Center Director
Ivy Kids Early Learning Center
Houston, TX 77044
Description
Center Director – Ivy Kids
Summary
The Center Director is responsible for effectively operating and managing all aspects of the early childhood center, including staffing, customer service, curriculum implementation, financial management, facility upkeep, and compliance. The Director also promotes a positive image of the school in the community and maintains strong relationships with regulatory bodies, including state licensing authorities and local health departments.
- Ensure compliance with all Ivy Kids brand standards and Texas Minimum Standards.
- Maintain adherence to federal, state, and local childcare regulations.
- Oversee health and safety practices, daily supervision, and transportation standards.
- Complete and organize all required documentation, including student, staff, and facility records (e.g., training logs, emergency drills, incident reports, visitor logs, medication/allergy logs).
- Maintain up-to-date emergency contacts and evacuation procedures.
- Communicate timely updates to the Executive Director and/or center owner regarding critical incidents involving students, staff, or operations.
- Develop working relationships with licensing agencies, vendors, and community partners.
- May drive a 14-passenger bus to transport children as needed.
- Conduct quarterly Center Director peer observations.
- Uphold the standards outlined in the Ivy Kids Parent Handbook.
- Build and maintain positive communication with families.
- Respond to and resolve parent concerns thoughtfully; escalate to staff and management as needed.
- Prevent unnecessary disenrollment by identifying and addressing root causes.
- Report disenrollment trends and action plans to the Executive Director.
- Follow up on all inquiries and provide informative, engaging center tours.
- Keep Intellikid system current with lead tracking and enrollment updates.
- Ensure staff complete CSRs and daily transitions in line with brand standards.
- Monitor staff adherence to hourly ratio checks and maintain a QA-ready environment.
- Be available for early mornings or late evenings as needed to support center needs.
- Ensure curriculum is effectively implemented and compliant with state requirements for each age group.
- Provide training to staff on curriculum and early childhood education principles.
- Maintain TRS (Texas Rising Star) and Cognia accreditation standards, with a goal of achieving and sustaining a 4-star rating.
- Promote Conscious Discipline and provide coaching to integrate practices throughout classrooms.
- Collaborate on class placements and student transitions.
- Work with the Executive Director to develop and manage the annual center budget.
- Maintain labor efficiency by creating effective staff schedules that meet ratio requirements and budget constraints.
- Oversee food and supply orders, ensuring alignment with budget expectations.
- Manage tuition collection and enforce payment policies. Follow up on past-due accounts and minimize bad debt.
- Track and maintain accurate financial records, receipts, and credit card usage.
- Protect the program’s assets through sound financial practices and supply/equipment maintenance.
- Comply with the Ivy Kids Personnel Handbook and employment policies.
- Recruit, hire, and onboard qualified staff using the Ivy Kids Learning Journey.
- Train new employees through on-the-job coaching, classroom modeling, and mentoring.
- Maintain daily, weekly, and long-term staff schedules that align with student attendance.
- Address performance issues promptly using written documentation and corrective action plans.
- Conduct annual staff evaluations and recommend merit increases within policy guidelines.
- Foster high staff morale through appreciation and support initiatives.
- Implement marketing strategies to drive enrollment and increase center visibility.
- Follow the annual marketing plan and participate in local events and outreach.
- Maintain a center-specific social media calendar; post regularly about events, classroom highlights, and center culture.
- Plan and participate in after-hours events, open houses, and weekend trainings or community engagements as required.
- Maintain a safe, clean, and inviting environment in line with licensing and Ivy Kids standards.
- Oversee routine cleaning schedules, frequent safety checks, and maintenance of classroom materials and play areas.
- Coordinate facility and equipment repairs quickly to reduce downtime and risk.
- Monitor vehicle maintenance and ensure timely inspections and repairs for buses and center vehicles.
- Must meet or exceed state licensing standards for education and experience.
- Bachelor’s or Associate degree in Early Childhood Education preferred.
- Must hold a current Food Manager Certification.
- Must be qualified to drive company vehicles and possess a valid driver’s license.
- Must be flexible to work in classrooms to support ratios and program needs.
- Must be physically able to bend, stoop, lift up to 50 lbs., and engage with children in an active environment.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills required for working with children, families, and staff.
- Required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of professional development training annually.