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Vista Del Mar · 1 month ago

Center Director - CTC (Permit)

Los Angeles, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$90K/yr - $100K/yr

3+ years exp

Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services has been providing exceptional programs and services for children and families throughout LA County for over 100 years. The Center Director-Vista Village is responsible for the overall leadership and daily management of the agency’s Early Education Center, ensuring compliance with various regulations and delivering high-quality early learning services.

FamilyHealth CareNon ProfitPersonal HealthWellness

Responsibilities

Work with the agency leadership team to start up the Early Education Center, including developing center-specific policies and procedures

Prepare and submit the center’s licensing application. Compile all required documentation and ensure adherence to state regulations. Monitor application status, promptly address deficiencies, and secure licensing approval before center launch

Design and implement a staff training and development program aligned with program goals and compliance standards

Lead recruitment efforts to hire qualified center staff and build a cohesive team

Design and furnish early education environments. Collaborate with leadership and facilities to plan, equip, and customize classrooms and common areas. Ensure spaces are developmentally appropriate, safe, and aligned with program philosophy and licensing standards

Lead pre-launch outreach and enrollment strategies. Partner with ERSEA and the Creative Director to develop marketing and community recruitment campaigns. Facilitate family engagement, promote program visibility, and maintain targeted enrollment levels

Work collaboratively with the ERSEA team to facilitate center enrollment and ensure a smooth, supportive transition for children and families entering the center

Coordinate with internal service teams to establish operational systems. Interface with the nurse, food services, and maintenance teams to develop and implement essential systems and protocols in preparation for opening day. Ensure workflows, schedules, and compliance procedures are clearly defined and operational to support a safe, healthy, and fully functional early education environment from day one

Directly supervise center staff in the planning, development, and implementation of the educational program and food program to ensure daily operations of the center are in compliance with all applicable regulations

Mentor and train teaching staff to support a strong professional development system that promotes continuous growth. This includes but is not limited to: practice-based coaching, effective curriculum implementation, developmental assessments, data-informed individualization, responsive classroom environments, active supervision, and consistent adherence to policies, procedures, and documentation standards

Proactively assess and identify training needs of center staff and provide tailored training, support, guidance, and evaluation to strengthen program effectiveness, ensure delivery of comprehensive services, and promote continuous professional growth

Develop and implement a comprehensive center schedule that ensures state and federally mandated staff-to-child ratios are consistently maintained throughout the day for compliance. Coordinate a proactive coverage plan and serve as a substitute when necessary to always uphold ratio compliance

Ensure staff are accountable for assigned responsibilities by monitoring performance, quality, and adherence to workflow/deadlines

Facilitate regular team meetings (at least bi-weekly) and individual supervision to foster open communication, support collaboration, offer leadership direction, and identify areas where additional coaching or classroom management support may be needed

Conduct ITERS, ECERS, and curriculum fidelity observations as needed, followed by reflective debriefs and goal setting with lead teaching staff to drive continuous improvement in the quality of learning environments

Ensure center materials and furniture are safe and developmentally appropriate

Monitor and ensure the center indoor and outdoor environments are healthy and safe including office areas, classrooms, outdoor areas, and common areas for center staff and families

Ensure center staff adhere to the Suspected Child Abuse Reporting policies, procedures, and accurate documentation

Ensure timely and complete reporting of all Unusual Incidents, Ouch reports, or other time-sensitive reports

Collaborate with Vista Village specialist service area staff to lead and oversee the implementation of a tailored, comprehensive service approach that supports the unique needs of the center, each classroom, and every individual child

Leverage established tools and reports to effectively oversee key components of center operations, including child developmental assessments, teacher-child interactions, environmental quality measures, lesson planning, and professional development initiatives

Read, analyze, and interpret data from DRDPs and Environmental Rating Tools to create child- and center-specific goals

Oversee comprehensive digital documentation processes: Ensure accurate and timely entry of key data—including coaching outcomes, child assessments (DRDPs), environmental ratings, and attendance—into agency systems like ChildPlus and CareConnect. Use data to support program monitoring, compliance, and continuous improvement

Ensure implementation of the program’s Transition Plan for children and families

Implement the Federal Performance Standards for Children with Disabilities in the Head Start Program with assistance and input from the Disability Specialist

As a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team, oversee the implementation of each child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP)/Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and participate in case conferencing, as needed

Maintain and monitor the facility file and all licensing documentation on-site in accordance with CCL requirements

Provide regular updates, reports, and recommendations to support decision-making and continuous improvement efforts to support high-quality services to children and families

In collaboration with the Director of Early Care and Education, track and manage the center’s budget, inventory, and implement cost controls

Participate in internal and external audits and reviews, including those related to EHS and CCTR programs

Provide program tours to prospective families and community stakeholders

Create meaningful opportunities for parent involvement and classroom participation by implementing the parent education curriculum in collaboration with family engagement staff. Coordinate parent groups, workshops, and family engagement events to strengthen home–school connections and support family learning

Build strong relationships with families, address their concerns, and involve them in their child's care and education

Approve teacher conference forms and attend parent-teacher conferences for enrolled children as needed

Collaborate with families and teaching staff to develop and implement individualized support plans that address learning and/or behavioral challenges

Oversee the implementation of individualized transition plans. Provide leadership and guidance in the development and execution of transition strategies for children moving between classrooms or progressing to kindergarten. Coordinate with families, teaching staff, and support specialists to ensure transitions are smooth and developmentally supportive

Qualification

Child Development Program Director PermitEarly Childhood EducationSupervisory experienceEarly Head Start/Head Start experienceCrisis management skillsLeadership abilityConflict resolution

Required

Master's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field

Must have a current Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)

Minimum of 3 years of direct supervisory experience in an early education setting, with administrative and program coordination experience

Experience with Early Head Start/Head Start and California-subsidized childcare programs such as CCTR, and familiarity with applicable performance standards and regulations

Strong classroom and crisis management skills, with the ability to remain calm and composed under pressure

Demonstrated leadership ability, including motivating staff and resolving conflicts