Early Childhood Center Director

Description

Stepping Stones Early Childhood Center Director

ORGANIZATION: Friends of Switchpoint is a non-profit organization that has been serving those individuals, families and veterans experiencing poverty and homelessness since 2014. 

• OUR MISSION:??To empower families and individuals in need by addressing the underlying causes of their poverty and providing each client with a personalized, comprehensive plan that supports them on their journey to self-sufficiency and the opportunity to contribute to the community. 
• OUR VISION: We believe each individual has worth and value. Change occurs when people are treated with respect and dignity, empowered with skills and resources to better their circumstance. 

CULTURE VALUES: 

• Kindness – Remember Kindness is Contagious! 
• Connection – It is why we are here and what gives purpose & meaning to life! 
• Kinship – We want you and those we serve to feel a sense of Belonging. 
• Self-Worth – Treat people the way they can become w/True Value & Worth! 
• Self-Reliance – Learn your role and take initiative!! We want “Fishermen”! 

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:? 

• Kindness: To demonstrate compassion and respect for all people. 
• Leadership: To lead by example, developing, promoting, and sharing innovative ideas and programs to help those experiencing homelessness. 
• Transparency: To be open and honest in our relationships. 
• Authenticity: To do what we say we do. 
• Positive Influence: To judge our effectiveness by the extent to which individual lives are saved and improved by the positive experience of the people we influence. 
• Golden Rule: To treat all people as we ourselves would wish to be treated. 

OUR MOTTO:?It Takes All of Us to End Homelessness. 

Job Summary: The Early Childhood Center Director is a mission-driven leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of daily operations, long-term planning, staff leadership, regulatory compliance, and family engagement. This role ensures that the center meets the highest standards of care, education, and licensing while sustaining a supportive and developmentally appropriate environment for children and staff alike. 

The Director manages program implementation, ensures alignment with quality standards such as the Utah Child Care Quality System, and fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and growth. Working closely with the Assistant Manager, the Director mentors and supervises staff, develops operational policies, monitors budgets, and builds strong partnerships with families and the community. 

Requirements

Job Responsibilities: 

• Ensure a safe, happy, and stimulating environment for children that reflects best practices in child development. 
• Manage and coordinate curricula and classroom programming in collaboration with teaching staff, ensuring alignment with state and federal requirements (e.g., ITERS, ECERS, SACERS-U). 
• Lead and oversee the center’s efforts to meet and maintain Utah Child Care Quality System rating standards. 
• Ensure that center facilities are clean, organized, and compliant with all health and safety laws and licensing regulations, including daily checklists, fire drills, and disaster preparedness protocols. 
• Evaluate and purchase educational materials, equipment, and supplies while managing costs. 
• Manage, support, and mentor all center staff, including Assistant Director, teachers, aides, and support personnel. 
• Actively participate in hiring, onboarding, and ongoing evaluation of staff performance, including conducting performance reviews and implementing individualized professional development plans. 
• Promote a culture of reflective supervision, regularly engaging with staff to support well-being, classroom success, and positive staff morale. 
• Create and oversee staff schedules, approve time-off requests, and ensure adequate coverage across all shifts in this 24/7 facility. 
• Provide direct support in classrooms when needed, modeling developmentally appropriate practices, behavior guidance, and teacher-child interaction strategies. 
• Assist with preparation and readiness for external assessments and quality rating observations. 
• Engage directly with families to maintain open communication, address concerns, and promote parent involvement in center activities. 
• Work with the Assistant Manager to develop and maintain enrollment goals and implement outreach efforts, including tours, open houses, and community engagement. 
• Maintain a balanced and sustainable budget; oversee tuition payments, subsidy programs, food program (CACFP) compliance, and expense tracking. 
• Develop and facilitate a strategic marketing and communications plan to build center visibility and enrollment. 
• Collaborate with external agencies, schools, and community resources to support referrals and enrichment opportunities for children and families. 
• Serve as the primary liaison to licensing agencies and ensure ongoing compliance with all relevant codes and policies. 
• Stay current on best practices, policy updates, and child development trends through ongoing professional development. 

Recordkeeping and Reporting: 

• Maintain up-to-date, organized documentation for each child including immunization records, health forms, allergies, emergency contacts, and authorized pickups. 
• Collect data necessary to meet funding requirements and statistical reports. 
• Report critical incidents immediately to the Regional Director and document appropriately. 
• Oversee all licensing documentation, quality improvement plans, staff files, and training logs. 

Qualifications: 

• Comply with local, state, and federal laws governing childcare.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.  
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.  
• Friendly and approachable demeanor.  
• Maintain a professional appearance, attitude, and work ethic at all times. 
• Early childhood education experience.  
• Is at least 21 years old. 

Education Requirements: 

• Bachelor's in either Child Development, Early Childhood Education, related field or higher, and at least 60 clock hours of approved Utah Early Childhood Career Ladder courses in child development, social and emotional development, and the childcare environment; or 60 clock hours of equivalent training as approved by the department.   
• At least 12 college credit hours of child development courses.   
• A currently valid national certification such as a Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) issued by the National Child Care Association, a Child Development Associate (CDA) issued by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, or another equivalent credential as approved by the department.   
• At least a Level 9 from the Utah Early Childhood Career Ladder system; or   
• A National Administrator Credential (NAC) and at least 60 clock hours of approved Utah Early Childhood Career Ladder courses in child development, social and emotional development, and the childcare environment; or 60 clock hours of equivalent training as approved by the department. 
• Passes a CCL background check.   
• Receives at least 2-1/2 hours of preservice training before beginning job duties.   
• Completes the new director training offered by the department within 60 working days of assuming director's duties.   
• Knows and follows any applicable laws and rules  
• Completes at least 20 hours of childcare training each year based on the facility's license date, or at least 1-1/2 hours of childcare training each month they work if hired partway through the facility's licensing year. 

License/Certification: • CDA or CCP Certification (Required or Preferred depending on education background)   

Schedule 

Salaried: Monday through Friday 

On Call for Emergency 

Full-Time Employee Benefits: 

(Eligible 1st of Month after 60-days) 

• Medical 
• Dental 
• Vision 
• Life & Disability 
• 401k 
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program) 

Compensation 

Annual Salary between $48,000 - $53,000 DOE 

Full-Time Position 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We value a diverse workforce.