Daycare Center Manager

A four-group daycare located in a picturesque rural setting, Vekara, is a pedagogically active and well-functioning unit within Pukkila municipality. It is the municipality’s only daycare and offers shift care as needed. The daycare director is not isolated behind an office door but is part of the daily life and community of the daycare. We believe that good leadership stems from presence, understanding of everyday life, and collaborative work. The role combines leadership and practical early childhood education, with about half the time spent in a child group and half in leadership and administrative duties. The director is responsible for planning, implementing, evaluating, and developing early education activities within the budget. Responsibilities include arranging early education places, acting as an expert in early education, pedagogical developer, and supervisor of staff. Key duties include personnel leadership, service guidance and placement arrangement, administrative and financial management and budget monitoring, pedagogical leadership, ensuring a safe operating environment, and collaboration with guardians and various networks. The director collaborates closely with the head of education and teaching and develops early education services in line with the municipal strategy. A deputy director assists with scheduling and coordination of education services. We value interpersonal but decisive leadership, ability to inspire, listen, and support the team, and a proactive approach. Prior experience in leadership is valued; experience as a daycare director is advantageous. The role offers a significant impact on the unit and the wider municipality, with potential occasional remote days. The employer provides a subsidised staff lunch, good exercise facilities, Epassi benefit, quality occupational health services, and a genuinely caring work community. The position follows standard working hours (38 h 15 min) with pay and terms governed by the Municipal Education Personnel collective agreement. The job-specific pay is approximately 4,000 €/month, with final compensation determined by experience, skills, and agreed job description. A six-month probationary period applies. Applicants must provide a police background check. The location is Pukkila, Finland.