Overnight Program Director

Vivvi Early Learning; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Benefits offered by Vivvi

Job summary

Vivvi Early Learning seeks a Program Director to lead our 24-hour Huntsville child care center, ensuring high-quality overnight care, safety, and developmentally appropriate practice.

The role focuses on program quality, licensing compliance, and team performance, partnering with the Executive Head of School to build a strong, inclusive culture and deliver engaging learning experiences around the clock.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of leadership experience in early childhood education, preschool, or child care administration.
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Meet Alabama DHR qualifications for director responsibilities.
• Experience leading center operations, staff development, and licensing compliance.
• Familiarity with Alabama’s Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee overnight center operations, staffing, scheduling, and program logistics.
• Develop systems for efficient program management and operations.
• Support enrollment growth and family retention while managing resources.
• Lead licensing compliance, health and safety practices, and regulatory adherence in Alabama.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Licensing compliance

Communication

Operations management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education

Job description

Vivvi is not your typical daycare or preschool! We’re reimagining child care and early learning for today’s families. We’re building high-quality, flexible, and innovative early childhood programs that support working families while creating meaningful career pathways for educators and leaders.

Join our team at our 24-hour child care center in Huntsville, Alabama, and play a key role in building a high-quality early learning program that supports children, families, and educators.

About the Role

As the Program Director, you will serve as a key overnight operational leader, responsible for program quality, licensing compliance, and team performance.

This is a highly visible leadership role focused on child care center management, staff development, and operational excellence. It’s ideal for an experienced early childhood leader who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

You’ll oversee overnight program operations, staffing and scheduling, regulatory compliance, and curriculum implementation aligned with Alabama’s early learning standards. In partnership with the Executive Head of School, you’ll help build a strong, inclusive, and high-performing team while ensuring children receive safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate care throughout the day and night.

Key Responsibilities

Center Leadership & Operations

• Oversee overnightchild care center operations, including staffing, scheduling, and overnight program logistics.
• Develop and implement systems that support efficient program management and operational success.
• Support enrollment growth and family retention while managing resources effectively.
• Promote a high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood program across age groups.
• Ensure consistent program operations and a positive experience for children, families, and staff across all shifts.

Compliance, Licensing & Quality Assurance

• Lead licensing compliance, health and safety practices, and regulatory adherence in accordance with Alabama DHR requirements.
• Maintain accurate licensing, staffing, training, and classroom documentation.
• Support continuous quality improvement efforts and participation in Alabama Quality STARS, as applicable.
• Ensure all applicable health, safety, supervision, and nighttime care requirements are consistently followed.
• Provide ongoing classroom coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback to overnight teaching staff.
• Support staff development and promote consistent, high-quality teaching practices.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and mission-driven workplace culture.
• Build accountability and strong communication across the team, including overnight staff.
• Guide teaching teams in lesson planning, child observation, assessment, and individualized instruction.
• Promote play-based, emergent, and inquiry-driven learning that supports the whole child.
• Support children’s development across social-emotional, communication, cognitive, physical, and health-related domains.
• Maintain high classroom-quality standards and ensure teaching practices are developmentally appropriate.
• Ensure safe sleep practices, appropriate supervision, and consistent routines for children in the overnight program.

Family & Community Engagement

• Deliver a welcoming, supportive family experience from initial inquiry through enrollment and ongoing engagement.
• Build strong relationships with families and community partners.
• Communicate proactively with families regarding children’s experiences, development, and program needs.
• Champion an inclusive environment that respects and supports each family’s needs.
• Help strengthen family trust, engagement, and retention.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of leadership experience in early childhood education, preschool, or child care administration
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field
• Meet applicable Alabama DHR qualifications for the assigned director or program director responsibilities
• Experience leading child care center operations, staff development, and licensing compliance
• General knowledge of Alabama’s Child Care Licensing and Performance Standards
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to coach and support teaching teams while maintaining high expectations for quality and accountability.
• Experience building positive relationships with families, staff, and community partners.
• A commitment to high-quality early childhood education, child development, and safe learning environments.

Program Directors receive competitive compensation based on experience and education, along with benefits offered by Vivvi.

Keywords: Program Director, Early Childhood Program Director, Child Care Center Director, Preschool Director, ECE Leadership, Early Learning Leader, School Operations Manager, Center Manager, Child Care Administrator, Child Care Leadership, Preschool Administration, Team Leadership, Staff Development, Teacher Coaching, Enrollment Growth, Curriculum Implementation, Lesson Planning, Child Assessment, Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Play-Based Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning, Emergent Curriculum, The Creative Curriculum®, Alabama Standards for Early Learning and Development (ASELD), Alabama Child Care Licensing, Alabama DHR Child Care Licensing Standards, Alabama Quality STARS, Child Care Licensing Compliance, Huntsville AL, Alabama Early Childhood Jobs, Alabama Child Care Jobs, Alabama Preschool Leadership, Alabama ECE Careers, Early Childhood Education, Child Care Center, Preschool, High-Quality Early Learning, Flexible Child Care Programs, Innovative Early Childhood Programs, Working Family Support, Mission-Driven Child Care, Inclusive Learning Environment, Family Engagement, Community Engagement, Early Childhood Career Pathways

How would you describe yourself?

One of Vivvi’s values is to treat each other with honor for the whole person (not just the roles we fulfill). This means we acknowledge each others’ rich experience, cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to reach the best outcomes. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Your responses will help Vivvi ensure that our talent acquisition practices are as equitable as possible. This information will be anonymous and will not be used to assess your candidacy.