Preschool Program Director - Lead, Grow, Impact

YMCA of Catawba Valley; Conover (NC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Retirement Contributions

Job summary

The YMCA of Catawba Valley seeks a Preschool Director to lead the licensed preschool program serving children 8 weeks to 5 years. You will supervise staff, ensure NC DCDEE licensing compliance, and manage enrollment, family experiences, and site budgets while upholding the YMCA mission and values.

Responsibilities include ensuring high-quality, developmentally appropriate learning environments, monitoring ratios, safeguarding records, and collaborating with the Senior Director of Early Childhood

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in birth-kindergarten, early childhood, or related field.
• Documentation of 5 years' experience as child care director, child care consultant, or other regulatory position in early childhood/youth development.
• Level III Early Childhood Administrator Credentials.
• Experience developing and implementing developmentally appropriate early childhood education programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily leadership and oversight of the licensed preschool program.
• Ensure full compliance with NC DCDEE licensing standards, sanitation and health regulations, and YMCA policies.
• Hire, onboard, supervise, coach, and evaluate preschool staff; support staff development and maintain clear performance expectations.
• Monitor staff-to-child ratios, classroom coverage, and daily schedules to ensure compliance, safety, and effective program operations.
• Oversee curriculum implementation, classroom environments, and program planning to ensure developmentally appropriate practice and high-quality experiences for children.
• Maintain accurate records related to enrollment, attendance, staff files, child files, incidents, assessments, and other required documentation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families through responsive communication, positive customer service, and timely resolution of concerns.
• Monitor enrollment, withdrawals, and waitlists; support enrollment growth and retention efforts in alignment with YMCA goals and procedures.
• Provide stewardship of the assigned program budget by monitoring revenue and expenses, identifying variances, and working with the Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs and finance staff to support sound fiscal management.
• Maintain readiness for licensing visits, audits, monitoring, and internal quality reviews; implement corrective actions and improvement plans as needed.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Early Childhood Programs and association support staff, including compliance, finance, HR, and branch leadership, to ensure strong site operations and alignment with YMCA expectations.
• Support center-level planning and implementation for Pre-K and Kindergarten summer programming, as applicable.
• Represent the YMCA in a professional manner at community events, meetings, and partnership opportunities that support program visibility and success.
• Support annual campaign efforts within the center by promoting staff engagement, sharing the YMCA story, and helping achieve assigned goals.
• Ensure all staff and volunteers understand and comply with YMCA abuse prevention policies, actively monitor staff interactions with children, address boundary concerns, and ensure prompt reporting in accordance with YMCA policy and state law.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Family engagement

Curriculum implementation

Enrollment management

Safety compliance

Leadership

Communication

Office & tools

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Birth-Kindergarten, early childhood, or related field

Level III Early Childhood Administrator Credentials

5 years' experience as child care director or regulatory role

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

The YMCA of Catawba Valley seeks a Preschool Director to lead the licensed preschool program serving children 8 weeks to 5 years. You will supervise staff, ensure NC DCDEE licensing compliance, and manage enrollment, family experiences, and site budgets while upholding the YMCA mission and values.

Responsibilities include ensuring high-quality, developmentally appropriate learning environments, monitoring ratios, safeguarding records, and collaborating with the Senior Director of Early Childhood