Child Care Director

$36–$41/hour | Full-Time | Overtime Eligible

Approximately $75,000–$85,000 annually at 40 hours/week

Happy Happens Here!® and we have a unique opportunity opening up at TLE Lacey!

The Learning Experience is seeking an experienced Center Director to lead our growing early learning center.

At TLE, we are committed to providing an exceptional experience for our children, families, teachers, and leaders. We believe high-quality early education starts with great people—and that great leaders need the staffing, resources, and support to do their jobs well.

A Leadership Model Designed for Support

Our center is intentionally staffed to provide a strong level of support for both our Director and our teaching teams:

• Three-person onsite leadership team — the Center Director plus two additional leadership team members
• Three teachers assigned to each classroom, providing additional support for breaks, planning, absences, and the everyday needs of children and classrooms
• Professional cleaning crew
• State-of-the-art classrooms with plentiful materials, curriculum resources, and technology
• Engaged, experienced ownership that provides support while empowering the Director to lead

We are looking for a warm, confident, professional, and solutions-focused leader who can build a strong team, create a positive workplace culture, deliver strong business results, and independently manage the day-to-day operation of the center.

What You’ll Do

As Center Director, you will have overall responsibility for the successful operation and culture of the school, including:

• Lead, coach, and develop the center’s leadership and teaching teams
• Build a positive, professional, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture
• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and retain high-performing teachers and leaders
• Oversee staffing, scheduling, classroom ratios, and daily operations
• Maintain high standards for classroom quality, health, safety, and child-centered care
• Ensure compliance with Washington State licensing requirements, TLE standards, and applicable health and safety requirements
• Support implementation of TLE’s L.E.A.P.® curriculum and Happy Happens Here® culture
• Build strong, respectful relationships with children, families, employees, and the community
• Address employee performance and personnel concerns promptly and professionally
• Oversee enrollment, tours, family retention, and conversion
• Support marketing, school events, and community outreach
• Monitor expenses, billing, enrollment, and other key business measures to support the financial health of the center
• Maintain strong organizational systems, records, calendars, and planning
• Communicate regularly with ownership regarding center performance, priorities, and significant issues while independently handling routine operational decisions
• Lead with an ownership mindset by identifying problems, developing solutions, and taking responsibility for results

What We’re Looking For

Minimum Qualifications

• AA degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field
• At least 2 years of early childhood leadership/management experience
• Strong knowledge of Washington State child care licensing/WAC requirements
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Must meet all Washington State requirements for directing a licensed child care center, including applicable education, experience, training, certification, and background-check requirements

Strongly Preferred

• 3 years of early childhood leadership/management experience
• Experience successfully directing a large licensed child care center
• Two or more years of classroom teaching experience
• Experience developing other managers or emerging leaders
• Demonstrated success with enrollment, staff retention, center operations, and family relationships

We’re particularly interested in leaders who demonstrate strong judgment, independent problem-solving, professional communication, the ability to develop others, and a leadership style that balances support with clear expectations and accountability.

Compensation & Benefits

• $36–$41 per hour, based on experience and qualifications
• Approximately $75,000–$85,000 annually at 40 hours per week
• Overtime eligible — overtime is paid in accordance with Washington State law
• 100% child care tuition discount* for eligible children
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• 401(k)
• Paid PTO
• Paid holidays
• Paid professional development and training
• Tuition assistance
• Opportunity to participate in a performance-based bonus program after one year of employment

If you’re an experienced early childhood leader looking for a school where you have the team, resources, authority, and support to truly lead, we’d love to meet you.

Please apply with your resume and tell us about your leadership experience, including the size of the centers, programs, and teams you have led.

Happy Happens Here® — and we believe that should include our team, too.

Child care tuition benefit is subject to enrollment and space availability.

The Learning Experience locations are independently owned and operated.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $36.00 - $41.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Childcare
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement

Ability to Relocate:

• Lacey, WA 98516: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $75,000 - $85,000