Childcare Director

The YMCA is looking for DCFS Director Qualified Childcare Directors for future opportunities!

The Childcare Director provides year-round operational leadership to the Preschool Program, including Preschool Enrichment Programs. This role is accountable to ensure that there is high-quality programming to meet the community needs and goals for program enrollment, quality, member experience, and budget. This includes enhancing the member/participant experience and member retention, delivering on program enrollment goals and revenue/budget and ensuring a safe environment for all members, participants and staff. Provides leadership and supervision that drives team engagement, performance and development.

Salary range starts at $50,000 per year and could go up based on qualifications.

Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees
• Opportunity for eligible employees to participate in the Y's retirement fund
• Be part of a team that is passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment for all staff, volunteers, and members
• Do meaningful work and contribute to the advancement of the YMCA vision by meeting the needs of the people in our communities
• Complimentary Adult YMCA membership and an employee discount on select programs
• Career advancement opportunities - grow your career at the Y!

Minimum Requirements:

• Associate's Degree or equivalent in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education or child development related coursework and 3 credit hours in an administration course.
• 2 years or more experience in early childhood related setting.
• ExceleRate IL Director Credential Level 1 preferred.
• 1 to 3 years or more experience in youth and family programming providing high-quality experience to program participants, with at least 2 years of supervisor or team leadership experience.
• Commitment to, and a passion for, the YMCA of Metro Chicago's mission.
• Demonstrated ability to accomplish goals through others, whether direct reports or through influence.
• Strategic thinking skills including effective planning, setting goals, monitoring progress, tracking results and making appropriate adjustments to plans based on circumstances and context.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple, competing priorities to maximize personal and team effectiveness.
• Budget and expense management experience, with the ability to assist in managing budgets to plan.
• Customer service orientation, with the ability to effectively communicate on a regular basis with internal customers, build relationships, manage customer expectations and take responsibility for a high level of service.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively build and maintain relationships with customers, team members and other stakeholders and constituents.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), email; ability to learn and adapt to new technology.
• Demonstrates evidence of YMCA Leader competencies in previous experience or practice.
• Meet physical qualifications required as outlined in job description. The YMCA will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.
• Based on funding requirements, must be willing to register with the Gateways Registry and complete all required online training for designated program area.

Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA's commitment to child abuse prevention by:

• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members, or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required.

Enthusiastic - Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
Functional Expert - Considered a thought leader on a subject

Ability to Make an Impact - Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization
Growth Opportunities - Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility