New Hope Christian School and New Hope Daycare are private, Christ-centered ministries serving families throughout the Fox Valley area with children from infancy through 1st grade. We believe that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, cannot be separated from history, literature, mathematics, science, or any area of learning or care. Through our academic and early childhood programs, we seek to acknowledge, understand, and nurture each child’s God-given abilities—helping them grow as confident, compassionate children of God in a safe, loving, and faith-filled environment.

If you have a heart for children and a passion for Christian education, we invite you to join our team and make a lasting impact in the lives of students and families each day.

Current career opportunities include:

Daycare Director — Job Description

Ministry: New Hope Daycare (NHDC)

Location: Neenah, Wisconsin

Reports To: New Hope Christian School Board

Position: Full-Time

Classification: To be determined based on applicable wage and hour requirements

Position Summary

The Daycare Director is responsible for the leadership, management, and daily operations of New Hope Daycare, a Christ-centered childcare ministry of New Hope Lutheran Church and an extension of New Hope Christian School.

The Director oversees daycare teachers, front office personnel, and the cook while ensuring a safe, nurturing, well-organized, and financially responsible program. Responsibilities include staff supervision, scheduling, enrollment management, safety compliance, parent relations, and program development.

In addition to administrative responsibilities, the Director will provide 16 hours per week of direct classroom coverage, including teachers' lunch breaks and other scheduled staffing needs.

The Director reports directly to the New Hope Christian School Board and works collaboratively with school, church, and administrative personnel to support the mission and continued growth of New Hope Ministries.

1. Daily Operations and Classroom Coverage

• Oversee daily daycare operations, ensuring safe, organized, and developmentally appropriate classroom environments.
• Work with Lead Teachers to maintain consistent classroom routines, curriculum implementation, and quality of care.
• Provide 16 hours per week of classroom coverage, including teachers' lunch breaks, scheduled shifts, and other classroom staffing needs.
• Ensure classroom coverage is coordinated with administrative responsibilities and maintains required staffing ratios.
• Monitor classroom organization, cleanliness, supplies, and facility needs.
• Address operational concerns promptly and implement appropriate solutions.

2. Staff Supervision and Scheduling

• Directly supervise daycare teachers and staff, including six full-time and three part-time daycare employees, one full-time and one part-time front office employee, and one part-time cook.
• Establish clear performance expectations and promote a positive, professional, and collaborative work environment.
• Recruit and recommend qualified employees for consideration. Interviews must include at least one School Board or Church Board member and either the Pastor or Church Board Chair to assess candidates' alignment with New Hope's Christian mission and beliefs. Candidates are not required to be Lutheran. All proposed wages must receive School Board approval before an employment offer is made.
• Coordinate employee onboarding, orientation, required training, and professional development.
• Conduct staff meetings, provide coaching, complete performance evaluations, and address employee performance or conduct concerns promptly and consistently.
• Develop and maintain employee schedules that provide appropriate coverage while controlling unnecessary payroll expenses and overtime.
• Coordinate employee absences, substitute coverage, and staffing adjustments.
• Work with the HR Consultant and School Board regarding personnel matters, disciplinary recommendations, and employment decisions.

3. Enrollment Management and Parent Relations

• Conduct tours for prospective families and communicate New Hope Daycare's mission, programs, policies, and tuition.
• Oversee enrollment inquiries and coordinate timely follow-up with prospective families.
• Maintain accurate enrollment records and projections, anticipating children's movement between classrooms and future staffing and space requirements.
• Develop positive relationships with families to encourage enrollment, retention, and referrals.
• Address parent questions and concerns promptly, professionally, and confidentially.
• Ensure consistent and effective use of Brightwheel for parent communication, attendance, scheduling, and recordkeeping.
• Collaborate with New Hope Christian School personnel to support the transition of eligible daycare children into the school's PreK programs.
• Assist with marketing, community outreach, and activities that promote enrollment growth.

4. State Standards, Safety, and Self-Monitoring

• Ensure daycare operations follow applicable Wisconsin childcare health, safety, staffing, and supervision standards, consistent with New Hope's commitment to voluntarily following state childcare regulations.
• Monitor safe sleep practices, child supervision, sanitation, medication procedures, and emergency preparedness.
• Maintain accurate incident reports and employee training records, and conduct regular internal reviews to ensure adherence to New Hope Daycare's policies and adopted Wisconsin childcare standards.
• Conduct regular classroom observations to ensure compliance with established policies and safety requirements.
• Promptly address safety concerns and report significant incidents or safety issues to the School Board.
• Ensure employees understand and follow applicable mandated reporting requirements.

5. Financial Management and Accountability

• Manage daycare operations within approved budgets and established financial expectations.
• Monitor enrollment, staffing costs, tuition revenue, and operating expenses to support financial sustainability.
• Evaluate staffing patterns and recommend adjustments to maintain appropriate coverage while controlling costs.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and support enrollment growth.
• Collaborate with finance personnel to review financial performance and identify concerns.
• Obtain School Board approval for expenditures or financial commitments outside established authority.

6. School Board Communication and Accountability

• Report directly to the New Hope Christian School Board and implement its approved policies, procedures, and directives.
• Provide regular updates regarding operations, enrollment, staffing, finances, safety, and significant concerns.
• Attend School Board meetings as requested and prepare relevant reports and recommendations.
• Communicate problems proactively and seek guidance when decisions exceed delegated authority.
• Maintain accurate documentation and demonstrate integrity, transparency, sound judgment, and accountability.
• Collaborate effectively with the HR Consultant, finance personnel, school teachers, and church leadership.

Authority and Limitations

The Director may make routine operational decisions within established policies, approved budgets, and delegated authority.

Prior School Board approval, or approval from its specifically authorized representative, is required for hiring, termination, compensation changes, creation of positions, significant expenditures outside approved authority, and major program or policy changes. All proposed starting wages must be approved by the School Board before any employment offer is extended.

The Director retains responsibility to take immediate appropriate action when necessary to protect children or employees from harm, including obtaining emergency assistance and making legally required reports.

7. Christian Mission and Ministry Leadership

• Support and promote the mission and values of New Hope Lutheran Church and its educational ministries.
• Model Christian character through integrity, compassion, fairness, accountability, and respectful communication.
• Foster a welcoming, nurturing, and Christ-centered environment for children, families, and staff.
• Encourage cooperation and unity among the daycare, school, and church ministries.

Qualifications

Required

• Meet New Hope Daycare's established qualifications for the Director position, including appropriate education, training, and experience in early childhood care.
• Experience in early childhood education, childcare operations, or related leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise employees, manage daily operations, and resolve concerns professionally.
• Knowledge of child development, classroom management, and childcare health and safety standards.
• Strong organizational, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage staffing schedules, enrollment planning, and operational priorities.
• Ability to provide direct classroom care and supervision for children of varying ages.
• Computer proficiency and willingness to use Brightwheel and other administrative systems.
• Commitment to New Hope Ministries' Christian mission and values.

Preferred

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field.
• Prior experience as a childcare director, assistant director, or program administrator.
• Wisconsin Registry credentials appropriate to childcare leadership.
• Experience with enrollment management, budgeting, staff development, and parent relations.
• Experience in a Christian school or faith-based childcare setting.

For any position, please submit a resume and two references.

Someone from our hiring team will be in touch.

Contact information for all positions

Careers@newhopeconnect.org