Director, Ann Graves Child Development Center

Job description

The Hockaday School seeks an enthusiastic and mission-driven Director of the Ann Graves Child Development Center to provide visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational management for the child development center. The Director is responsible for fostering a nurturing, safe, and developmentally appropriate environment that supports the growth and well-being of young children while serving the needs of Hockaday faculty and staff families. The Director oversees all aspects of the Child Development Center, including program quality, licensing compliance, curriculum implementation, staff leadership and development, enrollment management, family engagement, and financial stewardship. This role is responsible for building and maintaining a strong team culture, ensuring excellence in teaching and care, and creating meaningful partnerships with families. The Director promotes continuous improvement through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to best practices in childcare. Reporting to the Director of Auxiliary Programs, the Director of the Ann Graves Child Development Center serves as a key member of the Auxiliary Programs team. The Director ensures the Child Development Center remains a valued employee benefit and an integral part of the Hockaday community while advancing the Schools mission and standards of excellence.

The Ann Graves Child Development Center at The Hockaday School provides a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children from infancy through preschool. Designed to support Hockaday families and employees, the Center fosters curiosity, creativity, and social-emotional growth through a play-based approach led by experienced early childhood educators. The Center is licensed by the State of Texas and is nationally accredited by the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) for Early Care and Education Programs, reflecting its commitment to the highest standards of quality, safety, and early learning excellence.

Were excited about this opportunity because youll....

Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of the Child Development Center (CDC)

Develop and maintain a nurturing, safe, and developmentally appropriate childcare program

Establish and communicate a clear vision for the CDC aligned with Hockadays mission and values

Foster a positive culture that supports children, families, and staff

Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on program quality, enrollment, and family satisfaction

Ensure full compliance with all applicable Texas Health and Human Services Child Care Licensing regulations and minimum standards

Maintain all required licensing records, reports, and documentation

Ensure adherence to health, safety, emergency preparedness, and child protection policies

Serve as the primary liaison with licensing representative and regulatory agencies

Monitor classroom ratios, staff qualifications, training requirements, and supervision practices

Recruit, hire, onboard, supervise, evaluate, and retain highly qualified staff

Create a collaborative and supportive work environment that promotes professional growth

Conduct regular classroom observations and provide coaching and feedback

Ensure staff assignments align with qualifications, training, and experience

Develop leadership capacity amont Assistant Directors and teaching staff

Facilitate staff meetings, professional development, and ongoing training

Maintain a warm, caring, and community-centered environment

Maintain a visible and active presence in classrooms

Ensure implementation of developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum

Monitor childrens developmental progress and support teachers in meeting individual needs

Promote a play-based learning environment that supports social-emotional, cognitive, physical, and language development

Ensure smooth transitions between class ooms and age groups

Build strong, trusting relationships with CDC families

Communicate regularly with parents regarding childrens development, center operations, and special events

Address parent concerns promptly and professionally

Partner with families to support childrens growth and well-being

Plan and facilitate family engagement opportunities

Develop and maintain the CDC budget

Monitor revenue and expenses to ensure financial sustainability

Evaluate program needs and make recommendations regarding staffing, resources, and equipment

Oversee purchasing and inventory for classroom and operational needs

Perform other duties as assigned

Were excited about you because you have...

Bachelors degree required; Masters degree in Education, Business, or related field preferred

The qualiifications necessary to serve as a licensed Child Care Center Director in the State of Texas

At least 5 years of experience leading an childcare program, child development center, preschool, or similar educational environment

A passion for childcare and a deep commitment to nurturing the growth, development, and well-being of young children

Strong knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practices, and current trends in childcare practices

Knowledge of Texas Child Care Licensing regulations and a commitment to maintaining compliance, safety, and operational excellence

Exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment

Experience with budgeting, enrollment management, staffing, and operational oversight

The ability to navigate challenges with professionalism, emotional intelligence, and sound judgment under pressure

A demonstrated ability to build trust, strengthen team culture, and foster positive working relationships among staff

A commitment to maintaining a consistent presence in classrooms to support teachers, children, and program quality

Must have the ability to work in a school environment through satisfactory completion of all legally required and School-required background and screening checks and verifications, including criminal and sex offender background checks

Why you\'ll love working at Hockaday...

Youll join a mission-driven, joyful community that believes deeply in the limitless potential of girls.

We are a community grounded in the Hockaday CornerstonesCharacter, Courtesy, Scholarship, and

Athleticsand youll bring these values to life in your daily work.

We are energized by meaningful challenges, embrace a growth mindset, and seek creative solutions that positively impact our students.

We honor our rich traditions while embracing innovation across all areas of the School.

We val

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Worksite address

dallas, TX, 75215, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.