Center Director Early Childhood Education
1 day ago
Richmond
Job Description Kids Academy of Learning & Excellence (KALE) North Chesterfield, VA (23236) Full-Time | + Enrollment Bonuses | 6-Month Probation About the Role Kids Academy of Learning & Excellence (KALE) is launching a next-generation STEM- and AI-focused early learning center in North Chesterfield (23236). We are seeking a VDOE-qualified Center Director / Childcare Director with strong leadership, operational excellence, integrity, and experience in: • Childcare management, • Preschool administration, • Enrollment growth, • Digital marketing CORE EXPECTATIONS (REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS) • Demonstrates consistent follow-through on commitments, deadlines, and deliverables, • Communicates proactively and transparently; does not disappear, delay, or overpromise, • Shows up prepared, punctual, and professional — every time, • Takes ownership of outcomes without deflecting responsibility, • Maintains integrity in all communications with families, staff, partners, and leadership, • Comfortable being the face of the organization in the community Childcare Center Operations • Lead daily operations of a licensed childcare center / preschool, • Ensure full compliance with VDOE 8VAC20-780 regulations, • Manage ratios, staffing schedules, teacher supervision, and safety procedures, • Maintain all children’s records, staff files, licensing paperwork, and training logs, • Drive childcare enrollment, preschool enrollment, and center occupancy growth, • Achieving 90% occupancy within 12 months, • Conduct high-conversion tours and timely parent follow-ups, • Manage digital marketing (Facebook, Instagram, Google Business, community groups), • Build partnerships with local schools, churches, and community organizations, • Track weekly lead activity, waitlists, enrollment funnels, and conversions, • Support a STEM-forward, technology-rich preschool program, • Encourage robotics, coding basics, digital literacy, and project-based learning, • Train teachers on hands-on STEM learning practices (training provided), • Promote a culture of innovation, creativity, and excellent Required Qualifications (VDOE-Compliant) Must meet ONE of the following pathways: • Bachelor’s/Master’s in Early Childhood, Child Development, or Elementary Education + 1-year programmatic experience, OR, • 48+ college credits (12 in ECE/Child Development) + 1 year experience, OR, • CPR/First Aid + MAT (or obtained within 30 days), • Minimum 10 hours of management/business training, • Ability to pass all state & federal background checks, • Completion of Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff within 90 days, • Daily Health Observation (DHO) training preferred (or within 90 days), • Emergency Preparedness & Response training within required timelines ⭐ Preferred Experience • Current experience as a childcare director, preschool director, or assistant director, • Proven history of growing enrollment and increasing center occupancy, • Digital marketing, social media, or community outreach experience, • Ability to lead and develop teachers, • Experience with STEM, robotics, coding, or early technology (preferred, not required), • Actively represents KALE at community events, tours, partnerships, and outreach activities, • Builds authentic relationships with families, schools, churches, and community leaders, • Confidently communicates KALE’s mission, programs, and value proposition, • Follows up consistently with prospective families and partners, • Tracks outreach efforts and enrollment activity with accuracy and accountability Professional Accountability Requirement • Must provide examples of past roles where you were responsible for outcomes such as enrollment growth, team leadership, program delivery, or operational results, • Must be able to speak clearly to how you set goals, followed through, and delivered results. ❤️ Who Thrives Here This role is ideal for someone who is: • An ambitious results-driven childcare leader with EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE., • Skilled at both education + business, • Confident in tours, marketing, and parent communication, • Comfortable in a fast-growing STEM/AI environment, • Capable of meeting targeted occupancy and revenue goals, • Executive Director will help with STEM Curriculum., • Self-starters who take initiative without being asked, • Leaders who do what they say they will do, • Professionals who value integrity, consistency, and accountability, • Individuals energized by growth, visibility, and responsibility This role requires a highly reliable, self-directed leader who follows through on commitments, represents the organization professionally at all times, and thrives in a fast-moving startup environment. This position is results-driven and accountability-focused. Candidates who require heavy supervision, struggle with consistency, or do not follow through on commitments will not be successful in this role. Compensation & Benefits • Salary: (based on experience), • Enrollment Bonus, • 6-month probationary period with performance review based on:, • Enrollment growth, • VDOE compliance, • Family satisfaction, • Staff performance, • PTO + holidays, • Tuition discounts High-performing Directors may advance to: • Regional Director roles, • Training Director, • Multi-site executive leadership Company DescriptionKids Academy of Learning & Excellence (KALE), powered by the CORE Foundation, is a next-generation early learning ecosystem built to nurture the whole child—mind, heart, spirit, and future potential. Rooted in compassion and community impact, KALE blends strong early childhood fundamentals with STE(AI)MTM innovation, literacy foundations, and character development. Our work is purpose-driven, family-centered, and excellence-focused.Kids Academy of Learning & Excellence (KALE), powered by the CORE Foundation, is a next-generation early learning ecosystem built to nurture the whole child—mind, heart, spirit, and future potential. Rooted in compassion and community impact, KALE blends strong early childhood fundamentals with STE(AI)MTM innovation, literacy foundations, and character development. Our work is purpose-driven, family-centered, and excellence-focused.