Center Program Director
Full Time • Rhode Island Avenue NE
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Health insurance
- Opportunity for advancement
- Paid time off
- Training & development
- Bonus based on performance
- Dental insurance
Position Overview:
Emergent Preparatory Academy is seeking an experienced and passionate Center Program Director to lead the daily operations, instructional quality, and staff development of our early childhood program. The ideal candidate is a strong educator and strategic leader who ensures that every aspect of the center meets the highest standards of early childhood education, regulatory compliance, and family engagement.
This role combines educational leadership with operational management—ensuring that our program maintains excellence in teaching, compliance, and organizational culture.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Quality & Compliance
- Oversee all aspects of center operations to ensure full compliance with OSSE licensing, CACFP, Pay Equity, QRIS, and other governing requirements.
- Monitor classroom environments, lesson plans, and assessments to uphold high-quality learning aligned with The Creative Curriculum and Emergent’s educational philosophy.
- Maintain accurate documentation, staff records, and reporting requirements in accordance with licensing standards and internal policies.
- Conduct regular classroom observations and coaching to promote teaching excellence.
Leadership & Staff Development
- Supervise, support, and evaluate teaching staff, ensuring alignment with the organization’s vision and mission.
- Lead professional development sessions and foster a culture of reflection, collaboration, and accountability.
- Implement onboarding, training, and continuous performance monitoring systems.
- Foster positive morale, team communication, and shared ownership of program outcomes.
Family & Community Engagement
- Cultivate strong relationships with families through effective communication, responsiveness, and trust.
- Coordinate family events, conferences, and community partnerships that strengthen family-school connections.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for parents and community stakeholders.
Operational Management & Safety
- Oversee enrollment, classroom ratios, attendance reporting, and subsidy compliance.
- Ensure that health, nutrition, and safety protocols are followed at all times.
- Manage supply ordering, scheduling, and facility needs to ensure smooth daily operations.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
The Center Program Director will be measured by their ability to:
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Maintain Full Compliance — Achieve and sustain 100% compliance across all licensing and regulatory inspections.
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Enrollment Management — Maintain or exceed 95% of the center’s licensed capacity.
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Staff Retention & Performance — Achieve at least 90% staff retention rate and ensure that 100% of teaching staff meet or exceed required qualifications.
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Program Quality Scores — Demonstrate improvement or consistent high performance in QRIS, ITERS, CLASS, and internal observation assessments.
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Family Satisfaction — Maintain a minimum 90% positive family satisfaction rate based on surveys and feedback.
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Administrative Accuracy — Ensure timely submission of reports, attendance, and compliance documents with zero deficiencies.
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Professional Growth Culture — Conduct at least one professional development or coaching session per month for all staff.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of early childhood experience, including at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
- Strong knowledge of OSSE licensing regulations, curriculum frameworks, and early childhood assessment tools.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to coach and inspire teachers while ensuring accountability and excellence.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and nurturing a culturally responsive learning community.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, or related discipline.
- Familiarity with Pay Equity, CACFP, or Head Start regulations.
- Experience with data-driven program management and KPI tracking tools.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Competitive salary based on education and experience.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Paid Time Off
- Health / Dental Insurance
- Paid Holidays
- Supportive, mission-driven leadership environment.
How to Apply:
Submit your résumé, credentials, cover letter, and three professional references to: delores.mcgee@emergentprepacademy.com
Compensation: $66,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
About Us
Emergent Preparatory Academy, believes in fostering early childhood experiences through developmentally appropriate practices. Ensuring school readiness for each child. We focus on enhancing the social, cognitive, physical, emotional development and growth of our children.
- We believe in providing opportunities to learn and grow in a child-centered environment.
- We believe in preparing our children through the use of our curriculum (Creative Curriculum) aligned DC Early Learning Standards.
- We believe in our commitment to family’s engagement and empowerment.
- We believe in cultural diversity and building a strong foundation in sensitivity through inclusionary practices.
Emergent Preparatory Academy Child Development Center will develop and deliver experiences that promote the physical and emotional and educational well-being of children. We are committed to providing services to families that facilitate the child’s ability to reach within and emerge upward towards themselves. Our goal is to facilitate curiosity for learning through the imagination and the ability to utilize the resources within and external to them, to observe, think, and problem solve through developmentally appropriate hands-on/hands-off-learning experiences. Emergent Preparatory is an equal-opportunity child center serving the community on a non-discriminatory basis.
We will work in partnership with families, community-based organizations, and entities to collaborate services and programs for our children, while ensuring a safe, nurturing and comfortable overall environment.
Start A Fulfilling Career Today With An Amazing Team Of Elite Educators
Highly experienced leadership is available every day to help you do your best. Count on us to answer any questions, lend a helping hand, or celebrate achievements with you.
Paid Time Off To Re-Energize You
Enjoy major holidays at home or with loved ones, without the added worry of wage losses. Come back feeling appreciated and refreshed – because you are!
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