Executive Director, Startup Preschool

The Gardner School; Bannockburn (IL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly bonus

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Childcare tuition discount

Paid holidays

Professional development

Job summary

The Gardner School in Bannockburn, IL seeks an Executive School Director to launch and lead a brand-new preschool opening early 2027. You’ll build a strong team, drive enrollment, and nurture family partnerships while upholding our mission and values.

The ideal candidate has Illinois director licensing experience, a bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred), 2+ years in licensed childcare and startup leadership, plus budgeting and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Illinois Child Care Director Licensing Standards (required).
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of two years in licensed childcare with at least one year as a Director or supervising a childcare program.
• Startup of childcare center experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive enrollment growth by leading tours, follow-ups, and community marketing efforts.
• Build strong relationships with families and represent the school in the local community.
• Recruit, hire, train, and coach team members to create a positive, high-performing culture.
• Lead staff development through feedback, observations, and ongoing training.
• Oversee daily school operations, including staffing, scheduling, and overall performance.
• Manage budgets and resources to ensure financial health and operational efficiency.
• Execute enrollment and seasonal plans to maximize capacity and classroom transitions.
• Ensure a safe, compliant, and high-quality learning environment.
• Maintain strong communication with families and continuously improve the overall experience.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Organizational skills

Communication

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Gardner School in Bannockburn, IL seeks an Executive School Director to launch and lead a brand-new preschool opening early 2027. You’ll build a strong team, drive enrollment, and nurture family partnerships while upholding our mission and values.

The ideal candidate has Illinois director licensing experience, a bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred), 2+ years in licensed childcare and startup leadership, plus budgeting and communication skills.