Child Care Center Executive Director/Program Director

Job Description

Job Description
Summary

Application deadline: August 1, 2025
About the PositionLil Sunshine Child Care Center, Inc. (LSCCC) is a nonprofit child care center located in downtown Randolph. Our mission is to provide child-centered, quality care to children of families who live or work in Randolph, Braintree or Brookfield (the Orange Southwest School district). LSCCC is committed to providing high quality care to eight infants and 10 toddlers, in an environment that promotes all aspects of development, is evidence based and includes an emphasis on outdoor experiences.

The Executive Director position is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to support our community’s goals of having sustainable, quality infant and toddler child care. We are looking for someone who is passionate about providing outstanding early education, with a focus on outdoor exploration. The ideal candidate is organized, self-directed, approachable, possesses strong business and staff management skills, and works and leads in a collaborative manner, serving as a resource for others. In addition to helping facilitate quality education programming, the Executive Director is responsible for overall administration of the center, oversees the daily operations of the center, and manages staff and volunteers. The Executive Director works Monday-Friday, must be present at the center at least 50% of the center’s hours of operation per week and available to staff by phone during all hours of operation. The position is a hybrid position, with some optional remote work time available.

A Note on Qualifications

We're seeking an exceptional leader who is passionate about our mission. We encourage applications from individuals who may not meet all listed qualifications but possess relevant skills, experience, and a strong interest in the role.

If you're a highly experienced leader with a strong track record but don't currently meet Vermont's “Program Director” qualifications, we still encourage you to apply. We're open to discussing a plan to meet the “Program Director” requirements. Conversely, if you meet all “Program Director” requirements and are passionate about this role but have more limited leadership experience in other areas, we also encourage you to apply. We believe diverse strengths can contribute to our collective success.

We also welcome applications from highly qualified individuals interested in a part-time Executive Director position. If this opportunity speaks to you but full-time isn't the right fit, we encourage you to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employment

LSCCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, and marital, veteran, or disability status. All employees are responsible for maintaining a work culture free from discrimination and harassment by treating others with kindness and respect.

Duties

Essential Job Duties

Center Operations:

• Performs all responsibilities of the Program Director per https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/C…" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations.
• Ensures the center operates in compliance with https://outside.vermont.gov/dept/DCF/Shared%20Documents/CDD/Licensing/C…" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations in all manners outlined in the regulations to provide a safe, clean, and healthy environment for children to learn.
• Coordinates program logistics, including staff and substitute scheduling, enrollment, and transitions, managing waitlists, handling parent communications and ensuring accurate record-keeping.
• Oversees required documents and recordkeeping in an organized, up-to-date manner, in an electronic format whenever possible, including, but not limited to, student, staff, health, safety, and licensing files, etc.
• Communicates with the Board of DIrectors’ designated liaison and property manager regarding internal and external facility maintenance.
• Represents LSCCC professionally in the community.
• Participates in a mentorship or peer-to-peer learning program with other child care center directors, with expected hours dependent on level of experience.
• May provide some direct child care, as needed to meet ratio requirements when substitute coverage is unavailable.

Program Design and Implementation:

• Directs Teachers in developing and implementing curriculum aligned with Vermont Early Learning Standards and that emphasizes outdoor experiential learning.
• Promotes inclusive practices and language that meet the needs of all children, including those with disabilities or special needs.
• Implements effective behavior management strategies that promote positive social-emotional development.
• Includes programming that fosters community relations and partnerships.
• Works collaboratively with peers through the Vermont Association of the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC).

Staff Supervision and Development:

• Demonstrates leadership skills with staff including the ability to motivate others, organization and time management skills, and ability to make difficult decisions respectfully and constructively.
• Supervises staff, ensuring compliance with licensing requirements.
• Provides ongoing support, guidance, and feedback to staff through regular meetings and evaluations, ensuring initial and annual performance reviews are completed for all employees. Documents appropriately.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and supportive work environment for staff.
• Engages in ongoing professional development to stay current in the field of early childhood education and center management.
• Identifies opportunities for staff to gain professional development.
• Help develop staff through mentorship and guidance.

Board of Directors Relations:

• Serves on the Board of Directors a non-voting member and as the designated licensee, as defined by the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations.
• Attends monthly Board meetings, and, when requested, ad hoc meetings.
• Collaborates with the Board of Directors to develop the monthly board meeting agenda and facilitates follow-up and tracking of action items.
• Plays an active role in contributing to the development of policies, priorities, projects, programs, budgets, and strategic plans with collaboration and guidance of the Board and in alignment with the center’s mission.
• Submits monthly Executive Director’s Report ahead of the Board meetings to capture current enrollment, staffing issues, funding needs, etc.
• Collaborates with the Board to recruit, select, hire, train, and retain qualified and committed employees.
• Implement Board directives and policies.
• Maintains consistent communication with the Board’s designated liaison regarding all issues that impact or may impact licensing, staffing, and smooth operations of the center.
• Establishes and maintains open and collaborative professional working relationships with staff, parents, the Board of Directors, community partners, and federal, state and local or regulators.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, human development, business operations, social work or a related field, OR Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Three (3) Certificate with 5 years’ work experience in education, human development, business operations, social work or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in business operations acquired through formal education or experience in administration, including human resources and financial management.
• Twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger
• At least one year of experience in a leadership role.
• Meets the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations (section 7.3.1) qualifications for a “Program Director”:
• Candidate must be at least 21 years old
• Meet the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations qualifications as “teacher associate” defined in 7.3.2.2.
• Completed either:
• A Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Step One (1) Certificate; or
• Successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in program management for early care and education or for school age care and education, or in staff supervision related to early care and education of children; and
• a three (3) college credit course in curriculum.
• Must have already or must complete within one (1) year of employment start date a three (3) college credit course in managing an early care and education program that includes budgeting and financial management, approved by the Division.
• Strong digital literacy, including use of computers, tablets, the internet, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong project management skills, including ability to effectively manage multiple tasks/priorities at the same time.
• The ability to communicate effectively and appropriately both orally and in writing.

Physical Mental Requirements:

Ability to lift up to 30 pounds

Ability to push or pull heavy objects using up to 10 pounds of force

Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time

Ability to use fine motor skills to operate office equipment and/or machinery

Ability to receive and comprehend instructions verbally and/or in writing

Ability to use logical reasoning for simple and complex problem solving

Nice To Haves

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Education from an accredited college or university.
• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in education, human development, business operations, social work or a related field.
• Previous experience in a nonprofit environment.
• At least five years of experience in a previous leadership role for a childcare center, including experience supervising staff, developing curriculum, and programming, and/or ensuring compliance with Vermont Child Care Regulations.
• Meets Vermont Child Care Regulations qualifications as “teacher” defined in 7.3.2.1.
• Experience using child care center management software (Brightwheel) and SharePoint

Benefits

We value our employees and offer a benefits package which may include vision and dental insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid professional development, employee assistance program, a retirement plan with employer matching contribution, and a wellness benefit program. Specific details about our benefits program will be provided to candidates during the hiring process.

Work Remotely

Flexible work from home options available