Food Program Director Jobs in Manchester, CT (NOW HIRING)

The Program Director is responsible for managing all aspects of a Playful Minds Learning

Center, LLC (PMLC) program including building and supporting a strong team, implementing high-quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum, building relationships with members

• of the PMLC community, maintaining solid financial management and living the vision of our

program on a daily basis.

Reports To Regional Director

Supervisory Responsibility Teaching Staff

Schedule Full Time

Benefits
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holiday Leave
• Sick Leave
• Option to participate in benefits plans including health, dental and vision
• First Aid, CPR and Background Check reimbursements
• Training Expense reimbursements
• Potential for performancebased bonuses
Education & Experience
• Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
• Lead Teacher qualifications
• Demonstrated supervisory experience
• At least 3 years of experience in Early Childhood
• 2credits Child Care Administration
• 2credits Early Childhood Education
• CPR & First Aid Certification
Additional Eligibility Requirements
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must enjoy working with children
• Strong knowledge of child development
• Strong understanding of, and commitment to, best practices in early childhood education
• Excellent classroom management skills
• Excellent active listening skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Playful Minds Learning Center LLC, Program Director Job Description Updated 4/2026

• Strong ability to coach, mentor and inspire staff
• Detailoriented and capable of managing multiple priorities
• Collaborative leadership style
• Knowledge of relevant licensing regulations (preferred)
• Familiarity/experience with CACFP food program billing and voucher system billing and attendance (preferred)
• Solid computer skills
• Documented completion of medical exam within 1 year of employment and statement from a physician that the applicant is physically capable of doing the job
• Must provide evidence of mandatory vaccinations, including MMR, or immunity to communicable diseases, including TB
• Background checks required

Key Responsibilities

All Staff Responsibilities
• Uphold the philosophy of Playful Minds and serve as a positive representative of the organization
• Establish and maintain high quality relationships with children and families
• Establish and maintain strong, professional relationships with other Playful Minds staff
• At all times, speak to children with respect
• Maintain an appropriate and safe environment for children at all times
• Consistently implement all licensing requirements, including but not limited to maintaining supervision ratios at all times
• Ensure maintenance of all required documentation and record keeping accurately and

in a timely manner including, but not limited to, attendance records, Incident &

Injury Reports, meal records and progress reports

• Consistently follow all Playful Minds’ policies & procedures
• Consistently attend work according to your established schedule
• Attend all required staff meetings and trainings
• All staff are Mandated Reporters
• Ensure the health and safety of all children
Leadership & Administration
• Promote the mission, values, and philosophy of Playful Minds
• Provide strong, empathetic leadership and management that aligns with the PMLC vision on a daily basis
• Oversee day to day operations in keeping with the Playful Minds’ policies and procedures
• Oversee facility management and cleanliness, notifying the Regional Director if
emergency assistance is needed

Playful Minds Learning Center LLC, Program Director Job Description Updated 4/2026

• Determine materials needed to implement curriculum and manage purchasing within budget guidelines
• Maintain licensing standards and stafftochild ratios with support from Regional
Director
• Manage staff scheduling based on supervisory requirements and needs of the specific children
• Recruit, hire, train and direct highquality educators
• Implement onboarding of new hires, in collaboration with Regional Director
• Monitor enrollment trends and meet enrollment goals
• Review and respond to leave requests daily
• Attend monthly Directors’ Meetings o File agenda and notes in Director’s Binder
• Plan and conduct monthly Staff Meetings
• Observe classrooms on a regular basis and provide guidance as needed
• Mentor staff as needed, providing clear guidance and active support
• Plan and conduct staff evaluations in collaboration with Regional Director. Maintain documentation of all evaluations.
• Collaborate with Regional Director to identify beneficial topics for professional

development

Financial Management
• Manage spending in compliance with budgetary expectations
• Collect, review and approve all time sheets for site employees. Ensure they are ready for processing according to schedule
• Ensure timely tuition and fee collection from families
Curriculum
• Review lesson plans to ensure that all curriculum is developmentally appropriate,

responsive to the needs and interests of the children in the individual classes and aligned with regulations and best practices

• Oversee implementation of curriculum to ensure implementation of best practices and PMLC curriculum
• Observe classroom environments to ensure they are developmentally appropriate,

responsive to the needs and interests of the children in the individual classes and aligned with regulations and best practices

• Collaborate with Regional Director, teaching staff and families to ensure appropriate accommodations and support for children’s needs
• Support observations of children’s developmental progress and suggest supports
when needed

Playful Minds Learning Center LLC, Program Director Job Description Updated 4/2026

Families, Community Engagement & Marketing

• Plan and implement, in collaboration with the Regional Director, at least 4 marketing events each year to recruit prospective families
• Provide site tours for prospective families
• Oversee enrollment process, ensuring proper onboarding of new families
• Promote a nurturing and inclusive community environment
• Meet with families as needed or assigned
• Establish ongoing communication with families about policies, individual experiences and community events
• Support communication among families and staff
• Provide educational resources to families to support child development at home
Compliance
• Assemble all compliance related applications, records and reports as required by licensing and Playful Minds
• Maintain Staff Records Checklist and Children's Checklist as required by EEC
• Ensure all staff and child files are current and complete
• Ensure all required information is entered accurately into electronic records system according to schedule
• Ensure that attendance records are completed consistently and accurately
• Keep Master Enrollment Sheets up to date
• Collaborate with Regional Director to prepare site for state licensing visits and inspections
• Work with the EEC licensor on all license renewals in order to ensure that each location meets all EEC regulations and requirements prior to the inspection
• Observe daily operations to ensure PMLC policies, procedures and health and safety protocols are consistently upheld
• Observe facilities and classrooms to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, accreditation requirements, licensing standards and PMLC standards
• Schedule, implement and document emergency drills according to schedule
• Review Safety Plan, Building Emergency Plan and Missing Child Plan upon hire and
annually thereafter

Other Duties as Assigned

Additional Information

Work Environment
• Must be comfortable working in both an office and classrooms
• Occasional travel for offsite trainings or meetings

Playful Minds Learning Center LLC, Program Director Job Description Updated 4/2026

Physical Demands
• Must be able to lift children (up to 75 lbs.), speak to children at eye level, sit on the floor and run
• Must be able to work on a computer for extended periods of time
Ongoing Training
• Annual First Aid & CPR
• Annual professional development
• Maintenance of required Certifications
Limitations & Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities,

duties and skills required for the position. This job description reflects PMLC administration’s assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts

PMLC administration’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct

threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow

any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to

perform each duty proficiently.

Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.