Position Title: Centre Director
Reports to: Vice-President, Centres for Early Learning
Direct Reports: Assistant Director & Centre Staff
The Organization
Centres for Early Learning is fully licensed by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and Toronto Children’s Services and is made up of ten (10) childcare centres serving communities in various high need areas of Toronto and Milton Ontario. We believe that the right learning environment supports child development. With programs for infants to children 12 years of age, our centres offer fun educational environments that parents trust and rely on. Our Education Curriculum is designed to meet the individual developmental needs of each child, including social, physical, intellectual, creative, emotional and self-concept. We are proud to have been Enriching Lives for the past 50 years, and making a difference in lives of children, families and the communities we serve.
The Role
Centres for Early Learning (CFEL) is seeking a Centre Director to provide strong operational, educational, and people leadership at the centre level. The Centre Director plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, compliant, and high-quality delivery of childcare programs while driving enrolment, financial performance, staff development, and family satisfaction.
This role is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the centre, ensuring regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and alignment with CFEL’s educational philosophy and organizational priorities. The Centre Director leads and develops the centre team, builds strong relationships with families and community partners, and acts as a trusted representative of CFEL within the community. With a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on leadership, the Centre Director ensures the centre operates efficiently, sustainably, and in a manner that reflects CFEL’s values and commitment to enriching lives.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Is a resource & provides training to centre team & can be counted on by CFEL Leadership if needed as well
- Has foresight to proactively identify & resolve problems about the business at the centre level to ensure that business is driving forward
- Organizes schedules/budgets in an efficient/productive manner & anticipates and plans for contingencies
- Focuses on key priorities for the centre and key initiatives for the division, and is able to juggle multiple tasks/projects
- Pays attention to detail and presentation of work
- Maintains and builds strong stakeholder relationships including but not limited to: agencies, schools, landlords, community etc.
- Participate in daily centre and management huddles
- Participates and adds value in management monthly meetings. Always comes prepared to discuss agenda items and is proactive with recommendations and solutions for rocks discussed. Generates sensible, realistic and practical solutions to problems.
- Uses one to one coaching to set clear, fair goals for self and others.
- Participate in the divisional Strategic Planning process as invited
Staffing and Human Resources
- Manages employees to ensure centre and divisional targets and regulatory requirements are being worked towards and met (enrollment, health, licensing, fire, etc.)
- Top grades through effectively recruiting and always striving to select A players
- Actively and successfully trains and coaches staff to aid in problem solving and offers/provides the needed tools/resources for the success of the team
- Consistently implements all human resource policies and procedures & regulations without fail (self and team)
- Fosters a cohesive and positive team environment at a centre level & establishes collaborative relationships with peers
- Self-starter that will have awareness of independent improvement and will come up with a development plan for growth
Administrative
- Participates in annual budget planning for the centre in the areas of enrolment and capital expenses
- Analyzes areas to be cost effective and puts into place processes to do so when appropriate without compromise to the customer
- Focuses on the centres enrolment, following up on all leads/inquiries and waitlist to successful closes.
- Plans & implements the centres Marketing plan
- Completes all required administrative tasks accurately meeting all deadlines.
- Written communications are professionally done, well presented, checked for accuracy and thoroughness & thoughts/input organized.
- Plans, manages and executes projects on time and on budget
- Is resourceful in presenting sound decisions and recommendations to the Director of Education using the available tools (power tool, CFEL operations manual, etc.)
- Applies logic, rational and objectivity in all recommendations/decisions, keeping in mind the consequences of these decisions and impact to the centre/organization.
Customer/Consumer Leadership
- Supports centre/division in working towards Customer & Consumer Brand Promise and cascades this information down to their centre teams.
- Acts as a resource to coach, train and role model for the team
- Continue to build potential and newly formed partnerships with both the Customer & Consumer through providing support, understanding their needs, and problem solving to maintain/build mutually beneficial relationships
- Reviews and assesses Customer/Consumer complaints & brainstorms preventative action & filters down to the team and division.
- Deals with elevated Customer/Consumer issues in a timely and professional manner.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Diploma or Degree in Early Childhood Education from a recognized Ontario Post-Secondary Institution or AECEO Equivalency
- Minimum 5 years’ experience working in the childcare industry
- Minimum 2 years related supervisory experience with knowledge and experience operating a childcare
- Comprehensive Experience working with all age groups
Professional Certification and/or Designations
- Registered and in good standing as a member of the College of ECE
- Valid CPR Level C and Standard First Aid Certificate
- Childcare Management Certificate or equivalent an asset
Other Requirements
- Available to work within the hours of 7am - 6pm
- Valid Driver’s License and access to a vehicle daily
- Criminal reference check – Vulnerable sector screening must be completed within 1 month of employment
- Medical certificate required as per CCEYA regulations
Centres for Early Learning is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment, where all individuals feel valued, respected and supported. Candidates requiring an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Department. For more information about our company, please visit. www.cfel.ca
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Company events
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Wellness program
Schedule:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Toronto, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree is a strong asset
Experience:
- management: 3 year (preferred)
Our Core Values:
- Do What is Right
Courage over comfort
- See it Through
Big ideas have small beginnings... own it!
- Crushin' it
Choose something great and shatter the norm
- We Over Me
Nobody gets there unless everybody gets there
- Be Curious
Invest in yourself!
- Go the Extra Mile!
Don't be average, be awesome
