Assistant Director

Childcare Network, Inc.; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Paid holidays

PTO

Tuition discount

Tuition reimbursement

PerkSpot discounts

Job summary

Child Development Schools is seeking an Assistant Director to help lead a center where children thrive, families feel at home, and educators have what they need to do their best work each day.

You will partner with the Center Director to manage daily operations, support teaching teams, and ensure the center runs smoothly, safely, and in full compliance. This role is ideal for someone ready to step into real leadership and grow within CDS.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare center.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, motivate, and hold a team accountable.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build relationships with families and staff.
• Ability to manage compliance documentation accurately.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• At least 18 years old.
• A degree or coursework in Early Childhood Education is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Operational stability: Manage staff schedules, ensure classroom ratios, coordinate coverage, and keep the center running smoothly.
• Classroom monitoring and quality oversight: Conduct walkthroughs, provide real-time coaching, and uphold program quality standards.
• Administrative and compliance execution: Maintain accurate child and staff files; complete required reporting; manage USDA and agency paperwork as applicable.
• Documentation: Prepare daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly compliance and reporting documents.
• Parent communication and experience: Handle routine parent communication, conduct tours for prospective families, and escalate complex concerns to the Director.
• Staff onboarding, coaching, and accountability: Support onboarding, coaching, enforce policies, and provide supervisory coverage in the Director's absence.
• Opening and/or closing the center as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Staff coaching

Staff scheduling

Compliance

Communication

Operations management

Childcare knowledge

Budgeting

Education

High school diploma or GED

ECE degree or coursework a plus

Job description

As an Assistant Director at Child Development Schools, you will help lead a center where children thrive, families feel at home, and educators are set up to do their best work every day. You will partner closely with the Center Director to manage daily operations, support your teaching team, and keep the center running smoothly, safely, and in full compliance.

This is a role for someone ready to step into real leadership -- someone who is organized, people-focused, and motivated to grow. If your goal is to run a center of your own, this is the right starting point.

Essential functions

• Operational stability: Manage staff schedules, ensure proper classroom ratios, coordinate coverage, and keep the center running smoothly on a day-to-day basis
• Classroom monitoring and quality oversight: Conduct regular classroom walkthroughs, provide real-time coaching and corrections to staff, and ensure program quality standards are upheld
• Administrative and compliance execution: Maintain accurate , up-to-date child and staff files; complete required compliance and corporate reporting; manage USDA and agency paperwork as applicable
• Documentation: Prepare daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly compliance and corporate reporting documents
• Parent communication and experience: Handle routine parent communication, conduct school tours for prospective families, and escalated complex concerns to the Director
• Staff onboarding, coaching, and accountability: Support onboarding of new hires, assist with day-to-day staff coaching, enforce policies consistently, and provide supervisory coverage in the Director's absence
• Opening and/or closing the center as assigned

What you can decide independently

Assistant Directors at CDS have real ownership and authority. You can independently make decisions on:

• Daily staffing and coverage adjustments
• Classroom-level corrections and coaching
• Routine parent communication
• Policy enforcement within established guidelines
• Compliance with current standards
• Supply orders within an approved budget
• Immediate problem-solving during operations
• Major parent or staff complaints and inquiries are escalated to the Director
  

Pay and benefits

Pay based on experience and education.

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability
• 401(k)
• 9 company-paid holidays and 8 days of PTO
• 50% tuition discount for your own children enrolled at a CDS center
• Up to $5,250 in annual tuition reimbursement for continued education
• Access to PerkSpot for discounts on major brands and services

Requirements

• At least 18 years old
• High school diploma or GED
• Ability to pass a background check
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a licensed childcare center
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, motivate, and hold a team accountable
• Genuine care for children and a commitment to their safety and well-being
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build relationships with families and staff
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage compliance documentation accurately
• Physical ability to meet the demands of working with young children

A degree or coursework in Early Childhood Education is a plus. We are looking for people who are ready to lead and committed to growing.