Early Head Start Childcare Director

Company: YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
Location: Grand Rapids
Posted on: November 4, 2025

Job Description:

Description: This position is for our YMCA Jacquline Baber-Bey Early Childhood Center. Working hours vary between 7 AM - 6 PM, based on program needs. POSITION SUMMARY: The Child Care Director II is responsible for overseeing the daily operations and administration of one or more child development centers or programs with 6 or more classrooms or a complex funding program. This role includes managing a staff team of up to 30 teachers and site administrators, developing educational programs, ensuring compliance with state and local regulations, and maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for all children. This role also mentors and coaches assistant directors and directors of smaller centers. The Child Care Director II will also handle budget compliance and monitoring, program enrollment, and communication with parents and guardians. The ideal candidate is a dedicated leader with a passion for early childhood education, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to create a positive and supportive atmosphere for both staff and children. This position requires face-to-face leadership in these programs and may involve early morning, evening, and weekend responsibilities. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: - Manages the day-to-day operation of the child development center(s) to ensure a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children - Maintains and improves quality standards for educational and care practices. Ensures fidelity to assessments and tools. - Manages recruiting, orientating, and enrolling of children/families, in collaboration with outreach and enrollment specialist - Advises and supports parents/guardians of necessary child/family referrals - Confers with parents/guardians regarding child/ren progress, facility activities, policies, and enrollment procedures - Advises teaching staff regarding child's behavioral or learning problems, and recommends methods of modifying inappropriate behavior and encouraging learning experiences - Reviews and evaluates facility activities to ensure conformance to state and local regulations and licensing requirements. Maintains a positive relationship with assigned licensing consultants - Conducts regular inspections, audits, and assessments to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. - Builds and maintains community partner relationships in the facility and in the community - Leads action plans to achieve the highest accreditation standards. Supports teaching staff to pursue continuing education. - Interviews, hires, onboards, and trains teaching staff, in collaboration with Senior Director, Early Learning Workforce Development - Coaches and mentors assistant directors and directors of smaller centers. - Plans, assigns, and directs work; create staff schedules and manage staffing needs; addresses complaints and resolves problems - Sets goals and objectives for staff members; conducts performance evaluations and provides feedback to improve teaching practices. - Monitors monthly budget and year-end forecast for responsible program areas - Assists with Annual Campaign - Liaises with contracted custodial team and maintains all areas in a clean, presentable fashion - Serves in ratio as needed to cover PTO, vacancies, or leaves of absence. - Prepares and draft reports for funders as requested - Participates in management meetings, strategic planning, and effectively cascade communication to team members - Holds and maintains licensure for program center - Ensures grant compliance, as required Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Association COMPENSATION $57,000 - $71,000 ; Full-Time, Annually BENEFITS - Free YMCA Family Membership & discounted program fees - 50% discount off the regular rate for each child registered in a YMCA childcare program. Full-time YMCA employees working in a licensed childcare program will receive a 50% discount on Early Learning programs (excluding the infant room), School-Age, and Day Camp registrations. - Health/Dental/Vision Insurance - Paid Time Off, beginning at 4 weeks per year - 9 Paid Holidays per year - 10% retirement contribution upon eligibility, learn more here. - 403(b) retirement savings account - The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. More information can be found here. - Paid Parental Leave - Discounted childcare - Long term disability, basic life insurance and other voluntary benefits - Ongoing training and development opportunities - Access to the Employee Assistance Program and resources for you and your family - Community Discounts, and more! Requirements: QUALIFICATIONS: - Bachelor's degree (BA) from four-year college or university in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; 2 semester hours in child care administration; five years' experience with licensed child care management and development; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. - Past supervision experience preferred. Ability and desire to work with children infant to 6 years of age. - Strong knowledge of state regulations and licensing requirements for childcare centers. - Must have working knowledge of sound fiscal principals. - Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills. - Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages and lifestyles. - Working knowledge of computers and experience with a variety of software applications. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION - Fingerprinting - State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT) - DHS clearance - Negative T.B. test and proof of current physical exam - Blood Borne Pathogen training - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification required within the first 60 days - First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days - AED-Oxygen Certification required within the first 60 days WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. - Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. - Ability to speak effectively before groups of members, parents, and staff. - Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. - Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision. TRAVEL: 5 - 10% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training. PM21 Compensation details: 57000-71000 Yearly Salary PIdb54df7df5e1-37156-38377759

Keywords: YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids , Early Head Start Childcare Director, Education / Teaching , Grand Rapids, Michigan