Position Overview
The Assistant Director works collaboratively with the Center Director and Financial Director to support the daily operations, administration, and overall functioning of Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center. This role provides flexible, hands-on support across program operations, curriculum and environment planning, staff and family engagement, financial administration, and facility management.
The Assistant Director helps ensure the center operates smoothly while upholding its RIE philosophy, commitment to respectful caregiving, and high-quality early childhood education.
Key Responsibilities
Center Operations & Administrative Support
-Support the Center Director with daily operations, staffing, scheduling, and evolving program needs.
-Assist with administrative responsibilities, recordkeeping, family contracts, enrollment documentation, and general office tasks.
-Coordinate facility maintenance, repairs, and upkeep of the center's buildings and grounds.
-Provide flexible support with miscellaneous tasks, special projects, errands, and other responsibilities as needed.
Curriculum, Environment & Program Support
-Collaborate with the Center Director, Head Teacher, and teaching team on emergent curriculum planning, implementation, observation, and documentation.
-Support the thoughtful planning, organization, and ongoing development of learning environments that reflect children's interests, developmental needs, and the center's philosophy.
-Assist educators with classroom practices, materials, and strategies that promote children's independence, exploration, and meaningful engagement.
-Model and uphold the RIE philosophy through respectful interactions and responsive caregiving.
Classroom & Staff Support
-Provide substitute coverage, classroom assistance, and staffing support as needed.
-Collaborate with the Center Director and Head Teacher to support staff development, communication, and problem-solving.
-Participate in staff meetings, program planning, and centerwide initiatives.
-Help maintain a collaborative, respectful, and supportive workplace culture.
Financial & Organizational Support
-Assist the Financial Director with onsite financial and administrative tasks, including collecting, organizing and filing invoices, receipts, reimbursements, payments, tracking expenditures and relevant documentation.
-Support family billing processes, scholarship and subsidy documentation, and coordination with outside agencies as needed.
-Assist with bank deposits, financial recordkeeping, and communication between the center and Financial Director.
-Support fundraising activities, grant-related documentation, community outreach, and special events as needed.
Family & Community Engagement
-Support positive, professional relationships and open communication with families.
-Assist with family events, communications, and opportunities for community engagement.
-Represent and advocate for the center's philosophy, mission, and values in interactions with families and community partners.
-Safety, Compliance & Facility Support
-Assist with maintaining a safe, organized, and well-functioning center environment.
-Support emergency preparedness, safety procedures, drills, and compliance with center policies and licensing requirements.
-Provide operational support and assist with immediate needs in the Center Director's absence.
Additional Responsibilities
-Provide ongoing, flexible assistance to the Center Director with whatever may be needed to support the center's successful operation, including substitute coverage, administrative tasks, curriculum and environment projects, staff support, and unexpected daily needs.
-Uphold the center's personnel policies, professional standards, and code of ethical conduct.
-Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
-Minimum of 12 ECE Units; in addition to a minimum of 3 infant/toddler units
-Education or experience in early childhood education, child development, nonprofit administration, or a related field.
-RIE training preferred
-Experience working with infants and toddlers and familiarity with respectful, relationship-based caregiving; knowledge of the RIE philosophy preferred.
-Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
-Ability to work collaboratively with staff, families, leadership, and community partners.
-Experience with administrative tasks, recordkeeping, basic financial processes, and computer applications.
-Proficiency in QuickBooks or demonstrated experience using Quickbooks for financial recordkeeps, invoicing, payment tracking, and basic accounting tasks
-Ability to take initiative, work independently, manage competing priorities, and adapt to the evolving needs of a small nonprofit program.
-Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, flexibility, and commitment to the center's mission and philosophy.
Physical Requirements
-Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds, stand and move for extended periods, and perform physical tasks such as bending, kneeling, and squatting. Must be able to provide coverage in various center roles, including classroom teaching, cooking, cleaning, and general operations, with or without reasonable accommodation.
