Associate Director - MA EEC Director Certification Required

About Mansfield PALS

The mission of Mansfield PALS is to serve as a village for parents and families and to create a space that supports kids in their development, “as if they were our own.”

Foundational to achieving our mission is to provide high-quality, full-time childcare. Mansfield PALS is a ~50 student daycare center established in 2022 by Kevin and Amy McIsaac, who are deeply passionate about the vision outlined above. Kevin has a background in corporate finance, Amy has a background in public service, and together, they have three young children.

As parents ourselves, we know how important a village is to raising children. We believe when parents are supported, families are strong and kids will thrive. Our staff is a critical part of this village. Teachers partner with parents to provide a loving and developmentally appropriate experience for the children that strives for consistency between home and school. Our staff also work together to carry out this mission, as we value teamwork and encourage each other to be our best selves. Each member of the Mansfield PALS team plays a central role in bringing to life the type of daycare and community we believe everyone deserves.

The Opportunity

Mansfield PALS is seeking a thoughtful, dependable, and highly organized Associate Director to join our team.

The Associate Director is a unique hybrid role designed for an early-childhood educator who wants to take on greater leadership responsibility while remaining connected to the classroom.

Approximately half of the Associate Director's time will be spent supporting classroom operations (i.e. “in-ratio”), while the other half will be dedicated to supporting the administrative and operational responsibilities of the Program Director.

The Associate Director exists to strengthen the daily operation of the school by sharing administrative responsibilities while continuing to provide meaningful classroom support. This position allows the Program Director to focus on broader program leadership and long-term priorities without sacrificing classroom quality, teacher support, or the day-to-day needs of the school.

The Associate Director will report directly to the Program Director and serve as an operational partner in the day-to-day management of Mansfield PALS. This is an ideal position for an early-childhood professional who is ready to grow into school leadership.

You will be a visible and accessible leader throughout the school day—supporting teachers, interacting with children, communicating with families, helping solve problems, and making sure the school operates smoothly. At the same time, you will work closely with the Program Director on the administrative responsibilities that keep the school organized, compliant, and running effectively.

The strongest candidate will be someone who can move comfortably between these two worlds:

In the classroom:Supporting teachers, children, curriculum, classroom quality, and daily problem-solving.

In administration:Helping coordinate staff, operations, compliance, documentation, scheduling, and other responsibilities that support the overall success of the school.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide daily support to the Program Director and teaching staff
• Provide hands-on classroom support when needed
• Help cover teacher breaks and provide classroom coverage during teacher curriculum prep times
• Serve as an accessible resource for the Program Director and the teachers throughout the day
• Foster a positive, respectful, collaborative, and professional staff culture
• Support opening and daily operational oversight of the center
• Serve as a key point of contact for staff when the Program Director is off-site
• Assist with administrative projects and other responsibilities as assigned
• Help ensure licensing requirements are consistently met
• Assist with maintaining required documentation and records
• Help identify and address compliance issues promptly
• Participate in licensing visits and provide support as requested

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who combines early-childhood expertise with leadership, organization, and sound judgment.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A Massachusetts EEC Director Certification (required)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organization and follow-through
• The ability to prioritize competing responsibilities throughout a busy school day
• Confidence providing feedback and holding team members accountable in a respectful manner
• A calm, solution-oriented approach to unexpected challenges
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in support of the Program Director
• A genuine commitment to high-quality early-childhood education
• A willingness to step into the classroom when needed
• Professionalism, reliability, flexibility, and discretion

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications. The budget for this position is $23-$26 per hour.

Full-time employees may be eligible for:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid federal and state holidays
• Employee discount
• Professional development assistance
• Employer support for maintaining required professional licenses and certifications

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• In a few sentences, describe your teaching philosophy and style.
• Briefly explain why you want to work at Mansfield PALS.
• In a few sentences, explain why you chose to work in Early Childhood Education.

License/Certification:

• Massachusetts EEC Director Certificate? (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $26