Child Care Assistant Director

Heartworks Early Education•South Burlington, VT

7d•$54,000 - $64,000•Onsite

About The Position

Babilou Family US is seeking a proactive, collaborative Assistant Director to support school operations and provide a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment for children. The role supports classroom operations, child supervision, curriculum implementation, sustainable education practices, and family interaction while fostering positive relationships with colleagues and contributing to school culture. The position is guided by Sustainable Education®, an approach that connects research with daily practice, and by the HONOR values of Humility, Open-Mindedness, Nurture, Ownership, and Recognition. The Assistant Director helps teachers deliver learning activities, supports children’s development, communicates with families, and maintains safety, compliance, and quality standards. The role also includes significant school leadership and operational responsibilities: assisting with staff supervision and direction, contributing to hiring and performance feedback, supporting the school in the Director’s absence, and making or recommending decisions affecting staffing, compliance, curriculum, family communications, and school operations. The position supports licensure, enrollment, staffing ratios, and school performance outcomes, and requires independent time management. The work takes place in an active classroom and school environment, with regular interaction with children, families, and team members and movement between indoor and outdoor learning spaces. Employees must complete a background check as required by the Department of Early Education and Care.

Requirements

3–5 years of experience in childcare or school management.
State Director credentials.
Strong knowledge of state childcare and school regulations and licensing standards.
Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational abilities.
Ability to manage budgets and drive enrollment growth.
Ability to complete a background check as required by the Department of Early Education and Care.
Ability to move throughout the school for prolonged periods, including standing and walking for up to 75 percent of the workday.
Ability to transition among sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, and squatting during the day.
Ability to safely lift, carry, and move items up to 30 pounds.
Ability to sit on the floor, engage with children at their eye level, and participate in age-appropriate activities, including light running and outdoor play supervision.
Comfort working in a dynamic, sometimes noisy environment with frequent interruptions and movement between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Ability to respond quickly and safely in emergencies, including evacuations, drills, and urgent classroom needs, and to follow and model safety procedures.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or Business.
Prior experience leading school-level operational improvement or quality initiatives.
State Director credentials (also listed as a required qualification).

Responsibilities

Assist classroom teachers in delivering daily lesson plans and learning activities.
Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom.
Support sustainable education practices, including environmentally responsible routines, age-appropriate sustainability concepts, and stewardship habits.
Supervise children during activities, meals, transitions, and outdoor play.
Recognize, document, and immediately report suspected child abuse, neglect, or endangerment as a mandated reporter under state law.
Support individual developmental needs and help children achieve age-appropriate milestones.
Greet families and support daily communication as directed by the Certified Teacher.
Participate in family conferences and events when requested.
Attend required training, maintain certifications, and collaborate with the teaching team on continuous improvement and sustainable education initiatives.
Exercise independent judgment in daily decisions related to school operations, staff support, safety, and classroom quality.
Assist with supervision and direction of school staff, including contributing to hiring, training, coaching, and performance feedback.
Act as a management representative and support leadership of the school program in the School Director’s absence.
Recommend personnel actions, including staff assignments, scheduling changes, disciplinary recommendations, and staffing adjustments.
Make decisions affecting compliance, curriculum implementation, and family communication workflows.
Perform administrative and leadership duties involving early childhood education, regulatory compliance, and center operations, including documentation, compliance audits, enrollment oversight support, and center preparedness.
Support operational functions related to revenue, occupancy, staffing ratios, and school-wide performance metrics.
Maintain school licensure standards and ongoing compliance with state regulations, safety policies, and accreditation guidelines.

Benefits

Up to 50% childcare tuition discount.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance effective on the first day of employment.
Free First Stop Health membership with 24/7 access to virtual primary care, urgent care, and short-term mental health support.
401(k) retirement plan with annual discretionary employer match contribution.
Optional life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
Performance-based pay, including increases tied to certification and/or degree completion.
Career growth and professional development opportunities, including training, mentorship, and the CHILD Conference.
Generous paid time off and holiday benefits, including an annual Winter Break closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
Employee Assistance Program with confidential support for mental health, financial wellness, work-life balance, and other personal needs.
Employee referral bonus program.
Tuition and professional development reimbursement.
Pet insurance and other lifestyle and fringe benefit programs.