Find & Apply For Preschool / Childcare Director Jobs in Columbia, Missouri

About Christian Chapel Academy Christian Chapel Academy (CCA) is a Christ-centered school serving children from infancy through 9th grade in Columbia, Missouri. We believe education is about more than academics. We seek to partner with families to help students grow spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally while discovering their God-given potential. Our Early Education program serves approximately 125 children with a dedicated team of approximately 40 teachers and staff members. We are looking for a leader who is passionate about early childhood education and who desires to create an environment where children, families, and staff can thrive. About the Position CCA is seeking an Early Education Director to provide leadership for our Early Education program. The Director will be responsible for the overall health, quality, culture, and development of the Early Education program. This person will lead the instructional and relational aspects of the program while working closely with the Director of Early Education Operations , who oversees the day-to-day operational needs of the program. This is an opportunity for an experienced early childhood leader to step into a meaningful leadership role where they can focus on people, program quality, curriculum, and the experience of children and families. Responsibilities Program Leadership Provide vision, leadership, and direction for the Early Education program. Develop and maintain a high-quality, Christ-centered early childhood program. Establish and maintain expectations for classroom quality, instruction, safety, and student care. Evaluate program effectiveness and identify opportunities for growth and improvement. Ensure the program operates in accordance with CCA policies and applicable licensing and regulatory requirements. Curriculum & Classroom Quality Oversee implementation of the Early Education curriculum. Conduct regular classroom observations. Provide teachers with meaningful feedback, encouragement, and professional support. Work with Lead Teachers to maintain consistency and quality across classrooms. Support ongoing professional development and training. Encourage developmentally appropriate, engaging, and Christ-centered learning environments. Staff Leadership Build a healthy, positive, and collaborative staff culture. Develop strong relationships with teachers and staff. Provide coaching and professional support. Conduct staff observations and performance evaluations. Identify staff strengths and opportunities for professional growth. Work collaboratively with the Director of Early Education Operations regarding staff needs and concerns. Participate in hiring and onboarding new staff members. Support staff retention and development. Student & Family Experience Build positive relationships with Early Education families. Respond to significant or escalated parent concerns with professionalism, grace, and good judgment. Promote a welcoming, safe, and nurturing environment for children. Partner with families in addressing significant student needs. Ensure that the student experience reflects CCA's mission and values. Leadership & Collaboration Work closely with the Director of Early Education Operations to ensure strong communication between program leadership and daily operations. Collaborate with CCA's Director of Operations & Enrollment and other school administrators. Participate in school-wide leadership meetings and initiatives. Help plan and oversee Early Education events and special programs. Participate in strategic planning and ongoing program development. What We're Looking For The ideal candidate will be: A committed follower of Jesus Christ who supports and can actively contribute to CCA's Christian mission. Passionate about early childhood education. A strong relational leader who genuinely enjoys working with people. Warm, approachable, encouraging, and able to build trust with staff and families. An effective communicator who can handle difficult conversations with grace and professionalism. Organized and able to manage multiple priorities. Able to provide clear expectations while maintaining a positive and supportive culture. A team player who works well with other administrators and teachers. Comfortable making decisions and taking initiative. Committed to creating a high-quality experience for children and families. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred. Previous experience in early childhood education required. Previous leadership, supervisory, or administrative experience preferred. Experience working in a preschool, childcare, or early education setting. Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and early childhood curriculum. Strong communication and organizational skills. Ability to work collaboratively with teachers, families, and administrators. Schedule Full-time | Monday-Friday | 40 - 45 hours per week The Early Education program operates from 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The Director will work closely with the Director of Early Education Operations to ensure appropriate leadership and coverage throughout the full operating day. Why CCA? At CCA, we believe that the people who care for and teach our children matter tremendously . We want our staff to experience the same support, encouragement, and investment that we want them to provide to our students. This position offers the opportunity to lead a well-established Early Education program while helping shape its next season of growth and development. If you are passionate about early childhood education, love Jesus, enjoy developing people, and want to make a lasting impact on young children and their families, we would love to hear from you. How to Apply Please submit a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the Early Education Director position and how your experience and Christian faith have prepared you for this role.

Pay:

$45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person