Preschool Center Director

The Learning Experience - Gaithersburg • Montgomery Village, MD

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Learning Experience is seeking an experienced and passionate Preschool Center Director to lead a thriving early childhood education community. This is an opportunity for an accomplished childcare leader who knows how to build strong teaching teams, create exceptional experiences for families, maintain high standards of quality and compliance, and drive the overall success of a preschool center. As Center Director, you'll have ownership of both the educational and operational performance of the school — from developing your team and supporting classroom quality to enrollment, family retention, licensing compliance, and business operations.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of childcare center leadership/management experience required
• Must meet all Maryland licensing requirements for a Center Director/Administrator
• Strong knowledge of childcare licensing, compliance, staffing, and center operations
• Proven ability to coach, develop, and hold teams accountable
• Strong family communication and customer service skills
• Comfortable managing both the educational and business sides of a childcare center
• Highly organized, solutions-oriented, and confident making day-to-day leadership decisions

Nice To Haves

• 2+ years of Center Director, Assistant Director, or comparable early childhood leadership experience strongly preferred
• Experience with enrollment, tours, and family retention strongly preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operation of a licensed early childhood education center
• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain a highly qualified teaching and leadership team
• Create a positive culture built around communication, accountability, teamwork, and professional growth
• Ensure compliance with Maryland childcare licensing, health, safety, and operational requirements
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels, classroom ratios, and scheduling
• Support teachers in delivering The Learning Experience's proprietary L.E.A.P. Curriculum with consistency and quality
• Conduct classroom observations and provide meaningful coaching and feedback
• Build strong relationships with families and maintain high levels of family satisfaction and retention
• Conduct center tours and confidently communicate the value of our programs to prospective families
• Drive enrollment growth through consistent lead follow-up, tour conversion, and community engagement
• Oversee key administrative and business functions, including payroll, accounts receivable/payable, and center financial performance
• Plan and participate in center events, community partnerships, and local marketing initiatives
• Partner with ownership and organizational leadership to achieve center goals and continuously improve performance

Benefits

• Free uniforms
• Health insurance support
• Company-paid dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Employee childcare discount
• Tuition reimbursement
• Ongoing professional development and leadership training
• State-of-the-art classrooms, curriculum, technology, and resources
• Support from an experienced ownership and leadership team
• Opportunities for continued advancement within a growing organization
• Competitive salary

What This Job Offers

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