Center Director - Early Childhood Leader

Playful Minds; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Paid Holiday Leave

Sick Leave

Health, dental and vision benefits

First Aid, CPR and Background Check re

Training Expense reimbursements

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Playful Minds Learning Center LLC seeks a Program Director to lead day-to-day operations, oversee curriculum, and ensure licensing compliance. You will coach staff, manage relationships with families, and guide program quality across locations. Strong supervisory background in early childhood is essential.

You will collaborate with the Regional Director, recruit and mentor educators, monitor enrollment, and maintain documentation and safety standards. Travel for trainings may be required.

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
• Lead Teacher qualifications
• Demonstrated supervisory experience
• At least 3 years of experience in Early Childhood
• 2 credits Child Care Administration
• 2 credits Early Childhood Education
• CPR & First Aid Certification

Responsibilities

• Uphold the philosophy of Playful Minds and serve as a positive representative of the organization
• Establish and maintain high quality relationships with children and families
• Establish and maintain strong, professional relationships with other Playful Minds staff
• At all times, speak to children with respect
• Maintain an appropriate and safe environment for children at all times
• Consistently implement all licensing requirements, including but not limited to maintaining supervision ratios at all times
• Ensure maintenance of all required documentation and record keeping accurately and in a timely manner
• Consistently follow all Playful Minds’ policies & procedures
• Consistently attend work according to your established schedule
• Attend all required staff meetings and trainings
• All staff are Mandated Reporters
• Ensure the health and safety of all children
• Promote the mission, values, and philosophy of Playful Minds
• Provide strong, empathetic leadership and management that aligns with the PMLC vision on a daily basis
• Oversee day to day operations in keeping with the Playful Minds’ policies and procedures
• Oversee facility management and cleanliness, notifying the Regional Director if emergency assistance is needed
• Manage staff scheduling based on supervisory requirements and needs of the specific children
• Recruit, hire, train and direct highquality educators
• Implement onboarding of new hires, in collaboration with Regional Director
• Monitor enrollment trends and meet enrollment goals
• Review and respond to leave requests daily
• Attend monthly Directors’ Meetings o File agenda and notes in Director’s Binder
• Plan and conduct monthly Staff Meetings
• Observe classrooms on a regular basis and provide guidance as needed
• Mentor staff as needed, providing clear guidance and active support
• Plan and conduct staff evaluations in collaboration with Regional Director. Maintain documentation of all evaluations.
• Collaborate with Regional Director to identify beneficial topics for professional development
• Promote the mission, values, and philosophy of Playful Minds
• Provide strong, empathetic leadership and management that aligns with the PMLC vision on a daily basis
• Oversee day to day operations in keeping with the Playful Minds’ policies and procedures
• Oversee facility management and cleanliness, notifying the Regional Director if emergency assistance is needed
• Promote a nurturing and inclusive community environment
• Meet with families as needed or assigned
• Establish ongoing communication with families about policies, individual experiences and community events
• Support communication among families and staff
• Provide educational resources to families to support child development at home
• Assemble all compliance related applications, records and reports as required by licensing and Playful Minds
• Maintain Staff Records Checklist and Children's Checklist as required by EEC
• Ensure all staff and child files are current and complete
• Ensure all required information is entered accurately into electronic records system according to schedule
• Ensure that attendance records are completed consistently and accurately
• Keep Master Enrollment Sheets up to date
• Collaborate with Regional Director to prepare site for state licensing visits and inspections
• Work with the EEC licensor on all license renewals in order to ensure that each location meets all EEC regulations and requirements prior to the inspection
• Observe daily operations to ensure PMLC policies, procedures and health and safety protocols are consistently upheld
• Observe facilities and classrooms to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, accreditation requirements, licensing standards and PMLC standards
• Schedule, implement and document emergency drills according to schedule
• Review Safety Plan, Building Emergency Plan and Missing Child Plan upon hire
• Must be comfortable working in both an office and classrooms
• Occasional travel for offsite trainings or meetings
• Must be able to lift children (up to 75 lbs.), speak to children at eye level, sit on the floor and run
• Must be able to work on a computer for extended periods of time
• Annual First Aid & CPR
• Annual professional development
• Maintenance of required Certifications

Skills

Supervisory experience

Leadership

Coaching & mentoring

Communication skills

Active listening

Classroom management

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s in ECE or related field

Lead Teacher qualifications

CPR & First Aid Certification

2 credits Child Care Administration

2 credits Early Childhood Education

Job description

Playful Minds Learning Center LLC seeks a Program Director to lead day-to-day operations, oversee curriculum, and ensure licensing compliance. You will coach staff, manage relationships with families, and guide program quality across locations. Strong supervisory background in early childhood is essential.

You will collaborate with the Regional Director, recruit and mentor educators, monitor enrollment, and maintain documentation and safety standards. Travel for trainings may be required.