ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

About Us

We are a high-quality, state-licensed childcare program committed to providing a nurturing and educational environment for children ages 6 weeks to school age. Our center is dedicated to fostering the social, emotional, and cognitive development of every child. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Childcare Assistant Director to lead our team and ensure the highest standards of care and education.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director plays a vital leadership role in ensuring the center runs smoothly, warmly, and in full compliance every day. This position bridges the gap between families, staff, classrooms, and the Director by providing hands-on operational support, coaching, communication, and supervision.

The Assistant Director supports enrollment goals, strengthens staff performance, ensures high-quality classrooms, and builds strong relationships with families. This role blends daily operations, leadership presence, compliance oversight, curriculum support, and customer service to ensure children, families, and teachers have an exceptional experience from drop-off to pick-up.

Key Responsibilities

Family Support & Communication

• Welcome families warmly each day and support a positive center culture.
  • Assist families with questions, concerns, transitions, schedules, and resource needs.
  • Communicate classroom needs, daily updates, and follow-ups in a professional, timely manner.
  • Conduct engaging tours that highlight curriculum, safety, center culture, and mission.
  • Support new family onboarding and orientation to ensure a smooth start.
  • Maintain consistent, warm communication with families throughout the day.

Staff Support, Coaching & Culture Building

• Build positive, trusting relationships with all teachers and support them through daily problem-solving.
  • Provide coaching and feedback on classroom quality, supervision, professionalism, communication, and curriculum implementation.
  • Support onboarding for new staff, ensuring clarity around expectations and center policies.
  • Maintain staff morale by offering encouragement, guidance, and recognition.
  • Serve as a steady, reliable leadership presence during hours of operation.
  • Model professionalism, teamwork, and customer service for the entire staff.

Compliance, Licensing & Safety Monitoring

• Support the Director in maintaining full compliance with DCY licensing rules.
  • Complete daily safety and compliance walkthroughs of all classrooms and shared spaces.
  • Document and report any compliance risks immediately with clear action plans.
  • Ensure accurate completion of incident reports, medication logs, attendance, CACFP documentation, handwashing routines, and diaper/toileting logs.
  • Maintain ratio compliance at all times by monitoring schedules, breaks, transitions, and attendance.
  • Support staff in understanding and implementing all safety protocols and active supervision requirements.

Classroom Quality, Curriculum & Environment Support

• Conduct daily walkthroughs for classroom quality, engagement, supervision, and routines.
  • Support teachers with implementing Creative Curriculum and the Ohio Early Learning Standards.
  • Assist with lesson plan reviews, classroom setups, and learning environment preparation.
  • Ensure classroom materials are developmentally appropriate, organized, inviting, and safe.
  • Support individualized learning plans, child assessments, milestone tracking, and documentation quality.
  • Help plan learning experiences, themes, and classroom enhancements.

Operations, Scheduling & Daily Flow

• Assist with staff scheduling, break coverage, and classroom transitions.
  • Step into classrooms as needed to maintain ratios and support teachers.
  • Ensure the center stays clean, organized, and prepared throughout the day.
  • Support arrival, dismissal, and meal/snack routines.
  • Assist with staff attendance tracking, communication logs, and administrative tasks.
  • Monitor center supplies, inventory, and material needs.

Enrollment & Retention Support

• Support enrollment efforts by conducting tours, following up with families, and promoting center strengths.
  • Track classroom openings, transitions, waitlists, and future enrollments.
  • Assist with follow-ups to increase tour-to-enrollment conversion.
  • Support family retention through relationship building and proactive communication.
  • Alert leadership to early signs of withdrawal and assist with corrective action.

Communication, Reporting & Documentation

• Maintain organized communication between staff and Director.
  • Support daily administrative tasks, classroom documentation, and compliance paperwork.
  • Complete daily walkthrough reports and follow-up action items.
  • Update Brightwheel or other communication platforms as needed.
  • Support emergency drill documentation, CACFP logs, and safety reports.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be measured by:

• Daily compliance walkthroughs completed with follow-up
  • Family communication and responsiveness (goal: same-business-day)
  • Classroom occupancy at 85%
  • Ratios maintained consistently throughout the day
  • Safety, supervision, and classroom environment quality
  • Staff morale and support
  • Documentation accuracy and timeliness
  • Reduction in compliance violations and incidents

Professionalism & Culture Expectations

The Assistant Director is expected to:
• Model warmth, kindness, patience, and clear communication.
• Maintain a positive, solution-focused attitude.
• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, and preparedness.
• Uphold confidentiality, ethics, and professionalism at all times.
• Support a friendly, inclusive, team-centered culture.
• Communicate respectfully with families, staff, and leadership.
• Embrace feedback and support continuous improvement.

Success Looks Like

• Families feel informed, welcomed, supported, and connected.
  • Classrooms feel calm, organized, safe, and engaging.
  • Teachers feel guided, encouraged, and valued by leadership.
  • The center runs smoothly even during unexpected circumstances.
  • Compliance is strong, well-documented, and consistently maintained.
  • Enrollment increases and families choose to stay long-term.
  • The Assistant Director is seen as dependable, proactive, and supportive.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree OCCRRA level 3 along with xperience working in licensed childcare center.
  • Strong communication, organization, and customer-service skills.
  • Ability to support staff, classrooms, and daily operations.
  • Familiarity with DCY regulations or willingness to learn quickly.
  • Warm, approachable, professional, and dependable personality.
  • Leadership or supervisory experience preferred.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Additional responsibilities as needed to support daily operations, center improvement, family satisfaction, or staff performance.

Benefits

• Competitive wage with opportunities for performance-based bonuses.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Matching 401k plan
• Supplemental mental health and financial wellness programs
• Professional development
  
• Supportive and collaborative work environment.

Salary : $19 - $22