Director, Early Learning Child Development Center

Florida Gulf Coast University Innovative Education & Partnerships

Director of Early Learning Centers overseeing operations in Fort Myers and Naples. Responsible for managing staff, budget, and maintaining accreditations at FGCU's childcare facilities.

Posted 4/17/2026full-timeFort Myers • Florida • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Oversees the daily operations of the child development center, including managing operating budget, hiring and supervising staff, maintaining license and accreditation status, and identifying and pursuing fundraising efforts.
Responsible for directing the Center and providing programmatic and instructional leadership to obtain and maintain National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation as outlined in the mission and vision of the center.
Serves as a Teaching Director, teaching infants, toddlers, and/or preschool children on a limited basis as needed for ratio and/or coverage.
Serves as liaison for the Center, University, parents, and the surrounding community to ensure that childcare routines are consistent with good child development principles.
Ensures the health, safety, welfare, and accountability of children through constant supervision; and that parents receive adequate information about their child’s experiences.
Maintains written records monitoring child’s progress in all areas of development.
Provides supervision to staff and includes staff in planning and assignments.
Coordinates and oversees special projects.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

What you’ll need

10 years of directly related full-time experience or, a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or other directly related field and six years of full-time experience directly related to the job functions.
Experience with children in a full-time licensed child care facility or public/private school program.
Two years of experience as a supervisor.
Three years of experience as an early childhood education teacher.
Current Florida Child Care Director Credential with VPK endorsement, or be eligible to obtain the VPK endorsement within 30 days of employment.
Current First-Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.
Experience operating a personal computer and proficient with Microsoft Office (Work, Excel, and Outlook).

Benefits

Comp & perks

Professional development opportunities

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

early childhood educationchild developmentsupervisionprogrammatic leadershipinstructional leadershiprecord keepingfundraisinghealth and safety monitoring

Soft Skills

communicationteam managementcommunity liaisonplanningorganization

Certifications

Florida Child Care Director CredentialVPK endorsementFirst-Aid certificationCPR certification