Director of Early Childhood Education Center

HR Consulting Solutions LLC • Paducah, KY

6d • Onsite

About The Position

HR Consulting Solutions has been retained by Easterseals West Kentucky to recruit an experienced, mission-driven, and inspiring Director of Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) to lead one of the region's premier early childhood education programs. For more than 70 years, Easterseals West Kentucky has empowered children, adults, and families through life-changing programs and services. The Early Childhood Education Center serves children in a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment while supporting families throughout Western Kentucky. This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven leader who is passionate about early childhood education, regulatory excellence, staff development, and organizational culture. The Director will provide strategic leadership and day-to-day operational oversight of the Early Childhood Education Center while fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The Director serves as the center's primary administrator and is responsible for ensuring compliance with Kentucky child care licensing regulations, maintaining educational excellence, developing high-performing staff, strengthening family partnerships, and creating an environment where children, families, and employees thrive.

Requirements

• Candidates must meet Kentucky requirements to serve as a licensed Child Care Center Director, including one of the following: Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Social Work, or a closely related field; or Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Social Work, or a related field with Director Credentials.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in early childhood education or a closely related field.
• Experience supervising staff and leading teams in a regulated environment.
• Working knowledge of Kentucky child care licensing regulations and developmentally appropriate practices.

Nice To Haves

• Confident, compassionate, and highly organized leader who enjoys developing people, building strong relationships, and creating a positive organizational culture.
• Exceptional leadership and coaching abilities.
• High integrity and sound professional judgment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to make thoughtful decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
• Passion for serving children and families.
• Ability to lead through change while inspiring trust and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all Early Childhood Education Center programs and daily operations.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and mission-focused culture that emphasizes teamwork, accountability, professionalism, and exceptional care.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, evaluate, and retain a high-performing team of teachers, lead teachers, assistant directors, and support staff.
• Ensure full compliance with all Kentucky child care licensing regulations, organizational policies, and applicable accreditation standards.
• Monitor classroom quality, curriculum implementation, and child development practices to ensure excellence in educational programming.
• Conduct regular classroom observations and provide coaching and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Maintain a safe, healthy, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for every child.
• Partner with families by building positive relationships, addressing concerns professionally, and maintaining open communication.
• Oversee enrollment, admissions, withdrawals, classroom assignments, and staffing to ensure efficient center operations.
• Manage departmental budgets, purchasing, and operational resources responsibly.
• Coordinate employee training, licensing requirements, evaluations, and ongoing professional development.
• Investigate incidents, oversee documentation, and implement corrective actions when appropriate.
• Develop operational goals, monitor performance metrics, and recommend continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership to support organizational priorities and long-term strategic planning.
• Represent Easterseals professionally during licensing visits, inspections, audits, community events, and collaborative partnerships.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
• HealthWorks Wellness Program.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Eleven (11) paid holidays, including a full week off during the Christmas holiday season.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match (100% match on employee contributions up to 3%, with immediate vesting).
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.

What This Job Offers

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