Childcare Director

Description

Get to know Thompson!

Thompson was founded in 1886 as an orphanage and has grown into an organization operating across the Carolinas, Florida Tennessee and Kentucky. Thompson’s continuum of care encompasses three domains: prevention, mental health services and foster care. All Thompson programs are trauma-informed and evidence-based/evidence-informed with the intention of building resilience in our clients (ages 0-18) and their families, both virtually and in person. Our values are Excellence, Innovation, Commitment, Caring and Integrity.

What will you do as a Childcare Director?

The position of Childcare Director of the Thompson Child Development Center (TCDC) at Thompson is a multifaceted leadership role responsible for the daily operations, regulatory compliance, staff supervision, and strategic development of the center.

Core Responsibilities

The Director is accountable for the operational oversight and performance of the child development center. This includes:

• Leadership and Supervision: The Director leads a team of educators and support staff, providing proactive coaching and feedback to foster professional development.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures adherence to standards set by the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), NC Department of Public Health and NCDHHS Child and Adult Care Food Program.
• Curriculum and Classroom Oversight: Oversees curriculum implementation and classroom management, ensuring high-quality learning environments and appropriate staff-to-child ratios.
• Financial and Program Performance: Success is measured through financial performance, staff retention and engagement, and program quality outcomes.
• Community Engagement: Maintains a positive public image and builds partnerships with community organizations to support center operations.

Daily Operational Duties

The Center Director Duties matrix outlines specific daily tasks, including:

• Supervising teachers and ensuring curriculum fidelity.
• Managing documentation for compliance and audits.
• Conducting tours for prospective families.
• Coordinating staff schedules and substitute coverage.
• Monitoring security and facility operations .

Strategic and Cultural Leadership

The Director is expected to embody Thompson’s trauma-informed CARE principles: Developmentally Focused, Family Involved, Relationship Based, Competence Centered, Trauma Informed, and Ecologically Oriented. They are also seen as a cultural leader, modeling Thompson’s values of commitment, innovation, integrity, excellence, and caring .

Organizational Context

TCDC is a 5-star rated center serving children from birth to age five. It operates under the broader mission of Thompson Child & Family Focus, which emphasizes early childhood development, family stability, and mental health support.

A typical day as a Childcare Director includes:

• Ensuring all classrooms are staffed and ready.
• Checking security points, including playgrounds and classroom access.
• Coordinating staff schedules, including substitute coverage to maintain required staff-to-child ratios.
• The Director supervises teachers, ensuring curriculum fidelity and classroom quality.
• Professional development tracking is also part of the routine, ensuring all staff meet training requirements.
• Conducts tours for prospective families and community partners.
• Engages with families and staff, addressing concerns or celebrating milestones (e.g., Picture Day feedback, staff transitions).
• Strategic planning, including staffing, classroom reorganization, and program development.
• Team meetings and leadership check-ins to align on goals and address challenges (e.g., summer camp staffing, state compliance updates).
• Community engagement, such as coordinating events or responding to inquiries from external partners.

What does this position offer?

• Starting Pay Range: $55k-$60k annually
• Fantastic Full-time benefits…
• 3 weeks paid time off (PTO) first year plus 10 paid holidays!
• Health, Dental, Vision, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability and Life insurance options
• 401K Match
• Education Reimbursement
• Referral Bonus
• Eligibility to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through FAFSA after 10 years of service
• Eligibility to apply for the state loan repayment program that repays up to $50,000 of student loans
• Paid time off for volunteering in the community
• Free EAP services
• Mileage Reimbursement
• iPhone and Laptop provided for eligible roles
• Multiple opportunities for growth

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• As a Leader of Leaders- Exposure to leadership/management experiences either through short term project management, coordination, training or actual leadership positions years of experience working in the field related to the programs under their chain of command.
• Exposure to leadership/management experiences either through short term project management, coordination, training or
• actual leadership positions.
• Displays the capacity/coachability for future growth and development as a leader.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and meet any credentialing, licensing and privileging standards as it pertains to the program (s) you lead
• All potential job candidates must pass a drug screening test, and an extensive background check is required.

You’re the right fit for the Childcare Director position if…

· You have a passion for working with youth & adolescents

· You enjoy knowing you’re making an IMPACT on the lives of others

· EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, COMMITMENT, CARING, AND INTEGRITY are important to you

If your qualifications meet the requirements of the job and you want to be part of a winning culture, don’t delay! Apply at thompsoncff.org where we are strengthening Children, Families, and Communities!

Thompson is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Thompson participates in E-Verify and Diana Screen for Florida locations.