About the YMCA

The mission of the Plattsburgh YMCA is to strengthen community through programs that focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Job Summary

The YMCA seeks a mission-driven, highly organized Child Care Center Director to lead and oversee the operations of the YMCA Early Childhood Development Center.

• The ideal candidate will understand and be able to implement Developmentally Appropriate Practices and best practices for an early childhood center serving infants through preschoolers.
• The ideal candidate would be familiar with Continuity of Care Classrooms
•  The ideal candidate experience implementing emergent, play-based curriculum 
• The ideal candidate would have experience implementing positive guidance and knowledge and skills in conscious discipline
• The Child Care Center Director is expected to maintain high standards of quality and customer service while ensuring strict compliance with New York State Office of Family Services regulations.
• The Early Childhood Development Center Director must have excellent communication skills and be capable of effectively leading, supervising, and training the staff team, resulting in a child care experience that is safe, positive, nurturing, and educational.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance: Maintain 100% compliance with New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS) and Department of Health (DOH) standards; lead the center through all inspections and licensing renewals. 

Staff Leadership: Recruit, hire, train and coach a qualified and effective staff team, fostering a culture of excellence in the classroom and continuous professional growth.

Financial: Assist in creating and managing the annual budget for the child care center; meeting targets for enrollment, payroll, supplies, equipment, etc. Oversees and maintains a budget and is responsible for overseeing tuition payments. 

Curriculum: Oversee the planning and implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum that prioritizes hands-on, creative, discovery-based learning, physical activity, and sensory exploration.

Quality Assessment: Utilize assessment tools, including the ITERS (Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale) and ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale), to routinely evaluate and improve classroom environments, interactions/communication, and staff performance.

Developmental Monitoring: Ensure staff are trained to recognize and support key developmental milestones and create developmental plans for individual children as needed.

Family and Community Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships and ongoing communication with parents; represent the child care center in the early childhood community and the community at large.

Facilities: Oversee and coordinate the cleaning and maintenance of the child care facility, playgrounds, and grounds.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or closely related field (Master’s Degree preferred); must meet all New York State Office of Children and Family Services requirements for a Child Care Center Director

Expertise: Demonstrated understanding of child development, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, and center management; must be proficient in the use of classroom assessment tools, including but not limited to the Infant-Toddler Environmental Rating Scale (ITERS) and Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS)

Skills: Oral, auditory, and written communication skills appropriate for interacting with both children and adults; ability to use typical office technology and applications, including Word, Excel, Google, Daxko, Lillio, etc.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of experience working with children in a group setting; must include at least 2 years in a teaching or supervisory role (previous experience as a Child Care Center Director preferred).

Compliance: Must meet all New York State Office of Children and Family Services qualifications for a child care center director (education, experience, etc.) and pass all mandated background checks (fingerprinting, SCR, medical clearance, Tuberculosis test, etc.)

Certifications: CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications, Directors Health and Safety Training (or must obtain them within 30 days)