Early Learning Center Director
Company/Organization: Fairbanks Children's Museum
Location: Downtown Fairbanks
Application Dates: 07/17/2026
Job Description
Essential Responsibilities:
Compliance & Licensing
- Independently maintains compliance with licensing standards, health and safety standards, and operational requirements
- Oversee health, safety, and emergency protocols, and maintain compliance with state regulations and licensing requirements for childcare facilities
- Maintain and update accurate records using digital tools, including staff certifications and regulatory documentation
Staffing
- Hire and supervise all Early Learning Center staff
- Maintain a schedule for all Early Learning Center staff
- Serve as a lead teacher or classroom aide until the team is fully staffed
- Fill in as a substitute teacher as needed to maintain consistent open hours for families
- Provide professional development opportunities for staff
Family & Community Engagement
- Meet with parents and staff to discuss students’ progress
- Build and maintain positive relationships with community members to further the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the organization
- Coordinate family engagement events and activities
Daily Operations
- Design, implement, and evaluate a high-quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with early childhood best practices
- Collaborate with the museum team to maintain general upkeep of preschool facilities
- Develop and manage the Early Learning Center budget
- Oversee tuition invoicing
- Establish policies and communicate them to staff and parents
Strategic Leadership
- Work with the Executive Director and the design team on completing classroom build-outs
- Collaborate with the leadership team to integrate FCM’s exhibits and resources into programming to enrich learning experiences
- Develop and implement 2 to 5 year strategic plans to enhance the Early Learning Center’s educational programs and ensure long-term financial feasibility
- Foster an inclusive and engaging environment that supports all learners
- Assist the Development Director in fundraising efforts as appropriate, and provide support for grant applications and reporting when applicable
- Maintain preschool enrollment at 90% or higher
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Meet state requirement of “at least 12 semester hours of college credit in early childhood development, child development, child psychology, or the equivalent, or hold a current CDA credential, or Montessori Certificate”
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or related field, or comparable experience
- Minimum 5 years of experience in early childhood education
- Strong knowledge of early childhood development principles
- Proven experience in curriculum development and implementation
- Proven experience with rules and regulations put forth by DHSS
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Experience managing resources and program budgets
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
- Experience in establishing a successful childcare or preschool program
- More than 5 years of experience in early childhood education
- Experience in management/leadership in early childhood education
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