At Magical Beginnings, we believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and engaging start to their educational journey. With care, we care — and that belief is at the heart of everything we do. Our early childhood education centers are dedicated to creating positive learning environments where children, families, and educators feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow.
We are currently seeking an experienced and motivated Center Director to lead our Upper Village center in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. This leadership role is ideal for a passionate early childhood education professional who thrives in center operations, staff leadership, regulatory compliance, and building strong relationships with families and the local community.
The Center Director is responsible for the overall management of the childcare center, ensuring high-quality early education programming, operational excellence, staff development, and compliance with all New York State OCFS regulations and company standards.
What You'll Do:
As a Center Director, you will oversee the daily operations of the childcare center while creating a positive, safe, and high-quality learning environment for children, families, and staff.
Leadership & Center Management
- Manage the daily operations of the daycare and preschool center, including staffing, scheduling, enrollment support, and overall center performance
- Foster a positive, professional, and team-oriented workplace culture focused on collaboration, accountability, and early childhood education excellence
- Provide leadership, coaching, and ongoing support to teachers and center staff
- Support employee onboarding, training, performance management, and professional development initiatives
- Maintain strong communication with families regarding center operations, policies, child development, and community engagement
- Partner with leadership teams to support enrollment growth, retention, and family satisfaction initiatives
Staff Development & Classroom Support
- Mentor and support Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers in implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum and classroom management practices
- Conduct classroom observations and provide coaching and feedback to support quality improvement and teacher success
- Ensure classrooms maintain engaging, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environments for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children
- Promote a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement across the center
Compliance, Licensing & Safety
- Ensure ongoing compliance with all New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) childcare licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and company policies
- Maintain accurate staff and child records, licensing documentation, incident reports, and required compliance files
- Oversee center preparedness for licensing visits, inspections, and quality assurance reviews
- Monitor teacher-to-child ratios and ensure appropriate staffing coverage at all times
- Support implementation of health, safety, emergency preparedness, and sanitation procedures throughout the childcare center
- Ensure all employees maintain required certifications, trainings, and background clearances in accordance with state regulations
Operational Responsibilities
- Assist with enrollment processes, tours, family communication, and community outreach efforts
- Monitor center supplies, classroom materials, and operational needs to support smooth daily operations
- Collaborate with regional leadership regarding center goals, staffing needs, compliance updates, and operational performance
- Support a positive customer experience for current and prospective families
Requirements and Qualifications
We’re seeking a dedicated early childhood education leader with strong operational, leadership, and compliance experience in a childcare or preschool setting.
Qualified candidates should meet the following requirements:
- Must meet New York State OCFS qualifications, including
- Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field preferred
- Minimum of 2 years of leadership or management experience in a licensed childcare, daycare, or preschool setting preferred
- Previous experience supervising staff, managing center operations, and supporting regulatory compliance required
- Strong knowledge of New York State OCFS childcare licensing regulations and early childhood education best practices
- Experience with staff development, coaching, classroom quality improvement, and family engagement
- Strong organizational, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to multitask and manage daily operations in a fast-paced childcare environment
- Proficiency with technology, documentation systems, and communication platforms preferred
- Ability to actively support classrooms and center operations as needed, including standing, walking, lifting, and engaging with children and staff throughout the day
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required New York State background clearances and regulatory requirements, including fingerprinting, criminal history review, and Statewide Central Register (SCR) clearance. Candidates must also meet all applicable health and immunization requirements in accordance with state regulations.
If you’re passionate about early childhood education leadership and want to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children, families, and educators, we’d love to hear from you.
Magical Beginnings offers a supportive leadership environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the ability to help shape a positive and thriving childcare community.
Magical Beginnings is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and families. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all required state background checks and clearances.
