Youth Development (Childcare) Director

Reporting to the Senior Youth Development Director, the Youth Development Director provides leadership and strategic oversight for the Early Childhood Education programs and other youth development initiatives. This role is accountable for curriculum design, program compliance, and operational excellence, ensuring all licensed sites deliver high-quality, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate care. The Director will supervise and mentor staff, manage budgets, and maintain compliance with state and national standards to ensure program integrity and advancement of YMCA goals.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to serve a community of belonging.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, including at least 15 credits in early childhood-related coursework (child development, curriculum planning, positive behavior management, health & safety, nutrition, family/community, professionalism).
• Early Childhood Administrator qualified with the State of Delaware.
• Minimum 24 months of experience working with children ages 0–5 in a licensed group setting.
• At least 12 months of supervisory experience managing a team of 10 or more staff.
• At least 12 months of experience with budget management and fiscal oversight.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Multi-Lingual
• Minimum 2 years of progressive supervisory experience leading 20 or more staff members.
• Extensive experience in budget management and fiscal accountability.
• Experience supporting children with Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Program Leadership & Compliance

• Oversees the daily operations of Early Childhood Education programs, ensuring state licensing requirements and YMCA standards are consistently met.
• Responsible for annual licensure of all program sites, including physical inspections, life safety compliance, staff and child file maintenance, and timely completion of developmental assessments (ASQs).
• Ensures compliance with Delaware Stars and NAEYC Accreditation standards, driving continuous quality improvement.
• Maintains adherence to state and local regulations, laws, and codes related to program operations.

Curriculum & Instruction

• Leads curriculum development and implementation, ensuring alignment with developmental standards and YMCA philosophy.
• Reviews and approves lesson plans, conducts classroom observations, and provides feedback to ensure instructional quality and inclusivity (including ADA compliance).
• Mentors and supports staff ensuring best practices in early childhood education are applied.

Staff & Volunteer Leadership

• Assists in the recruitment, hiring, training, development, scheduling, and supervision of staff and volunteers.
• Provides coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback to ensure staff growth and accountability.
• Supports succession planning and professional development opportunities for the team.

Operations & Fiscal Management

• Collaborates with the Registrar and Business Manager to manage registrations, transitions, terminations, and billing (including POC/ECAP subsidy updates).
• Maintains budget responsibility for curriculum supplies, equipment, and program expenses, ensuring fiscal accountability.
• Supports revenue goals by ensuring enrollment capacity and maintaining positive family relationships.

Collaboration & Support

• Partners with the Senior Youth Development Director and other YMCA leadership to strengthen youth development strategies and initiatives.
• Acts as a resource for families, staff, and community partners by providing effective communication and problem resolution.
• Participates in association-wide initiatives, quality teams, special events, and fundraising campaigns as assigned.