A Preschool or Childcare Director manages and directs programs for very young children. Supervises child care workers and pre-school teachers. Proposes policies, program fees and budgets for approval by a program board or administrative agency or implements policies of a national organization. Meets with parents and staff to discuss the development, learning and behavior of children in the program or center. Orders supplies and monitors maintenance and cleaning at a facility. Ensures that the program or center meets state and federal guidelines.
Program Director - Northwest Arkansas Region Position Summary Alpine Education Services is seeking an experienced Program Director to oversee multiple Out-of-School Time (OST) programs serving children ages 5-12 throughout the Northwest Arkansas region , including Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, Bentonville, and surrounding communities . This leadership position is responsible for ensuring high-quality programming, maintaining compliance with Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education (DCCECE) Minimum Licensing Requirements , supporting staff development, and building strong partnerships with school districts, families, and community organizations. The ideal candidate will have experience managing licensed child care or after-school programs, supervising multiple sites, and ensuring compliance with Arkansas licensing regulations and the Better Beginnings Quality Rating System . This position requires approximately 50% travel between assigned school sites throughout Northwest Arkansas. Work Schedule This position follows a hybrid schedule :
Morning Hours:
Primarily remote, focusing on administrative responsibilities, program planning, staff communication, scheduling, enrollment management, reporting, budgeting, and operational coordination.
Afternoon Hours:
Travel to assigned school sites during after-school program hours to provide leadership, coaching, operational oversight, and quality assurance.
Work Schedule:
Approximately 220-240 workdays annually . Benefits Competitive salary 403(b) retirement plan with 3.5% employer contribution Travel allowance Health insurance contribution Dental insurance Vision insurance Paid Time Off (PTO) Paid holidays Professional development opportunities Essential Responsibilities Oversee the daily operations of multiple licensed Out-of-School Time programs throughout Northwest Arkansas. Ensure compliance with all Arkansas
DHS DCCECE
Minimum Licensing Requirements . Maintain compliance with the Better Beginnings Quality Rating System and support continuous quality improvement initiatives. Recruit, hire, onboard, train, coach, supervise, and evaluate Site Coordinators, Site Directors, and program staff. Conduct regular site visits to monitor program quality, licensing compliance, health and safety standards, and staff performance. Build and maintain positive relationships with school administrators, district personnel, families, and community partners. Support licensing inspections, audits, corrective action plans, and ongoing regulatory compliance. Monitor enrollment, attendance, staffing levels, budgets, and required program documentation. Ensure employee timesheets are accurate and submitted for payroll processing. Oversee enrollment and family account management, including student account setup, family communications, payment reminders, and coordination with Site Directors and the Central Office. Support implementation of curriculum, enrichment activities, and student engagement initiatives. Foster a positive, safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for children, families, and staff. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Education, Child Development, Human Services, Business Administration , or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience). Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in licensed child care, after-school, or Out-of-School Time programs. Experience supervising multiple sites and leading diverse teams.
Strong working knowledge of:
Arkansas
DHS DCCECE
Minimum Licensing Requirements Better Beginnings Quality Rating System Child care licensing compliance Health and safety regulations Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills. Ability to travel regularly throughout Northwest Arkansas. Preferred Qualifications Experience working with school-based before- and after-school programs. Experience preparing for and participating in licensing inspections. Experience leading quality improvement initiatives. Experience coaching and developing staff. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Strong leadership and team-building skills. Excellent organizational and time-management abilities. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple sites, priorities, and deadlines. Strong analytical skills with the ability to maintain records and prepare reports. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and cloud-based systems. Ability to build collaborative relationships with staff, students, families, schools, and community partners. Commitment to providing safe, engaging, and high-quality Out-of-School Time programs. Job Type Full-time Work Location On the road - Northwest Arkansas Region (Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, Bentonville, and surrounding communities) Education Bachelor's degree required. Experience Leadership in licensed child care, after-school, or youth development: 3 years preferred Multi-site supervision: Preferred Arkansas child care licensing compliance:
Preferred Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
From $43,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Application Question(s): Are you 21 years or older? Have you lived in Arkansas for the past 5 years?
