Aldersgate Children’s Center
Director — Job Description
Position Type: Full-time, exempt, salaried
Employment Term: 12 months
Reports To: Senior Pastor and Children’s Center Advisory Council
Hours: Monday–Friday, 6:45 a.m.–4:00 p.m. minimum; additional hours often required for community events, staff and planning meetings, and outreach programs
Salary: $71,200
Position Purpose
The Children’s Center Director provides overall leadership, administration, and supervision of all aspects of Aldersgate Children’s Center. The Director is responsible for overseeing daily operations, supervising and developing staff, managing the Children Center’s budget, ensuring compliance with applicable licensing requirements, and maintaining effective communication with church leadership, Children Center families, staff, and the broader community.
The Director ensures that the Children Center provides a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and Christ-centered environment in which children can grow physically, cognitively, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
The Director reports to the Senior Pastor of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and the Children’s Center Advisory Council.
Job Qualifications
The successful candidate will meet the following qualifications:
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• Hands-on experience in a Children’s Center setting
• A minimum of 12 Early Childhood Education (ECE) units, including coursework in the following areas:
o Human Growth and Development and/or Child and Adolescent Development
o Child, Family, and Community
o Curriculum elective
o Elective in Child Growth and Development or Curriculum
• A minimum of 3 ECE units in Infant and Toddler Programs.
• A minimum of 6 ECE units in Administration.
• Prior teaching experience preferred, ideally five years or more in a licensed childcare program.
Additional Requirements
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Completion of 16 hours of Health and Safety training.
• Knowledge of Title 22 regulations as they relate to infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age programs.
• Proficiency with computer applications, including:
o Microsoft Word, Canva, and Outlook
o Microsoft Excel
o Childcare accounting software
Spiritual Requirements
The Director is expected to provide Christian leadership and serve as a Christian role model for children, families, and staff. The successful candidate will demonstrate, through both words and actions, the highest standards of Christian virtue, integrity, and personal conduct. The Director will also accept and uphold the Statement of Faith, Philosophy of Education, and Mission Statement of Aldersgate Children’s Center and Aldersgate United Methodist Church, and demonstrate a commitment to their principles in the leadership and operation of the Center.
Essential Responsibilities
1. Children’s Programs and Development
The Director oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of developmentally appropriate programs for children ages six weeks through 12 years.
Responsibilities include:
• Plan and oversee daily routines and activities that support children’s development and well-being.
• Develop and implement a developmentally appropriate preschool program for children ages two years through 6.4 years.
• Ensure that preschool activities support children’s physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual development.
• Oversee all preschool curriculum and programming.
• Plan annual program themes and Biblical stories that support the Center’s Christian mission.
• Evaluate children’s development and address individual students’ needs and concerns.
• Maintain healthy snack options.
• Ensure that classroom and playground equipment is appropriate, safe, and well maintained.
• Address student-related concerns in collaboration with staff and parents.
• Oversee enrollment and maintain waiting lists.
• Evaluate the overall quality and effectiveness of the program on a daily basis.
• Ensure that children are appropriately supervised and safe at all times.
2. Parent and Community Relations
The Director builds and maintains positive, collaborative relationships with parents, church members, and the broader community.
Responsibilities include:
• Maintain regular, effective communication with parents regarding Center activities, policies, and their children’s experiences.
• Discuss children’s development, progress, and concerns with parents as needed.
• Address parent questions, concerns, and issues in a timely, professional, and compassionate manner.
• Collaborate with appropriate professionals when discussing or addressing identified needs of children.
• Plan and provide parent education opportunities.
• Communicate and coordinate with church leadership, church members, and community groups as appropriate.
• Foster a welcoming, supportive environment that reflects the Christian mission and values of the Center.
3. Staff Leadership, Development, and Evaluation
The Director provides overall direction, supervision, and Christian leadership to all Children’s Center staff.
Responsibilities include:
• Recruit and hire qualified staff.
• Provide orientation, training, and ongoing supervision for employees.
• Establish clear expectations and support staff in meeting their responsibilities.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations.
• Maintain daily staff schedules and coordinate staffing needs.
• Facilitate quarterly staff meetings.
• Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers and other staff.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration, accountability, and a positive working environment.
• Address staff performance issues and concerns appropriately.
• Make personnel decisions, including termination of employment when necessary.
• Model Christian leadership, integrity, fairness, and respect in all staff interactions.
4. Program Administration and Operations
The Director is responsible for the effective administration and daily operation of the Children’s Center.
Responsibilities include:
• Ensure compliance with applicable Community Care Licensing requirements.
• Maintain accurate and current staff and student records.
• Develop the annual operating budget for approval by the Church Council and Children’s Center Advisory Council, as applicable.
• Operate the Center within the approved budget.
• Monitor expenses, supplies, and resources to ensure quality and responsible stewardship.
• Manage and maintain curriculum materials and supplies.
• Oversee the ordering, maintenance, and quality control of Center supplies and equipment.
• Regularly review and evaluate policies and procedures for parents and staff.
• Conduct regular earthquake and fire drills.
• Ensure that all Center equipment and facilities are safe, properly maintained, and repaired as necessary, including classrooms, restrooms, playgrounds, the kitchen, and other facilities used by the Center.
• Evaluate the Center’s programs, procedures, and operations regularly and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain effective communication and coordination with church leadership and the Children’s Center Advisory Council regarding operational needs and priorities.
5. Budget and Resource Management
The Director manages the financial and material resources necessary to operate the Center effectively.
Responsibilities include:
• Prepare the annual budget for review and approval by the appropriate church leadership and advisory bodies.
• Monitor revenue and expenditures and maintain operations within the approved budget.
• Oversee the responsible use of supplies, curriculum materials, equipment, and other resources.
• Utilize childcare accounting software and other administrative tools to support accurate financial management.
• Identify operational needs and recommend appropriate budgetary priorities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Personal Attributes
The Director must demonstrate proficient knowledge of:
• Child development, early childhood education theories, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Safe, engaging, and age-appropriate activities for children.
• Effective classroom and childcare program management.
• Appropriate supervision and safeguarding practices to ensure children’s safety at all times.
• Applicable licensing requirements for infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age programs.
• Staff supervision, program administration, and budget management.
Skills
The Director must demonstrate the following skills:
• Team leadership and team-building skills.
• Staff supervision, coaching, and development.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Sound judgment and decision-making.
• Effective verbal communication and active listening.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Teaching and instructional skills.
• Stress management and the ability to remain composed under pressure.
• Time management, organization, and prioritization.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and changing demands effectively.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, parents, staff, church leadership, and community members.
Personal Attributes
The Director is expected to maintain strict confidentiality when performing professional duties and demonstrate the following attributes:
• Respectfulness and professionalism.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Strong work ethic and personal integrity.
• Consistency, fairness, and accountability.
• Compassion, patience, and understanding.
• Ability to encourage and build self-esteem while maintaining a safe and secure environment.
• Commitment to Christian character and leadership.
• Ability to foster a positive, supportive, and collaborative environment for children, families, and staff.
Salary and Benefits
Salary: $71,200
Benefits include:
• Medical benefits: Aldersgate Children’s Center contributes $300.00 toward the total premium.
• Tuition discount: 50% tuition discount.
• Paid holidays: Includes one week at Christmas.
• Sick leave: Sick leave accrual.
• Vacation: Based on years of service.
• Retirement: 3% retirement benefit.