Demo

Director

Meaningful Beginnings
San Mateo, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 12/27/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/25/2026
Availability & Opening Timeline: Please note that this position is for a center scheduled to open later in Summer 2026. Final start dates and onboarding timelines will align with licensing approval, enrollment readiness, and operational needs leading up to opening.


Role Overview:

The Director is the primary leader responsible for the overall operational, educational, and cultural excellence of the childcare center. This role oversees all staff and programs, ensures licensing compliance, fosters strong family relationships, manages facility operations, and upholds the mission and values of Meaningful Beginnings. The Director leads with professionalism, compassion, accountability, and a strong understanding of early childhood education best practices.

Strategic & Operational Leadership:

  • Oversee all daily center operations, ensuring smooth opening and closing procedures.
  • Monitor staffing levels to ensure compliance with Title 22 ratio and supervision requirements at all times.
  • Develop, implement, and refine internal systems that promote high‑quality programming, safety, and organizational consistency.
  • Conduct regular classroom walkthroughs to assess environment quality, teacher‑child interactions, program readiness, and safety compliance.
  • Create and enforce operational policies and ensure they are consistently followed.
  • Support problems‑solving, manage crises calmly, and lead with clarity and fairness.

Licensing, Compliance & Quality Assurance:

  • Ensure full compliance with all state and local licensing regulations, health mandates, and safety protocols.
  • Maintain and audit all documentation including incident reports, illness logs, staff files, children’s records, emergency plans, and required postings.
  • Prepare for and lead all licensing inspections; promptly address deficiencies.
  • Conduct monthly emergency drills in alignment with Title 22 requirements.
  • Review curriculum quality, classroom environments, and Learning Genie documentation.
  • Track staff training, background clearances, and annual licensing requirements.

Staff Leadership & Team Development:

  • Lead, mentor, and support teachers, leads, and assistants.
  • Conduct evaluations, coaching cycles, and improvement plans.
  • Facilitate leadership meetings, staff meetings, and PD sessions.
  • Manage hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and performance management.
  • Promote a positive, collaborative workplace culture.
  • Support conflict resolution with fairness and professionalism.

Family & Community Engagement:

  • Build strong, trusting, culturally responsive relationships with families.
  • Communicate professionally and proactively about children’s development and program needs.
  • Address escalated questions or concerns with empathy and clarity.
  • Conduct tours, orientations, parent meetings, and conferences.
  • Promote a warm, inclusive school community.

Administrative & Financial Oversight:

  • Manage enrollment, attendance, staffing schedules, and capacity.
  • Oversee payroll accuracy and timelines.
  • Support tuition, billing, and administrative systems (site‑specific).
  • Manage facility maintenance, vendor relationships, and supply ordering.
  • Support budget planning and resource allocation.
  • Maintain organized administrative systems for efficient operations.

Qualifications:

  • 3–5 years of leadership experience in Early Childhood Education.
  • Strong knowledge of Title 22, licensing regulations, curriculum quality, and ECE program management.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead with compassion, accountability, and professionalism.
  • Excellent communication, conflict‑resolution, organizational, and decision‑making skills.
  • CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.
  • AA or BA in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field preferred.

Physical Requirements (ADA‑Compliant):

  • Ability to lift up to 35 lbs occasionally.
  • Frequent walking, standing, bending, and classroom interaction.
  • Ability to navigate classrooms, playgrounds, and facility spaces safely.
  • Reasonable accommodations available upon request.

Benefits for Full‑Time Employees:

  • Comprehensive benefits package with 50% employer‑paid medical insurance.
  • Childcare tuition discount.
  • Paid professional development and continuing education.
  • Eligible for up to $10,000/year in government stipends through ELFA.
  • Opportunities for internal advancement and leadership development.

To Apply:

Submit your resume or a brief message describing your interest in early childhood education and your availability. We look forward to supporting your growth at Meaningful Beginnings!

Meaningful Beginnings has proudly served families since 2013, providing high‑quality Infant/Toddler care, Preschool, and Transitional Kindergarten programs for children ages 0–6. Our mission is to offer loving, developmentally rich environments that support every child’s growth while empowering educators with training, mentorship, and a positive workplace culture.

Pay: $70304.00 - $78000.00 / year

Job Type: fulltime

Education: Associate's degree

Work location: On-site

Salary : $70,304 - $78,000

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