The Block Academy: Preschool Director – Philadelphia

Christian Woman & Co; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Block Academy in Philadelphia is seeking a Preschool Director to provide visionary leadership and daily management of a 15-month–Pre-K program. You will ensure safe, nurturing, high-quality early childhood education and oversee staff, curriculum, enrollment, and family engagement.

Lead staff development, maintain licensing compliance, and drive program improvement toward Star 2 accreditation, while fostering a positive, mission-aligned school culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in early childhood education, including supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood development, curriculum standards, and licensing regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership that promotes a positive, collaborative, and mission-aligned culture.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate teaching and support staff.
• Lead staff meetings, offer ongoing training, and create professional development.
• Manage staffing schedules, timecards, substitute needs, and performance concerns.
• Ensure a developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with state standards and best practices in early childhood education.
• Support teachers in lesson planning, assessment, and classroom management.
• Monitor classroom environments for safety, cleanliness, and quality learning experiences.
• Lead program improvement initiatives and accreditation processes.
• Oversee daily operations to ensure compliance with licensing, health, and safety regulations.
• Coordinate enrollment, tours, registration, and waitlists.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Team building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or related field

Job description

The Block Academy: Preschool Director – Philadelphia

Reports To:The Board of Trustees
Employment Type:Full-time

Position Summary

The Preschool Director provides visionary leadership and day-to-day management of the
preschool program which is for ages 15 months-Pre-K. This role ensures that children receive a
safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and high-quality early childhood education
experience. The Director oversees staff (currently 14 teachers plus subs), curriculum (academic
and Christian values for circle time and Chapel), enrollment (currently around 50-70 kids and we
have capacity for 140), compliance (we are Star 2 and looking to improve), family engagement,
and the overall culture of the preschool.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Provide leadership that promotes a positive, collaborative, and mission-aligned culture.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate teaching and support staff.
• Lead staff meetings, offer ongoing training, and create professional development
• Manage staffing schedules, timecards, substitute needs, and performance concerns.
• Ensure a developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with state standards and best
• practices in early childhood education.
• Support teachers in lesson planning, assessment, and classroom management.
• Monitor classroom environments for safety, cleanliness, and quality learning
• experiences.
• Lead program improvement initiatives and accreditation processes.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build strong relationships with families and create a welcoming, inclusive school
• Communicate regularly with parents through newsletters, meetings, and events.
• Plan and oversee family conferences, orientations, and community-building activities.
• Address family concerns with professionalism and care.

Operations & Administration

• Oversee daily operations to ensure compliance with licensing, health, and safety
• regulations.
• Maintain accurate records, incident reports, and required documentation.
• Coordinate enrollment, tours, registration, and waitlists.
• Develop and implement school policies and procedures.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Conduct regular emergency drills, safety checks, and risk assessments.
• Maintain staff certifications (CPR/First Aid, clearances, etc.) and ensure ongoing
• compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or
• related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in early childhood education, including supervisory
• experience.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood development, curriculum standards, and licensing
• regulations.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships with children, families, staff, and community partners.

Core Competencies

• Warm, supportive leadership
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving
• Collaboration and team-building
• Cultural competence and inclusivity
• High level of professionalism
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Indoor classroom and office setting with occasional outdoor supervision.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs and perform physical tasks related to child supervision.