About LASER

Join us in our work of strengthening families and community through our enriching after school and camp programs onsite at Seattle elementary schools! We help elementary-age children flourish by offering an environment where all children in our care can grow, respect, and enjoy one another. LASER Childcare fosters independence, creativity, and joy through a balance of structured and flexible activities. Our wonderful staff offer the care, fun, and inspiration that support our children to thrive. LASER is a non-profit organization providing high-quality, year-round childcare to 200+ families in Northeast Seattle. We bridge school and home through our after-school programs and we offer enriching camps during breaks and summer.

LASER Vision: Our children face tomorrow's challenges and create a more caring world.

LASER Mission: We cultivate a community where kids grow and thrive.

LASER Values: Relationships, Compassion, Learning, Inclusivity, Safe & Dependable

Title: Program Director

Performance Profile Source: Full-time (Salaried, Non-Exempt--eligible for overtime), 40 hrs. per week, on-site

Reports to: Executive Director

Primary Functions: Responsible for running the program site, including ensuring outstanding learning experiences for children, a professional, effective staff, positive ongoing relations with the school community, and alignment of organizational mission, vision, and values across the organization as part of the Leadership Team.

Outstanding Child Experience

Ensures LASER values and pedagogical best practices regarding curriculum and equity are reflected and implemented throughout the site
Prioritizes child safety in all aspects of program
Evaluates the effectiveness of the site’s program and makes collaborative change as appropriate
Supports curriculum planning and development
Leads escalations of communication, planning, and support of children and families in the program
Ensures accurate documentation and compliant child files
Responsible for compliance with licensing and pertinent governing laws throughout the site

Leadership

Directly supervises, mentors, and supports the Site Supervisors
Responsible for the overall supervision of Assistant Teachers and Lead Teachers in collaboration with the Site Supervisors
Manages escalation of HR issues in collaboration with Site Supervisors and the Leadership Team as appropriate
Oversees 90-day and annual performance evaluations of Assistant Teachers and Lead Teachers, in conjunction with the Site Supervisors
Delivers 90-day and annual performance evaluations to Site Supervisors
Hires Assistant Teachers, Lead Teachers, and Supervisors as needed and leads all onboarding
Creates and manages staff schedule, absences, and teaching teams
Maintains documentation and compliant staff files
Plans ongoing professional development for staff in collaboration with the Leadership Team
Models a high level of professionalism, including direct communication, use of EQ skills, and maintaining confidentiality and boundaries

Community Relations

Responsible for the day-to-day relationship with the school, in collaboration with the Strategic Director
Manages and directs the site’s relationships with families in the program and at the school
Oversees outreach, enrollment and onboarding of families in conjunction with the Bookkeeper and Program Administrator

Organizational Integrity

Ensures the site’s alignment with LASER’s vision and values
Works closely with Leadership Team to ensure collaboration, consistency, and alignment of staff, child, and family experience between sites
Leads with a style that supports positive culture-setting at the site and at the organization as a whole
Focuses on the integration of equity, anti-racist, and anti-bias best practices in all aspects of the site
Develop an understanding of the budget for the site in collaboration with the Executive Director and Bookkeeper
Collaborates closely with the Leadership Team on problem-solving, improvements, and long-term strategic planning for the site and the organization

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree preferred
Have a minimum two years of experience teaching children and a year’s experience in administration
Demonstrated experience and passion for child development, child care advocacy and educational paradigms
Reflective thinker who approaches challenging situation with a lens of inquiry, empathy, and curiosity
Familiarity with DCYF licensing requirements
Well-developed interpersonal and group skills, collaborative nature, outstanding communication skills
Motivated to take initiative and improve systems
Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance
Able to switch gears quickly and deal with multiple issues with consistent clarity and thoroughness
Exhibits a high level of professionalism at all times, including in communication and boundary-setting
Collaborates effectively with colleagues, both supervisors and supervisees
Maintains a disposition toward leadership development
Open to feedback and seeks professional growth
Willing to complete necessary continuing education credits per licensing requirements

LASER Childcare jobs

K-5 Childcare Program Director