Child Care Center Director

Bright Horizons; Stamford (CT); On-site; USD 88,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Education benefits

Caregiving resources

Job summary

Bright Horizons Stamford seeks a Child Care Center Director to lead daily operations, oversee enrollment, and mentor teachers in a thriving early childhood program.

You will build partnerships with families and licensing agencies, guiding program excellence and financial management in a dynamic Stamford center.

Qualifications

• Associate or higher degree in early childhood education or related field required; bachelor's preferred.
• At least four years of leadership experience in high-quality child care or preschool settings.
• Experience in both teaching and administration of a child care center; knowledge of licensing standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead hiring and create an inclusive work environment to retain staff.
• Collaborate with leadership to evaluate and ensure program quality standards.
• Manage enrollment, marketing, billing, and accounts payable while ensuring budget compliance.
• Build strong relationships and communicate with families, clients, staff, and licensing.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Communication

Budget management

Enrollment marketing

Education

Associate or higher degree in early childhood education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Join Bright Horizons at First Stamford Place as a Child Care Center Director, where your leadership helps create a high‑quality, thriving early childhood center that supports children, families, and educators alike. Grounded in our mission and values, you’ll build strong partnerships with staff, families, and clients while guiding program excellence and operational success. From leading daily operations and supporting enrollment to mentoring teachers and welcoming new families, your work will shape a thriving center and make a meaningful, lasting impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead hiring and create a motivating, inclusive work environment that retains staff
• Collaborate with the leadership team to evaluate and ensure program quality standards
• Manage enrollment, marketing, billing, and accounts payable, while ensuring budget compliance
• Build strong relationships and communicate proactively with families, clients, staff, and licensing

Qualifications

• Associate or higher degree in early childhood education, education, or child development related field is required; bachelor’s degree is preferred
• At least four years of leadership experience in high-quality child care, daycare, or preschool settings is required
• Experience in both teaching (infant, toddler, or preschool) and administration of a child care center is required
• Strong understanding of center quality, compliance, health, safety and licensing standards is required

Physical Requirements

This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, Bright Horizons’, and client site requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training. If hired, you will work in person in an early education/preschool child care center to provide center supervision, curriculum delivery, business management, and customer and client services per Bright Horizons’ policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure safety of children in Bright Horizons care and the employee. This role has a mixture of duties including office/computer/phone-based work, in-person supervision of care delivery and employees throughout all areas of the center, family/prospective family interactions which may take place in various areas of the center, and the ability to temporarily serve as a supervising caregiver for relatively brief periods of time on an as-needed basis (e.g., covering employee breaks or unscheduled absences). The full set of physical requirements for this role can be reviewed at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/job-descriptions. Bright Horizons complies with all laws that require reasonable accommodation for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations. This position requires in-person work in the Stamford, CT area.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $87,600– $98,550 annually. The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.

Compensation: $87,600– $98,550 annually

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick, holiday, and parental bonding leave
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Money-saving discounts and financial planning tools
• Career development opportunities and free college degrees for your teachers through our Horizons CDA & Degree Program
• Caregiving support and resources for the children and adults in your family
• Learn more at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/us/en/health-and-wellness

Life at Bright Horizons

At Bright Horizons, you’re more than your job title — you’re the difference. Whether you’re nurturing a child’s first steps or supporting the systems behind the scenes, your work creates real impact. We’re a community that celebrates individuality, invests in your growth, and supports your whole self. Because when you thrive, so do the children, families, and clients we serve. Join us and help build a brighter future — for yourself and for others.

Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA). If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.