Child Care Director

St. John's Lutheran Church and Child Care Center – Minneapolis, MN Organization Overview

St. John's Child Care Center is a premier, NAEYC-accredited early childhood program located in Minneapolis. Highly regarded for its commitment to excellence and its deep-rooted history in the community, the Center provides a nurturing, vibrant, and stable educational environment. While the Center is housed within St. John's Lutheran Church, it operates as a non-faith-based program dedicated to high-quality early childhood development and community service.

The Director of Child Care provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for the Center. This role is designed for a professional who excels in operational management and views their primary function as a facilitator of excellence. The Director is responsible for personnel management (hiring, reviews, termination) and for managing the "behind-the-scenes" administrative, financial, and regulatory requirements, thereby empowering the teaching staff to focus entirely on classroom instruction and student engagement.

The ideal candidate will have significant classroom experience to effectively mentor staff and a proven ability to collaborate with church leadership.

• Develop and manage the annual operating budget in coordination with the Church Council and the Child Care Committee. Work with the organization’s bookkeeper on preparing monthly financial statements and balancing the Child Care ledger.
• Actively identify and pursue grant opportunities (e.g., Parent Aware or state-level funding) to enhance Center resources.
• Oversee all administrative functions, including tuition management, payroll, and vendor relations, including collections for unpaid child care fees.
• Maintain the Center’s NAEYC accreditation and ensure 100% compliance with all Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licensing regulations.

• Serve as the primary advocate for the teaching staff, ensuring their needs and professional insights are represented to the Church Council and leadership.
• Create a teaching schedule that is fair to all staff, compliant with all DCYF employment regulations, and allows teachers adequate time for rest and recharging.
• Foster a culture of stability and support by removing administrative obstacles for teachers and aides.
• Identify and facilitate professional development opportunities that align with staff goals and accreditation requirements.
• Provide grounded mentorship and guidance to educators, drawing from personal experience in the classroom to support instructional quality.

• Lead the enrollment process by welcoming new families and providing a professional introduction to the Center’s values and standards.
• Manage the enrollment calendar and ensure families are aware of registration deadlines and paperwork requirements for enrollments.
• Navigate sensitive or complex family situations with diplomacy, empathy, and professional conflict-resolution skills.
• Maintain and grow the Center’s reputation for excellence within the Minneapolis community.

• Report regularly to the Pastor, Church Council, and Child Care Committee regarding the Center’s health, enrollment, and financial standing.
• Work with church leadership to maintain health insurance, workers’ compensation, liability insurance, and other legal necessities for the child care center.
• Collaborate with church leadership to ensure the Center’s operations align with the broader facility management and long-term strategic goals of the building.
• Maintain the stability and culture of the Center by honoring established traditions while implementing modern best practices in early childhood education.

• Professional
  
  Experience:
  
  Extensive experience as a lead teacher in an early childhood classroom is required. Candidates must also demonstrate proven success in a leadership or supervisory role within an educational setting.
• Educational Background: A Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related…