The Director, Early Learning & Child Care (EL&CC) provides strategic, operational, and pedagogical leadership for six child care centres located across Nova Scotia. Reporting to the CEO, this role is responsible for ensuring high-quality early learning and child care programming, regulatory compliance, effective financial and operational management, and the development and leadership of a strong, engaged team.
The Director leads and supports six Centre Directors and works collaboratively as a member of the Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education (NSCECE) management team. The position provides leadership across program development, quality improvement, staffing, budgeting, enrolment, family engagement, professional development, regulatory compliance, and expansion initiatives.
As a key leader within NSCECE, the Director will help shape the future of early learning and child care programming, promote innovative and evidence-informed practices, and build strong relationships with families, employees, students, faculty, government and regulatory partners, and other sector stakeholders.
Accountabilities
Pedagogical & Program Leadership
- Provide leadership and direction for high-quality, innovative early learning programs across six child care centres.
- Ensure programming reflects progressive, play-based pedagogical practices and the Capable, Confident & Curious: Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework.
- Lead program planning, delivery, evaluation, quality management, and continuous improvement.
- Support the integration of early learning programming with NSCECE College curriculum and student practicum experiences.
- Promote evidence-informed approaches, including the Pyramid Model and other leading practices in early learning.
- Establish and monitor quality measures and program evaluation processes, including ECERS, ITERS, parent feedback, and Continuous Quality Assessment.
Operational & Regulatory Leadership
- Oversee the day-to-day operational effectiveness of six child care centres through the leadership of Centre Directors.
- Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, licensing requirements, public health and safety standards, and organizational policies.
- Oversee requirements related to child care ratios, staffing and scheduling, child and employee records, ECE credentials and checks, food and dietary programs, enrolment, and family relationships.
- Maintain effective relationships with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and other regulatory stakeholders.
- Identify operational, financial, compliance, and reputational risks and ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are in place.
- Lead and support compliance, transformation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Financial & Administrative Management
- Develop, manage, and monitor budgets for the six child care centres.
- Assess financial and human resource requirements and ensure resources are appropriately allocated to meet operational and program priorities.
- Oversee financial practices including expense management, forecasting, purchasing, procurement, grants and funding models, and contract management.
- Work collaboratively with Corporate Services on financial, human resources, payroll, and administrative matters.
- Monitor financial and operational performance and implement improvements where required.
People Leadership
- Provide leadership, coaching, mentorship, and performance management to Centre Directors.
- Lead the recruitment, selection, onboarding, development, and performance management of Centre Directors.
- Support Centre Directors in the effective leadership and management of Assistant Directors and Early Childhood Educators.
- Ensure employees have meaningful and actively managed Professional Development Plans.
- Foster a positive, respectful, collaborative, and accountable workplace culture.
- Lead by example and promote employee engagement, professional growth, and innovation.
Strategic Leadership
- Contribute to the development and implementation of NSCECE’s vision, strategic priorities, and long-term plans for the evolution of early learning and child care.
- Establish and monitor strategic objectives, performance measures, and key operational indicators.
- Analyze trends, emerging issues, and sector developments to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
- Prepare strategic reports and presentations for the management team, CEO, regulators, and Board of Directors.
- Attend and present at Board meetings as required.
- Collaborate with colleagues, post-secondary institutions, and sector partners to advance early learning practices and professional development.
- Represent NSCECE at provincial and national conferences, industry events, and other professional forums.
Stakeholder & Relationship Management
- Build strong, respectful, and genuine relationships with children, families, employees, students, faculty, regulators, vendors, and community and sector partners.
- Work collaboratively with NSCECE Directors, faculty, students, and staff to achieve shared organizational goals.
- Respond effectively to concerns, competing priorities, and complex issues while maintaining a strong service orientation.
- Communicate organizational priorities and initiatives clearly and effectively to internal and external stakeholders.
Skills, Educational & Experience Requirements
Education & Experience
- Degree or diploma in Early Childhood Education or a related discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- Minimum 10 years of leadership experience within a child care setting.
- Minimum 5 years of experience working as an Early Childhood Educator.
- Experience working with students in a post-secondary practicum setting would be considered an asset.
- A Master's degree in a relevant discipline would be considered an asset.
- Certification or formal education in adult learning/adult education principles would be considered an asset.
Professional Knowledge & Skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of current and emerging early learning and child care pedagogical practices.
- Demonstrated experience implementing innovative, play-based early learning programs.
- Knowledge of the Capable, Confident & Curious: Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework and the Pyramid Model.
- Strong understanding of program evaluation and quality improvement methodologies.
- Thorough knowledge of applicable early learning and child care legislation, licensing requirements, regulations, and public health and safety standards.
- Strong understanding of human resources practices, labour legislation, payroll, and employee relations.
- Demonstrated financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, grants/funding, procurement, purchasing, and expense management.
- Strong strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to translate organizational priorities into practical and achievable plans.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex information, identify trends and risks, and make sound, timely decisions.
- Strong project and change management capabilities.
About the Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education
Based in Halifax, NSCECE is one of the largest issuers of early childhood education diplomas and certificates in Atlantic Canada. NSCECE also operates six not-for-profit child care centres making it one of the largest operators in Nova Scotia. NSCECE also offers a range of professional development programs enabling educators to meet ongoing annual training requirements. We are a critical partner to the Province in implementing the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement that is redefining the early learning sector.
For more information on NSCECE, please refer to the website www.nscece.com
If Interested
Please submit a detailed CV and cover letter in one document to [email protected] OR [email protected] by Monday September 28th, 2026.
Successful candidates must provide a criminal record, vulnerable sector check and Child Abuse Registry Check.
Only the most qualified candidates will be contacted and invited to interview by phone and/or in person. Thank you for your interest in Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education.
NSCECE is an equal opportunity employer that values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our organization. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify. Priority will be given to members from a diversity or equity seeking group.
Pay: $85,000.00-$95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- RRSP match
Work Location: In person
