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The Goddard School

Director, Early Childhood Education

The Goddard School, San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78208

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Director, Early Childhood Education Location: The Goddard School – San Antonio

Employment type: Full-time

Reports to: Desirae Melter

Position Overview We are seeking a passionate and experienced Preschool Director to lead our early childhood education program. The ideal candidate is dedicated to creating a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment for young learners. This leadership role is responsible for curriculum oversight, staff management, family engagement, and ensuring full compliance with licensing and accreditation standards.

Qualifications All candidates should meet one of the following options and all requirements mandated by state and local licensing authorities:

OPTION 1 : A bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education, elementary education, child development or a related field, and experience in a licensed childcare center or preschool.

OPTION 2 : A bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field, 12 semester hours in courses related to young children from birth to age eight, and experience in a licensed childcare center or preschool.

OPTION 3 : An associate degree in early childhood education, elementary education, child development or a current Child Development Associate credential, 12 semester hours in courses related to young children from birth to age eight, and a minimum of one year of experience working in a licensed childcare center or preschool.

Additional recommended qualifications include:

Previous management experience in a licensed childcare facility or experience managing faculty members or staff.

Ability to provide effective training to faculty members in performing their responsibilities and complying with all applicable laws, regulations and GSL standards.

Ability to interact closely with children at their level.

Ability to supervise children with sight and hearing and assist in toileting where necessary.

Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with school personnel, children and parents.

Ability to handle crisis situations, including assisting in evacuating the building during emergencies.

Ability to comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to childcare.

Ability to comply with franchisee’s employment policies and all applicable regulations.

Key Responsibilities Design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive early childhood curriculum that supports cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development.

Recruit, hire, train, and supervise teaching and support staff.

Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide professional development opportunities to promote staff growth and retention.

Compliance & Licensing

Ensure compliance with state licensing regulations and early childhood education standards.

Maintain accurate records and prepare for inspections and audits as needed.

Child Safety & Well‑being

Promote a safe and healthy learning environment.

Implement emergency procedures and safety protocols to protect all children in care.

Family Engagement

Build trust with families and children.

Communicate and engage with families and children daily.

Tour school with a first‑impressions approach and perform family retention strategies.

Build strong relationships with families through regular updates, conferences, and school events.

Encourage family involvement in classroom activities and school‑wide initiatives.

Oversee school operations, including budgeting, enrollment, tuition collection, and procurement.

Monitor resource allocation to support program needs efficiently.

Community Outreach

Establish partnerships with community organizations, local schools, and educational networks to enhance the preschool experience.

Stay current with trends and research in early childhood education.

Apply innovative strategies to continually improve program quality and outcomes.

Health and Safety

Maintain the safety and security of children, families, and faculty.

Adhere to regulatory standards (state licensing, Quality Assurance, accreditors, etc.).

Know how to handle a crisis (training in crisis management is recommended).

Maintain ratios and implement corrective measures if needed.

Execute emergency preparedness plan and engage with Goddard Systems.

Create systems to support Quality Assurance and licensing compliance; adjust and communicate to families and faculty as needed.

Plan and conduct emergency drills and review emergency preparedness plan.

Manage medication administration and documentation.

Manage faculty files and ensure compliance with updated forms continually.

Monitor and adhere to regulatory changes and updates (QA, licensing, etc.).

Schedule and plan required training (First Aid, CPR, Infant Safe Sleep, etc.).

High‑Quality Programming

Ensure the Wonder of Learning experience is evident and visible to families; communicate benefits and the role of the family.

Manage family/teacher conferences: communications, preparation for faculty, and scheduling for families.

Support implementation of Wonder of Learning inclusive of the exterior learning environment.

Conduct classroom observations and provide feedback to teachers.

Oversee and contribute to curriculum development and the assessment cycle: review lesson plans, parent communications, and provide classroom resources.

Provide professional development opportunities, build capacity and support professional growth. Identify training opportunities and provide performance feedback.

Conduct/participate in faculty orientation and onboarding. Set expectations and consistently follow up with new faculty.

Lead recruitment and retention efforts: assist with interviewing & hiring, build trust and empower faculty.

Collaborate with faculty and plan ongoing training and information sharing through faculty meetings.

Business Management and Operations

(Families) Engage with new leads and families; conduct tours and participate in lead follow‑up; FMS management as applicable.

Participate in the enrollment process; schedule and collaborate with new family onboarding.

Be aware of enrollment opportunities: plan child transitions and review with franchisee, review & update class lists.

Participate in marketing events and in‑house events.

(Faculty) Plan and monitor teacher schedules and hours, including lesson planning time.

Maintain allotted budgets (supplies, consumables, payroll) and place orders as applicable.

Contribute to school website and social media outlets; highlight teacher and classroom activities & events.

Application Process Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and educational leadership vision.

Equal Opportunity Employer The Goddard School – San Antonio is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, families, and children.

Compensation $50,000.00 – $55,000.00 per year

Benefits

Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Paid sick leave

Paid holiday leave

This Is Your Moment The joy of childhood comes from those bright sparks of discovery – moments that delight and surprise us. Your career at The Goddard School can be just as exciting. For more than 35 years, Goddard Schools have put each teacher at the heart of everything we do because teachers put each student at the heart of everything they do. The Goddard School trusts, empowers, and honors its exceptional educators. Develop your teaching skills in a vibrant and nurturing environment and make a difference in children's lives every day.

Additional Information Each Goddard School location is privately owned and operated by Goddard Franchisor LLC franchisees. The Goddard School franchise owner(s) are the employers at each school, and the franchise owner(s) set their own wage and benefit programs, which vary by location.

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