Job Description: Preschool Director
Position Overview: The Preschool Director at Growing Minds Children’s Center is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and supervision of the early childhood program, ensuring full compliance with California Title 22 Licensing Regulations and Title 5 California Department of Education requirements. The Director provides vision, direction, and oversight to ensure a high-quality, developmentally appropriate program that supports children’s growth, staff development, and family engagement and ensures alignment with the Center’s Mission and Vision. This role requires strong leadership, regulatory knowledge, and a commitment to excellence in early childhood education.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Administration and Compliance:
· Ensure full compliance with all applicable California Title 22 Community Care Licensing regulations and Title 5 requirements.
· Maintain licensing standards including ratios, supervision, health and safety practices, and facility requirements.
· Oversee and maintain accurate records including children’s files, staff files, attendance, and any other required documentation.
· Prepare for and successfully complete licensing inspections, any audits, and reviews.
· Develop, implement, and update policies and procedures in accordance with regulatory requirements.
· Ensure compliance with Child Care Food Program (if applicable), including documentation and monitoring.
· Be the point of contact for all communications with Community Care Licensing.
Leadership and Staff Supervision:
· Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate all teaching and support staff.
· Ensure all staff meet Title 22 and Title 5 qualification requirements.
· Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback.
· Conduct regular staff meetings and professional development trainings.
· Ensure staff maintain required continuing education hours and certifications.
· Address staff performance concerns, implement corrective action plans, and enforce disciplinary procedures when necessary.
Curriculum and Instructional Oversight:
· Ensure implementation of a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum aligned with DRDP and applicable frameworks.
· Oversee lesson planning to ensure alignment with developmental domains including social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.
· Ensure assessments such as DRDP and ASQ-3 are completed accurately and timely.
· Monitor classroom environments to ensure quality interactions and effective teaching practices.
· Support inclusion practices and individualized learning plans for children with diverse needs.
Child Supervision and Safety:
· Ensure active supervision is maintained at all times in all classrooms and outdoor areas.
· Develop and enforce procedures that ensure children are visually supervised at all times.
· Ensure staff follow proper transition and accountability procedures (e.g., name-to-face, headcounts).
· Oversee implementation of emergency preparedness plans including fire drills, earthquake drills, and lockdown procedures.
· Ensure all incidents, injuries, and unusual occurrences are properly documented and reported.
Health and Licensing Requirements:
· Ensure adherence to health and safety protocols including sanitation, illness policies, reporting requirements and exclusion guidelines.
· Verify all children’s records include required immunizations and health documentation.
· Ensure staff meet all health requirements including TB clearance and immunizations (MMR, Tdap, Influenza).
· Oversee medication administration procedures and documentation.
· Maintain compliance with child abuse reporting laws and ensure all staff are mandated reporters.
Family Engagement and Communication:
· Establish strong partnerships with families through consistent communication and collaboration.
· Conduct parent orientations, conferences, and meetings.
· Address parent concerns in a professional and timely manner.
· Promote family involvement through events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities.
· Ensure confidentiality of all children and family information.
Fiscal and Operational Management:
· Oversee program budget, enrollment, and financial operations.
· Monitor staffing schedules to ensure compliance with ratios and operational efficiency.
· Maintain facility operations including cleanliness, maintenance, and supply management.
· Ensure proper use of program funds in alignment with funding requirements (if applicable).
Professional Development and Program Improvement:
· Stay current with best practices in early childhood education and regulatory updates.
· Participate in ongoing professional development and leadership training.
· Lead program self-evaluations and continuous quality improvement efforts.
· Utilize data and assessments to guide program decisions and improvements.
· Implement all regulatory required Tools and Assessment programs.
Qualifications:
· Must be at least 21 years of age.
· Meet or exceed California Title 22 Director qualifications:
o 12 semester units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development
o 3 semester units in administration or staff relations
o 4 years teaching experience in a licensed child care center, with at least 1 year of supervisory experience
or
· Meet Title 5 requirements (if applicable), including Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Additional Requirements:
· Current EMSA-Approved Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification.
· Mandated Reporter Training certification.
· Criminal Record Clearance (Live Scan), Child Abuse Index Check, and clearance through the Department of Justice.
· Health screening and TB clearance.
· Proof of immunizations: MMR, Tdap, and Influenza.
· Strong knowledge of DRDP, ASQ-3, and early childhood assessment tools.
· Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
· Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain compliance in a fast-paced environment.
· Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices.
· Complete the required Health and Safety Trainings specified in Health and Safety Code section1596.866.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $75,000-$82,000/ year
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $75,000.00 - $82,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
