"Director of Early Learning & Childcare"

Job Details

Position Summary

The Director of Early Learning & Childcare provides strategic, instructional, and operational leadership for the school’s Early Learning program and childcare services. This position oversees programming for children from preschool through early primary years during the school day, as well as after-school and extended care. The position also oversees Early Learning programming in the summer months. The Director ensures a developmentally appropriate, safe, and joyful environment aligned with the mission of York Country Day School and in compliance with state childcare regulations. The Director is a visible member of the leadership team, fostering strong partnerships with families, supporting faculty and staff, and ensuring that students thrive.

Essential Functions

Program Leadership and Vision (20%)

• Lead a mission-aligned vision for Early Learning and childcare that reflects best practices in early childhood education.
• Build a culture of care, curiosity, play, and joy, with strong attention to social emotional learning.
• Serve as a visible leader in classrooms, playgrounds, summer camps, and after-school spaces.

Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum (20%)

• Oversee curriculum design, documentation, and assessment for Early Learning classrooms, and for Early Learning programming during the summer months.
• Ensure that after-school and childcare school-year programming and Early Learning summer programming are all active, creative, and engaging, with frequent outdoor play, artistic activities, and opportunities for social development.
• Align early childhood learning with whole-school priorities, including literacy, numeracy, arts, and experiential learning.

Operations and Compliance (20%)

• Maintain all required student records, billing information, and compliance documentation, including for childcare during the school year and for Early Learning programming during the summer months.
• Ensure compliance with state childcare licensing and accreditation standards, including staff qualifications, ratios, safety practices, and facility requirements, including for childcare during the school year and for Early Learning programming during the summer months.
• Administer program budgets, personnel schedules, maintenance needs, meal planning, and daily operations, including for childcare during the school year and for Early Learning programming during the summer months.
• Designate staff coverage and responsibility during absences of the Director, including for childcare during the school year and for Early Learning programming during the summer months.

Faculty and Staff Development (15%)

• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain outstanding faculty and childcare staff.
• Provide supervision, coaching, and regular performance evaluations (at least annually).
• Organize professional development in developmentally appropriate practice, compliance, child safeguarding, and inclusive classrooms.

Student Well-Being (10%)

• Support children in daily activities with kindness and patience.
• Uphold high standards for health, safety, supervision, and positive behavior supports.
• Coordinate transitions into and out of Early Learning and childcare programs.

Family Partnership and Community Relations (15%)

• Partner with families through proactive communication, conferences, and parent education.
• Collaborate with Admissions on tours and with Advancement on community events to showcase the Early Learning and childcare programs.
• Serve as a member of the school’s leadership team.

Experience and Education Required

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, human services, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of two years of experience working with young children; leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Current certifications in CPR, pediatric CPR, and other required safety trainings.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Knowledge of child growth and development and the ability to implement developmentally appropriate practice.
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with computers, software, and data management.
• Effective group leadership skills, capable of coordinating staff and program operations.
• Cultural competence and commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Patience, tact, enthusiasm, and a friendly disposition with children and adults.
• Ability to supervise children indoors and outdoors in varied weather.
• Occasional evening and weekend responsibilities for events.

Additional Information

York College of Pennsylvania is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Non-Discriminatory. For a copy of York College's Annual Security Report, you may contact the Office of Campus Safety or visit the website: Annual Security Report.