The Organization:

Big Dream Early Learning Center is an innovative, trauma-informed early childhood education center opening for the 2026–2027 school year. As the first of its kind in Colorado Springs, Big Dream serves children who have experienced trauma, providing a nurturing, stable environment that promotes healing, growth, and lifelong learning.

Part of Dream Centers (www.dreamcenters.com), a Christian nonprofit providing health and hope since 2011 through programs like the Women’s Clinic and Mary’s Home, Big Dream extends Dream Centers’ holistic care model to early childhood—helping children and families experience safety, joy, and transformation.

The vision for this role is to establish, lead, and nurture Big Dream Early Learning, creating an environment where children and their caregivers heal from trauma, grow in resilience, and thrive across all learning domains.

The Position:

The Director is responsible for the overall operation and administration of Big Dream, implementing a high-quality, developmentally appropriate program. This includes:

• Leading teachers through observation, training, modeling, communication, and goal setting.
• Participating in the design, development, and launch of a groundbreaking trauma-informed early learning program.
• Advocating for the values of Dream Centers while creating an equitable, healing environment for staff, children, and caregivers.

Key Outcomes:

• Successfully launch and sustain the program.
• Build resilient, fulfilled staff through training and support.
• Facilitate healing and growth for children and caregivers.
• Ensure children thrive across all learning domains and are Kindergarten-ready.
• Establish Big Dream as a thought leader in trauma-informed early childhood education.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support fundraising for development, launch, and sustainability.
• Maintain a nurturing, safe, developmentally appropriate environment consistent with Big Dream’s philosophy, DHS licensing, and NAEYC standards.
• Hire, train, supervise, and coach staff; ensure ongoing professional development.
• Oversee curriculum, assessments, teaching practices, and trauma-informed interventions.
• Equip classrooms and children with tools for empowerment and self-efficacy.
• Collaborate with research programs to advance this new ECE model.
• Build and oversee a world-class nutrition program supporting children and caregivers.
• Manage budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure compliance with funding, licensing, and reporting requirements.
• Represent Big Dream and Dream Centers in the community, including tours, speaking engagements, and partnerships.
• Employ research-based practices to support children’s brain healing, growth, and resilience.

Qualifications:

GENERAL SKILLS

• Minimum 2 years classroom experience with children 0–5 years.
• Knowledge of ECE curricula, teacher assessments, instructional practices, and adult learning styles.
• Leadership, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Proficiency with technology and willingness to learn new systems.
• Demonstrates reliability, creativity, professionalism, and a passion for trauma-informed early childhood care.

COACHING & SUPERVISION

• Provide asset-based, ongoing supervision for staff; conduct pre-service assessments and training.
• Offer reflective, confidential coaching for teachers and substitutes.
• Observe, evaluate, and strengthen child development practices.

CAREGIVERS & FAMILIES

• Facilitate family engagement in school readiness and home activities.
• Support positive relationships between children and caregivers, while maintaining professional boundaries.

PROFESSIONALISM & COMMUNICATION

• Demonstrate growth mindset, flexibility, humor, and preparedness.
• Collaborate, share ideas, and communicate openly while maintaining confidentiality.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Care & Education or related field.
• CO Department of Human Services Childcare Director Qualification (DQ) current.
• Management experience in an early childhood center/program.
• Knowledge of Colorado Child Care Licensing, NAEYC standards, and Minimum Rules and Regulations for Child Care Centers.

Physical Demands:

• Position requires mobility and physical engagement with children 0–6 years old.
• Ability to lift 20–40 lbs, stand, walk, bend, and perform repeated hand movements.
• Ability to see, hear, and maintain balance in a dynamic environment.

Background Check Requirements:

• Criminal, employment, education verification.
• Pre-employment drug test and CO DHS fingerprint/background check.
• Motor vehicle record (as applicable).

Salary & Benefits:

• $70,000–$80,000 DOE
• Full-time, Monday–Friday, the center is open 6:30am–6:00pm
• Health, dental, and vision insurance. We cover 80% of the premiums, regardless of family makeup.
• 4 weeks' PTO
• Retirement savings: 1% automatic contribution for all full-time employees, 100% matching employee contribution up to 2% of salary. 
• Around 18 paid holidays (including the week between Christmas and New Years)
• 1 "soul care" day a month 

#IND2