Childcare Director

Director at Ballard First Lutheran Childcare Center & Preschool (BFLCCC)

Location: Ballard, Seattle, WA
Salary: $80,000/year  

For over 45 years, Ballard First Lutheran Childcare Center & Preschool has been a trusted part of the Ballard community. We’re a place where children are nurtured through curiosity, creativity, and care. Our dedication to helping each child grow with confidence, compassion, and a love of learning is why parents have trusted us for almost 50 years!

We’re seeking a kind and experienced Childcare Director to lead our center with heart and professionalism. This role requires a blend of educational leadership and hands-on management. You’ll be supporting our teachers, working closely with families, and continuing our center’s history as a welcoming and high-quality learning environment for all.

The Role + Key Responsibilities

The Director will oversee all aspects of our childcare and preschool programs; including creating a safe, inclusive, and joyful environment for children ages 1–5. You’ll lead with empathy, structure, and vision. To do this, our Director’s key responsibilities include: 

• Ensuring a safe, healthy, and developmentally supportive environment that meets DCYF and Health Department standards.
• Leading and mentoring a team of teachers, experience facilitating collaboration and growth in early childhood education.
• Developing and implementing an age-appropriate curriculum that nurtures children’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth.
• Coordinating special programs, field trips, seasonal events, and parent engagement opportunities.
• Managing budgets, licensing, nutrition programs, and day-to-day operations with care and attention to detail.
• Collaborating closely with the Childcare Center Board and Ballard First Lutheran Church leadership to uphold our shared mission and values, as well as maintaining positive relationships within the Ballard community.
• Serving as our Center’s leader for the church, the staff, families, and the Ballard community.

What You Bring

• A deep commitment to nurturing children’s growth and supporting families.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with experience building supportive, collaborative teams.
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) State Certificate or equivalent (or willingness to obtain).
• Two or more years of teaching or childcare experience with children ages 1-5, plus six months or more of administrative or management experience. 
• Familiarity with Washington State childcare licensing requirements (W.A.C. 110-300) or willingness to learn. 
• A positive, inclusive mindset and dedication to professional and program development.

Community Culture + Benefits

We are a warm and close-knit community of educators and families, and with nearly 50 years serving the Ballard Neighborhood, we have built deep roots and trust here. BFLCCC encourages its staff to value their creativity and to build connections with one another, allowing us to leave a positive impact on children and families! Because of this, we are proud to offer opportunities for professional development on top of our listed benefits package. 

Excellent benefits package! 

• 3 weeks vacation plus accrued sick leave
• 9 federal holidays (New Year’s Day, MLK Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day) 
• PLUS Christmas Eve, the Day after Thanksgiving and the whole week of 4th of July off 
• 2 personal days 
• Medical and dental package 
• Retirement contribution 

How to Apply

Please send your resume AND cover letter to: office@bflcs.org

APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT A COVER LETTER. We want to hear about your skills, background and experience and why you think you’ll make an incredible Childcare Director! We look forward to meeting the next leader who will help our children grow in confidence, curiosity, and care.

Data shows that women, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC candidates more frequently do not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. We strongly encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and lived experience, even if you have most but not all the qualifications listed above. If you feel enthusiastic about our efforts and believe that you have the skills to contribute to the vitality of our organization, we want to hear from you.

Ballard First Lutheran Church is part of the ELCA (Evangelical Church of America) and a Reconciling Works Congregation that welcomes people of all ages, races, classes, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.