Early Childhood Site Director

The J’s Early Childhood Centers serve approximately 250 children each year from culturally diverse backgrounds. Accredited by Missouri Accreditation and licensed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Centers provide full-day care for infants through pre-kindergarten and support the agency’s summer day camp operations. Our curriculum is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and grounded in Conscious Discipline, emphasizing character development and value-based learning. 

The Site Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the assigned center, ensuring program quality, regulatory compliance, and effective communication with families and staff. Will supervise the Teachers within all classrooms (infant through pre-kindergarten) and the site’s Early Childhood Administrative Assistant. Key Responsibilities: 

Supervision:

• Oversee daily staffing and classroom coverage to maintain compliance with ratios and ensure continuity of care.
• Serve as primary point of contact for staff scheduling, vacations, and absences; implement plans for temporary reassignments and substitute coverage.
• Provide supervision, coaching, and performance feedback for teaching staff through regular observation, documentation, and evaluation.
• Support a collaborative team culture by mediating conflicts, modeling professionalism, and promoting open communication.
• Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and staff credentialing.
• Build strong relationships with teachers, children and families through regular classroom presence and communication.
• Supervise and evaluate the Early Childhood Administrative Assistant.
• Collaborate with the Director of Curriculum and Learning to plan and conduct ongoing staff development and monthly staff meetings. 

Curriculum and PROGRAM Development:

• Remain current on early childhood best practices, education trends, and leadership strategies through professional development.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to establish site-specific goals that enhance program quality and support staff growth. 
• In partnership with the Director of Curriculum and Learning, ensure alignment between curriculum goals, daily practice, and site-wide program priorities.
• Provide ongoing leadership, coaching, and feedback to teachers that supports high-quality implementation of curriculum and Reggio-inspired pedagogy.

General Program Administration:

• Maintain strong communication and collaboration with other Site Directors and the Director of Early Childhood[MA1]  and Youth Services.
• Ensure daily operations run efficiently, including enrollment, attendance, and scheduling.
• Foster a warm and inclusive community environment.
• Manage payroll, onboarding, and staffing records through HR systems. 
• Ensure staff adherence to agency policies and state regulations. 
• Respond promptly and professionally to family inquiries, concerns, and feedback.
• Conduct tours for prospective families and manage site enrollment and capacity.
• Supervise the seasonal Camp Nat Koplar Coordinator to ensure continuity for early childhood families during summer (SFC only).
• Ensure the facility is safe, well-maintained and adequately supplied; coordinate maintenance with Building & Grounds.
• Participate actively in EC leadership and agency-wide meetings.
• Engage in cross-departmental collaboration to connect families with broader JCC programs and opportunities. Perform other duties and projects as assigned. 

Fiscal Responsibility:

• Partner with the Accounting Department and EC Leadership Team to develop, implement, and monitor the site budget. 
• Review monthly financial statements to ensure income and expenditures align with forecasts and identify opportunities for efficiency. 

Marketing & Communication:

• Communicate with families and staff regarding operational matters such as staffing updates, health and safety notices, closures, and scheduling changes. 
• Support agency marketing initiatives by representing the Early Childhood program and other J programs positively in communications and at events.

Accreditation & Licensing:

• Ensure compliance with DESE Licensing, Missouri Accreditation, and JCC policy standards. 
• Prepare the site for licensing and accreditation visits, ensuring all records and procedures meet regulatory requirements. 
• Collaborate with Building & Grounds to maintain environmental and safety standards. 
• Maintain all credentials and qualifications required by DESE to serve as the designated Site Director of record. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Eligible for DESE Director certification in Missouri. 
• Minimum five years of progressive experience in early childhood education, with supervisory experience strongly preferred. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices, regulations, and quality standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to articulate the J’s mission and values to multiple audiences. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and capable of learning additional software tools used in daily operations.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills with the ability to build consensus and foster a positive team culture. 
• Commitment to professionalism, ethics, and serving as a role model for staff and families. 
• Judaic knowledge and a deep commitment to the J mission and vision.
• Physically able to meet the demands of an early childhood environment, including lifting up to 50 lbs. and accompanying children to outdoor and swimming activities. 

Early Childhood employees are required to become registered with the MO Family Care Safety Registry. Active registration must be maintained for employment at our center. Annual TB testing and current Hepatitis A vaccinations are required per state regulations (provided as necessary). Passing of pre-employment physical and background screenings are required.