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Little Sprouts

Play-based early education and care

Child Care Director

Full-Time
$79.7k - $93.2k/yr
Mid
Bachelor's, Master's
Watertown, MA, USA
In Person

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Director state credentials.
  • Three to five years of experience in childcare or school management.
  • Strong knowledge of state childcare and school regulations and licensing standards.
  • Ability to manage budgets and drive enrollment growth.
  • Ability to 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.
  • Ability to transition between sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, and squatting throughout the day to engage with children and support staff.
  • Ability to safely lift, carry, and move items up to 30 pounds.
  • 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.
  • Ability to supervise children across playgrounds, classrooms, hallways, entryways, and common areas.
  • Ability to respond quickly and safely in emergency situations, including evacuations, drills, and urgent classroom needs.
  • Ability to follow and model all safety procedures.
Responsibilities
  • Maintain a safe, compliant, and high-quality learning environment.
  • Ensure smooth daily operations that meet company standards.
  • Maintain safe, clean, and nurturing classroom environments.
  • Ensure full compliance with all state childcare and school regulations.
  • Serve as a Mandated Reporter in accordance with state law by recognizing, documenting, and immediately reporting suspected child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.
  • Prepare for and manage all state inspections.
  • Recruit, train, mentor, and support staff.
  • Build a positive, collaborative workplace culture.
  • Build strong, trusting relationships with parents through consistent communication.
  • Address parent questions and concerns promptly and professionally.
  • Host family-focused events to strengthen community connection.
  • Manage the school's budget and overall financial performance.
  • Implement local marketing strategies to increase enrollment.
  • Manage and direct the work of teachers and staff, including hiring recommendations, onboarding, scheduling, coaching, performance management, and disciplinary actions.
  • Hold primary responsibility for the overall success of the school, including operational performance, compliance readiness, financial stewardship, staff engagement, and family satisfaction.
  • Exercise independent judgment and decision-making authority regarding school operations, staffing, parent communication, culture, compliance, budgeting, and safety.
  • Exercise autonomy in setting priorities, solving problems, and determining how to meet operational, financial, and enrollment goals.
  • Represent the organization in external communications, licensing interactions, inspections, community partnerships, and parent relations.
  • Develop and implement operational processes and school-wide improvements.
  • Make decisions affecting enrollment strategy, cost management, staffing ratios, and classroom allocation.
  • Provide direct supervision to staff who contribute to the school's business operations.
  • Influence employment decisions, including hiring, corrective action, performance evaluations, and training requirements.
  • Lead organizational culture at the school level by shaping employee engagement, morale, retention, and team effectiveness.
  • Serve as a strategic partner to Regional Managers and senior leadership.
Desired Qualifications
  • An advanced degree in Early Childhood Education or Business.
  • Prior experience leading school-level operational improvement or quality initiatives.

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