Director, Child Development Center

About Neighborhood House

Neighborhood House is a historic community center operating on a unique “twinkle to the wrinkle” intergenerational model. We serve our community at every stage of life. Our Child Development Center (CDC) is a vital community hub dedicated to promoting equity and unconditional acceptance and to delivering exceptional early childhood outcomes, including a 100% kindergarten readiness rate.

Summary of Function

The CDC Director is a community-oriented leader responsible for the total operational, financial, and educational success of our early childhood program. This role requires an individual who can flawlessly navigate the Kentucky regulatory landscape while fostering a trauma-informed, equity-centered learning environment. The ideal candidate views themselves as a mentor to teachers, a partner to families, and a champion for intergenerational community building.

Agency Duties and Responsibilities

1.    Supports the mission, vision and philosophy of Neighborhood House and embraces our values of equity, accountability, belonging, relationships, courage and joy.

2.    Supports and ensures all applicable procedures are followed to attain and maintain compliance with regulatory agencies.

3.    Provides leadership and positive interaction with others as evidenced by professional maturity, respect for others, a team-centered approach, maintenance of confidential information, and an appreciation of a multicultural workplace.

4.    Exhibits sound stewardship by effectively managing financial resources and physical resources to achieve the objectives of Neighborhood House.

5.    Exhibits regular and punctual attendance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Kentucky-Specific Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Regulatory Oversight: Ensure absolute compliance with all Kentucky Child Care Licensing Regulations (922 KAR 2:090), including strict adherence to staff-to-child ratios, rigorous background check compliance, and stringent health/safety mandates.
• Kentucky All STARS Academy: Maintain and elevate the center’s rating within Kentucky’s All STARS quality rating and improvement system. Document, track, and achieve specific benchmarks to guarantee top-tier care and kindergarten readiness.

2. Trauma-Informed & Equity-Centered Leadership

• Trauma-Informed Care: Implement positive behavior interventions across classrooms, ensuring staff understand how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and poverty impact early brain development. Champion supportive, non-punitive measures that avoid suspension or expulsion.
• Wrap-Around Service Collaboration: Partner closely with the Neighborhood House team to provide holistic support, seamlessly connecting CDC families to our emergency food bank, financial resources, and other agency programs.
• Reggio Approach: child-centered and project-based learning, with focus on social and emotional skills.

3. Staff Recruitment, Retention & Mentorship

• Recruitment and Retention: Hire, train, and evaluate the performance of all Child Development Center personnel. This includes Human Resource functions, including scheduling time-off and disciplinary measures. Provide training for staff as needed and oversee staff training and education/licensing records.
• Teacher Mentorship: Cultivate a supportive, collaborative workplace culture to actively mitigate burnout. Act as a coach and mentor to early childhood educators, ensuring they feel motivated, professionally developed, and valued.
• Pipeline Development: Lead recruitment strategies in the Louisville area by building strong relationships with local Child Development Associate (CDA) programs, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) early childhood pipelines, and local universities (such as UofL or Spalding).

4. Financial, Grant, and Administrative Management

• Budgeting Oversight: Develop and implement approved budgets for assigned programs. Manage revenue and expenses in a manner consistent with the budget.
• CCAP Administration: Oversee and manage the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) billings, enrollment tracking, and state authorizations to maximize funding and smoothly support eligible families.
• Grant & Food Program Compliance: Manage and accurately report on federal and state funding streams, including the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), ensuring all nutritious meals and snacks are fully documented for reimbursement.

5. Intergenerational Programming & Cultural Alignment

·       Intergenerational Collaboration: Actively design and implement shared programming that safely and creatively brings CDC children and families together with other Neighborhood House members and programs.

·       Values Leadership: Embody and instill Neighborhood House’s core values: practicing equity, ensuring unconditional acceptance, and actively finding and celebrating joy every day.

o  Communicate with program stakeholders, including parents, local service providers and volunteers, regarding program needs and events. This includes creating a monthly parent newsletter, as well as a weekly bulletin.

o  As an agency Director, participate in agency functions and needs, including assistance with public relations, community events, inter-agency events, facilities maintenance, etc. Plan and oversee all Child Development Center events.

o  Be available on call as needed for emergency or staffing/programming issues.

·       6. Partner Management: Create and maintain community partnerships that support Neighborhood House, our Child Development Center, and our children and families.

Other duties may be assigned by: Executive Director

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Child Development, or a closely related field is highly preferred.
• Credential: Must hold a valid Kentucky Early Childhood Director’s Credential (or have the immediate ability to attain one provisionally upon hire through the state's provisional framework).
• Experience: * Proven leadership experience managing a licensed childcare center or Type I early childhood facility.
• Minimum of two (2) years of verifiable, full-time paid experience working directly with children in a licensed childcare center, Head Start, or public school program.
• Knowledge Base: Deep familiarity with Reggio Emilia philosophies (desired, but knowledge in other Early childhood Curriculums will be considered,) CACFP regulations, and Kentucky CCAP systems.

Please apply using this link: https://nhky.applicantpool.com/jobs/1310174-73518.html