Director In Training / Assistant Director

Agape Love Childcare Center LLC; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Training & development

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Agape Love Childcare Center LLC in Detroit is seeking a Director-in-Training / Assistant Director to join our leadership team. This is more than an administrative role; you will grow into higher-level leadership and learn the center's operations.

You will work closely with the Center Director, receive hands-on training in operations, licensing, family relations, and program quality, and progressively take on leadership responsibilities to become acting leader when needed.

Qualifications

• Leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Must be patient, nurturing, and organized.
• Experience in licensed childcare or early childhood programs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Learn major center operations alongside the Director.
• Assist daily center management.
• Serve as acting leadership when the Director is unavailable.
• Supervise, coach, and hold staff accountable.
• Monitor classrooms for quality, ratios, and compliance.
• Assist with licensing and program compliance.
• Support enrollment and family engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Patience

Communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor's in ECE/related

Associate in ECE/Child Development

Job description

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Tuition assistance

Pay and Schedule

Pay: $25–$30 per hour

Schedule: 35-40 hours per week

Position: Director-in-Training / Assistant Director

Ready for Your Next Step in Early Childhood Leadership?

Agape Love Childcare Center is seeking an experienced, dependable, and motivated Director-in-Training / Assistant Director to join our leadership team.

This is more than an administrative position. We are looking for an early childhood professional who is ready to grow into higher-level leadership and learn the overall operations of a successful childcare center.

The selected candidate will work closely with the Center Director and receive hands‑on training in center operations, staff leadership, licensing and compliance, family relations, program quality, administrative systems, and day‑to‑day decision‑making.

Our goal is to develop a strong leader who can confidently serve as acting leadership and oversee center operations in the Director's absence.

What You'll Do

• Work directly alongside the Director and learn all major areas of center operations
• Assist with the daily management of the childcare center
• Serve as acting leadership when the Director is unavailable
• Supervise, coach, support, and hold staff accountable
• Monitor classrooms for quality, ratios, active supervision, cleanliness, and compliance
• Assist with staff scheduling and coverage
• Help maintain organized and compliant child and employee files
• Monitor staff credentials, training, attendance, and required documentation
• Assist with licensing and program compliance
• Support Head Start and Early Head Start partnership requirements
• Conduct classroom observations and provide constructive feedback
• Assist with onboarding and training new employees
• Communicate professionally with parents and families
• Help resolve staff, classroom, and family concerns
• Support enrollment and family engagement
• Step into classrooms when necessary to support center operations
• Help ensure the center operates smoothly, safely, and professionally each day

Education Requirements

Candidates must have:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related education field
• OR
• An Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development and currently be working toward a Bachelor's Degree.

We're Looking for Someone Who:

• Has previous experience working in a licensed childcare center, preschool, Head Start, or early childhood program
• Has leadership or supervisory experience
• Must be extremely patient with children, nurturing, respectful, and kind
• Understands developmentally appropriate early childhood practices
• Is highly organized and able to manage multiple responsibilities
• Has excellent follow‑through and does not require repeated reminders
• Is dependable and punctual
• Communicates professionally with staff and families
• Can confidently make decisions and solve problems
• Is comfortable providing staff direction and accountability
• Is willing to learn and receive coaching
• Can remain calm and professional when unexpected situations occur
• Is comfortable occasionally providing classroom coverage when operationally necessary
• Has a genuine desire to grow into childcare center leadership

Compensation & Schedule

$25–$30 per hour, based on education, credentials, leadership experience, and qualifications.

35-40 hours per week

Why This Position Is Different

This position is designed for someone who wants to grow professionally and become a key member of center leadership.

You won't simply be completing administrative tasks. You will be trained to understand how the center operates as a whole and progressively take on greater leadership responsibility.

We are looking for someone who can become a trusted second-in-command—a leader who sees what needs to be done, takes initiative, follows through, supports the team, and can keep the center running successfully when the Director is away.

About Us

Agape Love Childcare Center provides a loving, nurturing, safe, and academically rich environment for children and families in Detroit. We believe children thrive when they are surrounded by caring adults, high-quality learning experiences, and a team committed to excellence.

“Where Love Is Our Guide And Learning Is Fun.”