Montessori Early Childhood Program Director

Placers Professional, a division of Placers; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Placers Professional, a division of Placers, seeks an experienced Head of Early Childhood Education (Montessori) to lead Montessori-inspired programs in Delaware. This role shapes curriculum, staff growth, and program quality while ensuring licensing and regulatory compliance.

The leader will oversee program operations, family engagement, and partnerships with community stakeholders, driving excellence in early childhood education services with strong governance and organizational leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership or management experience in early childhood education.
• Strong understanding and practical experience with Montessori philosophy, curriculum development, and classroom implementation.
• Must meet Delaware Early Childhood Administrator qualification requirements.
• DEEDS Early Childhood Administrator certification or ability to obtain within 45 days.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Delaware OCCL licensing regulations, DEEDS requirements, and early childhood program compliance.
• Experience overseeing Purchase of Care (POC) requirements, documentation, and administration.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and evaluating early childhood curriculum.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop teaching staff while maintaining high standards of classroom quality and program performance.
• First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain within 45 days.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organization, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Montessori Program Leadership: Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of Montessori-based early childhood programs, ensuring classroom environments and teaching practices reflect Montessori philosophy and principles.
• Curriculum Development: Develop, oversee, and evaluate age-appropriate curriculum that incorporates Montessori methodologies, developmental milestones, hands-on learning, and school readiness.
• State Child Care Assistance Program Oversight: Oversee Purchase of Care (POC) program administration, eligibility requirements, documentation, reporting, and ongoing compliance with Delaware program guidelines.
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain a strong working knowledge of Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) regulations, DEEDS requirements, and applicable state and federal early childhood education standards. Ensure programs consistently meet licensing requirements.
• Staff Leadership and Development: Recruit, supervise, mentor, and develop teaching staff and administrators. Provide ongoing coaching, performance management, and professional development to promote instructional quality.
• Program Operations: Oversee daily program operations, classroom quality, staffing, enrollment, documentation, and resource allocation.
• Quality Assurance: Monitor program effectiveness, classroom instruction, child development outcomes, and regulatory documentation. Identify opportunities for improvement and implement appropriate strategies.
• Family and Community Engagement: Build strong relationships with families, schools, and community partners to support children's development and strengthen program participation.
• Administrative and Financial Oversight: Support budgets, grants, contracts, reporting, and resource management while ensuring responsible program operations.
• Organizational Leadership: Collaborate with organizational leadership to establish program priorities, support strategic initiatives, and ensure the continued growth and success of early childhood education services.

Skills

Montessori philosophy

Curriculum development

Classroom implementation

Leadership and staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, Educational Leadership, or a related field

Montessori certification or MACTE-accredited credential

Job description

Placers Professional, a division of Placers, seeks an experienced Head of Early Childhood Education (Montessori) to lead Montessori-inspired programs in Delaware. This role shapes curriculum, staff growth, and program quality while ensuring licensing and regulatory compliance.

The leader will oversee program operations, family engagement, and partnerships with community stakeholders, driving excellence in early childhood education services with strong governance and organizational leadership.