<p>The Children's Center is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer (Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans). Click here to review Veterans and Disability Information</p> <p>Start Over with Job Search</p> <p>Returning Applicant? Login Now</p> <p>Preschool Program Director (Childcare Director, Early Childhood Education (ECE) Director, Pre-K Director, Daycare Manager (internal title: Center Based Coordinator))</p> <p>Job Code:2026-02 CBC S-S OR F-C Department:Early Head Start/Head Start Location:OPEN to Suffolk Smithfield Franklin Courtland FT/PT Status:Regular Full-time Salary:54,000/yr-60,000/yr</p> <ul> <li>Important Notices * </li></ul> <p>The position does require travel between Centers.</p> <p>Early Childhood experience is required.</p> <p>Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related field required.</p> <p>Supervisory experience required.</p> <ul> <li>Preschool Program Director/Center Base Coordinator Opportunity </li></ul> <p>The Children's Center is currently seeking an energetic candidate who loves working with children to oversee two preschools in Western Tidewater.</p> <p>Applicants will be considered for oversight of the Franklin/Courtland area or the Suffolk/Smithfield area.</p> <p>The Children's Center, a non-profit agency, is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young children, one family at a time. Our mission is to nurture and educate children and their families. We provide opportunities for education, parenting support, and resources to families in our communities.</p> <p>We are a federally funded program that provides no-cost services to qualifying families who reside in the community. Comprehensive services are provided to pregnant women, their partners, and children from birth to 5. Child development, health, and family services are provided through a variety of program options designed to meet the needs of low-income and at-risk families.</p> <p>This role ensures that all school-based programs are operated in a way that exemplifies the Early Head Start/Head Start goals of providing children with educational experiences that help them grow cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically. You will work with the instructional staff to ensure successful, nurturing experiences for children in the child development centers.</p> <p>This role has the responsibility to assist the Early Childhood Director in the delivery of a high-quality instructional program and overall operation of the school, including: curriculum implementation in classrooms, staff training and development, student enrollment, parent and community relations, staff supervision and evaluation of approved curriculum and professional development, profit and loss management, and facility management. An ideal candidate will be a certified, experienced educator and administrator who is well-versed in 21st-century instructional practices and strongly committed to the education of children.</p> <p>Our preschool builds the solid academic foundation students need for future success. In our school, classes are led by dedicated, caring teachers who value open communication with parents. Our preschool offers the perfect balance of learning and play, combining structured learning experiences with play activities designed for each developmental stage.</p> <p>If you value a career in an educational community of extraordinary professionals, join ours! We have an opportunity for an energetic and dynamic Preschool Program Director (Center Based Coordinator) to join the administration team and an incredible school staff. If you have a passion for working with children, are dedicated to providing the best education and care to students, excel in a collaborative environment, and foster positive relationships, we want you to be a part of our team.</p> <p>Main duties include the following for the Preschool Program Director</p> <ul> <li>Directs the operations of assigned sites; ensures that Site Supervisors are in compliance with all licensing and Head Start requirements. </li><li>Ensures that quality educational programs are provided to children at all assigned sites; monitors classroom activities; approves lesson plans. </li><li>Coordinates teacher training and monthly teacher meetings. </li><li>Coordinates the recruitment, hiring, training, orientation, and development of instructional staff. </li><li>Attends case conferences with parents; resolves parent complaints and concerns. </li><li>Participates as an active member of agency management teams and groups. </li><li>Coordinates the recruitment, training, and supervision of volunteers. </li><li>Approves monthly calendars and special activities; approves field trips. </li><li>Directs child registration and parent orientation functions. </li><li>Assists in the implementation of behavior management programs. </li><li>Prepares and manages site budgets. </li></ul> <p>Job duties in the job posting are a representative, non-exhaustive list of the essential functions, tasks, and responsibilities a position entails.</p> <p>Preschool Program Director Required Credentials</p> <ul> <li> <p>Must have at least a Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related field</p> </li><li> <p>Must meet program director qualifications as defined by VA Code 8VAC20-780-190, including being at least 21 years of age</p> </li><li> <p>Thorough understanding of Virginia childcare guidelines and state licensing requirements, including experience being responsible for a Center state license and inspections</p> </li><li> <p>Must have direct experience with the supervision of staff, fiscal management, and administration to be considered</p> </li><li> <p>Must have prior classroom experience with young children (6 mos-PreK)</p> </li><li> <p>Must have experience successfully managing a childcare facility with multiple classrooms for age ranges of 6 mos to PreK</p> </li><li> <p>Budget development and financial accountability experience</p> </li><li> <p>Must demonstrate familiarity with ethnic backgrounds of clients and be able to serve and effectively communicate with children, families, co-workers and the public</p> </li><li> <p>Must demonstrate the personality and ability to provide leadership and stability for program continuity</p> </li><li> <p>Must have demonstrated ability to work effectively and harmoniously with families, professional and the community</p> </li><li> <p>Must be able to perform tasks using computer applications utilizing Microsoft Office and proprietary systems</p> </li><li> <p>Must be able to travel between Centers</p> </li><li> <p>Strong organizational and leadership skills</p> </li><li> <p>Outstanding customer service skills, strong organizational skills, and the ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities effectively</p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrated staff management experience</p> </li></ul> <p>Preschool Program Director Required Knowledge</p> <ul> <li> <p>Knowledge of child development and early childhood education principles</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of curriculum development principles</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of effective teaching strategies</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of budget preparation and maintenance principles</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of accreditation and licensing</p> </li></ul> <p>Additional Requirements for Preschool Program Director</p> <ul> <li>Satisfactory professional references </li><li>Pre-employment drug screening and ongoing random screenings </li><li>May be called upon to work beyond normal working hours </li><li>Work is primarily done at a child development center, but some travel to community locations, agency office sites, and meetings may be required </li><li>Must be physically able to lift a minimum of 65 pounds and work indoors or outdoors </li><li>Must be able to assume postures in low levels to allow physical and visual contact with children </li><li>Must be able to see and hear well enough to keep children safe and engage in physical activity with children </li><li>Must be able to sit and work at a computer keyboard and desk </li><li>Oral and written fluency in English required, additional language skills always welcome </li><li>Effectively reading, hearing, and speaking are required. </li><li>Proficiency in the usage of basic technological tools, including laptops/computers, email, phones, and the internet required </li><li>Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required </li><li>Valid driver's license with a good driving record </li><li>Must be able to lift 65 pounds </li><li>Must have a satisfactory criminal, federal, and CPS background check </li><li>At least seven (7) years of experience working in an early childhood education center, working with children under the age of six </li><li>At least five (4) years of experience providing direct supervision of staff </li></ul> <p>Preferred Experience for Preschool Program Director</p> <ul> <li> <p>Must have prior supervisory experience, preferred four (4) years in an ECE environment</p> </li><li> <p>Experience with overseeing multiple center-based ECE programs at one time</p> </li><li> <p>Bi-lingual (Spanish) conversational skills</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards</p> </li><li> <p>Experience managing an Early Head Start or Head Start center-based program</p> </li><li> <p>CLASS certification</p> </li></ul> <p>Requirements Before You Start as a Preschool Program Director</p> <ul> <li>Satisfactory criminal history background checks (including sex offender, FBI, CPS), and fingerprinting. </li><li>OBI Qualifying Letters (Background Check with Fingerprints) </li><li>Out of State Crminal and CPS Background Check </li><li>Official Education Transcript </li><li>Requires an initial physical examination to include screening for tuberculosis, and periodic reexaminations to ensure the incumbent poses no significant health risk to the participants in the program </li><li>Pre-employment drug screening </li></ul> <p>Requirements After You Start as a Preschool Program Director</p> <ul> <li> <p>Must obtain CPR, First Aid Certification, Food Manager Certification within 30 days of hire</p> </li><li> <p>Must obtain CLASS certification within 90 days of hire</p> </li><li> <p>Successful completion of background checks within 30 days of hire</p> </li></ul> <p>Benefits for Preschool Program Director</p> <ul> <li>401(k) </li><li>Health insurance </li><li>Dental insurance </li><li>Vision insurance </li><li>Paid time off, starting at 18 days </li><li>Paid holidays (14) </li><li>Employee assistance program </li><li>Flexible spending account </li><li>Health savings account </li><li>Life insurance </li><li>STD, LTD and AD&D insurance </li><li>Professional development assistance </li></ul> <p>Come join us and help us support our mission to</p> <p>nurture and educate children and their families.</p> <p>The Preschool Program Director is a Full-time position with full benefits</p> <p>Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran, Drug Free Workplace</p> <p>The Children's Center is an equal opportunity provider and employer. We recruit, employ, train, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Offers of employment are contingent on successful background checks, drug screen, and tuberculosis screen.</p>