Title: School Director
Department: Operations
Reports To: Regional Manager
Supervisory Position: Yes
FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary: $74,000-$79,000 per year w/ bonus eligibility.
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Hamden, CT School

Are You Ready to Make an Immediate Impact?

Babilou Family US is part of the global Babilou Family network and brings a local, community-focused
approach to early childhood education through our Little Sprouts, Building Blocks, and Heartworks
schools. We are looking for a proactive and collaborative team member who will support our mission
and contribute meaningfully to this role.

The School Director plays a vital leadership role in ensuring a safe, high‑quality, and nurturing environment for children
and families. This position is ideal for someone ready to lead with a people‑first mindset, elevate school operations,
mentor staff, engage families, and drive strong enrollment and financial performance. You will be the key decision‑maker
responsible for the daily success of the school, reporting directly to the Regional Manager.

Our work is guided by our educational approach, Sustainable Education®, which bridges research and
daily practice to help children thrive and lay the foundation for lifelong learning. We’re in what we like
to call the science of children. Everything we do is rooted in research about how young minds grow—
how they learn, connect, and build the skills that last a lifetime. We also lead our HONOR values:
Humility, Open-Mindedness, Nurture, Ownership, and Recognition. This guiding framework fosters an
environment where educators, children, families, and partners feel valued, empowered, and inspired
to grow.

### What We Will Achieve Together

Maintain a safe, compliant, and high‑quality learning environment.

Achieve 95%+ operational audit scores with zero major safety incidents.

Ensure 100% licensing compliance with zero violations.

Strengthen staff culture, reduce turnover, and build a high‑performing team.

Elevate parent satisfaction to 90%+ through exceptional communication and engagement.

Grow enrollment 5–10% annually while maintaining healthy profit margins.

Host meaningful family events to build community and connection.

### What you’ll do

Operational Management

• Ensure smooth daily operations that meet company standards.
• Maintain safe, clean, and nurturing classroom environments

KPIs:

95%+ operational audit score
90%+ classroom quality rating

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all state childcare and school regulations.
• Serve as a Mandated Reporter in accordance with state law, maintaining full responsibility to recognize,
document, and immediately report any suspected child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.Prepare for and
manage all state inspections.

KPIs:

100% compliance during inspections
Zero licensing violations annually

Staff Leadership & Development

•Recruit, train, and mentor, and support staff.
•Build a positive, collaborative workplace culture.

KPIs

Staff turnover below 25% annually
100% completion of required staff training
80%+ employee engagement score

Family Engagement

Build strong, trusting relationships with parents through consistent communication.
Address parent questions and concerns promptly and professionally.
Host family‑focused events to strengthen community connection.

KPIs

90%+ parent satisfaction
Respond to 100% of inquiries within 24 hours
Host at least 4 family events annually

Business & Enrollment Growth

Manage the school’s budget and overall financial performance.
Implement local marketing strategies to increase enrollment

KPIs

5–10% annual enrollment growth
Maintain profit margins (15-20%)

Supervisory Responsibilities

Exercises independent judgment and decision‑making authority on matters related to school operations,
staffing, parent communication, culture, compliance, budgeting, and safety—consistent with the FLSA Executive
Exemption criteria.
Manages and directs the work of teachers and staff, including hiring recommendations, onboarding, scheduling,
coaching, performance management, and disciplinary actions, demonstrating clear supervisory responsibility
Holds primary responsibility for the overall success of the school, including operational performance,
compliance readiness, financial stewardship, staff engagement, and family satisfaction.
Leads non‑manual, high‑level administrative and managerial work that requires specialized knowledge of ECE
licensing, curriculum implementation, staffing models, safety practices, and regulatory requirements.
Exercises autonomy in setting priorities, solving problems, and determining how to meet operational,
financial, and enrollment goals, without day‑to‑day supervision.
Serves as the school’s top‑level leader, representing the organization in external communications, licensing
interactions, inspections, community partnerships, and parent relations.
Develops and implements operational processes and school‑wide improvements, using discretion to interpret
company policies, local needs, and regulatory environments.
Makes decisions that directly impact business performance, including enrollment strategy, cost management,
staffing ratios, and classroom allocation.
Provides direct supervision to staff who collectively contribute to the business operations of the school, solidifying
the role as one that “customarily and regularly directs the work of two or more employees,” per FLSA standards.
Holds authority to influence employment decisions, including hiring, corrective action, performance evaluations,
and training requirements.
Leads organizational culture at the school level, shaping employee engagement, morale, retention, and team
effectiveness.
Functions as a strategic partner to Regional Managers and senior leadership, offering insights and
recommendations that directly influence organizational practices and school‑level outcomes.

### Required & Preferred Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, or related field.
3–5 years of experience in childcare or school management.
Strong knowledge of state childcare and school regulations and licensing standards.
Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational abilities.
Ability to manage budgets and drive enrollment growth.
Director state credentials

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or Business (optional but beneficial).
Prior experience leading school‑level operational improvement or quality initiatives.

### Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Work Environment

Active classroom environment with regular interaction with children, families, and team members
Movement between indoor and outdoor learning spaces throughout the day
Collaborative setting with consistent communication and teamwork

Physical Requirements

The School Director role requires active involvement in both administrative and classroom environments. To successfully
perform the essential functions of this position, the following physical abilities are required:

Ability to move throughout the school for prolonged periods, including standing and walking for up to
75 percent of the workday.
Ability to transition between sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, and squatting throughout the day to
engage with children and support staff.
Ability to safely lift, carry, and move items up to 30 pounds, including classroom materials, supplies, and occasional
assistance with children’s belongings.

Ability to sit on the floor, engage at a child’s eye level, and participate in age-appropriate activities including light running,
outdoor play supervision, and interactive learning experiences.

Comfort working in a dynamic, sometimes noisy environment with frequent interruptions and regular movement between
indoor and outdoor spaces.
Ability to supervise children on playgrounds, in classrooms, hallways, entryways, and common areas.
Ability to respond quickly and safely in emergency situations, including evacuations, drills, and urgent classroom needs.
Ability to follow and model all safety procedures.

All employees must complete a background check as required by the Department of Early Education and Care

Legal Notice

We are an equal opportunity employer and value a workplace where everyone feels welcome. Employment here is offered on an
at‑will basis, meaning either the employee or the company may end the relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice,
consistent with applicable state and federal laws.

Babilou Family US is part of a global network of 1,100 early education and child care centers. We provide quality early education and child care across 42 New England schools. Through the experience and talents of nearly 900 early education professionals and in partnership with nearly 4,000 families, we are on a meaningful journey to create optimal learning spaces where children ages 0-5 can learn, grow, and thrive.  

Daycare Early Education Director

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Job details

Building Blocks Early Learning Center