Description

Director of Early Education

Cross Schools | Bluffton, South Carolina
Full-Time, 12-Month Leadership Position

Cross Schools is seeking an experienced, faith-centered Director of Early Education to provide strategic, instructional, and operational leadership for our Early Education program. The Director will cultivate a Christ-centered environment where young children are known, loved, and challenged to grow spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

The ideal candidate is a servant leader who combines a genuine passion for early childhood education with strong skills in staff development, family engagement, regulatory compliance, and daily program management.

Key Responsibilities

Provide Christ-centered leadership aligned with the mission, vision, values, and culture of Cross Schools.
Oversee the daily operation of the Early Education program, ensuring a safe, nurturing, organized, and engaging learning environment.
Recruit, supervise, coach, evaluate, and retain qualified teachers and support staff.
Promote developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction, classroom practices, and student assessments.
Maintain compliance with all applicable South Carolina childcare licensing, health, safety, and staffing requirements.
Manage enrollment, classroom capacity, staffing ratios, schedules, and substitute coverage.
Build strong, collaborative relationships with students, families, faculty, and school leadership.
Communicate clearly and consistently with families regarding program expectations, student needs, and school activities.
Coordinate staff training, professional development, onboarding, and required certifications.
Maintain accurate student, personnel, licensing, incident, and compliance records.
Support effective transitions between Early Education and the Lower School.
Respond professionally and compassionately to parent concerns, employee matters, and operational challenges.
Participate as an active member of the school’s leadership team and contribute to schoolwide planning and initiatives.

Christian Commitment

Candidates must demonstrate a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and a willingness to support the Christian mission and values of Cross Schools. The Director will model Christ-centered leadership, encourage the spiritual development of students and employees, and help protect the culture of the school.

At Cross Schools, our shared commitments guide our work:

We put God first.
We do what is best for students.
We protect our school culture.
We improve each day.

Requirements

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, Educational Leadership, or a related field required; master’s degree preferred.
Prior leadership or administrative experience in an early childhood, preschool, childcare, or school setting.
Strong knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practices, and early learning curriculum.
Familiarity with South Carolina childcare licensing regulations and compliance standards preferred.
Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and hold employees accountable with professionalism and care.
Strong organizational, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Experience with budgeting, enrollment management, staffing, and program operations preferred.
Ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters with sound judgment and discretion.
Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification upon hire.
Successful completion of all required background checks and employment screenings.

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