Early Childhood Development Center Director

The Early Childhood Center Director is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and supervision of the Nelson Mandela Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC). The Director ensures high-quality early childhood education through effective management of daily operations, staff supervision, and implementation of curriculum and assessment systems, including Teaching Strategies GOLD. The position ensures full compliance with Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Child Care Licensing regulations and promotes a safe, developmentally appropriate learning environment that supports school readiness and positive child outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the early childhood center, including staffing, scheduling, enrollment, and program implementation.

• Develop and maintain systems that ensure efficient and effective program operations.

• Ensure compliance with Nebraska DHHS Child Care Licensing regulations and maintain readiness for monitoring, inspections, and audits.

• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized environment that supports early learning and child development.

Staff Supervision and Development

• Supervise and evaluate teachers, paraprofessionals, administrative support staff, and kitchen staff.

• Conduct regular classroom observations and provide coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations.

• Plan and implement ongoing professional development aligned with early childhood best practices.

• Foster a positive, collaborative work environment focused on accountability and continuous improvement.

Instructional Leadership and Assessment

• Ensure the implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with early learning standards.

• Oversee the use of Teaching Strategies GOLD (TS GOLD) for ongoing child assessment and documentation.

• Monitor completion of assessment checkpoints and ensure accuracy of developmental data.

• Support staff in using assessment data to guide instruction and meet individual scholars' needs.

• Analyze program-wide data to inform decision-making and improve instructional practices.

Family Engagement and Communication

• Promote strong partnerships with families through consistent communication and engagement opportunities.

• Support and monitor family engagement activities.

Compliance, Health, and Safety

• Ensure adherence to all licensing regulations, including staff qualifications, training requirements, and staff-child ratios.

• Maintain accurate records, including scholar files, staff records, and required documentation.

• Oversee implementation of health, safety, and sanitation policies and procedures.

• Ensure proper incident reporting and emergency preparedness procedures are in place and followed.

Program Quality and Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous quality improvement efforts aligned with program goals and NME school board expectations.

• Utilize data from assessments, observations, and family feedback to drive program improvements.

• Prepare reports related to program performance, child outcomes, and compliance as required.

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Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in early childhood education.

• Prior leadership or supervisory experience in a childcare or preschool setting preferred.

• Knowledge of Nebraska DHHS Child Care Licensing regulations.

• Experience with Teaching Strategies GOLD® assessment system preferred.

• Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills.

• Ability to analyze data and support instructional improvement.

Core Competencies

• Early childhood program leadership

• Staff supervision and coaching

• Knowledge of licensing and compliance requirements

• Instructional leadership and data-driven decision-making

• Family engagement and community partnership

• Operational management and organizational effectiveness