Preschool Director

Crossroads YMCA

Alaska

On-site

USD 55,000 - 75,000

Full time

8 days ago

Application generator

An application made for this job — a tailored resume and cover letter that speak straight to the posting.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Health care medical coverage

Dental and vision insurance

Employer-paid LTD and Life Insurance

Generous PTO

12% retirement contribution

YMCA family membership

50% discount on YMCA programs

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Dean & Barbara White Southlake YMCA is seeking a hands-on leader to run a high-quality preschool and camp program. You will oversee operations, coach staff, and ensure safe, engaging experiences for children and families.

You'll balance early learning structure with the energy of camp, collaborating with families, teachers, volunteers, and YMCA leadership to drive program quality and compliance.

Qualifications

CDA credential or higher in early childhood education.
Experience supervising, training, coaching, and developing staff.
Knowledge of state childcare licensing regulations and policies.
Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day operations of the preschool and related youth programs.
Provide leadership and oversight for camp programming and seasonal youth experiences.
Create safe, welcoming, developmentally appropriate environments.
Recruit, hire, onboard, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate staff.
Monitor enrollment, program quality, and family satisfaction.
Develop and monitor program budgets and growth initiatives.
Ensure compliance with licensing, safety, and YMCA standards.

Skills

Staff coaching

Communication

Conflict resolution

Time management

Problem-solving

Safety procedures

Team motivation

Adaptability

Education

CDA credential

Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education with Kindergarten Endorsement

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Dean & Barbara White Southlake YMCA - Crown Point, IN 46307Position Type: Full TimeLead, Inspire, and Help Children Thrive - Every Day.

About the Role

This is a hands-on, people-centered leadership role responsible for leading and growing a high-quality preschool and camp program, while also supporting camp programming throughout the year. You'll oversee daily operations, develop and coach staff, create exceptional experiences for children and families, and ensure programs are safe, engaging, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate. You'll balance the thoughtful structure of early learning with the energy and flexibility of camp. Every day, you'll interact with children, families, teachers, camp staff, volunteers, and YMCA leadership while balancing staff leadership, program quality, licensing, scheduling, enrollment, operations, and problem-solving.

What You'll Do

Lead the day-to-day operations of the preschool and related youth programs.
Provide leadership and oversight for camp programming and seasonal youth experiences.
Create safe, welcoming, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environments where children feel a sense of achievement and belonging.
Develop and implement engaging early learning programs that support children's growth and development.
Recruit, hire, onboard, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate teachers, camp staff, and program personnel.
Build a strong team culture through coaching, communication, recognition, and accountability.
Ensure programs and facilities meet YMCA standards, safety expectations, and applicable state licensing requirements.
Manage class and camp schedules, staffing, program spaces, equipment, and supplies.
Monitor enrollment, participation, retention, program quality, and family satisfaction; use data and feedback to identify opportunities for improvement and growth.
Develop and monitor program budgets while supporting enrollment, marketing, and program growth.
Build positive relationships with children, families, staff, volunteers, community organizations, and YMCA partners.
Respond professionally and promptly to family questions, concerns, and feedback.
Support YMCA fundraising efforts, special events, community outreach, and mission-driven initiatives.
Maintain accurate staff certifications, program records, statistics, and other required documentation.

What We're Looking For

A passionate early childhood leader who genuinely enjoys working with young children and families.
A hands-on leader who enjoys developing, motivating, and supporting a team.
Someone who understands child development and the importance of purposeful, age-appropriate programming.
A leader who can balance program quality, licensing, family relationships, staff leadership, and daily operations.
Someone who can shift comfortably between the structure of preschool and the energy and flexibility of camp.
A confident, empathetic communicator who can navigate parent and staff concerns professionally.
A flexible problem-solver who can adapt quickly in a busy environment.
Someone who is passionate about creating a safe, welcoming environment where every child belongs.

This Role Might Not Be a Fit If…

You prefer a quiet, predictable or desk-only work environment.
You don't enjoy working directly with children, families, and staff.
You're uncomfortable leading a team, addressing concerns, or holding others accountable.
You don't enjoy balancing hands-on program leadership with administrative responsibilities.
You're uncomfortable adapting to the different pace and energy of preschool and camp.
You're unable to work a flexible schedule that may include seasonal programming, evenings, weekends, and special events.

Why You'll Love It Here

Make a meaningful impact on children and families every day.
Help children build confidence, independence, social skills, and a lifelong love of learning.
Create an environment where children feel safe, supported, included, and encouraged to grow.
Lead and develop a team of teachers and youth-program staff.
Help children experience both the nurturing environment of early learning and the excitement and exploration of camp.
Build programs that respond to the needs of children and families in your community.
Develop meaningful relationships with families and become a trusted part of their children's lives.
Join a mission-driven organization committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

What You Bring

CDA credential, Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education with a Kindergarten Endorsement.
At least three (3) years of related experience.
Knowledge of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate programming.
Experience supervising, training, coaching, and developing employees or program staff.
Knowledge of applicable state childcare licensing regulations, policies, and procedures.
Strong interpersonal, communication, conflict-resolution, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills with strong attention to detail.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and basic computer skills.
Ability to respond appropriately to safety and emergency situations.
Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand, walk, or sit for extended periods.
Commitment to providing a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and high-quality experience for every child and family.

What the Job Is Really Like

You’ll spend your day balancing leadership, relationship-building, staff coaching, child development, family communication, program quality, compliance, and operations. No two days are exactly alike. You may observe a classroom, coach a teacher, welcome a family, respond to a parent question, adjust a staffing plan, review enrollment, troubleshoot a program challenge, or prepare for camp. You’ll be highly visible and serve as a go-to leader for teachers, camp staff, children, and families. You’ll spend time both in program spaces and handling administrative responsibilities, so this is not a desk-only leadership role. Preschool requires consistency, intentionality, patience, and a strong understanding of early childhood development. Camp brings a different level of energy, flexibility, staffing complexity, and outdoor programming. Success requires a leader who can thrive in both environments.

Our Benefits Include