JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Early Childhood Programs provides leadership for all early childhood education services, child nutrition, classroom-based programs, and child development initiatives. This role ensures compliance with Head Start standards, state licensing, and childcare regulations, delivering high-quality, family-centered services.

This position reports directly to the Chief Programs Officer, who provides executive oversight, strategic alignment, and ensures coordinated programming with Family Empowerment and other agency services.

This role ensures that all early childhood operations meet or exceed federal, state, and local requirements while fostering a culture grounded in the organization’s values: Collaborative as Partners; Supportive by Nature; Community-Centered; Compassion in Action; Act with Integrity; Pursue Exceptional Quality; and Innovate with Purpose.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Supervision:

Supervises Center Directors, Education/Child Development Coordinators, and other Early Childhood Program Managers to ensure high-quality program implementation aligned with agency values.
Delegates operational supervision, classroom monitoring, and site support to the Assistant Director while maintaining accountability for program quality, safety, and compliance.
Provides coaching, guidance, and performance oversight for education, child nutrition, and classroom operations staff, fostering a team that is Supportive by Nature and Collaborative as Partners.
Coordinates with and reports to the Chief Programs Officer to align early childhood programs with agency strategy, integrated family services, and community needs.
Leads staffing structures, schedules, and professional development, ensuring compliance with ratios, qualifications, and program performance standards.

Program Administration & Compliance

Ensures all Early Childhood programs meet Head Start Program Performance Standards, state licensing requirements, CACFP requirements, health & safety regulations, curriculum fidelity, and all applicable laws.
Oversees development and timely submission of program reports, grant applications, budgets, work programs, program narratives, and monitoring documentation; the Assistant Director may manage specific reporting tasks under the Director’s guidance.
Ensures high-quality implementation of curriculum, assessments, and school readiness goals, using data to guide continuous improvement and Pursue Exceptional Quality.

Operations, Facilities, & Safety:

Ensures cleanliness, safety, and functionality of buildings and grounds; coordinates facility repair and maintenance with the Director of Facilities & Maintenance.
Coordinates with the Assistant Director to monitor classrooms, playgrounds, and program environments for safety and developmentally appropriate learning, reflecting Compassion in Action and a Community-Centered approach.

Budget & Resource Management:

Oversees expenditure of funds in assigned areas; approves purchases of supplies, equipment, and instructional materials as needed.
Works with accounting staff to ensure budgets support high-quality services and compliance with Head Start cost principles; may work in partnership with the Assistant Director for budget tracking.
Supports innovative solutions for resource management that Innovate with Purpose.

Collaboration & Community Partnerships:

Collaborates with the Assistant Director, the Director of Family Empowerment Programs, and other program staff to coordinate integrated services including health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities, transportation, and family engagement.
Works in close partnership with the Director of Family Empowerment Programs to ensure seamless, two-generation service delivery that supports child outcomes and family stability.
Coordinates Head Start and Early Childhood activities with local education agencies, community organizations, licensing entities, health partners, and other agencies.
Represents the agency at conferences, meetings, workshops, and community events, modeling Act with Integrity and partnership-focused leadership.

Team Development:

Responsible for hiring, performance management, discipline, supervision and staff morale.
Provides coaching and professional development for staff, encouraging them to Collaborate as Partners and maintain Exceptional Quality in service delivery.
Builds strong teams that reflect the agency’s culture of integrity, empathy, and continuous improvement.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work occurs in administrative offices, Head Start/Early Head Start centers, and community settings.
Must be able to meet physical demands of visiting classrooms and centers.
Must have no physical limitations that prevent performance of essential job duties.
Requires ability to travel between sites and attend off-site trainings and events.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, or related degree, with five (5) years of experience related to preschool or early childhood education.
At least three (3) years of administrative or management experience in early childhood, educational, or social service programs.
Ability to manage multiple program sites and diverse functional areas.
Ability to analyze data to move children towards school readiness benchmarks.
Strong public relations, communication, and partnership-building skills.
Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, initiative, and leadership.
Strong writing skills for reports, correspondence, directives, and grant-related documentation.
Proficiency with technology, including program management systems and communication tools.

QUALIFICATIONS PREFERRED:

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Development, Educational Leadership, or related field.
Experience in administering Head Start, Early Head Start, or other family-and community-centered programs.
Experience with early childhood curriculum implementation, monitoring systems, and instructional coaching.

SUPERVISION:

Reports to: Chief Programs Officer.

Supervises: Head Start/Day Care Center Directors and Head Start Support Staff.

Coordinates with: Division Directors and Staff.

Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City

Director of Early Childhood Programs

About the Job