What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director for Early Childhood Education Program position at North Stonington's Early Learners?
Assistant Director
North Stonington’s Early Learners (NSEL)
About Us
North Stonington’s Early Learners is a high-quality early childhood program committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for children, families, and staff. We pride ourselves on strong relationships, consistent routines, teamwork, and creating an environment where both children and educators can thrive.
Our program is NAEYC accredited and operates in accordance with Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) licensing requirements.
Position Overview
North Stonington’s Early Learners is seeking a reliable, organized, and proactive Assistant Director to help oversee the day-to-day operations of our center.
This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who enjoys working with both children and adults and is comfortable balancing administrative responsibilities with the changing needs of a busy early childhood program.
The Assistant Director works closely with the Director to support staff, coordinate daily staffing and classroom coverage, communicate with families, manage enrollment and tours, maintain program documentation, and help ensure the center operates safely, efficiently, and consistently each day.
Key ResponsibilitiesDaily Center Leadership
- Support the Director with the overall daily operation of the center
- Monitor classroom staffing, ratios, and daily transitions
- Respond to changing staffing or enrollment needs throughout the day
- Step into classrooms when necessary to maintain ratios or provide staff support
- Help maintain an organized, professional, and welcoming environment
Staff Scheduling & Support
- Build and maintain staff schedules based on classroom and enrollment needs
- Coordinate daily coverage for breaks, call-outs, schedule changes, and substitutes
- Help ensure classrooms remain appropriately staffed throughout the day
- Provide guidance, communication, and support to teaching staff
- Assist with onboarding, orientation, and training of new employees
- Help reinforce program policies, procedures, and expectations consistently
Family Communication
- Respond to emails, phone calls, and voicemails in a timely and professional manner
- Build positive and respectful relationships with families
- Assist families with questions regarding enrollment, schedules, policies, and daily program operations
- Help ensure communication with families remains clear, consistent, and aligned with program policies
Enrollment, Waitlist & Tours
- Help support and maintain strong program enrollment
- Maintain and update the program's online waitlist
- Respond to prospective-family inquiries
- Schedule and conduct program tours
- Follow up with prospective families and guide them through the enrollment process
- Assist with enrollment paperwork and preparation for new students
Compliance & Program Quality
- Support ongoing compliance with Connecticut OEC licensing regulations
- Assist with maintaining NAEYC accreditation standards and program quality
- Monitor classrooms and common areas for safety, organization, and quality
- Assist with incident documentation, required records, and compliance paperwork
- Help ensure staff are following established program policies and procedures
Administrative Support
- Maintain organized child and staff records
- Assist with daily documentation and center-management systems such as Procare
- Help track required forms, documentation, and enrollment information
- Support general administrative responsibilities necessary for the daily operation of the center
What We're Looking For
The right candidate will be someone who is:
- Dependable and reliable, with consistent attendance and punctuality
- Highly organized and able to prioritize multiple responsibilities
- Proactive and able to recognize what needs to be done without always waiting for direction
- Confident communicating with staff, families, and prospective families
- Professional, approachable, and solution-focused
- Comfortable making adjustments when staffing or classroom needs change
- Able to remain calm and organized in a fast-paced environment
- Comfortable providing direction and accountability while maintaining positive staff relationships
- Willing to step into classrooms and assist wherever needed
Qualifications
Required:
- Experience working in early childhood education
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience in an early childhood program
- Strong understanding of child development and early childhood classroom environments
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills
- Ability to confidently use technology and learn childcare management systems
- Degree in Early Childhood Education, Organizational Leadership, Business Management, or a related field
Preferred:
- Familiarity with Connecticut OEC licensing regulations
- Experience with the NAEYC accreditation or renewal process
- Experience with Procare or another childcare management platform
- Experience with staff scheduling, enrollment, or childcare center administration
Why Join NSEL?
- Supportive and team-focused work environment
- Hands-on leadership experience
- Opportunity for professional growth
- Meaningful work supporting children, families, and early childhood educators
- Opportunity to play an important role in the daily operation and continued growth of an established early childhood program
- A program committed to high-quality early childhood education and continuous improvement
About the Role
This is an active, hands-on leadership position. The Assistant Director should expect each day to look a little different. Some days may focus heavily on scheduling, enrollment, tours, and administrative responsibilities, while others may require more direct classroom and staff support.
We are looking for someone who can see the whole center, anticipate needs, communicate effectively, and help keep the program running smoothly for our children, families, and staff.
Pay: $22.00 - $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
Salary : $22 - $26