Preschool Director

About The Carey School:

The Carey School is a preschool through fifth grade school in San Mateo, California with 294 students and two campuses. Our mission, “The Carey School inspires curious confident and joyful learners and celebrates childhood in a diverse, inclusive community that nurtures kindness, respect and personal responsibility” guides all that we do. 

About the Role:

The Preschool Director is a school leader responsible for creating and sustaining an exceptional early childhood program that aligns with Carey’s mission. You will lead a talented and highly motivated team of educators in fostering a love of learning in young children through play, scaffolded teaching and emergent curriculum with the goal of setting students up for success in the K-5 program as curious, confident and joyful learners. 

The Preschool Director will lead all aspects of the preschool, including managing day-to-day operations of the program, mentoring faculty and staff, inspiring pedagogical advances, and collaborating with aftercare and enrichment staff, to create a safe and nurturing learning environment. The Preschool Director will sit on the Program Leadership Team to ensure alignment with the K-5 program, ensuring a smooth experience for children and families. The Preschool Director will report to the Director of Studies for this 12-month position.

Additionally, the Preschool Director will have the opportunity to be directly involved in planned expansion of the preschool, including the design of and transition to a new Carey Early Childhood Center site directly adjacent to the main campus. This is an exciting and transformational time to lead the preschool. 

Key Responsibilities and Requirements:

• Program Leadership & Development:
  • Lead the intentional planning and implementation of the preschool curriculum, ensuring alignment with Carey's educational philosophy and best practices in early childhood education.
  • Drive continuous improvement in teaching and learning through professional development, coaching, and observation.
  • Cultivate a vibrant and inclusive learning environment that fosters the social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development of young children.
  • Model effective teaching, observation, and assessment, as well as child support, through classroom coverage and teaching.
• Team Leadership & Management:
  • Recruit, hire, mentor, and evaluate a high-performing team of early childhood educators and be the daily supervisor for the preschool aftercare staff.
  • Foster a collaborative and supportive team culture that values open communication, shared decision-making, professional growth, and student-centered perspectives.
  • Model curiosity and a growth mindset to inspire others to strive for ongoing growth 
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the preschool, including scheduling, classroom management, and resource allocation.
• Family Partnerships:
  • Build strong and meaningful partnerships with families, effectively communicating the preschool's program and addressing their questions and concerns.
  • Engage families in the learning process and foster a strong sense of community within the preschool and with the main campus
  • Support the admissions process by showcasing the unique benefits of the preschool to prospective families.
• School Leadership:
  • Collaborate with the Program Leadership Team to plan and execute strategic school-wide initiatives.
  • Work with the Program Leadership Team, multi-grade teachers, and the kindergarten team to ensure a seamless transition to the K-5 program.
  • Represent the preschool on school-wide committees and initiatives.
  • Maintain compliance with all relevant California State Licensing requirements.
  • Work with the facilities team to ensure the spaces meet all licensing requirements, and participate in strategic planning to develop curriculum-aligned spaces for the future.

Personal Qualities and Attributes:

• Strong Work Ethic: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to effectively prioritize tasks and manage multiple demands.
• Passion for Early Childhood: Deeply passionate about early childhood education with a strong understanding of child development; a genuine enthusiasm for working with young children and a reverence for the importance of this age.
• Growth Mindset: A strong sense of curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, both personally and for the team.
• Exceptional Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences, including children, families, colleagues, and administrators. This includes the ability to listen empathetically, address concerns constructively, and build strong relationships.
• Collaborative Leadership: Proven ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment through effective communication, shared decision-making, and consistent support.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: A strong commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for all children, families, and faculty/staff.
• Coaching and Mentorship: Experience providing constructive feedback, coaching teachers, and supporting their professional development.

Qualifications:

• Essential:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
  • 5 years of experience in early childhood education
  • Demonstrated expertise in play-based learning, and developmentally appropriate practices
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
  • Passion for early childhood education and a deep understanding of child development
• Desired:
  • Previous leadership experience in the early childhood setting
  • Experience in a private school setting
  • Experience with data-driven decision-making and program evaluation

Other Position Information:

This is a full-time, 12-month position with a salary range from $115,000 to $140,000 depending on background and experience. The Carey School has an excellent benefits program in addition to salary.

How to Apply:

Candidates for this position should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three to five references (including current supervisor) to Neely Norris, Head of School at nnorris@careyschool.org. 

Salary : $115,000 - $140,000