Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for early childhood education and a drive to create a nurturing and innovative learning environment where every child thrives? Aspen Academy Early Childhood Center is seeking a dynamic and experienced Early Childhood Education (ECE) Director to join our team and help open this brand new facility and program! This position starts in March with the Center slated to open in August. As the ECE Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our youngest learners by leading and managing our exceptional early childhood program. You will have the opportunity to foster a love of learning, inspire young minds, and ensure that each child receives the highest quality care and education. If you have a proven track record of success in early childhood education and a deep commitment to creating a positive and impactful learning experience, we encourage you to apply!

Full Time | Onsite | Year-Round

Start Date: Preferred March 2025

Starting annual salary $72,000 - $82,000 (based on education & experience) 

Why Aspen Academy Early Childhood Center?

Aspen Academy's Early Childhood Learning Center, opening in August, will serve children from 2 to 4 years old, offering Early Preschool, Preschool, and Pre-Kindergarten classes. Located in the southern metro area of beautiful Denver, Colorado, the center provides an engaging learning environment and curriculum that blends a unique focus on financial/entrepreneurial/leadership skills, drawn from our flagship school, with Montessori elements, nature-based, and play-based learning principles. Through immersive, hands-on experiences and a deep connection to nature, the program fosters curiosity, creativity, growth, and a lifelong love of learning, while cultivating essential skills for future success. With a staff of 20 and 7 classrooms serving 95+ children, the center will offer a vibrant learning environment for young learners.

The ECE is part of the larger Aspen Academy Community and as such we live and model the community’s values in thought, word and deed to students, colleagues and parents and the larger community. We are palpably committed to, supportive and co-leaders in the achievement of Aspen Academy’s vision and mission:

• Our values: Be Kind. Do Good. Work Hard. Make the World Better.

• Our mission: We edify and inspire students and educators to grow, learn and lead.

• Our vision: We are a national leader in innovative and transformative education.

Learn about our flagship school here.

About Your Role

• You have a genuine love and passion for working with young children and are committed to their well-being and development.

• You maintain high energy, resilience, and a positive attitude.

• You communicate effectively and respectfully with all stakeholders, building strong partnerships and constructively addressing concerns. 

• You have strong problem-solving, decision-making, organizational, and time-management skills to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 

• You possess cultural competency and sensitivity, fostering an inclusive environment for all children and families.

• You skillfully uphold school standards and policies, embodying ethical and professional conduct, while maintaining positive relationships with all families.

• You have an entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

• You demonstrate leadership, collaboration, and a growth mindset, with openness to feedback, new learning, and a sense of humor.        

• You have a strategic mindset with the ability to align with and support the broader organizational vision and effectively manage the complex operations of an early childhood center.

• You are agile, adapting and responding resourcefully to changing circumstances and handling stressful situations effectively.

What You’ll Do

Program Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and evaluate program personnel and external vendor partnerships to ensure excellence.

• Strategically develop, implement, and maintain full enrollment in early childhood programs, including Pre-Kindergarten, extended care, and summer camps.

• Create, purchase, implement, and maintain innovative, age-appropriate curriculum and activities that align with Aspen Academy’s educational philosophy. Evaluate and maintain curriculum delivery with fidelity. and/or Evaluate and ensure curriculum and curriculum delivery promotes children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, ensuring alignment with state and national early learning standards.

• Collaborate with the Admissions team to achieve enrollment goals.

• Partner and collaborate with the main or K-8 campus Academic Leadership Team and Faculty on co-programming or shared programming.

• Identifying and pursuing funding opportunities/grants to support the center's programs and operations.

• Include responsibilities for after care program and summer camp - program development, marketing, enrollment…

• Within the strategic vision and working, assist with the development, management, scheduling, promoting, and executing a dynamic summer camp program to extend the learning, growth and leadership of our students’ experience.

• Ensure continuous improvement in Summer Camp programing as well as the enrollments in the program. 

Compliance & Licensing

• Ensure full compliance with Fire Department,  Arapahoe County Health Department and CDEC regulations for licensed programs at all times. Conduct regular checks, remediate issues in a timely manner and keep stakeholders informed.

• Build a positive and productive relationship with the assigned licensing specialist.

• Stay current with policy changes and maintain accurate and complete program documentation.

• Maintain required director certifications and provide necessary documentation to HR.

• Be present a minimum of 60% of daily operating hours to meet licensing requirements and ensure adherence to all health and safety regulations.

Staff & Family Engagement

• Build strong relationships with families, ensuring open communication and addressing any concerns or needs.

• Recruit, train, and retain qualified program staff, ensuring alignment with Aspen Academy’s values and educational standards.

• Support the professional development and maintaining certification of staff members by providing opportunities for training and continuing education.

• Actively engage with families and stakeholders implementing strategies and  promoting programs and maintain a supportive, engaged and vibrant community.

Operational Management

• Manage program budgets to ensure financial sustainability and growth.

• Oversees and is accountable for program schedules, enrollment processes, and communications, including newsletters and parent updates.

• Monitor and manage accounts receivable/payable related to program operations.

• In collaboration with Aspen Academy’s Facilities and Safety Department, ensure the facility is safe, clean, and well-maintained, and that it meets all relevant health and safety standards.

Community Representation

• Represent Aspen Academy in the broader community, participating in professional organizations, events, and networking opportunities to build relationships and promote the program.

• Organize and participate in community marketing events to increase program awareness and enrollment.

What You’ll Need to Get the Job Done

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.

• Minimum of 2 years of leadership/management experience in early childhood programs.

• Required: Colorado Director Certification or equivalent credential.

• Strong knowledge of state licensing requirements and regulations.

• A strong foundation in early childhood development theories and practices.

• Experience in building and maintaining a high quality learning environment for young children.

• Proven ability to lead and manage diverse teams.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and relevant technology.

• Required – CPR, First Aid Training

• Grant permission for a criminal background check upon hire. 

• Meet physical demands to perform essential functions of the role.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions: Ability to work full-time, including occasional evenings and weekends; work in person/in the school building; speak for long periods of time. Regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch.  Frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; occasionally life up to 50 pounds. 

What You’ll Love About Us

Be Kind. Do Good. Work Hard. Make the World Better. These are the values our team embodies day to day. Below are some of the ways in which we’ll promise to value you in your time here: 

• Retirement: 403(b) plan with employer matching

• Healthcare: Medical, dental and vision plans with various options to support your unique needs. Free telehealth.

• Wellness: Holistic employee assistance program (EAP) including mental health support.  Fitness challenges, gym discounts, health education, and fun team activities.

• Life Insurance & Voluntary Benefits: Group life insurance and option to enroll in additional voluntary life insurance and other supplemental coverages 

• Time-off: Flexible PTO policy 

• Career development: Professional development reimbursement program and monthly onsite professional development

• Family Care: Tuition assistance
  
  

Salary Range: Starting annual salary $72,000-$82,000 (based on education & experience) 

More about Aspen Academy Early Childhood Center

Aspen Academy Early Childhood Center is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and military and veteran status. 

Apply Here Today!