Preschool Center Director (Seagull Schools, Honolulu)

Seagull Schools Inc; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO (Paid Time Off)

19+ paid holidays

Health insurance

AFLAC supplemental insurance

FSA (Healthcare and dependent care)

401(k) retirement plan

Employee tuition discount

Job summary

Seagull Schools Inc. seeks a Center Director in Honolulu to oversee the preschool’s daily operations, staff, curriculum, and compliance with licensing and safety regulations. The role focuses on delivering a safe, nurturing environment while building strong relationships with families and the broader community.

The Center Director will manage budgets, enrollment, and program quality, interfacing with city offices and the local business community to support Seagull Schools’ mission and values.

Qualifications

• Leadership and staff development experience required.
• Strong understanding of licensing, health, and safety standards.
• Experience building partnerships with parents and community organizations.
• Budgeting, enrollment, and organizational planning skills.
• CPR/First Aid certification and driving license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the preschool and ensure compliance with licensing regulations.
• Lead and mentor staff to maintain high-quality teaching and care standards.
• Manage budgets, enrollment, and center performance metrics.
• Foster strong relationships with parents, Mayor’s Office, and city departments.

Skills

Leadership

Staff management

Budget management

Curriculum development

Regulatory compliance

Community relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in early childhood education

Bachelor's degree in business/program management (36 credits in ECE)

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Management Honolulu, HI, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1524

Salary Range: $70,000.00 To $80,000.00 Annually

Job title: Center Director

Job overview:

The Center Director of the Early Education Center (EEC) in Honolulu is responsible for the overall management and operation of the preschool, including overseeing daily operations, staff, curriculum, and ensuring that the center meets all regulatory requirements. This role ensures that the preschool provides a safe and nurturing educational environment for children while fostering strong relationships with parents and the community. The Center Director will also manage budgets, staffing, and maintain a positive and collaborative culture within the school. Additionally. This role will interface with the Mayor’s Office at the City and County of Honolulu and City departments act as a liaison to State and City offices, and the broader Honolulu business community.

Key responsibilities:

Leadership:

• Oversee and manage daily operations of the preschool, ensuring compliance with all licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and policies.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor preschool staff, including teachers, assistants, and support personnel, to ensure high-quality educational and care standards.
• Work closely with the management team and staff to achieve a shared vision, mission, guiding values, major goals, continuous improvement, strategic plans and processes that are in the best interest of Seagull Schools as a whole, including all its associates, children and parents, patrons and volunteers
• Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum that supports the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development of children.
• Promote teamwork and enthusiasm, fosters commitment to company culture, mission, vision, and values
• Build and maintain strong relationships with parents, offering regular communication and updates on their child’s progress, behavior, and development.
• Possess the professional skill, poise and savvy to be the critical interface between the School and State and City departments, as well as greater Honolulu business community.

Administration:

• Hire, train, and evaluate staff performance, providing ongoing professional development and support.
• Ensure inquiries and center tours are completed according to policy. Convert inquiries to tours and tours to enrollments
• Ensures all assigned centers are up to date with the collection of tuition and assist with enrollment of children as needed
• Ensure company budget is being followed and met
• Help inspect, audit, and ensure a safe and healthy environment including equipment, supplies, facility maintenance and food service at the centers.
• Ensure the centers are properly stocked with required supplies
• Provide support on the implementation of child-centered early education, and intergenerational programs, activities, and operations within Seagull Schools guidelines and tailored to the interests of the children and needs of the center’s community
• Provide support and mentor other teaching staff in the child development assessment and handling of special needs
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and security on all employees, child and health records. Coordinate proper employee recording keeping with Human Resources
• Ensure that the center and staff conform to the pertinent Seagull Schools, federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and licensing requirements
• Review and maintain center’s administrative and business reports and records with assistance from finance and accounting. Review income and expense, past due accounts, statistical, and budget status
• Help with the necessary communication and safety measures required for operational and natural disaster emergencies that impact the centers

Early Childhood Education Program Administration and Leadership:

• Recruit and schedule children for the child center to maintain optimal levels of enrollment and returning children. Conduct program registration and maintain appropriate files and waiting lists.
• Review and maintain high quality staff and process to maintain organized system and ensure accurate records on children enrolled in the programs to include their development, attendance, immunization and general health.
• Assign, collect and edit ongoing written parent/family communication and announcements such as newsletters, calendars, and announcements.
• Guide and mentor the program coordinator and teaching staff in the child development assessment and handling of special needs as appropriate.
• Investigate and prepare final reports for Child Protective Services and other agencies to ensure the accreditation, safety and well-being of all children enrolled at the center.
• Address and resolve any concerns or issues from parents, staff, or students in a professional manner.
• Organize and implement community outreach and campaigns, maintain public relations with parents, childcare referral resources, prospective workforce, community volunteers, universities, colleges, or community colleges.
• Inspect, audit and ensure safe and healthy environment including equipment, supplies, facility maintenance and food service at the center.
• Conduct fundraising activities to enrich the school’s program and special events to promote family and parent education.
• Ensure compliance and delivery of contract requirements of child tuition funding agencies.
• Assist child center staff in preparing for and presenting early childhood programs and activities; direct the organization and follow-up of special activities such as off-campus field trips; assist as necessary with duties of instructional assistants.

Qualifications:

• Option 1: Baccalaureate-level higher education degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education.
• Option 2: Baccalaureate- level degree in business or program management with at least 36 credits in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education
• 6+ years of full-time experience as a classroom teacher
• 5 years of staff management responsibility and experience in logistical administration of childhood education programs and meeting activities for teachers, aides and staff.
• Must meet state licensing requirements (Medical, TB, and criminal history clearance).
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.
• CPR/First Aid certification.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) leave.
• 19+ paid holidays.
• Medical, vision, prescription drug, and dental insurance.
• Supplemental health insurance through AFLAC.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Employee child tuition discount.

About Us:

Seagull Schools provides children an exceptional start to their educational journey. We do this in partnership with our learning community (families, students, teachers, kūpuna) by:

• Ensuring we use nationally-recognized best practices in early childhood learning and care.
• Learning through play and having fun!
• Providing affordable, accessible educational opportunities of the highest quality.
• Recognizing individual needs and interests to create personalized learning opportunities.
• Building connections and engaging with our local community.