Demo

Childcare Center Director

Legacy Childcare
Knoxville, TN Full Time
POSTED ON 10/17/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/14/2027

Full job description

Position Summary

The Center Director is responsible for the overall leadership, daily operations, regulatory compliance, staffing, enrollment, financial performance, and culture of the childcare center. This individual ensures the center operates safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with all state licensing regulations while providing an exceptional experience for children, families, and staff.

Position Responsibilities

Administration

  • Oversee all daily operations of the childcare center.
  • Ensure compliance with all Tennessee DHS licensing regulations.
  • Recruit, hire, onboard, train, coach, and evaluate staff.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with families.
  • Manage enrollment, tours, and family retention.
  • Maintain staffing ratios and classroom coverage.
  • Conduct classroom observations and provide coaching.
  • Handle parent concerns professionally and promptly.
  • Oversee health, safety, incident reporting, and emergency preparedness.
  • Manage center inventory, supplies, and facility maintenance.
  • Monitor budgets, labor costs, and operational efficiency.
  • Lead staff meetings and ongoing professional development.
  • Foster a positive, accountable, team-oriented culture.
  • Partner with ownership to achieve business and operational goals.

Supervision

  • Supervises the staff and operations of the Child Development Program.
  • Recruits, hires, conducts performance reviews, and terminates employees when necessary.
  • Oversees creation and approval of staff schedules which meet child/teacher ratio standards.
  • Encourages the development of work-centered teams and helps to create a positive working environment.
  • Conducts monthly staff meetings and ensures high-quality, meaningful training opportunities are provided for Child Development Staff.
  • Leads staff in developing and implementing educational programming for children. Oversees and monitors implementation.
  • Coaches staff in most effective methods to accomplish goals of programs.
  • Completes annual Employee Development and Training plans and assures implementation.
  • Fosters a Customer Service culture.

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field or five years or more in Director role may be substituted for college degree, if DHS licensing supervision requirements are still able to be met.
  • Two years’ experience working in a licensed, quality childcare facility, accredited preferred.
  • Preferred experience in managing a large childcare center.
  • Comprehensive understanding of child development, classroom structure and curriculum implementation required.
  • Administrative and/or business experience.
  • Excellent customer service skills.
  • Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Google sheets and Brightwheel.

Skill Competencies

  • Ability to seek out new ways of doing things.
  • Ability to learn quickly and adapt to consistent change.
  • Possess excellent time management skills, be a team player, be well organized, have the ability to prioritize numerous responsibilities for timely task completion, be self-directed, be highly motivated, be energetic, be enthusiastic and be dependable.
  • Possess a “take charge” personality with the ability to get along with varied clientele and staff.
  • Adaptability to changing demands, deadlines and priorities.
  • Passionate about serving Legacy, meeting their needs and Legacy’s mission.

Physical Requirements

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to communicate with peers/the general public.
  • Job performance will require the ability to move throughout the building as well as sit or remain stationary for extended periods of time.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to communicate verbally, remain stationary or move throughout the facility, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Sensory abilities such as hearing, taste, and smell may also be utilized as needed.
  • Ability to move 40 pounds.

Other Requirements

The candidate must be able to pass a drug test, have a clear background check and meet the Department of Human Services Requirements for the State of Tennessee.

Benefits

We offer paid time off, as well as a 401(k) retirement plan. Employees are also eligible for discounted onsite childcare. Accrual of 2 weeks of paid time off annually.

To join our team, please email your resume and cover letter to ap@thelegacyservices.org.

Legacy Childcare Center is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $47,000.00 per year

Benefits:

  • 401(k)
  • Employee discount
  • Paid time off
  • Retirement plan
  • Tuition reimbursement

Experience:

  • Childcare: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $47,000

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