Preschool Manager- Center Based

Saginaw Intermediate School District; Saginaw (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Saginaw Intermediate School District is seeking a Preschool Manager to oversee GSRP and Head Start compliance across community and district sites. The role includes instructional leadership, staff supervision, and collaboration with LEAs and families to ensure high-quality early learning.

Responsibilities include monitoring curriculum fidelity, enrollment eligibility, and ongoing CQI plans while coordinating with district administration and partners.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development or closely related field.
• Six months experience working with preschool children preferred.
• Must be willing to obtain Basic First Aid and CPR Certification.

Responsibilities

• Oversee implementation and compliance of GSRP and Head Start standards.
• Coach and mentor Head Start and LEA staff for curriculum fidelity.
• Monitor program quality using assessment tools and data to drive improvements.
• Prepare reports for grants, audits, and stakeholder communications.

Skills

Instructional leadership

Staff supervision

Collaboration with LEAs

Data-driven decision making

Education

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development

First Aid & CPR Certification

Tools

COR Advantage

CLASS

Creative Curriculum

Teaching Strategies Gold

Job description

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

The Preschool Manager is responsible for overseeing the implementation and compliance of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) while providing instructional leadership, program compliance and supervision to Saginaw ISD Head Start staff assigned to community-based or local district sites. This role ensures high-quality early childhood education services that align with state and federal regulations, program standards, and best practices in early childhood development. The Preschool Manager fosters strong collaboration with local education agencies (LEAs), community-based organizations, and families to support positive outcomes for preschool-aged children.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Program Oversight & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with GSRP requirements, Head Start Performance Standards, and Michigan Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) guidelines for early childhood programs.


• Monitor and evaluate program quality, ensuring fidelity to the Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold, CLASS, and other relevant assessment tools.


• Oversee enrollment processes and ensure adherence to eligibility and recruitment requirements for GSRP and Head Start programs.


• Ensure that classroom environments support developmentally appropriate practices, social-emotional learning, and school readiness goals.


• Coordinate licensing requirements and maintain compliance with Michigan Child Care Licensing Rules for all assigned sites.


• Coach and mentor the Head Start and the LEA GSRP teaching staff to ensure appropriate curriculum implementation.


• Develops and implements a plan and system of continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities within the program including an age-appropriate plan for each child based on identified needs.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as a liaison between Saginaw ISD, local districts, and community-based providers to ensure alignment and coordination of preschool services.


• Work closely with district administrators, early childhood directors, and community partners to support program effectiveness.


• Engage families and caregivers in the learning process by supporting parent education, engagement initiatives, and family partnership agreements.


• Participate in GSRP advisory councils, community early childhood coalitions, and professional learning communities to stay informed on best practices and policy updates.

Data & Continuous Improvement:

• Utilize child assessment data, classroom observations, and program evaluation tools to inform decisions and enhance instructional quality.


• Support teachers in data-driven instruction and the use of formative assessments such as COR Advantage to track child progress.


• Collaborate with SISD leadership to develop and implement continuous quality improvement (CQI) plans for preschool programs.


• Prepare reports and documentation for grant compliance, program audits, and stakeholder communications as needed.

Preferred:

• Experience working with community-based organizations and local school districts in a leadership role.


• Familiarity with grant funding, budgeting, and reporting requirements related to early childhood programs.


• Training in trauma-informed practices, equity in early learning, and family engagement strategies.

Work Environment & Expectations:

• Frequent travel to community-based sites, local districts, and partner organizations within Saginaw County.


• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate meetings, training sessions, and program needs.


• Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with early childhood education research, policies, and best practices.

RECORDKEEPING AND FISCAL

• Assists in developing and implementing the School Readiness Plan.


• Maintains filing, tracking and documentation systems.


• Submits verbal and/or written reports to the Preschool Education Administrator.


• Understands and monitors in-kind and other allowable costs applied toward the non-federal share requirement.

Staff Supervision & Development:

• Provide leadership, supervision, and coaching to SISD Head Start teachers, associate teachers, and other assigned staff at community or district-based sites.


• Support professional growth through training, mentoring, and reflective coaching to enhance instructional practices.


• Conduct regular site visits to observe classroom environments, provide feedback, and ensure alignment with GSRP and Head Start expectations.


• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that promotes continuous improvement and a shared commitment to high-quality early learning experiences.


• Direct supervision means those employees the position assigns, directs, and evaluates the duties.


• Positions Supervised: Teachers

Approved by SISD Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council

Technical and content area supervision is provided to the following:

• Associate Teachers – indirectly


• Program Support Aides – indirectly


• Performs other duties as assigned to ensure the successful operation of the program.

Approved by SISD Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council

DECISIONS AND COMMITMENTS

This section will describe the kinds and impact of decisions and commitments; the effects, influence and significance of these decisions; the consequence of error and the limitation of the finality of decision making. Decisions and commitments involving the education program are very important and affect the children and continued funding of the programs. Following the guidelines and the regulations of the program are of the utmost importance to ensuring quality services for children and families. Accountability to the program and to staff is essential.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The Preschool Education Administrator evaluates the performance. Assistance is received from other agency staff as needed. Outside assistance can be received from other related resources. Head Start effectively uses the teamwork approach. All components are interwoven so as to better assist and support families. The Preschool Education Administrator is responsible for yearly appraisals of this position. The program will conduct a self-assessment in which the Education and Development Program Services area will be covered as addressed in the Head Start Performance Standards and related regulations and practices (e.g. IDEA, MiAEYC Best Practices, child care licensing, etc.).

Ability to:

• Know and implement the Head Start Performance Standards and policies of the agency.


• Become reliable and maintain reliability in CLASS.


• Engage in mutually respectful goal-oriented partnerships with families to promote parent-child relationships and family well-being.


• Respect and respond appropriately to the culture, language, values, and family structures of each family served.


• The ability to maintain strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies, procedures, and other legal requirements i.e., FERPA, HIPAA.


• Enhance the parent-child relationship and support parents' role as the first and life-long educators of their children.


• Act as a member of a comprehensive services team so that family service activities are coordinated and integrated throughout the program.


• Monitors Staff for and is able to use Active Supervision strategies to keep children safe by: Set up the environment to be able to see children around the room at all times, Position yourself to see and hear all children in your care, Count and Use Face to Name while transitioning in and out of the classroom, Listen for potential danger,

Anticipate children’s behavior to predict what the child will do next, and Engage and Redirect to assist the children and help solve problems.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

The minimum requirement is a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development or a closely related field. Previous teaching and/or supervision experience is mandatory. Six months experience working with preschool children is preferred. Must be willing and able to obtain Basic First Aid and CPR Certification and maintain certification. Acceptable tuberculosis and drug screening results, a clear criminal records check and an initial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment. Must maintain any certification that employee was hired in with.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of Human Resources

Saginaw Intermediate School District

3933 Barnard Road, Saginaw, MI 48603

Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail] Web: www.sisd.cc