Director of Early Education

Cross Schools Inc; Bluffton (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cross Schools Inc. seeks an experienced Director of Early Education to provide strategic, instructional, and operational leadership for the Early Education program. The director will foster a Christ-centered environment where young learners grow spiritually, academically, and socially.

The ideal candidate will combine servant leadership with strong skills in staff development, family engagement, regulatory compliance, and daily program management in a faith-centered setting.

Qualifications

• Requires leading and developing teams in an early education setting.
• Knowledge of regulatory licensing, safety, and staffing standards.
• Experience with budgeting, enrollment management, and program operations.
• Strong communication with families and school leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide Christ-centered leadership aligned with Cross Schools’ mission and values.
• Oversee daily operation of the Early Education program ensuring a safe, organized learning environment.
• Recruit, supervise, coach, and retain qualified teachers and staff.
• Promote developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction, and student assessments.
• Maintain compliance with South Carolina childcare licensing, health, safety, and staffing requirements.
• Manage enrollment, classroom capacity, staffing ratios, schedules, and substitutes.
• Build strong relationships with students, families, faculty, and leadership.
• Communicate clearly with families about program expectations and student needs.
• Coordinate staff training, onboarding, and required certifications.
• Maintain accurate records for students, personnel, licensing, and compliance.
• Support transitions between Early Education and Lower School.
• Respond professionally to parent concerns and operational challenges.
• Participate in school leadership planning and initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Communication

Budgeting

Enrollment management

Program operations

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

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.

Requirements

• 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.