Preschool Director

Distro; Illinois; On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range: $50,000 - $60,000 yearly

Paid holidays

401(k) program available

PTO based on experience and tenure

Professional development and growth

Job summary

Montessori Kids Universe at St. Charles seeks a Preschool Director to provide strategic and operational leadership for the new center in St. Charles, IL.

You will oversee daily operations, licensing compliance, enrollment growth, staff development, and family engagement. The role requires hands-on leadership, adherence to Illinois DCFS, and a background in early childhood education. You will recruit and coach staff, manage budgets, drive community outreach, and foster a collaborative school

Qualifications

• Must meet Illinois DCFS Director qualifications.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Early Childhood Education.
• Leadership experience in a preschool, daycare, childcare center, or early learning program.
• Strong knowledge of childcare licensing requirements, regulatory compliance, and center operations.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and childcare management software.
• Ability to successfully pass all required background checks and screenings.
• Preferred Qualifications: Montessori experience and/or Montessori certification.
• Experience opening or launching a new preschool or childcare center.
• Enrollment management, admissions, and family retention experience.
• Marketing and community outreach experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience managing budgets and financial performance.
• Strong community engagement and relationship-building background.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily school operations to ensure a safe, organized, high-quality learning environment.
• Ensure compliance with Illinois DCFS licensing standards, regulations, and center policies.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, coach, evaluate, and retain high-performing teachers and staff.
• Drive enrollment growth through tours, family engagement, community outreach, and marketing initiatives.
• Serve as primary point of contact for families and school leadership; build relationships with current and prospective families.
• Maintain high educational standards and support curriculum implementation aligned with Montessori and Reggio Emilia principles.
• Develop staff through coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.
• Manage scheduling, staffing, budgeting, record-keeping, and administrative functions.
• Monitor center performance, enrollment goals, and operational metrics.
• Establish partnerships with community organizations and represent the center at local networking events.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and inclusive school culture.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Staff development

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Time management

Microsoft Office

Childcare management software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education/Education/Business Administration or related field

Illinois DCFS Director qualifications

Tools

Microsoft Office

Childcare management software

Job description

Position: Preschool Director — Montessori Kids Universe at St. Charles (DBA), St. Charles, IL

About Us: Montessori Kids Universe (MKU) at St. Charles is an innovative early childhood education center providing high-quality care and education from infancy through kindergarten. Our curriculum blends Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies to create a nurturing, engaging learning environment.

Position Summary: Provide strategic and operational leadership for the center: oversee daily operations, licensing compliance, enrollment growth, staff development, family engagement, and overall school performance. Hands-on leader required to launch, manage, and grow a high-quality early childhood program while fostering a positive culture for children, families, and staff.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversee daily school operations to ensure a safe, organized, high-quality learning environment

Ensure compliance with Illinois DCFS licensing standards, regulations, and center policies

Recruit, hire, onboard, train, coach, evaluate, and retain high-performing teachers and staff

Drive enrollment growth through tours, family engagement, community outreach, and marketing initiatives

Serve as primary point of contact for families and school leadership; build strong relationships with current and prospective families

Maintain high educational standards and support curriculum implementation aligned with Montessori and Reggio Emilia principles

Develop staff through coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities

Manage scheduling, staffing, budgeting, record-keeping, and administrative functions

Monitor center performance, enrollment goals, and operational metrics

Establish partnerships with community organizations and represent the center at local networking events

Foster a positive, collaborative, and inclusive school culture

Required Qualifications:

Must meet Illinois DCFS Director qualifications

Minimum 5 years of experience in Early Childhood Education

Previous leadership experience in a preschool, daycare, childcare center, or early learning program

Strong knowledge of childcare licensing requirements, regulatory compliance, and center operations

Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time-management abilities

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and childcare management software

Ability to successfully pass all required background checks and screenings

Preferred Qualifications:

Montessori experience and/or Montessori certification

Experience opening or launching a new preschool or childcare center

Enrollment management, admissions, and family retention experience

Marketing and community outreach experience

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Business Administration, or a related field

Experience managing budgets and financial performance

Strong community engagement and relationship-building background

Physical Requirements:

Ability to move throughout the facility, including classrooms, offices, and outdoor play areas

Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and sit for extended periods as needed

Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds occasionally

Ability to actively participate in school events, classroom activities, and emergency situations

Ability to use computers, phones, and office equipment for extended periods

Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, staff, and community partners

Visual and auditory ability to supervise children and maintain a safe environment

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary range: $50,000 - $60,000 annually

Paid holidays

401(k) program available

Potential PTO based on experience and tenure

Professional development and growth opportunities

Additional Information:

External client: DBA Montessori Kids Universe at St. Charles

Important: This role requires meeting Illinois DCFS Director qualifications and passing all required checks

Location: St. Charles, IL

Note: This position involves launching and growing a new center; hands-on leadership and operational experience preferred.

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$50,000 - $60,000 a year