Child Care Center Director

Child Care Center Director (Head of School)

Guidepost Montessori · Evanston, IL · Full-time, on-site · $80,000–$93,000 + bonus

Guidepost Montessori is hiring a Center Director to lead our Evanston campus. You'll run the whole school: enrollment, staffing, families, licensing, and the quality of every classroom. You'll report to our [Regional Director].

If you've run a child care center or preschool and want to lead one where the program comes first, we'd like to talk. You don't need Montessori experience to start. We'll train you.

About Guidepost

We believe young children are far more capable than most programs assume. Montessori classrooms give them real work, real independence, and real responsibility. We're part of a network of 60+ schools working to make that kind of early education available to many more families.

What you will own:

- Enrollment and retention. Fill the school and keep families with us. You'll lead tours and admissions with your Assistant Director.

- Staffing. Hire, coach, and keep great teachers. Keep classrooms fully staffed and in ratio. Manage schedules and labor cost.

- Program quality. Make sure every classroom meets our Montessori program quality standard, with support from our training and programs team.

- Licensing and safety. Keep the center in compliance with Illinois DCFS licensing standards. Lead inspections and keep records current.

- Culture and community. Build a team people want to stay on and a parent community families recommend.

What you bring

- Meets Illinois DCFS child care center director qualifications (89 Ill. Admin. Code 407.130 (https://ilga.gov/ftp/JCAR/AdminCode/089/089004070D01300R.html))

- 2 to 3+ years leading a licensed child care center, preschool, or early childhood program as a director, assistant director, or program director

- A track record of growing enrollment and keeping staff

- Clear, warm communication with families and staff

- Good judgment when you have to decide quickly with incomplete information

- Real openness to Montessori: curious, willing to learn, excited about children's independence

Nice to have

- Montessori credential (AMI, AMS, or MACTE-accredited) or Montessori classroom experience

- Early childhood classroom teaching experience

- Experience with a multi-site child care operator

What we offer

- $80,000–$93,000 base plus performance bonus

- 75% tuition discount for up to two children at any Guidepost school (ages 3 months to 6 years)

- Health, dental, and vision insurance

- Paid time off and paid holidays

- Montessori training and ongoing professional development

- A network of fellow school leaders who share what works

- Room to grow into regional and network leadership roles

Guidepost Global Education and Guidepost Montessori are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We will not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Our leadership is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy. When requested, we are committed to reasonably accommodate employees and applicants with disabilities or special needs that may require an accommodation.