Child and Family Development Center Director

San Juan College; Farmington (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid leave and holidays

Tuition waiver

Wellness program and EAP

Gym membership and library services

Job summary

San Juan College seeks an experienced leader to serve as Director of the Child and Family Development Center (CFDC), a renowned childcare center and lab school. This role develops a strong team, promotes high-quality early learning, and strengthens family partnerships while guiding accreditation and licensing excellence.

The Director will collaborate with the ECED program to offer meaningful practicum experiences, oversee curriculum, and manage operations, budgets, and resources for the CFDC

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 3–5 years of related experience in the division/department.
• 5+ years of early childhood experience and 3+ years supervisory experience.
• Background check, CPR/First Aid certification may be required.

Responsibilities

• Directs and supervises CFDC staff; oversees practicum student experiences and staff development.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal standards including NM ECECD regulations and NAEYC accreditation.
• Plans and administers annual budget, grants, enrollment, and program operations.
• Develops age-appropriate curriculum and assesses outcomes to support children and families.
• Collaborates with ECED program to align practicum and Lab School activities.
• Maintains partnerships with families and fosters inclusive, culturally responsive environments.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Leadership

Curriculum development

Accreditation knowledge

Grant writing

Budget management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Make an impact on children, families, educators, and the next generation of early childhood professionals. San Juan College is seeking an experienced and passionate leader to serve as Director of the Child and Family Development Center (CFDC), an exemplary childcare center and lab school.

In this collaborative leadership role, you’ll develop and support a dedicated team, champion high-quality early learning, strengthen family partnerships, and work closely with the Early Childhood Education program to create meaningful practicum experiences for future educators. You’ll also guide curriculum, accreditation and licensing excellence, program operations, and resources.

If you’re ready to lead with purpose and help shape the future of early childhood education, we invite you to bring your experience and vision to San Juan College.

Why San Juan College?

At San Juan College, our mission is to educate and empower individuals to thrive in an ever-changing world. We foster a culture built on Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, and we're committed to supporting both our students and employees.

Located in Farmington, New Mexico, in the heart of the Four Corners, you'll enjoy an outstanding quality of life with endless outdoor recreation, a vibrant arts community, and easy access to Durango, Moab, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque.

Benefits You'll Love

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous paid leave and holidays
• Tuition waiver
• Employee wellness program and EAP
• Free SJC gym membership and library services

Join a team where you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying exceptional benefits and work-life balance.

• Trains, assigns, directs, schedules, supervises, evaluates and disciplines personnel at the main campus site.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal standards, including New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department Regulations and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation Standards and Criteria.
• Devotes a majority of work time to supervisory duties; Customarily and regularly directs the work of two or more other employees; makes recommendations to hire, promote, and discipline direct reports.
• Closely collaborates with the SJC Director for ECED Academic program to facilitate Lab School operations and Practicum Student experience and learning.
• Oversees the placement of Early Childhood Education practicum students and Assists the Director of Early Childhood Education in supervision and support of the CFDC teaching staff as they mentor and guide practicum students in a model learning environment.
• Collaborates with adjunct ECED practicum instructors as needed with scheduling as well as offering support and assessment of practicum students.
• Oversees billing, enrollment, ECECD subsidy procedures and programs in collaboration with Director of Early Childhood Education and the SJC billing department.
• Mentors, coaches, and models best teaching practices for teaching staff, substitute teachers, student employees, and Early Childhood Education practicum students.
• Reviews and recommends policy and procedures for the Parent Handbook and CFDC Staff Handbook; ensures compliance with college policies and procedures, NAEYC accreditation standards, and NM Pre-K program standards and ECECD licensing regulations.
• Supports CFDC teaching staff to create model learning environments that are inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and culturally sensitive to all children and families.And to ensure strong parent-teacher partnerships by ensuring respectful interactions, effective two-way communication, and a welcoming environment.
• Oversees and supports the CFDC teaching staff in the development and implementation of age-appropriate curriculum for various age groups.And with conducting individual child assessments and analyzing data to support the needs of children, families, and teachers.
• Ensures accountability for CFDC teaching staff’s professional development to meet annual targets for accreditation and licensing regulations in the seven mandatory ECED domains.
• Plans, implements, and manages staff meetings, leadership meetings, and Child Assistance Team meetings as well as bi-annual Advisory Committee meetings for the CFDC.
• Works directly with staff to plan, host, and facilitate CFDC family events, supports, and resources.
• Conducts annual performance reviews of all direct reports.
• Oversees the placement of student employees, service-learning students and volunteers. Completes necessary paperwork for hours in the program.
• Works directly with SJC grant’s department and SJC's Institutional Research team to research grant opportunities. Writes and applies for grants.
• Manages active CFDC grant accounts by ensuring fiscal responsibility working directly with SJC grant accountants. Creates and submits annual reports to funding resources.
• Develops annual budget recommendations and administers approved funds.
• Manages CFDC’s social media and web presence and ensures updates are current on pages and forms distributed community wide.
• Performs related duties.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field such as:Child Development, Family and Child Studies, Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education with Early Childhood Endorsement.Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives and functions of the subunits in the division/department in order to direct and coordinate work within the division/department, usually interpreted to require three to five years of related experience.
• 5+ years of early childhood experience or a combination of Education and Experience.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a background check in good standing with the Early Childhood Education and Care Department.
• Must have or be able to obtain CPR/First Aid Certification.