Assistant Director Early Learning

National Children's CenterWashington, DC
$80,000 - $90,000Onsite

About The Position

National Children’s Center, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that is one of the region’s largest providers of services for individuals with developmental disabilities, offering an array of services to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and adults in the Washington metropolitan area. Our mission is to provide a lifetime of opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Assistant Director is responsible for assisting in the day-to-day management of the early learning and early intervention center, ensuring quality and effectiveness in program staffing, and in classroom administration, operations and compliance, and providing all necessary reports for regulatory and funding compliance. The Assistant Director supports the overall leadership, management, and daily operations of the Early Learning & Intervention Child Development Center. This role ensures full compliance with NAEYC accreditation standards, OSSE licensing regulations, and federal requirements associated with Early Head Start, CACFP, subsidy programs, and other local, state, and national funding streams.

Requirements

  • Deep understanding of principles and practices of program management and staff supervision; including positive problem solving and effective management of conflicts.
  • Highly organized and ability to multitask.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and communication style that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern and openness to change.
  • Consistently embodies highest levels of professionalism.
  • Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and Early Head Start and Head Start programs.
  • Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice for early care and education.
  • Knowledge of city and state licensing requirements.
  • Ability to take a systems approach to work and develop appropriate systems to manage and monitor the work.
  • Ability to utilize and provide reflective supervision.
  • Familiarity with community culture and knowledge of community resources and services.
  • Ability to work with diverse staff, families and varied community cultures.
  • Advanced knowledge of computer software, including but not limited to Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.

Nice To Haves

  • Prior program development, management, and evaluation experience preferred

Responsibilities

  • Ensure effective and full compliance with and reporting to funders and regulators, including Head Start, OSSE, DC Child Protective Services, NAEYC and various private grants.
  • Ensure the implementation and utilization of the Data Management Information System at the site.
  • Collaborates with all service areas including Health, Nutrition, Mental Health, Education, Family Support, Facilities and Administration. In collaboration with the ELC Administrative Team, ensure the ELC’s facility is a safe, healthy and effective learning environment for children, parents and staff.
  • Ensure ELC maintains all required state and local licenses.
  • Supervise classroom staff: assistant teachers, teacher aides, and temporary staff. Coordinate closely with lead teachers, instructional coaches and Executive Director related to staff development issues and performance plans.
  • Communicate regularly and clearly with staff, ensuring their understanding of procedures, and their engagement in continuous program improvement.
  • In collaboration with the Executive Director ensures coverage of classrooms and maintains and manages teacher time off schedules.
  • Conduct monthly (minimum) reflective supervision meetings with supervisees.
  • Ensure the practice of reflective supervision with all supervisees in order to support their work with children and families.
  • Promote interdisciplinary teamwork among staff.
  • Ensure that all program policies and procedures are documented fully and updated at appropriate intervals.
  • Manage recruiting, hiring, orientation, and retention process for all ELC staff.
  • In collaboration with other ELC leadership, develop written program plans with annual and long-range goals, objectives, and implementation plans.
  • Participate in collaborative work of the site leaders of the national group of ELC Centers, as appropriate.
© 2026 Teal Labs, Inc
Privacy PolicyTerms of Service