Assistant Director - Sauk Prairie Early Learning Center

About Us:

Sauk Prairie Early Learning Center is an exciting new child care center in the heart of the Sauk Prairie community. In partnership with the Sauk Prairie School District, municipalities, and generous donors, this vision has been able to come to life. Sauk Prairie Early Learning Center is a year round program providing early care and education to children ages 6 weeks - 5, with an enrollment capacity of 168. Our mission is to provide a nurturing, inclusive, and enriching environment where young children can thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually. We are committed to delivering high-quality early education that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. Through a child-centered approach, our dedicated educators empower each child to explore, discover, and develop foundational skills that will set them up for a lifetime of success. We believe in the power of play, collaboration, and positive guidance to inspire confident, compassionate, and resilient learners.

We are seeking a passionate and dynamic Assistant Director to join our team.

Position Overview:

As the Assistant Director, you will play a key role in supporting the daily operations and overall success of the center. Working closely with the Director, you will support high-quality programing, staff development, family relationships, licensing compliance, and the overall daily operation of the center. The ideal candidate is an experienced early childhood professional who is confident supporting teachers, building relationships, problem solving, and stepping into leadership while remaining connected to the day-to-day work of the center.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the Director in managing the operations of the child care center, ensuring smooth daily functioning and adherence to licensing requirements and high standards.
• Support curriculum development and implementation, ensuring that age-appropriate, play-based, child-centered programming is provided.
• Supervise and mentor teaching staff, providing ongoing training and support to enhance their skills and foster professional growth.
• Ensure compliance with state licensing requirements, health and safety standards, and all applicable regulations.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with families, providing updates, addressing concerns, and creating a welcoming atmosphere for all.
• Assist in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding new staff to build a team dedicated to high-quality care and education.
• Support the Director in managing the center's budget, schedules, and enrollment processes.
• Lead by example in maintaining a safe, clean, and inviting environment that supports learning and development.
• Serve as a point of contact in the Director's absence, providing leadership and decision-making support as needed.
• Assist with planning and implementing center events and activities that promote family engagement, community involvement, and staff morale.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor''s or Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (preferred)

• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in early childhood education, with at least 1 year in a supervisory or leadership role (preferred).

• Strong understanding of early childhood development, curriculum design, and effective teaching strategies, including Pyramid Model

• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

• Ability to collaborate and foster a positive, team-oriented work environment.

• Registry certificate of education qualifications - must be Director qualified for 51+

• Knowledge of state licensing requirements, health and safety standards, and best practices in early childhood education.

• Current certification in child and adult CPR & First Aid, Abusive Head Trauma, SIDS Prevention, and in Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse are required (or willing to receive training to be certified)

• Ability to properly handle confidential matters, emergency situations, and work in a positive manner with staff and the school community.

• Passion for working with young children and a commitment to providing high-quality care and education.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment

• Ability to lift 50 pounds

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a brand-new center with an opportunity to help shape its culture and success from the ground up.

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

• Supportive and collaborative work environment where your ideas and contributions are valued.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth in early childhood education.

• Make a lasting impact on the Sauk Prairie community by providing a strong foundation for our community's youngest learners.

If you're an experienced early childhood education professional with a passion for leadership and high-quality care, we would love to hear from you! Join us at this exciting stage as we create a center that will make a difference for children and families in Sauk Prairie.

District Description:

The district includes Sauk City and Prairie du Sac, two "next door" villages known as Sauk Prairie. They are located on the beautiful Wisconsin River. Thirteen towns and the village of Merrimac are also in the district. The area features rolling hills, meadows, bluffs, forests, lakes, and streams. The district offers small-town, rural living with easy access to the Madison urban area (25 miles) and to the Wisconsin Dells recreation area (28 miles). The district serves 2,800 students and comprises six learning communities with a high school of 850 students, middle school of 600 students and four elementary schools of 1350 students.