Director of Child Care.

About the role

The Director of Child Care is responsible for the overall operation of the Dartmouth College Child Care Center in Hanover, NH, including meeting the needs of children and families, program and curriculum, enrollment, staff hiring and supervision, and physical plant. The role leads center staff in creating a warm, caring, and safe early care and education environment and provides senior management strategic advice about the Dartmouth College Child Care initiative. This is a regular full‑time, onsite position (40 hours/week, 12 months/year).

Responsibilities

• Oversees center-wide staffing patterns and ensure proper child/teacher ratios.
• Ensures center operations comply with the New Hampshire Child Care Licensing rules.
• Develops and regularly reviews policies and procedures and communicates these to Center staff.
• Oversees the data management and record-keeping functions of the office.
• Monitors the maintenance of the facility and grounds of the center.
• Manages the center’s budget, staffing, and resources to ensure high standards of care and education.
• Leads the recruitment, development, and retention of childcare staff, ensuring ongoing professional development and adherence to best practices in early childhood education.
• Establishes, monitors, and assesses childcare policies and procedures that promote a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment for children.
• Assists the Associate Vice President in any childcare model review efforts, including review of the DCCC financial model and potential expansion efforts.
• Directs enrollment and classroom composition.
• Consults with and supports school district learning specialists/early intervention workers regarding developmental concerns about children.
• Oversees developing and implementing the center’s curriculum and early education program.
• Oversees and implements the Center’s child observation and assessment system.
• Overseas and evaluates classrooms and acts as a resource to teaching teams.
• Works with teaching staff to adapt programming to meet the needs of individual children and families.
• Designs and oversees the orientation of new children and their families.
• Consults with and supports families as needed, responding to family concerns and suggestions.
• Arranges and conducts parent meetings, Parent Advisory educational opportunities, and other events.
• Encourages families and other community members’ participation in the Center.
• Serves as a point of contact for the Center, requiring knowledge of center policies and procedures.
• Maintains good community relations with the Town, State, and school districts.
• Works with office staff to create and publish the newsletter and website.
• Supervises, interviews, hires, disciplines, and evaluates performance and ongoing development of regular and temporary staff, delegating as necessary and appropriate.
• Designs, oversees and conducts orientation of new staff.
• Designs and implements a comprehensive in-service staff training program.
• Demonstrates a commitment to inclusion and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.