Child Care Center Director

Childcare Center Director — Kingdom Kids Kingdom Kids | Manhattan Church of the Nazarene | Manhattan, Kansas Full-Time Leadership Position

About Kingdom Kids Kingdom Kids is a childcare ministry of Manhattan Church of the Nazarene serving families across the Manhattan community. We believe excellent childcare combines professional excellence with meaningful ministry. Our goal is to provide a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where children thrive and families feel genuinely supported.

We are seeking an organized, relational, and compassionate Director to lead Kingdom Kids into its next chapter. As the primary liaison between children, parents, staff, church leadership, and community partners, our Director must excel at building trust, fostering a healthy staff culture, and balancing empathy with clear accountability.

Position Overview The Childcare Center Director provides overall operational, administrative, and relational leadership for Kingdom Kids. Working collaboratively with church leadership and the Daycare Board, the Director oversees daily operations while directly supporting and developing center staff.

Primary Responsibilities

• Staff Leadership & Culture: Recruit, schedule, supervise, and develop childcare employees. Establish clear performance expectations, promote professional growth, and cultivate a supportive, team-oriented work environment.
• Family & Community Engagement: Develop positive relationships and maintain open communication with parents. Address family, employee, and operational concerns promptly, professionally, and compassionately.
• Regulatory Compliance & Safety: Ensure complete compliance with State of Kansas childcare licensing standards. Maintain proper staffing ratios, required training records, background checks, and administrative documentation.
• Operations & Administration: Oversee enrollment, classroom placements, scheduling, and day-to-day administrative functions. Collaborate with church leadership on budgeting, facilities, and strategic center needs.
• Ministry Representation: Champion the Christ-centered mission of Kingdom Kids and represent the organization professionally within the local community.

Qualifications

• Education & Licensing: High school diploma or GED required (degree in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred). Must meet or be eligible to meet all State of Kansas Program Director requirements for a licensed Child Care Center (including required background checks).
• Experience: Demonstrated experience working in an early childhood setting. Previous experience in staff supervision or program administration strongly preferred.
• Core Competencies:
• Working knowledge of child development and state licensing regulations.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage conflict, hold staff accountable, and exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations.
• Basic computer and administrative proficiency for scheduling, records, and communication.

Ministry & Mission Alignment Kingdom Kids views childcare as an extension of our ministry to the community. The Director should be comfortable leading within a Christian environment, aligning with the values of Manhattan Church of the Nazarene, and viewing operational excellence, staff development, and family support through the lens of Christian service.

Ideal Candidate Profile Our ideal Director is:

• People-Focused: Passionate about building strong, authentic relationships with children, families, and staff.
• A Balanced Leader: Capable of encouraging a team while setting clear expectations and maintaining accountability.
• An Effective Communicator: Proactive, approachable, and comfortable navigating complex or sensitive conversations.
• Organized & Adaptive: Able to manage daily administrative operations seamlessly while remaining calm and solution-oriented during unexpected challenges.

Why Kingdom Kids? This position offers a unique opportunity to shape center culture, mentor staff, and impact local families through faith-based service. Backed by an active Daycare Board and supportive church community, the Director will have the resources and foundation needed to help Kingdom Kids thrive.

To Apply Please submit the following materials:

• Your current resume.
• A brief summary of your experience working with children and/or leading staff.
• A short statement explaining your interest in leading a church-based childcare ministry.

Qualified candidates will be contacted regarding next steps in the interview process.

Pay: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000 - $50,000