Early Childhood Program (ECP) Assistant Director

MILTON FAMILY COMMUNITY CENTER INC; Early (TX); On-site; USD 53,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement match

Childcare discount

Job summary

Milton Family Community Center (MFCC) is seeking an experienced Early Childhood Program Assistant Director to support the ECP Director in leadership, coordination, and daily operations of MFCC’s program for children from six weeks to five years old.

You will help with staffing, curriculum implementation, and ensuring licensing and CACFP compliance, while balancing classroom coverage with administrative duties.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years in early childhood education.
• Leadership experience in supervising staff.
• Experience with licensing, CACFP, and quality standards.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support ECP Director in daily operations and staffing.
• Provide guidance to teaching staff on routines and procedures.
• Maintain CACFP compliance and meal records.
• Coordinate program documentation and licensing materials.

Skills

Leadership

Staff coordination

Early childhood

Regulatory compliance

Curriculum support

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education

Tools

Staff scheduling software

Job description

Reports to: Early Childhood Program (ECP) Director

Program: Early Childhood Program, Milton Family Community Center (MFCC)

Position Type: Full-time, exempt

Salary Range: $53,000 to $57,000 depending on experience, education, and qualifications

Position Overview

The Early Childhood Program (ECP) Assistant Director supports the ECP Director in the day‑to‑day leadership, coordination, and operation of MFCC’s early childhood program, serving children from six weeks to five years of age. Working in close partnership with the Director, this position helps maintain high‑quality care and education, supports staff development and classroom practices, coordinates program operations, and promotes compliance with applicable Vermont licensing requirements, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements and MFCC policies.

The Assistant Director provides day‑to‑day guidance and support to teaching staff, helps coordinate staffing and classroom coverage, and assists with implementing program priorities and maintaining consistent practices across classrooms. When the Director is unavailable, the Assistant Director manages routine program operations and designated decisions within established guidelines, communicating significant concerns or decisions to the Director or Executive Director as appropriate.

In addition to leadership and operational responsibilities, the Assistant Director serves as a permanent substitute/float teacher, providing classroom coverage across the ECP as needed. A designated portion of the schedule will also be working collaboratively with the classroom teaching teams to support continuity of care, relationships, and curriculum implementation.

The ideal candidate is an experienced, collaborative early childhood professional who can balance classroom responsibilities with administrative coordination, staff support, and program leadership.

Position Duties, Responsibilities, And Expectations

Support Program Leadership and Daily Operations

• Work in close partnership with the ECP Director to coordinate daily program operations, implement program priorities, and maintain consistent practices across classrooms.
• Assist with daily staffing coordination, including monitoring coverage needs, helping arrange classroom coverage, and communicating staffing changes to affected staff.
• In partnership with the ECP Director, provide day‑to‑day guidance to teaching staff regarding classroom routines, program expectations, policies, and operational procedures.
• Help identify operational challenges, staffing needs, and opportunities to improve program efficiency, classroom consistency, and quality of care.
• Coordinate assigned administrative tasks, schedules, records, and operational processes to support the effective functioning of the ECP.
• Assist with the implementation of program procedures, initiatives, and improvement plans established in collaboration with the Director.
• Serve as the primary point of coordination for routine program operations when the Director is unavailable, addressing matters within delegated authority and communicating significant concerns, incidents, or decisions to the Director or Executive Director as appropriate.
• Communicate regularly with the Director regarding program operations, staffing, classroom needs, compliance concerns, and other matters requiring leadership attention.
• Maintain compliance with the CACFP program including creating monthly menus and meal records, accurate recordkeeping and implementations of CACFP across the ECP teaching teams and the cook.

Support Staff Development and Classroom Quality

• In collaboration with the ECP Director, provide day‑to‑day coaching, guidance, and practical support to teaching staff to promote positive classroom management, effective teaching practices, and collaborative teamwork.
• Support staff in implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum, classroom routines, positive behavior guidance, and inclusive practices consistent with program expectations.
• Collaborate with ECP Director and classroom teaching teams to identify classroom needs, troubleshoot routine challenges, and maintain consistent practices across the ECP.
• Help reinforce expectations related to professional conduct, communication, supervision, and interactions with children and families.
• Share observations about staff performance, classroom practices, and professional development needs with the Director to inform formal supervision and staff development planning.
• Assist with orienting new staff and substitutes to classroom routines, program procedures, and MFCC expectations, as assigned.
• Support staff in meeting required training, professional development, and certification expectations and other licensing requirements (fingerprints, CPR, etc.) by helping monitor assigned documentation and communicating outstanding requirements to the Director.
• Refer significant personnel concerns, ongoing performance issues, and matters requiring formal supervisory action to the Director.

Coordinate Licensing, Compliance, and Program Documentation

• Assist the Director in monitoring compliance with applicable Vermont child care licensing requirements, MFCC policies, and other program standards.
• Help maintain accurate, organized, and current program records, including assigned documentation related to staff qualifications, training, classroom operations, health and safety, and emergency preparedness.
• Monitor assigned compliance tasks and deadlines, communicate outstanding requirements, and help ensure that corrective actions identified by the Director are completed.
• Support the consistent implementation of health and safety practices, including child supervision, sanitation, medication procedures, incident documentation, and emergency response protocols, as applicable to the role.
• Assist with classroom and program environment checks and communicate identified maintenance, safety, or compliance concerns to the Director.
• Help prepare documentation and information needed for licensing reviews, program assessments, accreditation or quality recognition efforts, and required reports.
• Assist with maintaining classroom and program practices that support MFCC’s quality standards, including applicable Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS) and NAEYC-related expectations.
• Bring potential licensing violations, serious safety concerns, significant incidents, and unresolved compliance issues to the Director’s attention promptly.

Provide Permanent Substitute Teaching and Classroom Support

• Serve as a permanent substitute teacher across MFCC’s infant, young toddler, older toddler, and preschool classrooms, providing coverage for staff absences and additional classroom needs.
• Maintain a consistent classroom assignment for a designated portion of the work schedule, as determined in collaboration with the Director and based on program staffing and operational needs.
• Work collaboratively with assigned classroom teachers to support continuity of care, established routines, lesson plans, curriculum, and classroom expectations.
• Engage children in developmentally appropriate experiences that support social‑emotional development, language and early literacy, early math skills, fine and gross motor development, creativity, self‑help skills, and imaginative play.
• Provide safe, nurturing, inclusive, and responsive care while maintaining appropriate supervision and following applicable staff‑to‑child ratios and licensing requirements.
• Adapt to the needs of different classrooms and age groups while respecting established classroom practices and working collaboratively with the assigned teaching team.
• Assist with classroom documentation, preparation of learning materials, organization of supplies, cleaning, and other tasks that support classroom operations.
• Build positive, respectful relationships with children and families and communicate routine information in coordination with the classroom teaching team.
• Share observations, questions, and concerns regarding children’s development, behavior, safety, or well‑being with the appropriate classroom teacher and/or Director.
• Maintain required certifications, professional development, and training applicable to classroom responsibilities.

Support Enrollment, Family Communication, and Program Activities

• Assist with enrollment and onboarding processes, including maintaining assigned records, coordinating routine communications, and helping prepare classrooms and staff for children’s transitions into the program.
• Support the Director in maintaining a welcoming, inclusive, and responsive experience for families.
• Assist with routine family communication regarding program operations, classroom needs, schedules, and activities, consistent with MFCC procedures and confidentiality expectations.
• Refer significant family concerns, complaints, sensitive matters, and decisions outside delegated authority to the Director.
• Assist with coordinating program activities, family engagement opportunities, special events, and other initiatives that strengthen connections among children, families, staff, and the community.
• Support the Director with assigned administrative documentation and reporting related to program participation, quality improvement, grants, and contracts.

Contribute to Program Improvement and Organizational Collaboration

• Participate in ongoing communication and planning with the Director to assess program needs, establish priorities, and strengthen program quality.
• Identify opportunities to improve classroom consistency, operational processes, staff collaboration, and the overall experience of children and families.
• Assist with implementing program improvement efforts and tracking progress on assigned action items.
• Collaborate with MFCC leadership and other staff, as appropriate, to support organizational initiatives and shared priorities.
• Model MFCC’s values and Strengthening Families framework in interactions with children, families, coworkers, and community partners.
• Follow the MFCC Employee Handbook, Teacher Manual, and applicable organizational policies and procedures.
• Attend required all‑staff meetings, ECP team meetings, supervision meetings, and other scheduled meetings relevant to the position.
• Participate in ongoing reflection, professional development, and learning opportunities to strengthen leadership and teaching practices.

Other duties as assigned.

Decision‑Making and Accountability

The Assistant Director reports to the ECP Director and works in partnership with the Director to support program operations, classroom quality, and staff effectiveness.

The Assistant Director may coordinate routine operations and make day‑to‑day decisions within established program procedures and authority delegated by the Director. When the Director is unavailable, the Assistant Director is expected to maintain continuity of program operations, address routine needs, and communicate significant concerns or decisions to the Director or Executive Director as appropriate.

The ECP Director retains overall responsibility for program leadership, formal staff supervision and performance management, program policy and planning, budget oversight, licensing and quality accountability, grant and contract management, and significant program decisions. The Assistant Director supports these responsibilities through delegated coordination, implementation, documentation, and follow‑through.

The Assistant Director’s classroom responsibilities are an integral part of the position. Classroom assignments and administrative responsibilities will be coordinated with the Director to ensure appropriate time for both functions and to respond to changing program needs.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be at least 20 years of age and meet minimum qualifications for an early childhood Teacher Associate as described in section 7.3.2.2 of the Vermont Child Development Division for Licensed Child Care Center Programs and NAEYC to include or exceed:

7.3.2.2 Teacher Associate

Qualifications

• At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Three (3) Certificate; or
• At least an associate degree from an accredited college with a major or concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Elementary Education, or Child and Family Services and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least a Certificate of Completion from the Registered Child Care Apprenticeship Program; or
• At least a Child Care Certificate from the Community College of Vermont and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or
• At least successful completion of twenty‑one (21) college credits with an early childhood or school age focus and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.

Other Qualifications

• At least five years of experience working in early childhood education.
• At least one to two years of demonstrated leadership, such as serving as a lead teacher, mentoring colleagues, supporting classroom operations or coordinating staff activities.
• Must meet or exceed the applicable Vermont Child Development Division qualifications for the teaching and administrative responsibilities assigned to the position as outlined above in 7.3.2.2.
• Relevant education, credentials, and experience in early childhood education, child development, or a related field.
• Experience working in a licensed early childhood setting, with demonstrated understanding of developmentally appropriate practices, child supervision, classroom routines, and health and safety requirements.
• Experience supporting classroom teams, coordinating daily operations, mentoring coworkers, or providing informal staff guidance is preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, problem‑solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to balance classroom teaching responsibilities with administrative coordination, staff support, and operational needs.
• Ability to work collaboratively, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and recognize when an issue requires escalation to the Director.
• Current infant/child First Aid and CPR certifications, or the ability to obtain and maintain them within the required timeframe.
• Commitment to MFCC’s mission, values, inclusive practices, and Strengthening Families framework.

Physical/environmental Requirements

• Sitting, standing, walking, and moving throughout the classroom and outdoor play areas for extended periods.
• Participating in active play and assisting children with daily routines and learning activities.
• Seeing, hearing, and communicating effectively to supervise children, interact with families and colleagues, and complete written and electronic documentation.
• Bending, kneeling, reaching, and moving between child‑sized and adult work areas.
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, or moving children, classroom materials, and supplies as needed, consistent with applicable safety procedures.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation based upon education and experience with a range between $53,000 to $57,000
• This position is full‑time, non‑exempt, with a schedule of 8:30 to 5:00 PM to support classroom closing at the end of the day.
• 10 days of paid vacation time per year, 10 days of paid sick‑time per year, 2 personal days per year, 14 organization‑wide paid holidays
• 100% employer‑sponsored health insurance plan for full‑time employees with $3,000 HRA contribution after 60 days (employee only)
• 50% employer‑sponsored dental and vision plan for full‑time employees (employee only)
• Short‑term, long‑term and disability insurance
• Employer match for retirement plan available
• Childcare discount of 60% for employees, pending availability of a slot
• Access to member benefits from our affiliations with Common Good Vermont, Lake Champlain Chamber, and VTAEYC
• Employee Assistance Program

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Milton Family Community Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We deeply believe in the power of community, and in turn strive to ensure the voices of all community members are heard, respected, and included. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, religion or belief, disability, sex, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. We welcome all applicants, regardless of background. We recruit, hire, employ, train, promote and compensate all individuals based on their job‑related qualifications and abilities.

We examine our unconscious biases and take responsibility for always striving to create an inclusive environment that makes every employee and candidate feel welcome.

MFCC also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about an accommodation, or need assistance with completing the application process, please email [e-mail].