Childcare Director Job Description
Position Title: Childcare Director
Reports To: Owner/Executive Director
Location: Explorers Learning Academy (ELA), 8212 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97220
Employment Type: Full-Time, Salaried
Base Salary: $50,000 annually
Bonus Potential: Up to $45,000 annually (performance-based, distributed monthly)
Position Overview
The Childcare Director will be responsible for the overall leadership, compliance, performance, and operational excellence of Explorers Learning Academy. This includes managing enrollment, staffing, family engagement, curriculum fidelity, state compliance, and quality improvement initiatives like SPARK and Preschool for All (PFA).
Minimum Qualifications
Oregon Registry Step 9 or Higher (Required)
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in managing a licensed early childhood education program
Proven experience with:
Staff recruitment and retention
Enrollment management
Oregon's SPARK Quality Rating and Improvement System
Child Care licensing requirements
Implementing curriculum with fidelity (HighScope, Montessori-Inspired Environments, Second Step, etc.)
Contract compliance for publicly funded programs (e.g., PFA, CCI, ERDC)
Program Oversight
Ensure full enrollment of 50 children (37 preschool, 13 infants/toddlers)
Maintain compliance with licensing standards and safety regulations
Lead SPARK documentation and site visits to achieve and maintain 5-star rating
Implement monitoring systems via ProCare and other tools to track child files, staff credentials, and program metrics
Staff Management
Recruit, hire, supervise, and retain high-quality staff
Ensure all team members meet Oregon Registry Step-level requirements:
Lead Preschool Teachers – Step 9
Assistant Preschool Teachers – Step 7
Infant Toddler Teachers – Step 7
Floaters – Step 7
Conduct monthly staff performance reviews and lead bi-monthly staff meetings
Family & Community Engagement
Oversee delivery of three annual Parent-Teacher Conferences per child
Ensure ASQ and ASQ:SE screenings are completed within 45 days of enrollment
Plan and host a minimum of six family engagement events annually
Monitor family satisfaction and ensure survey ratings are ≥ 85%
Educational Quality
Lead fidelity implementation of HighScope and supplemental curriculums
Monitor classrooms for intentional teaching practices and documentation
Support team with ongoing coaching, training, and mentoring
Performance-Based Incentive Bonus Chart
Annual Bonus Potential: $45,000 (up to $3,750/month)
Monthly Monitoring & Payout
Performance will be evaluated monthly, and bonuses paid based on verified documentation, quality assurance reports, and enrollment/staffing audits.
| Performance Indicator | Annual Bonus |
|---|---|
| 1. Fully staffed (10 team members in place) | $3,000 |
| 2. All staff at correct Oregon Registry Step level | $3,000 |
| 3. 100% Enrollment (37 preschoolers, 13 infants/toddlers) | $5,000 |
| 4. SPARK 5-Star Quality Rating maintained | $5,000 |
| 5. Enroll and maintain all funding contracts (PFA, CCI, ERDC) | $5,000 |
| 6. No licensing violations throughout the year | $5,000 |
| 7. 85% or higher on family satisfaction survey | $3,000 |
| 8. Host at least 6 family engagement events per year | $3,000 |
| 9. Curriculum implemented to fidelity | $4,000 |
| 10. 100% of students receive 3 Parent-Teacher Conferences + ASQ & ASQ:SE | $4,000 |
| 11. All child records uploaded in ProCare by the 5th monthly | $5,000 |
| 💰 Total Potential Bonus | $45,000 |
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a resume, a Professional Development Statement from ORO, and a cover letter outlining leadership and SPARK experience to: admin@elapdx.com