Early Childhood Business Coach

The Family Tree•Baltimore, MD

About The Position

The Early Childhood Business Coach / Trainer works directly with licensed child care programs to strengthen business practices, improve operational efficiency, and promote long-term financial sustainability. Through individualized coaching, consultation, technical assistance, and professional development, the coach supports child care program leaders in developing the knowledge, skills, and systems needed to operate effective, financially sustainable businesses. Support areas include enrollment strategies, full fee collection, cost-per-child calculations, budgeting, financial reporting, data management, and effective use of child care management software and other business automation tools. Services are delivered using a collaborative, reflective, and strengths-based coaching framework aligned with the agency’s mission, philosophy, and departmental goals. The position is full-time at 35 hours per week. Normal business hours generally fall between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., depending on scheduled arrival time. Some evening and Saturday hours are required, with schedules adjusted as needed to maintain the established 35-hour workweek. Work includes office-based responsibilities, on-site visits to child care programs, individual coaching, group facilitation, and professional development activities throughout Baltimore City. A driver’s license and insured vehicle are necessary.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, education, child development, business administration, or a related field.
At least five years of experience working in licensed child care, Head Start/Early Head Start, Prekindergarten, K–12 education, or another setting providing care and education to children.
Experience providing coaching, consultation, technical assistance, training, or professional development in education, business, or a related field.
Strong verbal and written communication, organizational, and time management skills.
Strong computer, database, and data management skills.
Knowledge of Maryland’s child care delivery system and the operational needs of child care businesses.
Ability to communicate effectively and build collaborative relationships with child care providers, colleagues, and other professionals.
Ability to analyze business information, identify trends, and support data-informed decision-making.
Ability to facilitate engaging, interactive training and professional development sessions.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and relevant technology tools, including Canva.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain accurate documentation.
Ability to travel throughout Baltimore City to provide coaching, technical assistance, and training at participating child care programs and other community locations.
A driver’s license and insured vehicle are necessary to fulfill the duties of the position.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Maryland EXCELS, the Maryland Child Care Credential, and other quality improvement initiatives available to Maryland child care programs.
Experience using child care management software and other business automation solutions.
Training in Practice-Based Coaching or another established coaching framework.
Experience supporting small businesses, particularly early childhood education programs.
Experience with the Business Administration Scale (BAS) and/or the Program Administration Scale (PAS).
Additional coursework, degrees, or post-graduate certificates in business administration, small business management, finance, or related areas applicable to early care and education settings.

Responsibilities

Deliver individualized business coaching and technical assistance to licensed child care programs to strengthen operations and support long-term financial sustainability.
Assess business practices, operational processes, and management systems to identify strengths, improvement areas, and opportunities for greater efficiency.
Support program leaders in developing and implementing improvement goals related to enrollment, full fee collection, budgeting, cost-per-child calculations, financial management, and business sustainability.
Review program operations, including child attendance records, enrollment and subsidy data, compliance tracking, and time management practices.
Help programs identify and implement strategies to improve productivity, maximize resources, and strengthen business management practices.
Support programs in achieving the Quality Business Practices badge within Maryland EXCELS, as appropriate.
Evaluate business processes and systems and recommend automation tools, technology solutions, or system improvements to increase efficiency.
Support participating programs with onboarding and implementation of selected child care management software.
Guide programs in using child care management software and other business automation solutions for enrollment management, attendance tracking, billing, financial reporting, and daily operations.
Help program leaders review and interpret business data to inform decisions, identify trends, and establish improvement priorities.
Analyze program data to identify participant needs and inform coaching services, training, and other program activities.
Develop and deliver business-related training and professional development to build program leaders’ business management knowledge and skills.
Facilitate peer connection sessions that encourage collaboration, shared learning, problem-solving, and exchange of effective business practices.
Use interactive training strategies that promote engagement, reflection, and practical application.
Help participants identify resources, strategies, and tools to strengthen business operations and management capacity.
Deliver services using research-informed adult learning principles and established coaching practices.
Balance building trusting participant relationships with supporting progress toward identified goals and program outcomes.
Apply a strengths-based, individualized approach that recognizes program leaders’ knowledge, experience, learning styles, and needs.
Support professional growth through discussion, reflection, constructive feedback, and collaborative problem-solving.
Demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to linguistic, cultural, social, economic, individual, and role differences.
Build collaborative relationships with program leaders that foster accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
Communicate positively, respectfully, professionally, and courteously in verbal and written interactions.
Build productive relationships with colleagues, community partners, and child care professionals to support shared goals.
Maintain confidentiality of participant and other sensitive information in accordance with agency policies and applicable requirements.
Represent BCCCRC professionally in the community and at meetings, training events, and other professional engagements.
Complete required documentation, maintain accurate participant records, and meet program reporting requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned.