Early Childhood Director (Ridgewood YMCA)

YMCA of the USA; New York (NY); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Free YMCA membership

Job summary

The YMCA of Greater New York seeks an Early Childhood Director to lead safe, high-quality programs across DOE Center Base Classrooms, learning centers, and after-school sites. You will supervise staff, manage budgets, train personnel, and develop curricula while ensuring regulatory compliance and strong family engagement.

You will drive enrollment growth, oversee program evaluation, and collaborate with branch and community committees to advance the Y’s mission for local youth and families in

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (or related field) with 30 credits in ECE and state certification.
• Bachelor’s Degree in ECE with state certification, enrolled in a related Master’s program.
• Current teaching license or certificate for early childhood or childhood grades per NY UPK regulations.
• Minimum 2 years Lead Teacher experience for under-6 children.
• Knowledge of ECE principles and socioemotional growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, quality Early Childhood programs.
• Supervise, train, and manage staff; oversee budgeting.
• Develop curriculum and ensure DOE Center Base compliance.
• Grow enrollment and program portfolio across centers.
• Support family and community programs and participate in committees.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Budgeting

Staff training

Program management

Curriculum implementation

Microsoft Office / Excel

Bilingual (English +)”?

Education

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

State Certification in Early Childhood Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database management

Windows-based applications

Job description

Salary: $85,000 Annually The YMCA of Greater New York is here for all New Yorkers — to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community. Founded in 1852, today the Y serves a diverse population of more than half a million New Yorkers who learn, grow, and thrive through programs and services at our 24 branches. Community is the cornerstone of the Y. Together, we connect active, engaged New Yorkers to build stronger communities.

To help fulfill our mission, we cultivate a culture of learning, leading, and collaboration to enhance community impact. Through our talented staff and “LEAP” career framework (Leadership, Empowerment, Accountability, Personal Growth), we are committed to a people‑first approach that fosters trust, inclusion, growth, and development for all.

The Ridgewood YMCA is seeking an Early Childhood Director who will be responsible for implementing a safe and quality program, including, but not limited to, staff supervision, training, budgeting, curriculum development, and YMCA, funder, and regulatory compliance for DOE Center Base Classrooms, Early Childhood Learning Centers, fee-based enrichment, Early Childhood summer day camp, and wrap around or Early Childhood after school programming.

The Early Childhood Director provides leadership for the strategy, systems, supervision, and structure of the programs, including, but not limited to, the overall development, administration, and evaluation of programs. They will grow enrollment and the program portfolio to serve more children via structured, engaging, educational, recreational, and developmentally appropriate activities. The Early Childhood Director will ensure a high level of quality, communication, and collaboration within the Early Childhood programs. They will support family and community programs and sit on Branch and community committees, as needed.

Benefits

The YMCA of Greater New York offers a variety of benefits to its staff members, including retirement benefits, medical, paid time off, free YMCA membership, and more! Benefit eligibility is determined by an i-, tenure, and/or the number of hours scheduled to work. Click here for more information.

• Must have one (1) of the following:
  • Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (or a related field with 30 credits in Early Childhood) and has State Certification.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, has State certification in Early Childhood Education, and is enrolled in a Master’s program related to Early Childhood Education.
• Current teaching license or certificate valid for services in early childhood or childhood grades, according to New York State Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) regulations.
• Minimum of two (2) years of Lead Teacher experience in a program for children under the age of six (6).
• Knowledge of principles and practices related to Early Childhood education and socioemotional growth.
• Demonstrated commitment to Early Childhood education and enrichment.
• Ability to identify/document necessary information for program functioning and evaluation.
• Creative, strategic, and analytical thinker with the ability to manage multiple projects preferred.
• Experience developing and managing budgets, and hiring, training, supervising, and assessing personnel preferred.
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum preferred.
• Knowledge of implementing new curriculum within a team preferred.
• Strong and polished interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills that facilitate the achievement of desired results.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel, and working knowledge of Microsoft Suite.
• Knowledge of Windows-based computer applications and database management.
• Bilingual English and another language commonly spoken in our community preferred.
• Must be a self-starter, highly organized, patient, and able to work well with others.