Center Services Director
Early Connections Learning Centers, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
WageRange:
$54,080 - $62,400
ABOUT EARLY CONNECTIONS LEARNING CENTERS Early Connections Learning Centers is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high quality early care and education for ALL children. Every position works in coordination to achieve this mission. Since 1897, our work to provide high quality early childhood education has positively impacted thousands of children and families in the Pikes Peak region. Our nationally accredited programs help build a strong foundation for young children to be happy and successful in learning and life.
JOB SUMMARY The Center Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and daily operations of the Early Connections Learning Centers site. This role ensures a safe, nurturing, high-quality, and developmentally appropriate program for children while leading staff, supporting families, and maintaining compliance with all applicable licensing, accreditation, health and safety requirements.
The Center Director serves as both the operational and instructional leader of the center. This position is accountable for program quality, staff supervision and development, family engagement, licensing and accreditation compliance, and effective use of center resources. The Center Director fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, reflective practice, and continuous improvement to ensure that all classrooms provide developmentally appropriate, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences.
The Center Director models professionalism and leads with an enterprise mindset aligned with Early Connections’ mission, values, and organizational priorities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership and Staff Development
Lead the overall operations and performance of the center in alignment with Early Connections’ mission, values, and organizational expectations.
Hire, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate center staff, ensuring team members meet qualifications, perform effectively, and demonstrate professionalism.
Provide ongoing coaching, reflective supervision, feedback, and development opportunities to strengthen staff performance, teaching practices, and child outcomes.
Build a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture that supports employee engagement, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Address performance concerns promptly and appropriately in partnership with organizational leadership and Human Resources, as needed.
Program Quality and Instructional Leadership
Serve as the instructional leader of the center by overseeing curriculum implementation, classroom environments, child assessment practices, and teaching quality across all age groups.
Ensure classrooms provide engaging, inclusive, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support children’s growth and school readiness.
Conduct regular observations and monitor program quality to support strong teaching practices and consistent implementation of program standards.
Use data, observations, and feedback to identify priorities, support improvement plans, and strengthen overall center performance.
Compliance, Safety, and Risk Management
Ensure full compliance with Colorado Department of Early Childhood Child Care Licensing regulations, NAEYC Accreditation Standards, and all applicable health, safety, and fire requirements.
Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and well-functioning facility and outdoor environment that supports children’s learning and well-being.
Oversee staffing patterns and classroom ratios to ensure compliance, effective supervision, and smooth daily operations.
Ensure required records, files, documentation, and reports are accurate, complete, timely, and maintained in accordance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
Respond appropriately to emergencies, incidents, and operational concerns, exercising sound judgment and following established procedures.
Family and Community Engagement
Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with families through open communication, responsiveness, and partnership.
Promote a welcoming and inclusive center community that respects and supports children and families of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
Support family engagement activities, meetings, and events that strengthen family partnership and child success.
Represent Early Connections positively and professionally in the community and support outreach efforts, as appropriate.
Operations and Administrative Management
Oversee day-to-day center operations to ensure consistency, efficiency, and high-quality service delivery.
Monitor center budgets, expenditures, staffing resources, and operational needs to support fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
Support organizational initiatives, cross-functional collaboration, and center-level implementation of agency priorities.
Monitor and support compliance with food program requirements, including accurate recordkeeping and reporting.
Attend and participate in meetings, trainings, and professional development activities to remain current on best practices and organizational expectations.
Professional Expectations
Demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reliability, sound judgment, and respectful communication.
Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, staff, and organizational information.
Lead with an enterprise mindset by making decisions that support both center success and the broader mission and goals of the organization.
Model Early Connections’ values in interactions with children, families, colleagues, and community partners.
Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to changing program needs, including providing direct support in classrooms when necessary.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of center and organizational success.
QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field; will consider applicants in their final year of degree completion.
Meets Colorado Child Care Licensing Director qualifications and maintains all required credentials.
Minimum of three years of progressive leadership experience in an early childhood program or similar educational setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of Colorado Child Care Licensing regulations, NAEYC Accreditation Standards, and applicable health and safety requirements.
Proven ability to lead, coach, mentor, and develop staff.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, staff, and community partners.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, respond effectively to emergencies, and maintain consistent operational oversight.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience leading a licensed and/or accredited early childhood program.
Experience with staff development, program quality improvement, and family engagement initiatives.
Pre-Employment and Ongoing Requirements
Prior to employment, candidates must pass federal and state criminal background checks, Colorado Department of Early Childhood background checks, pre-employment drug screen, physical, and verification of employment, education, and credentials.
Must obtain and maintain First Aid, CPR, and medication administration certifications, as required.
Must maintain all required training, certifications, and qualifications necessary for continued employment in the role.
CURRENT BENEFITS Paid Time Off
13 paid holidays scheduled in 2025
19 additional days of PTO
Paid parental and medical leave
Medical insurance – ECLC pays up to 75% of employee premium
Dental and Vision insurance
Free Employee Assistance Program
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
Pre‑tax dollars from your paycheck are reimbursed for medical, dental, vision and other health‑related expenses up to $300 per year
Childcare Benefit
Substantial discount for childcare: employees pay $25/week for children 3+ who are enrolled at Early Connections Learning Centers
*This benefit depends on having an enrollment opening
Tuition Reimbursement, Continuing Education and Training
Tuition reimbursement of $150 per 3‑credit hour course is available to staff enrolled in approved coursework in Early Childhood Education or related to their position and who maintain the required grade point average.
Reimbursement may be available for pre‑approved job‑related certificate programs
Other Insurance
100% employer‑paid Basic Term Life and AD&D Insurance
Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance
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$54,080 - $62,400
ABOUT EARLY CONNECTIONS LEARNING CENTERS Early Connections Learning Centers is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high quality early care and education for ALL children. Every position works in coordination to achieve this mission. Since 1897, our work to provide high quality early childhood education has positively impacted thousands of children and families in the Pikes Peak region. Our nationally accredited programs help build a strong foundation for young children to be happy and successful in learning and life.
JOB SUMMARY The Center Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and daily operations of the Early Connections Learning Centers site. This role ensures a safe, nurturing, high-quality, and developmentally appropriate program for children while leading staff, supporting families, and maintaining compliance with all applicable licensing, accreditation, health and safety requirements.
The Center Director serves as both the operational and instructional leader of the center. This position is accountable for program quality, staff supervision and development, family engagement, licensing and accreditation compliance, and effective use of center resources. The Center Director fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, reflective practice, and continuous improvement to ensure that all classrooms provide developmentally appropriate, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences.
The Center Director models professionalism and leads with an enterprise mindset aligned with Early Connections’ mission, values, and organizational priorities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership and Staff Development
Lead the overall operations and performance of the center in alignment with Early Connections’ mission, values, and organizational expectations.
Hire, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate center staff, ensuring team members meet qualifications, perform effectively, and demonstrate professionalism.
Provide ongoing coaching, reflective supervision, feedback, and development opportunities to strengthen staff performance, teaching practices, and child outcomes.
Build a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture that supports employee engagement, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Address performance concerns promptly and appropriately in partnership with organizational leadership and Human Resources, as needed.
Program Quality and Instructional Leadership
Serve as the instructional leader of the center by overseeing curriculum implementation, classroom environments, child assessment practices, and teaching quality across all age groups.
Ensure classrooms provide engaging, inclusive, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support children’s growth and school readiness.
Conduct regular observations and monitor program quality to support strong teaching practices and consistent implementation of program standards.
Use data, observations, and feedback to identify priorities, support improvement plans, and strengthen overall center performance.
Compliance, Safety, and Risk Management
Ensure full compliance with Colorado Department of Early Childhood Child Care Licensing regulations, NAEYC Accreditation Standards, and all applicable health, safety, and fire requirements.
Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and well-functioning facility and outdoor environment that supports children’s learning and well-being.
Oversee staffing patterns and classroom ratios to ensure compliance, effective supervision, and smooth daily operations.
Ensure required records, files, documentation, and reports are accurate, complete, timely, and maintained in accordance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
Respond appropriately to emergencies, incidents, and operational concerns, exercising sound judgment and following established procedures.
Family and Community Engagement
Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with families through open communication, responsiveness, and partnership.
Promote a welcoming and inclusive center community that respects and supports children and families of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
Support family engagement activities, meetings, and events that strengthen family partnership and child success.
Represent Early Connections positively and professionally in the community and support outreach efforts, as appropriate.
Operations and Administrative Management
Oversee day-to-day center operations to ensure consistency, efficiency, and high-quality service delivery.
Monitor center budgets, expenditures, staffing resources, and operational needs to support fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
Support organizational initiatives, cross-functional collaboration, and center-level implementation of agency priorities.
Monitor and support compliance with food program requirements, including accurate recordkeeping and reporting.
Attend and participate in meetings, trainings, and professional development activities to remain current on best practices and organizational expectations.
Professional Expectations
Demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reliability, sound judgment, and respectful communication.
Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, staff, and organizational information.
Lead with an enterprise mindset by making decisions that support both center success and the broader mission and goals of the organization.
Model Early Connections’ values in interactions with children, families, colleagues, and community partners.
Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to changing program needs, including providing direct support in classrooms when necessary.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of center and organizational success.
QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field; will consider applicants in their final year of degree completion.
Meets Colorado Child Care Licensing Director qualifications and maintains all required credentials.
Minimum of three years of progressive leadership experience in an early childhood program or similar educational setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of Colorado Child Care Licensing regulations, NAEYC Accreditation Standards, and applicable health and safety requirements.
Proven ability to lead, coach, mentor, and develop staff.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, staff, and community partners.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, respond effectively to emergencies, and maintain consistent operational oversight.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience leading a licensed and/or accredited early childhood program.
Experience with staff development, program quality improvement, and family engagement initiatives.
Pre-Employment and Ongoing Requirements
Prior to employment, candidates must pass federal and state criminal background checks, Colorado Department of Early Childhood background checks, pre-employment drug screen, physical, and verification of employment, education, and credentials.
Must obtain and maintain First Aid, CPR, and medication administration certifications, as required.
Must maintain all required training, certifications, and qualifications necessary for continued employment in the role.
CURRENT BENEFITS Paid Time Off
13 paid holidays scheduled in 2025
19 additional days of PTO
Paid parental and medical leave
Medical insurance – ECLC pays up to 75% of employee premium
Dental and Vision insurance
Free Employee Assistance Program
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
Pre‑tax dollars from your paycheck are reimbursed for medical, dental, vision and other health‑related expenses up to $300 per year
Childcare Benefit
Substantial discount for childcare: employees pay $25/week for children 3+ who are enrolled at Early Connections Learning Centers
*This benefit depends on having an enrollment opening
Tuition Reimbursement, Continuing Education and Training
Tuition reimbursement of $150 per 3‑credit hour course is available to staff enrolled in approved coursework in Early Childhood Education or related to their position and who maintain the required grade point average.
Reimbursement may be available for pre‑approved job‑related certificate programs
Other Insurance
100% employer‑paid Basic Term Life and AD&D Insurance
Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance
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