Center Director IV (Ravenswood)

Kidango • East Palo Alto, CA

9d

About The Position

A little about us… Kidango (kidango.org) is an early learning nonprofit committed to setting every child on a path to thrive in kindergarten and in life. We believe that all children can reach their full potential if they and their families have access to the right opportunities and resources. As the largest child care provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, we provide thousands of children, especially those from low-income families, with safe, healthy, nurturing environments and relationships. Through our policy work, we aim to take our expertise beyond the children and families that we serve, and drive change in early childhood education at the local, state and federal levels. Our goal is to make sure all children have the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to learn, grow and realize their potential.
About The Role
The Center Director provides overall leadership and day-to-day management of a center serving multiple classrooms, ensuring high-quality program implementation. The Center Director supervises and supports teaching staff, maintains a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment, and upholds agency standards, policies, and performance expectations.
Our Ravenswood Center offers a specialized language and literacy program that leverages innovative technology to capture adult and child verbal interactions and supports the integration and data collection of wearable technology in coordination with the appropriate entities. The center also features outdoor classrooms that incorporate environmental education and play-based pedagogy. The Center Director will provide guidance and leadership to help create a welcoming environment for all children while promoting parents and guardians as the child’s primary educators.

Requirements

• Meet Title 5 and Title 22 requirements to qualify as a fully qualified site director plus 3 units of administration and 3 units of infant care if directing an infant program.
• Site Supervisor Permit from the Department of Education required.
• Immunization records that comply with Senate Bill 792 (immunity for measles, pertussis, and influenza)
• Required to be a mandated abuse reporter.
• Ability to provide leadership and accept responsibility.
• Required CPR/First Aid Training Certification.
• Completion CCL Record Keeping Component; 16 hours of health and safety training which includes 1 hour of nutrition training.
• Ability to provide leadership, accept responsibility, work independently and set own goals in a professional manner.
• Ability to work on a variety of tasks simultaneously and able to work Kidango’s core work hours and work schedule as assigned, and a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.
• Must pass a health screening and TB test
• Must pass background fingerprint clearance
• Valid Driver License
• Must be 18 years or older
• The ability to lift up to 30lbs may be needed during some job duties
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's (BA/BS) degree required in early childhood education, social services, or other related field.
• 3 to 4 years of work experience in a position with several of the duties outlined above.
• 2 to 3 years of work experience supervising others.
• Meet Title 5 and Title 22 requirements to qualify as a fully qualified site director plus 3 units of administration and 3 units of infant care if directing an infant program.
• Site Supervisor Permit from the Department of Education required.
• Bilingual skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operations of the center, ensuring full compliance with California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Community Care Licensing Division regulations (Title 22), California Department of Education (CDE) Early Education Division requirements including Title 5, and all applicable agency policies and contract terms.
• Maintain a safe, nurturing, clean, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for infants, toddlers, staff, and families.
• Implement and monitor a high-quality program model that integrates nature-based learning and a strong emphasis on early language and literacy development for infants and toddlers.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate teaching staff; support hiring, onboarding, professional development, and performance management in alignment with agency standards.
• Ensure appropriate staffing schedules to maintain required ratios and effective classroom coverage.
• Guide curriculum implementation and support teachers with lesson planning, classroom management, child observations, developmental assessments, and inclusion of IFSP goals.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date site records, including enrollment, attendance, meal counts, child files, curriculum documentation, and visitor logs.
• Monitor enrollment to maintain full program capacity and provide tours and accurate program information to prospective families.
• Build strong partnerships with families, promote parents and guardians as the child’s primary educator, and address concerns in a timely and professional manner.
• Lead regular staff meetings and quarterly family engagement meetings to strengthen communication and engagement.
• Oversee health and safety practices, including monthly fire and earthquake drills, quarterly safety checklists, timely maintenance follow-up, and compliance documentation, serving as the site’s authorized representative for required reports and legal documents.
• Manage site budgets for classroom supplies and materials, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with community partners, school districts, and public and private agencies.
• Use data, technology, and program outcomes to support continuous quality improvement, educator effectiveness, and program sustainability.
• Supports the implementation, coordination, and data collection of wearable technology devices in collaboration with the appropriate internal and external partners.
• Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and staff while promoting the mission and philosophy of the organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• An opportunity to improve real lives, solve hard problems, and change the world
• Friendly, supportive, and adventurous environment with a team of engaged colleagues
• A comprehensive, industry-leading benefits package
• Opportunities to connect with and learn from colleagues and partners around the world
• Drug-Free Workplace

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director