Director of Child Care

Penobscot Bay YMCA; Rockland (ME); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision and dental insurance

Employer-paid life insurance

YMCA Retirement Fund participation

Generous PTO

Twelve paid holidays annually

Complimentary family YMCA membership

20% discount on YMCA programs

Monthly Maine child care stipend

Job summary

Penobscot Bay YMCA in Rockport, Maine is seeking a Child Care Director to lead our licensed programs with strategic and operational oversight. You will manage daily operations, staff development, enrollment, and budget duties to ensure a safe, nurturing environment for children and families.

The role emphasizes compliance with Maine licensing, program quality, and community partnerships, with a focus on inclusive practices and high-quality early childhood education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field OR Associate's degree with 2+ years of direct child care experience
• Minimum 2 years of management or supervisory experience preferred
• Strong understanding of child development, classroom practices, and licensing requirements
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Commitment to inclusive and supportive environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Onboarding trainings include Mandated Reporter and YMCA Child Abuse Prevention Training; CPR, First Aid, AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens due within 30 days

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the child care program, ensuring high-quality experiences for children and families
• Supervise, coach, train, and develop child care staff with ongoing professional development
• Provide classroom support and coverage as needed
• Guide implementation of age-appropriate curriculum supporting children's development
• Maintain a safe, clean, and nurturing environment
• Oversee scheduling, enrollment, and day-to-day program operations
• Build strong, responsive relationships with families
• Maintain accurate records including attendance, incidents, licensing docs
• Develop and monitor program budgets with senior leadership support
• Lead staff meetings, trainings and team development
• Support community engagement, family events, and YMCA fundraising
• Connect families with YMCA programs and resources
• Direct and oversee early learning programs to ensure high-quality services and safe learning environment
• Ensure compliance with Maine licensing regulations, accreditation standards, and YMCA policies
• Monitor program quality, participation, and outcomes; implement improvements
• Respond to medical, behavioral, and emergency situations
• Foster an inclusive, welcoming environment for children, families, and staff
• Support outreach, enrollment growth, and community partnerships
• Perform additional duties to support program success

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Multitasking

Diversity & inclusion awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Associate's degree + 2+ years child care experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Full-time, on-site | $60,000 - $65,000, depending on experience

The Penobscot Bay YMCA is seeking an experienced and passionate Child Care Director to lead our early childhood programs at our Main Branch in Rockport, Maine. This position provides both strategic and operational leadership for our licensed child care programs, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for children while supporting and developing a dedicated team of educators.

As a mission-driven leader, you will oversee daily operations, staff development, family engagement, enrollment, program quality, and regulatory compliance. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children, families, and the broader community through high-quality early childhood education.

The Penobscot Bay YMCA is a community cornerstone where all people can connect, grow, and thrive. In this role, you bring that mission to life every day for the children and families we serve.

What You’ll Do

• Lead daily operations of the child care program, ensuring a high-quality experience for children and families
• Supervise, coach, train, and develop child care staff through ongoing support and professional development
• Provide classroom support and coverage as needed
• Guide implementation of age-appropriate curriculum that supports children's development
• Maintain a safe, clean, and nurturing environment
• Oversee scheduling, enrollment, and day-to-day program operations
• Build strong, responsive relationships with families
• Maintain accurate records, including attendance, incidents, and licensing documentation
• Develop and monitor program budgets with support from senior leadership
• Lead staff meetings, trainings, and team development initiatives
• Support community engagement, family events, and YMCA fundraising activities
• Connect families with YMCA programs and resources

Essential Functions

• Direct and oversee early learning programs to ensure high-quality services and a safe learning environment
• Ensure compliance with Maine licensing regulations, accreditation standards, and YMCA policies
• Monitor program quality, participation, and outcomes, making improvements as needed
• Respond appropriately to medical situations, behavioral concerns, and emergencies
• Foster an inclusive, welcoming environment for children, families, and staff
• Support outreach efforts, enrollment growth, and community partnerships
• Perform additional duties as needed to support overall program success

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field OR Associate's degree and at least two years of direct child care experience
• Two years of management or supervisory experience preferred
• Strong understanding of child development, classroom practices, and child care licensing requirements
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people
• Required trainings include Mandated Reporter and YMCA Child Abuse Prevention Training (completed during onboarding), with CPR, First Aid, AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens certification required within 30 days of hire.

Schedule & Additional Benefits

• Monday–Friday daytime schedule
• Monthly State of Maine stipend (currently $240+) in addition to base pay
• Full-time exempt position

Why Join the Y?

• Competitive salary: $60,000–$65,000 depending on experience
• Comprehensive health insurance options
• Vision and dental insurance available
• Employer-paid life insurance
• YMCA Retirement Fund participation with potential eligibility for a 10% YMCA contribution after 2 years
• Generous PTO package
• Twelve paid holidays annually
• Complimentary family YMCA membership
• 20% discount on YMCA programs
• Monthly State of Maine child care workforce stipend (currently $240+ per month)
• Meaningful work that directly impacts children, families, and the community

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Lift up to 40 pounds as needed
• Bend, kneel, twist, and move throughout the day
• Actively supervise children in indoor and outdoor settings
• Respond quickly and appropriately to safety needs
• Work outdoors in all seasons

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.