Child Care Assistant Director

Heartworks Early Education; South Burlington (VT); On-site; USD 54,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 75% tuition discount

Health benefits from day one

Generous paid time off

24/7 virtual doctor access

401(k) with company match

Career growth opportunities

Employee referral program

Job summary

Heartworks Early Education in South Burlington is seeking an Assistant Director to oversee the school’s financial, operational, educational, and cultural success alongside the Director. You will foster a thriving, healthy learning environment for children and staff through clear, collaborative leadership.

This role offers a salary range of $54,000 to $64,000, eligibility for an annual bonus based on metrics, and benefits including health coverage from day one and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Human Development, or a related field; Vermont Early Educator License preferred.
• Program Director Step 2 certificate or willingness to take classes toward that level.
• 3-10 years of experience in early childhood education or classroom management.
• Strong understanding of play-based learning and social-emotional development.
• Demonstrated commitment to kindness, respect, and community engagement.
• Ability to stand, move, run, and play for most of the day.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds multiple times a day.
• Must pass required state and company background checks.
• Comply with VT Public Health and Child Care Regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the school’s operations, educational programs, and culture.
• Manage the center’s financial performance.
• Collaborate with the Director to drive growth and quality.
• Ensure compliance with VT regulations.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education/Human Development or related field

30 college credits with Early Childhood/School Age focus

Program Director Step 2 certificate or willingness to take classes

Vermont Early Educator License preferred

Job description

At Heartworks Early Education,we cherish the passion and dedication of our school teams. With generous time off, opportunities to grow, and real work-life balance, we're here to help you build a career—and a life—you love in and out of your school. We're looking for a dedicated leader to join our South Burlington team, guided by an experienced School Director and united by shared values of teamwork, passion, and growth.

Salary Range: $54,000 to $64,000

This position qualifies for an annual bonus plan based on qualitative and quantitative metrics.

Benefits: Enjoy up to 75% off your child's tuition, health benefits from day one, generous paid time off, free 24/7 virtual doctor access, a 401(k) with discretionary employer yearly contribution, career growth opportunities, and more!

As the Assistant Director of our South Burlington location, you will be at the helm of the school’s financial, operational, educational, and cultural success alongside the Director. Your primary goal will be to create a thriving, healthy learning environment for our children and staff. Through strong communication skills—both written and verbal—you will inspire teamwork, leadership, and transparency across the school and within our broader network.

Our Hiring Process

If you're a match for the role, we’ll reach out to schedule a phone interview. Strong candidates will be invited for an in-person interview at the school. You'll hear from us within 48 hours of your interview.

This location operates year-round, Monday-Friday, 7:30AM - 5:30PM

Operating hours are subject to change.

We Offer:

• Up to 75% discount on your child's tuition, including tax-friendly tuition reduction options.
• Generous time off, in addition to a paid seasonal break from Christmas Eve through New Years Day, extended time around the 4th of July, and federal holiday closures.
• Comprehensive health benefits package, including health, dental, & vision all effective from hire date.
• Additional benefit selections, including pet insurance.
• Free immediate subscription to First Stop Health for 24/7 access to virtual doctors.
• 401(k) plan with company match (eligibility starts after 60 days of employment).
• Pay increase opportunities related to job performance, update in certification credentials, and degree completion.
• Opportunities for career advancement and ongoing coaching, including a dedicated Child Conference.
• Employee referral program available.

At Heartworks, our mission is driven by four key pillars:

• People First – Prioritizing the growth and experience of our team.
• Pedagogy for Tomorrow – Fostering innovative, child-focused teaching approaches.
• Planet at the Core – Promoting sustainability and nature-based learning.
• Positive Growth – Supporting children, families, and educators in every step forward.

Your daily responsibilities will include managing the school’s operations, educational programs, and overall culture, ensuring daily success. Responsibilities also include overseeing educational and operational tasks, along with managing the center’s financial performance.

Qualifications:

• Must pass required state and company background checks.
• Comply with all VT Public Health and Child Care Regulations.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Human Development, or a related field, or 30 college credits with an Early Childhood or School Age focus.
• Program Director Step 2 certificate or willingness to take classes towards that level; Vermont Early Educator License is preferred.
• 3-10 years of experience in early childhood education or classroom management.
• Strong understanding of play-based learning and social-emotional development.
• Ensure classroom environments meet NAEYC’s Anti-Bias Early Education standards.
• Demonstrated commitment to kindness, respect, and community engagement.
• Ability to stand, move, run, and play for most of the day.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds multiple times a day.

$54,000 - $64,000 a year

Salary Range: $54,000 to $64,000

This position qualifies for an annual bonus plan based on qualitative and quantitative metrics.

The compensation range represents Heartworks' intention for this position. Actual offers may vary based on experience, education, and other business factors.

We're Growing! Heartworks Early Education is a subsidiary of Babilou Family, a global network of 1,100 early education and child care centers. Heartworks provides award-winning early education and child care across 41 New England schools. Through the experience and talents of nearly 900 early education professionals and in partnership with nearly 4,000 families, we are on a meaningful journey to create optimal learning spaces where children ages 0-5 can learn, grow, and thrive.

Our teams, whether at our home office or inside our schools, are change makers – they inspire, create, model, and most importantly make this a great place to work. At Heartworks we are consistently recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse mix of colleagues who are representative of the diversity within the communities in which we operate. Our focus on equity and inclusion allows us to develop a broader scope of ideas and approaches, offering a collaborative and dynamic educational experience for the youngest members of society.