Childcare Area Director

Description

The Area Director is the execution engine of Healthy Kids Programs’ field structure. They are closest to the daily work — making sure programs run well, sites are fully staffed, every site meets state licensing standards, and the principals and school staff they partner with see HKP as a reliable, responsive presence. This is a role for someone who is hands-on, organized, and energized by

keeping things running well every single day.

• Actively recruit to maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified candidates across your sites
• Interview, hire, and onboard site-level staff; set expectations clearly from day one
• Build and manage staff schedules proactively; ensure every site has coverage before the day starts
• Maintain a reliable substitute bench so that gaps never leave a site exposed
• Conduct regular check-ins with Site Directors; coach in the moment and through formal conversations
• Address performance issues directly and document appropriately
• Create a team environment where staff feel supported, recognized, and connected to the mission

• Schedule staff to ratio — never over or under; right-sizing hours is both a compliance and a budget responsibility
• Review and approve timecards accurately and on time; ensure hours reflect actual time worked
• Monitor payroll costs against budget; flag anomalies and take corrective action when hours exceed plan
• Build schedules with efficiency in mind — minimize unnecessary overtime and maximize coverage with the staff you have
• Communicate schedule changes proactively; keep staff informed and document adjustments
• Use HKP’s payroll and scheduling platforms (e.g., Paylocity) accurately and consistently

• Monitor enrollment at each site; identify soft spots early and bring action plans to the Regional Director
• Visit sites regularly to observe program quality and compliance firsthand; provide real-time coaching and feedback to site staff based on what you see
• Ensure teachers are using HKP’s daily programming materials and engagement strategies consistently
• Track re-enrollment as a signal of program quality; address concerns before families walk away
• Support enrollment events and outreach at the school and community level
• Report enrollment status and program quality observations to the Regional Director on a regular cadence

• Ensure every site in your cluster maintains active, current state licensing at all times
• Conduct regular compliance walkthroughs: verify ratios, records, staff credentials, and environment standards
• Ensure all staff certifications (CPR, first aid, mandated reporter training, etc.) are kept current
• Respond promptly to any licensing concerns, agency inquiries, or corrective actions
• Keep site staff informed of day-to-day compliance expectations; make it routine, not reactive
• Escalate unresolved compliance issues to the Regional Director immediately

• Serve as HKP’s primary day-to-day contact with school building leadership — principally principals and school office staff
• Build strong, proactive relationships with each building’s leadership; show up consistently and communicate well
• Address building-level concerns and complaints quickly; resolve issues at the lowest level whenever possible
• Coordinate with school staff on logistics, space use, schedules, and building-specific requirements
• Keep principals informed on program news, staff changes, enrollment updates, and any operational issues
• Escalate district-level concerns or relationship matters to the Regional Director

Requirements

• 3–5 years of experience in program leadership, site management, or a related field
• Background in childcare, youth development, K–12 education, or a similar environment
• Experience managing and controlling staff schedules and daily operational coverage across multiple locations
• Comfort working directly with school administrators and building staff
• Familiarity with state childcare licensing requirements a plus
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

• A hands-on operator who takes ownership of the day-to-day and doesn’t wait for problems to find them
• A clear communicator who keeps principals, staff, and the Regional Director/AED/Executive Director in the loop without being prompted
• Organized and detail-oriented; able to track multiple sites without dropping the ball
• A natural coach who develops people through real-time feedback and consistent support
• Calm under pressure and resourceful when things don’t go as planned
• Must pass a full background check including fingerprinting and reference checks

• Relationship with your job: Focus on results, not excuses. Purpose driven.
• Relationship with others: Motivating, positivity, leadership.
• How you handle yourself: Empathy, professionalism, G-rated work environment.