffs, and continuity of care for children attending across extended hours. Build trust-based relationships with families through transparency, empathy, and professionalism. 7. Community Relations & Public Representation Serve as the primary external representative of the center.

Build and maintain partnerships with:

Military installations and Family Readiness Groups Veteran service organizations First responder agencies Defense contractors and employers Community leaders and elected officials Represent the center with credibility, confidence, and alignment to mission. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Educational Leadership, or equivalent (Master's preferred) Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a large early childhood setting. Demonstrated experience managing complex staffing systems , including multiple shifts. Strong working knowledge of licensing regulations, child safety standards, and operational compliance. Proven ability to manage budgets and funding-related processes. Exceptional communication, organizational, and leadership skills. Strongly Preferred Experience serving military, veteran, or first responder families. Experience operating or supervising extended-hours child care . Direct experience leading or preparing a program for National Accreditation . Training in trauma-informed care, resilience, or crisis response. Experience working within grant-funded or publicly funded programs. Physical & Background Requirements Ability to meet all state and local requirements for an Early Childhood Director. Successful completion of all required background and security checks, including federal-level clearance as applicable. This Role Is Ideal For a

Leader Who:

Thrives in complex systems and high-accountability environments Leads with calm, clarity, and consistency Values both people and systems, and sees the environment as a driver of learning Views children as capable and understands that quality, safety, and relationships are inseparable Is reflective in practice and committed to continuous growth

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$55,000.00

• $65,000.

00 per year

Work Location:

In person