Assistant Director: Early Childhood Education with Rainbow Fleet

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of the Early Education Center (EEC) supports the operational, instructional, and compliance functions of Rainbow Fleet’s Montessori-inspired early learning program. This position assists with staff supervision, classroom quality monitoring, child assessments, family communication, and licensing compliance. The Assistant Director collaborates with the Program Director to ensure consistent staffing coverage, smooth daily operations, and readiness for monitoring or audit activities.

Essential Functions Leadership & Staff Support

• Support the Program Director in supervising teaching staff and assisting Teacher II leads with classroom coaching and daily problem-solving.
• Help coordinate staff schedules, classroom coverage, breaks, ratios, and substitute placement to maintain OKDHS compliance.
• Participate in recruiting, onboarding, and mentoring new teachers and support staff.
• Provide daily presence in classrooms to support teacher practice, reinforce expectations, and model Montessori-inspired instruction.

Program Quality & Curriculum

• Assist in monitoring Montessori-inspired curriculum implementation and the quality of classroom environments.
• Support lesson planning, child assessment documentation, and reflective practice meetings.
• Conduct routine walk-throughs to ensure environments foster independence, exploration, and consistent routines.
• Help prepare materials, maintain learning environments, and ensure fidelity to developmentally appropriate practice.

Compliance & Safety

• Support the Program Director in maintaining full compliance with OKDHS licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and organizational policies.
• Maintain accurate incident reports, ratio logs, medication documents, and classroom files.
• Assist with preparation for licensing visits, accreditation reviews, and internal audits.
• Implement daily safety protocols, including sanitation procedures, emergency drills, and classroom hazard identification.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build positive relationships with families through professional communication and reliable daily engagement.
• Assist in responding to family questions, concerns, and requests for support in alignment with confidentiality and policy standards.
• Participate in family events, conferences, and community activities that reflect the Montessori-inspired mission.
• Help maintain strong, predictable communication systems for families.

Fiscal & Operational Support

• Assist with enrollment management, including tours, waitlist updates, family transitions, and documentation.
• Support tuition tracking through daily attendance verification and communication with the administrative team.
• Help monitor classroom supply needs, materials purchasing, and cost-effective resource use.
• Provide operational support when the Program Director is off-site or unavailable.

Qualifications Required

• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field.

Bachelor’s degree preferred and may be required for advancement.

• Three or more years of experience working in an early childhood program or center-based environment.
• Knowledge of Montessori-inspired or developmentally appropriate early learning practices.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to partner effectively with teachers and families.
• Ability to maintain compliance with licensing and safety standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and child care management systems.
• Valid Oklahoma driver’s license and ability to travel locally as needed.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, or related field.
• Experience with Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or similar constructivist early learning models.
• Experience supporting accreditation or QRIS initiatives.
• Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish).

Environmental & Physical Requirements (ADA Standards)

• Ability to move between classrooms and play areas, bend, lift, kneel, and stand for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds of classroom materials or children as needed.
• Visual, auditory, and verbal acuity sufficient for supervision, safety monitoring, and communication.
• Exposure to normal early childhood environmental conditions, including outdoor play, noise, and physical activity.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions in accordance with the ADA and Section 504. Accommodations may be requested via hr@rainbowfleet.org or the Executive Director.

Performance Indicators

• Compliance with OKDHS licensing standards, ratio requirements, and documentation procedures.
• Quality of classroom environments, instructional support, and curriculum implementation.
• Staff engagement, professionalism, reliability, and retention support.
• Family satisfaction and clarity of communication.
• Operational efficiency, accurate records, and consistent follow-through.
• Alignment with Rainbow Fleet’s mission, vision, and values.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• licensed, center-based, early childhood program: 3 years (Required)