Executive Director- Early Childcare Education

Executive Director

Bellingham Childcare and Learning Center (BCLC) is seeking an Executive Director to oversee our early

learning program and staff. BCLC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has served our Whatcom

County community for over 50 years. Our mission is to provide high quality early learning and support to

young children, and to provide access to a diversity of families through subsidized care and our tuition

assistance program. BCLC is NAEYC-accredited and partners with Early Achievers to ensure continued

program quality. Some of our core values include play-based learning, teacher education, and partnering

together with families in learning and development. We are looking for an experienced, dedicated

individual to guide our center to continued excellence in the field of early childhood education.

Salary Range/Status: 50-72k, Non-exempt

Schedule: Full-time, M-F approximately 8:30 A.M- 5:00 P.M. (40 hours/week)

Location: On site in Bellingham, WA with occasional off-site duties

Position Summary:

The Executive Director will oversee all operations and the development of center programming to meet

the needs of our diverse and evolving community. They ensure alignment with Washington State

childcare licensing requirements and maintain developmentally appropriate practices for children and

teachers as specified by NAEYC, Early Achievers, and emerging research in the field. The Executive

Director promotes the integrity of the center for children, families, and the community, and maintains a

safe, positive, and inclusive atmosphere for all children, families, and employees.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Programming:

Manages all program staff through hiring and onboarding process, maintaining an adequate

substitute teacher pool and orienting new staff to BCLC in partnership with program

coordinator.

Maintains thorough knowledge of early learning best practices, licensing standards, and BCLC

policy to guide program staff in supporting and individualizing learning for diverse children.

Coordinates all required trainings for employees and provides resources and opportunity for

continued professional development to suit a variety of needs and experience.

Ensures consistent and clear communication with all staff, including but not limited to regularly

scheduled all staff meetings, lead teacher meetings, administration meetings and planned

teacher workdays.

Partners with program staff including administrative assistant and program coordinator to

ensure smooth operations day-to-day.

Partners with program coordinator to ensure fidelity to developmentally appropriate curriculum

and supporting teachers in implementing learning activities as needed.

Supports program coordinator with scheduling as needed.

Administration:

Maintains compliance with regulatory agencies and policies including USDA, DCYF, Department

of Health, Annual Health and Safety Trainings, Early Achievers, and NAEYC

Sensitivity: General Business Use. This document contains proprietary information and is intended for business use only.

Responsible for all fiscal management of the center, including budget development and tracking

through QuickBooks system, employee payroll and wage ladder, quarterly taxes, non-profit

corporation status report, and purchasing orders.

Responsible for understanding how to manage BCLC website, Bright wheel app, and BCLC social

media accounts.

Maintains the health and safety of the center’s facilities and equipment in partnership with

program staff and community agencies as needed.

Advocacy:

Ensures regular communication with families regarding children’s learning and experiences at

BCLC and invites family engagement and participation.

Engages with and creates social media and website content promoting BCLC’s work, in

partnership with program coordinator and administrative assistant.

Researches, writes, and submits grant applications to benefit BCLC’s ongoing work, teacher

education, purchasing of resources, and other applicable grant avenues.

Partners with BCLC Board of Directors to plan and implement fundraising opportunities

benefitting BCLC’s tuition assistance program.

Participates in monthly meetings with the BCLC Board of Directors, communicating program

updates, financial reports, and teaming on emergent issues, program growth, and community

partnerships; also communicates with BCLC Board President and members on any day-to-day

operating issues that may arise.

Participates in monthly meetings with United Way, and maintains consistent involvement with

community partners (networking with other childcare centers, partnering with Whatcom County

nonprofit work as applicable/able, hosting student interns from Western Washington

University)

Skills and Abilities:

Competency in writing, reading, analyzing, and performing numeric calculations. Managing and

maintaining the BCLC budget; responsible for maintaining and understanding of BCLC’s financial

status and communicating this regularly to the BCLC Board of Directors.

Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills in a variety of settings, including

with teaching staff, families, Board of Directors and community partners in person, over the

phone, and in writing.

Experience with technology use in the workplace including email, printers, tablets, Google and

Microsoft office tools, apps such as Bright wheel, and more as needed.

Collaborates and problem-solves with others respectfully and empathetically, while also able to

exercise independent judgment and leadership when applicable.

Models’ professionalism in the workplace including responsiveness, organization, attention to

detail, adhering to deadlines and interpersonal skills.

Education and Experience:

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field (required)

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field (preferred)

Two years of experience in a related field with management responsibilities (required)

Two years of experience in educational leadership (preferred)

Sensitivity: General Business Use. This document contains proprietary information and is intended for business use only.

Additional requirements:

Reliable Transportation, with occasional duties off-site

Required Vaccinations MMR vaccination and proof of negative TB test (required)

A completed Primary Vaccine Series (e.g., 2 dose monovalent Pfizer, Moderna or

Novavax series or 1 dose J&J vaccine series) or be Up to Date (receiving the most recent

Pfizer/Moderna bivalent vaccine/booster) for COVID-19 vaccination prior to their start

date (required; exemptions may be considered)

Background check

Ability to handle occasional travel.

Up to date First Aid/CPR Certification (required)

Performing the duties of this job requires:

Walking, standing, bending, squatting, balancing, and kneeling.

Walking up and down stairs

pushing, pulling, reaching at, above, or below shoulder level

Frequent sitting and frequent periods of time using/viewing a computer monitor.

Frequent lifting up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds.

Frequent use of hands in repetitive tasks such as simple grasping, twisting/turning of wrists.

Frequent finger manipulation to perform various clerical duties such as typing, filing, writing, and

entering data into the computer system.

Frequent talking and hearing in person and on the telephone.

Frequent clarity of vision at 20 inches or less & Occasional clarity of vision at 20 feet or more.

NOTE: Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed to be exhausted

lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job.

Benefits:

IRA retirement program + matching

Health insurance, including vision and dental coverage.

Paid time off

Reduced childcare rates for dependents age 5 or under at BCLC.

Interested applicants should apply from our website: https://www.bellinghamchildcare.com/new-page-3