LSACC - Preschool Director

TITLE: ECE Director

REPORTS TO: Conference ECE Coordinator & School Principal

STATUS: Non-exempt or Exempt depending on education and years of experience.

SUMMARY: The Early Childhood Education Center Director provides leadership, supervision, and operational oversight for the preschool program. The Director is responsible for ensuring compliance with licensing regulations, supporting staff development, managing enrollment and finances, maintaining a safe and nurturing learning environment, and promoting the mission and values of Seventh-day Adventist education. The Director serves as the primary liaison between the preschool, families, local school administration, and the Southeastern California Conference Office of Education.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Administration

• Provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the preschool program.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable licensing regulations, conference policies, and accreditation standards.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the preschool, school board, Southeastern California Conference, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Develop, maintain, and communicate preschool policies, procedures, and parent handbook information.
• Maintain all student, personnel, licensing, and administrative records.
• Coordinate accreditation activities and licensing renewals.
• Attend board meetings, conference meetings, and professional development activities as required.

Personnel Management

• Recruit, hire, supervise, evaluate, mentor, and, when necessary, recommend disciplinary action or termination of staff.
• Assign teaching and support staff responsibilities and ensure required teacher-to-student ratios are maintained at all times.
• Conduct staff meetings and facilitate professional growth opportunities.
• Communicate personnel policies, procedures, and licensing updates to staff.
• Foster a collaborative, professional, and Christ-centered work environment.
• Provide classroom support and serve as a substitute teacher when necessary.

Program Operations

• Oversee curriculum implementation and ensure developmentally appropriate instructional practices.
• Manage classroom schedules, program calendars, field trips, special events, graduations, and fundraising activities.
• Monitor classroom materials, equipment, and supplies to ensure they are safe, appropriate, and well-maintained.
• Coordinate purchasing of supplies, food, equipment, and educational materials.
• Arrange for facility maintenance, repairs, and safety inspections as needed.
• Promote positive discipline practices and support staff in implementing consistent behavioral expectations.

Enrollment, Finance & Community Relations

• Develop and oversee the preschool budget and financial operations.
• Monitor enrollment and implement marketing and recruitment efforts to support program growth.
• Conduct school tours and communicate with prospective families.
• Establish tuition recommendations in collaboration with school administration and governing boards.
• Maintain positive relationships with parents and address concerns in a professional and timely manner.
• Facilitate communication between families, staff, administration, and conference personnel.
• Support families receiving county assistance and maintain compliance with related requirements.

Mission & Student Support

• Promote the spiritual, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of each child.
• Ensure a safe, welcoming, orderly, and Christ-centered environment for students, families, and staff.
• Model Seventh-day Adventist values and maintain a professional Christian witness through words and actions.
• Support the mission of Seventh-day Adventist education by integrating faith and learning throughout the preschool program.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 24 semester units (or 36 quarter units) in Early Childhood Education/Child Development, including required core courses.
• Minimum of 6 semester units (or 9 quarter units) in administration.
• Minimum of 8 semester units (or 12 quarter units) in religion.
• Minimum of 2 semester units (or 3 quarter units) in adult supervision.
• Two to four years of preschool teaching experience.
• Possess a California Child Care Director Permit or be actively pursuing the permit.
• Hold a Pacific Union College Professional Achievement Recognition Certification Level 6 or higher, or be actively pursuing certification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of California Title 22 regulations and licensing requirements.
• Knowledge of preschool operations, budgeting, personnel management, and curriculum development.
• Understanding of child development, positive discipline practices, and developmentally appropriate educational practices.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, solve problems effectively, and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Ability to work effectively with children, families, staff, and culturally diverse populations.

Other Requirements

• Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification.
• Active membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
• Successful completion of all required health screenings, immunizations, and background clearances.
• Commitment to providing high-quality Christian early childhood education.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, sit on the floor, climb stairs, and actively supervise children. The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, demonstrate fine motor dexterity, and possess sufficient visual, hearing, and verbal communication abilities to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment includes classrooms, playgrounds, offices, and other school facilities. The noise level is typically moderate to high due to the active nature of an early childhood program.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Performance evaluations will be conducted annually during the first two years of service as Director and every other year thereafter, in accordance with conference policies and procedures.

* * *      Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.