Assistant Director
The Learning Center | Hamden, CT
About the Role
Join The Learning Center as an Assistant Director and become a key leader in one of Hamden's most respected early childhood education programs. This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who can successfully balance administration, compliance, staff supervision, and classroom support.
As a NAEYC-recognized program working toward accreditation, we are seeking a highly organized, motivated professional who can help maintain exceptional standards while supporting children, families, and staff.
Responsibilities
- Assist the Director in managing daily center operations.
- Oversee classroom quality, staffing, schedules, and ratio compliance.
- Serve as acting Director when needed.
- Supervise, mentor, and support teaching staff.
- Assist with hiring, onboarding, orientation, and staff development.
- Step into classrooms as needed to maintain ratios and continuity of care.
- Support curriculum implementation and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Monitor child progress and classroom environments.
- Maintain child, family, and staff records.
- Ensure compliance with Connecticut OEC regulations, licensing requirements, and NAEYC standards.
- Manage attendance records, incident reports, health documentation, and other required paperwork.
- Support enrollment, parent communication, and family engagement.
- Build positive relationships with children, families, staff, and community partners.
- Assist with accreditation preparation, audits, inspections, and quality improvement initiatives.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, Human Services, Business Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in a licensed childcare center.
- Minimum of 1 year of leadership, supervisory, or administrative experience.
- Strong knowledge of Connecticut childcare regulations and licensing requirements.
- Experience managing paperwork, compliance, and staff supervision.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to effectively lead staff while maintaining positive relationships with families and children.
- CPR, First Aid, and Medication Administration Certification (or ability to obtain).
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's Degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Business Management, or related field.
- Experience with NAEYC Accreditation standards and processes.
- Experience supervising multiple classrooms and managing center operations.
- CDA or advanced early childhood credentials.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate is:
- A strong leader who leads by example.
- Comfortable running both the floor and administrative operations.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented.
- Able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Passionate about early childhood education and continuous improvement.
- Professional, dependable, and solution-focused.
- Committed to maintaining high-quality standards and supporting accreditation efforts.
About Us
For more than 10 years, The Learning Center has provided high-quality early childhood education to children and families throughout Hamden. Our family-centered approach, commitment to excellence, and focus on professional growth have made us a trusted community resource.
We believe great programs are built by great teams. If you are passionate about leadership, education, and making a difference in the lives of children and families, we encourage you to apply.
Join our team and help shape the future of early childhood education.