Early Childhood Education Associate Director-Preschool

About the role

The Associate Director–Preschool provides operational and educational leadership for the Children’s Learning Center preschool program, ensuring high-quality early childhood education in a safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment. Reporting to the Director, this position oversees curriculum implementation, classroom operations, staffing, and regulatory compliance while supervising preschool educators and supporting their professional growth. The Associate Director takes a leadership role with families, campus partners, and community agencies to support children’s learning and development, including those with diverse learning needs. This role also assists with budget planning and monitoring, enrollment support, policy development, accreditation and licensing compliance, and the daily operation of the center to ensure alignment with the Children’s Learning Center’s mission, NAEYC Accreditation Standards, Wisconsin Child Care Licensing regulations, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s strategic goals.

Key responsibilities

• Implement and supervise the operations of special programming and events
• Monitor licensing, accreditation documentation, and other required program reports according to established rules and regulations
• Exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent employees
• Assist in developing and auditing the unit budget; govern tuition account activity, monitor financial reports, and distribute and process invoices to clients and vendors
• Serve as a liaison and foster communication between internal and external stakeholders to provide clear and consistent information
• Supervise the day-to-day activities of early childhood education staff to ensure the safety and physical well-being of children in a specified child care facility
• Relay effective and pertinent communication to internal and external stakeholders from unit leadership regarding current program and site activities
• Assist with the development and implementation of early childhood curriculums, professional development, and operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives

Physical requirements

• Lift children up to 50 lbs
• Sit on floor for long periods
• Walk up and downstairs on a regular basis
• Active participation with children during play in classroom, gyms, and playgrounds

The Children’s Learning Center in Student Affairs is required to conduct Post-Offer Pre-Employment (POPE) physical screening on all selected candidates for Assistant Director positions. The test involves squatting, bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, etc. of varying weights to simulate the physical demands you may experience while on the job. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing the screening.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood or Elementary Education
• 3–5 years of experience teaching in an early childhood education environment
• At least 3 years directly supervising in an early learning environment
• Knowledge of services in the CLC community related to support for young children with unique learning needs or identified disabilities/delays (e.g., Birth to Three, Special Education LEAs, Infant Mental Health, and other therapies)
• Working understanding of ADA and IDEA as they apply to early learning programs
• Pedagogical Administrator and Operational Administrator credits in ECE/Child Development (12–35)

Preferred qualifications

• Master’s degree in early learning or related field with ECE classroom experience
• Expertise with Pyramid Model implementation including classroom assessment tools such as T-POT and T-PIT
• Hands-on experience with practice-based coaching of educators serving children 3–5
• Experience with an emergent, play-based curriculum approach
• Knowledge of Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards, NAEYC accreditation, and YoungStar rating systems
• Direct experience leading teachers through the NAEYC accreditation process
• Experience facilitating professional development for educators with demonstrated knowledge of adult learning principles and best practices
• Experience in environments committed to trauma-informed practices
• Familiarity and/or training in ABA and related supports provided to children with disabilities and/or delays