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Little Sprouts

Play-based early education and care

Field Assistant Director

Full-Time
$56k - $63.5k/yr
Mid
Associate's
Lowell, MA, USA
In Person
EducationSchool Leadership & Administration

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • EEC Director II certification is required.
  • Experience working with young children in a childcare or educational setting is required.
  • Knowledge of child development and classroom safety standards is required.
  • Strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills are required.
  • Ability to follow lesson plans and support the Certified Teacher effectively is required.
  • All employees must complete a background check as required by the Department of Early Education and Care.
  • Ability to move throughout the school for prolonged periods, including standing and walking for up to 75 percent of the workday, is required.
  • Ability to transition between sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, and squatting throughout the day to engage with children and support staff is required.
  • Ability to safely lift, carry, and move items up to 30 pounds, including classroom materials, supplies, and occasional assistance with children’s belongings, is required.
  • Ability to sit on the floor, engage at a child’s eye level, and participate in age-appropriate activities including light running, outdoor play supervision, and interactive learning experiences is required.
  • Ability to supervise children on playgrounds, in classrooms, hallways, entryways, and common areas is required.
  • Ability to respond quickly and safely in emergency situations, including evacuations, drills, and urgent classroom needs, is required.
  • Ability to follow and model all safety procedures is required.
Responsibilities
  • Assist classroom teachers in delivering daily lesson plans and learning activities.
  • Help ensure the classroom remains clean, organized, and safe.
  • Support implementation and oversight of sustainable education practices, including environmentally responsible routines, age-appropriate sustainability concepts, and stewardship habits within the classroom.
  • Supervise children during activities, meals, transitions, and outdoor play.
  • Serve as a mandated reporter in accordance with state law, recognizing, documenting, and immediately reporting suspected child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.
  • Support individual developmental needs and help children achieve age-appropriate milestones.
  • Greet families and support daily communication as directed by the Certified Teacher.
  • Participate in conferences and family events when requested.
  • Attend required training and maintain certifications.
  • Collaborate with the teaching team for continuous improvement, including learning opportunities tied to sustainable education initiatives.
  • Exercise independent judgment in daily decision-making related to school operations, staff support, safety, and classroom quality.
  • Assist with supervision and direction of school staff, contributing to hiring, training, coaching, and performance feedback.
  • Act as a management representative in the absence of the School Director, supporting leadership of the overall school program.
  • Recommend personnel actions, including staff assignments, scheduling changes, disciplinary recommendations, and staffing adjustments.
  • Make decisions that impact school operations, including compliance, curriculum implementation, and family communication workflows.
  • Perform administrative and leadership duties requiring specialized knowledge of early childhood education, regulatory compliance, and center operations.
  • Conduct non-manual business operations work, including documentation, compliance audits, enrollment oversight support, and center preparedness.
  • Manage time independently to fulfill leadership responsibilities without reliance on a set number of hours worked.
  • Support operational functions tied to revenue, occupancy, staffing ratios, and school-wide performance metrics.
  • Maintain school licensure standards and ensure continual site compliance with state regulations, safety policies, and accreditation guidelines.
Desired Qualifications
  • An associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field is preferred.
  • Previous experience working in early childhood education school leadership is preferred.

About the company

Little Sprouts runs a network of early education and care centers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It provides high-quality, play-based early education and childcare through experienced teachers and school leaders who deliver consistent programs across multiple locations. The centers use a play-based curriculum and follow NAEYC’s Anti-Bias Early Education framework, focusing on responsive relationships to support healthy childhood development and strong family engagement. What sets Little Sprouts apart is its award-winning track record, experienced staff, and explicit commitment to anti-bias, inclusive education across all schools. The company aims to make lasting positive differences for children and families by delivering reliable, emotionally supportive care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Lawrence, Kansas

Founded

1982

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Marlborough opened in September 2025, proving continued site expansion and demand.
  • Little Sprouts launched acquisitions outreach in 2026, signaling a roll-up growth strategy.
  • New centers accept child care assistance and target working parents, widening enrollment.

What critics are saying

  • Staffing shortages forced Little Sprouts Granby's immediate closure in October 2023.
  • Granby inspectors found medication-training and child-file violations, signaling recurring compliance fragility.
  • Persistent educator shortages can trigger site closures, damaging trust and threatening network viability.

What makes Little Sprouts unique

  • Nearly 30 Massachusetts and New Hampshire locations create dense commuter convenience.
  • Babilou acquired Little Sprouts in 2020, adding capital and operating discipline.
  • Nature-based, STEAM-focused programs and flexible scheduling differentiate Marlborough and existing sites.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Employee Referral Bonus
  • Conference Attendance Budget
  • Professional Development Budget

Company News

Community Impact Newspaper
Oct 14th, 2026
Little Sprouts Childcare now open in Georgetown.

Little Sprouts Childcare now open in Georgetown. Published October 14, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. CT Little Sprouts Childcare opened off University Avenue in Georgetown last month, a representative for the business confirmed. About the business Locally owned by Kassie Johnson, the center uses play-based learning along with a curriculum to help prepare children for school, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Programs are geared toward infants starting at 6 weeks old, toddlers and preschoolers, and include after-school care for children through fifth grade. Meals are provided.