Child Care Director

Little Sprouts, LLC•Watertown, MA

5d•$79,695 - $93,200•Onsite

About The Position

The School Director plays a vital leadership role in ensuring a safe, high-quality, and nurturing environment for children and families. This position is ideal for someone ready to lead with a people-first mindset, elevate school operations, mentor staff, engage families, and drive strong enrollment and financial performance. You will be the key decision-maker responsible for the daily success of the school, reporting directly to the Regional Manager. Our work is guided by our educational approach, Sustainable Education®, which bridges research and daily practice to help children thrive and lay the foundation for lifelong learning. We’re in what we like to call the science of children. Everything we do is rooted in research about how young minds grow— how they learn, connect, and build the skills that last a lifetime. We also lead our HONOR values: Humility, Open-Mindedness, Nurture, Ownership, and Recognition. This guiding framework fosters an environment where educators, children, families, and partners feel valued, empowered, and inspired to grow.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, or related field.
Director state credentials
3–5 years of experience in childcare or school management.
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.
All employees must complete a background check as required by the Department of Early Education and Care.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or Business (optional but beneficial).
Prior experience leading school-level operational improvement or quality initiatives.

Responsibilities

Ensure smooth daily operations that meet company standards.
Maintain safe, clean, and nurturing classroom environments.
Ensure full compliance with all state childcare and school regulations.
Serve as a Mandated Reporter in accordance with state law, maintaining full responsibility to recognize, document, and immediately report any suspected child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.
Prepare for and manage all state inspections.
Recruit, train, and mentor, and support staff.
Build a positive, collaborative workplace culture.
Build strong, trusting relationships with parents through consistent communication.
Address parent questions and concerns promptly and professionally.
Host family-focused events to strengthen community connection.
Manage the school’s budget and overall financial performance.
Implement local marketing strategies to increase enrollment.
Exercises independent judgment and decision-making authority on matters related to school operations, staffing, parent communication, culture, compliance, budgeting, and safety—consistent with the FLSA Executive Exemption criteria.
Manages and directs the work of teachers and staff, including hiring recommendations, onboarding, scheduling, coaching, performance management, and disciplinary actions, demonstrating clear supervisory responsibility.
Holds primary responsibility for the overall success of the school, including operational performance, compliance readiness, financial stewardship, staff engagement, and family satisfaction.
Leads non-manual, high-level administrative and managerial work that requires specialized knowledge of ECE licensing, curriculum implementation, staffing models, safety practices, and regulatory requirements.
Exercises autonomy in setting priorities, solving problems, and determining how to meet operational, financial, and enrollment goals, without day-to-day supervision.
Serves as the school’s top-level leader, representing the organization in external communications, licensing interactions, inspections, community partnerships, and parent relations.
Develops and implements operational processes and school-wide improvements, using discretion to interpret company policies, local needs, and regulatory environments.
Makes decisions that directly impact business performance, including enrollment strategy, cost management, staffing ratios, and classroom allocation.
Provides direct supervision to staff who collectively contribute to the business operations of the school, solidifying the role as one that “customarily and regularly directs the work of two or more employees,” per FLSA standards.
Holds authority to influence employment decisions, including hiring, corrective action, performance evaluations, and training requirements.
Leads organizational culture at the school level, shaping employee engagement, morale, retention, and team effectiveness.
Functions as a strategic partner to Regional Managers and senior leadership, offering insights and recommendations that directly influence organizational practices and school-level outcomes.

Benefits

Up to 50% childcare tuition discount.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, effective on your first day of employment.
Free First Stop Health membership, providing 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/long-term disability coverage, helping provide financial protection and peace of mind.
Performance-based pay, including increases tied to certification and/or degree completion.
Career growth and professional development opportunities, including training, mentorship, and our dedicated CHILD Conference.
Generous paid time off and holiday benefits, including an annual Winter Break closure between Christmas and New Year's so employees can enjoy additional time with family and friends.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offering confidential resources and support for mental health, financial wellness, work-life balance, and other personal needs.
Employee referral bonus program, because great people know great people! Earn bonuses for helping us build an exceptional team.
Additional lifestyle and fringe benefits, including tuition and professional development reimbursement, pet insurance, and other programs designed to support you and your family.