Childcare Center Director

The Learning Experience #484•Laurel, MD

3d•$80,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Learning Experience is opening a brand-new childcare center in Laurel, MD, and we're looking for an experienced Child Care Center Director to help build and lead our school from the ground up. This is an exciting opportunity for an early childhood leader who wants more than managing an established center. You'll have the opportunity to help build your team, establish a positive school culture, welcome our first families, drive enrollment, and create an exceptional experience for children, teachers, and families from day one. We're looking for a hands-on leader with experience in licensed childcare or preschool operations who enjoys developing teachers, building relationships with families, and growing a successful early childhood education program.

Requirements

2+ years of leadership or management experience in a licensed childcare center, preschool, daycare, or early childhood education program preferred
Previous experience as a Center Director, Assistant Director, Education Director, Program Director, or similar childcare leadership role
Must meet Maryland Office of Child Care requirements applicable to the Director position
Strong knowledge of early childhood education, childcare licensing, health and safety requirements, and developmentally appropriate practices
Experience recruiting, coaching, and developing teachers
Experience supporting enrollment growth and building strong relationships with families
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Ability to successfully lead a center through pre-opening, licensing, enrollment growth, and ongoing operations

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Business, or a related field preferred

Responsibilities

Build and Lead Your Team: Recruit, hire, onboard, coach, and develop teachers and center leadership. Build a positive, collaborative culture focused on employee engagement and retention. Coach teachers through classroom observations, feedback, and professional development. Create staffing plans that support enrollment, classroom needs, and required teacher-to-child ratios.
Lead Center Operations: Oversee daily operations of the childcare center. Ensure compliance with Maryland child care licensing regulations, health and safety requirements, and company standards. Maintain appropriate staffing, classroom ratios, documentation, and operational readiness. Partner with ownership and TLE support teams to achieve center goals. Maintain a safe, welcoming, and high-quality environment for children, families, and team members.
Grow Enrollment and Family Relationships: Conduct center tours and convert prospective families into enrollments. Build strong relationships with current and prospective families. Support community outreach, marketing events, and local partnerships throughout the Laurel community. Drive enrollment growth, family retention, and customer satisfaction.
Support Curriculum and Educational Quality: Champion implementation of The Learning Experience's proprietary L.E.A.P.® Curriculum. Maintain high standards for classroom quality and early childhood education. Support teachers in creating safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classrooms. Ensure curriculum and classroom practices align with TLE standards and Maryland child care requirements.
Manage Business Performance: Monitor enrollment, staffing, labor, and key center performance metrics. Support budgeting, payroll, accounts receivable, and overall financial performance. Use center data to identify opportunities to improve operations, enrollment, staffing, and business results. Balance educational quality with strong operational and financial performance.