Center Director (Early Childhood Education)- Richmond

Visit the YMCA of the East Bay Today with 5 Central Locations•Richmond, CA

About The Position

The Early Childhood Impact (ECI) Center Director oversees the day-to-day operations of child development centers serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Reporting to the Area Manager, the Director ensures high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive programming aligned with the YMCA’s mission, policies, and goals. The position requires a valid Child Development Site Supervisor or Program Director Permit, or official verification of a pending application, and requires maintaining the permit through continuing education. The Director leads and develops staff; oversees classroom and center operations; monitors compliance with California regulations and Head Start/Early Learning standards; and promotes a safe, inclusive environment for children, families, and staff. The role includes classroom observations and lesson-plan reviews, coaching and performance management, staff training and professional development, maintaining required records, and ensuring staffing requirements and child-to-staff ratios are met. The Director may fill in for teaching or other staff to maintain ratios. The position also manages administrative functions, including staffing, budgeting recommendations, purchasing, accounting records, reporting, inventory, and confidential child, family, and program files. The Director works with families, community partners, resource professionals, licensing representatives, and service agencies to support children’s development and center goals. Responsibilities include monitoring parent involvement, coordinating and referring families to support services, maintaining a healthy and safe facility, reporting suspected child abuse and unusual incidents as required, and responding professionally to emergencies. Local travel for meetings, training, and events is required, including occasional evenings. The work involves supervising children indoors and outdoors; lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; standing or walking for up to two hours; and bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and providing visual and auditory supervision in varied environments. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field; a related degree must include 12 semester units in child development.
Valid California Child Development Site Supervisor or Program Director Permit, or official verification of a pending application; maintain the permit through required continuing education.
At least two years of teaching or administrative experience in a publicly funded preschool or child development program, including one year in a supervisory role.
Valid California driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, and annual DMV check.
Completion of 15 hours of preventive health practices training.
Current pediatric first aid and CPR certification.
Strong knowledge of early childhood development and inclusive programming for children ages 0–5.
Experience working in multicultural, interdisciplinary settings and with community agencies.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Successful completion of criminal background clearance and health requirements, including physical exam, TB test, and immunizations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related computer programs.
Ability to supervise children safely indoors and outdoors.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; stand or walk for up to two hours; and bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, and reach.
Ability to provide visual and auditory supervision in varied environments.
Ability to travel locally for meetings, training, and events, including occasional evenings.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Design and deliver high-quality programming that achieves educational, administrative, and service-delivery goals.
Work with staff, parents, and resource professionals to develop and implement developmentally and age-appropriate programming.
Oversee the Early Childhood Impact Center, including staff supervision, coaching, performance management and evaluation, certifications, training, and professional development plans.
Conduct regular classroom observations, review weekly lesson plans, and hold individual classroom-team conferences about observations and plans.
Identify training needs of education staff and, as appropriate, family service staff; maintain records documenting education staff growth and development.
Facilitate and monitor education staff home-visit responsibilities.
Ensure daily staffing requirements and child-to-staff ratios are met; fill in for teaching or other staff when needed to maintain ratios.
Make recommendations regarding staffing, programming, and expenditures, and maintain inventory documents.
Assist with hiring center staff in coordination with Human Resources.
Communicate frequently with staff, arrange and facilitate regular staff meetings, and provide mandated trainings and policy and procedure updates.
Ensure and monitor compliance with federal, state, and agency requirements, including staff education requirements; interpret and implement applicable rules and regulations.
Ensure accurate reports and documentation in compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures; submit program activity and status reports to the Area Manager as required.
Maintain proper care and confidentiality of child, family, and program files.
Follow procedures for verbal and written reports of suspected child abuse to Children’s Protective Services and other required parties; report unusual incidents to Community Care Licensing and supervisors as required.
Maintain a healthy, safe, and clean indoor and outdoor facility; handle emergencies calmly and professionally and administer first aid or CPR when required.
Monitor parent involvement through individual and group contacts and meetings, including monthly parent meetings; address parent and community concerns.
Complete accounting records, time cards, reports, insurance claims, and Early Childhood Impact or YMCA records accurately and promptly.
Refer families to support services based on children’s needs and follow up to determine whether needs are met; coordinate support services offered by other center service areas.
Review each child’s developmental screening results and individualized service plans for completion and accuracy, as well as classroom lesson plans and home-visit reports.
Use Facilities software to request center repairs and keep the Area Manager informed.
Complete purchase requisitions and submit completed purchasing paperwork.
Serve as a resource and liaison for licensing representatives, health and fire inspectors, partners, and community service agencies.
Maintain rapport with parents and extended family members and respond effectively and sensitively to people from varied cultural and economic groups.
Encourage and develop opportunities for parents to participate in their children’s educational experience.
Perform other tasks required for efficient operation of the comprehensive, integrated program.

Benefits

Heavily subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible full-time employees, with several plan options.
Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, with voluntary Life and AD&D coverage options.
Flexible Spending Accounts for health and dependent care expenses.
Long-Term Disability Insurance.
Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs.
Commuter Benefits for eligible employees.
12 designated holidays.
Paid time off for vacation and sick leave.
Professional development opportunities and ongoing training.
YMCA membership benefits and discounts on programs for employees and their families.