Preschool Center Director

The Learning Experience Corp.; Bartlett (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Professional Development

Wellness Benefits

Childcare Discount

Job summary

The Learning Experience is opening a brand-new Bartlett, IL preschool center and seeks a hands-on Preschool Center Director to lead the launch, build a strong team, and establish an exceptional early childhood program.

You will recruit and coach staff, drive enrollment, and ensure health, safety, and licensing standards while delivering a thriving learning environment for children and families.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of leadership or management experience in a licensed childcare or early childhood education setting.
• Experience as Preschool Director or Center Director or similar leadership role.
• Proven ability to recruit, coach, and develop teachers.
• Experience managing center operations, staffing, scheduling, payroll, budgeting, or financial performance.
• Experience driving preschool enrollment, family engagement, and retention.

Responsibilities

• Lead the center team and daily operations, ensuring health, safety, licensing standards, and curriculum implementation.
• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop staff; foster a positive workplace culture and high engagement.
• Oversee enrollment growth, family outreach, retention, and community relationships; monitor budgeting and expenses.

Skills

Leadership

Hiring/Recruiting

Communication

Budgeting

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education,

Job description

Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 + Bonus Eligible

Benefits: Paid time off, Professional Development, Wellness Benefits, Childcare Discount

About the Opportunity

The Learning Experience is opening a brand-new childcare center in Bartlett, IL, and we're seeking an experienced, driven Preschool Center Director to lead its launch, build a strong team, and establish a thriving early childhood education program.

This is more than a Center Director position—it's an opportunity to:

• Build, hire, and lead your own team.
• Establish a positive school culture from day one.
• Welcome your first families and create lasting relationships.
• Drive preschool enrollment, retention, and center growth.
• Make a meaningful difference in the Bartlett community.

We're looking for a hands-on childcare leader who combines early childhood education expertise, people leadership, family engagement, and business management skills to create an exceptional learning environment.

What You'll Do

Lead Your Team & Center Operations

• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop a high-performing teaching team.
• Create a positive workplace culture that supports employee engagement and retention.
• Oversee daily childcare operations, staffing, scheduling, and classroom ratios.
• Maintain health, safety, and licensing standards.
• Ensure compliance with Illinois childcare licensing requirements and TLE standards.
• Champion TLE's proprietary L.E.A.P.® Curriculum and exceptional classroom experiences.

Drive Enrollment & Business Performance

• Grow enrollment through center tours, prospective family follow-up, and community outreach.
• Build meaningful relationships with prospective and current families.
• Strengthen family satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
• Monitor enrollment, staffing, labor, and key center performance metrics.
• Manage payroll, labor costs, scheduling, and staffing levels.
• Support budgeting, accounts receivable, and expense management.
• Identify opportunities to improve enrollment, operational efficiency, retention, and profitability.
• Partner with ownership and TLE support teams to achieve business and educational goals.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a confident, relationship-focused early childhood education leader with experience in childcare, preschool, daycare, or licensed learning center management.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of leadership or management experience in a licensed childcare or early childhood education setting.
• Previous experience as a Preschool Director, Child Care Center Director, Assistant Director, Education Director, or similar leader.
• Proven ability to recruit, coach, mentor, and develop teachers.
• Experience managing childcare center operations, staffing, scheduling, payroll, budgeting, or financial performance.
• Experience driving preschool enrollment, family engagement, and retention.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and business management skills.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Business, or a related field required.

Illinois Licensing Requirements

Must meet all applicable Illinois qualifications and regulatory requirements for a licensed childcare center Director position.

Why Join The Learning Experience?

• Lead a brand-new preschool and childcare center from opening day.
• Build your own team and establish a culture of excellence.
• Make a lasting impact on children, families, and educators.
• Benefit from established curriculum, proven systems, professional training, and operational support.
• Access professional development, tuition reimbursement, and leadership advancement opportunities.
• Enjoy a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Ready to Build Something Great?

If you're an experienced Childcare Center Director, Preschool Director, Assistant Director, or Early Childhood Education Leader ready to lead a new school, grow a team, and take the next step in your career, we want to meet you!

Join The Learning Experience – Bartlett, IL as our Founding Preschool Center Director.