Director of Preschool Valley Oak Montessori San Jose, CA Job Details Full-time $50,925.41 - $68,555.33 a year 16 hours ago Benefits 401(k) Paid time off Qualifications School experience CPR Certification Staff supervision Teamwork Customer relationship building Team supervision Education Teacher coaching Working with students Personnel management in education Working with families Teaching experience with young children Classroom Teaching Full Job Description Director of PreschoolAbout the Role We are seeking a dynamic, experienced, and enrollment-focused Director of Preschool to lead the day-to-day operations, growth, and culture of our preschool program. This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who is equally comfortable leading a team, speaking with prospective families, giving tours, closing enrollments, supporting teachers, and stepping into the classroom when needed. The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator and relationship builder who understands that a successful preschool is built on three things: exceptional care and education, a strong team culture, and a thriving school community. A significant part of this role will be focused on admissions and enrollment growth. The Director will be expected to actively engage prospective families, conduct compelling school tours, follow up with leads, build relationships with current families, and convert inquiries and tours into enrollments. Enrollment growth will be a key performance metric for this position. The Director will be evaluated, in part, on their ability to help the school consistently meet enrollment goals and maintain strong classroom utilization. Key ResponsibilitiesAdmissions & Enrollment Growth Take ownership of the preschool's enrollment pipeline and work closely with the admissions/marketing team to meet enrollment goals. Conduct engaging, informative, and personalized tours for prospective families. Build genuine relationships with prospective parents and clearly communicate the school's philosophy, programs, curriculum, culture, and value. Follow up consistently with prospective families after tours and inquiries through phone calls, email, and other appropriate communication. Identify barriers to enrollment and proactively work to address parent questions or concerns. Help families navigate the admissions and enrollment process from initial inquiry through enrollment. Maintain strong knowledge of tuition, schedules, programs, policies, availability, and admissions procedures. Develop relationships within the local community that generate awareness, referrals, and new enrollment opportunities. Encourage referrals and help build a strong word-of-mouth reputation for the school. Work with the marketing team to identify opportunities to increase inquiries, tours, and enrollment. Monitor enrollment numbers, conversion rates, vacancies, and classroom capacity. Take an active role in re-enrollment and retention efforts by maintaining strong relationships with current families. Be comfortable having enrollment-focused conversations and asking families for their commitment when the school is the right fit for their child. Meet or exceed established enrollment and admissions goals. School Leadership & Operations Oversee the daily operation of the preschool program and ensure classrooms are safe, organized, welcoming, and operating effectively. Ensure the program consistently meets California licensing requirements, school policies, and health and safety standards. Maintain appropriate staffing, supervision, and classroom ratios. Support scheduling, staffing, classroom assignments, and daily operational needs. Monitor classroom quality and ensure children receive a high-quality, nurturing, developmentally appropriate experience. Step into the classroom and work directly with children when needed, including during staffing gaps or when not otherwise required to be in an administrative role. Serve as a visible and approachable leader for children, families, and staff. Help resolve parent concerns professionally and promptly. Maintain accurate records and ensure required documentation is completed appropriately. Support licensing visits, inspections, and compliance requirements. Team Leadership & Culture Build and maintain a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture. Lead by example and create an environment where teachers feel valued, supported, and motivated. Recruit, onboard, train, coach, and develop teaching staff in partnership with school leadership. Conduct regular staff check-ins and performance evaluations. Identify opportunities for professional development and continuous improvement. Address performance or personnel concerns promptly, fairly, and professionally. Encourage strong communication and collaboration across classrooms and departments. Recognize staff contributions and celebrate team successes. Help create a workplace where teachers enjoy coming to work and feel connected to the school's mission. Family & Community Engagement Build strong, trusting relationships with enrolled families. Be a highly visible presence at school events, family gatherings, performances, and community activities. Help create a strong sense of community among families, teachers, and school leadership. Communicate proactively with families regarding school activities, classroom experiences, and important updates. Represent the school professionally in the broader community. Develop relationships with local organizations, families, and community partners that can strengthen the school's reputation and enrollment pipeline. Classroom Support Maintain a genuine connection to classroom teaching and early childhood education. Be willing and able to step into a classroom whenever operationally necessary and when not required to be in administrative ratio. Support teachers with classroom management, child guidance, transitions, activities, and daily routines. Interact warmly and appropriately with young children and model high-quality teaching practices. Assist with basic classroom and school responsibilities as needed. California Licensing & Required Qualifications The successful candidate must meet the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD), Title 22 requirements applicable to a Child Care Center Director. California recognizes several qualification pathways for directors, including the appropriate Child Development Site Supervisor Permit, Child Development Program Director Permit, Children's Center Supervision Permit, or qualifying education and experience pathways. Candidates must have one of the following qualifying pathways: A current Child Development Program Director Permit or other qualifying CTC authorization for the applicable program/site; or A current Child Development Site Supervisor Permit / Children's Center Supervision Permit, where applicable to the position; or A qualifying degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD) with the required teaching experience and administration/staff-relations coursework under Title 22; or Another California-recognized education/credential pathway that satisfies the applicable Title 22 director requirements. For example, California Title 22 provides qualification pathways involving an associate degree with an ECE/CD major plus qualifying teaching experience, or a bachelor's degree with an ECE/CD major plus qualifying teaching experience, with administration/staff-relations coursework required within those pathways. Additional Required Qualifications Meet all applicable California Community Care Licensing requirements for employment in a licensed child care center. Ability to pass required background checks and clearance requirements. Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain/maintain certification as required. Knowledge of California Title 22 child care licensing regulations and willingness to remain current on regulatory requirements. Strong understanding of child development and early childhood education. Previous experience working directly with preschool-aged children. Previous supervisory, management, or leadership experience in an early childhood setting strongly preferred. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to build relationships with families and community members. Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, coach, and hold staff accountable. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced preschool environment. Strong organizational and follow-through skills. Comfortable using technology, email, enrollment systems, and parent communication platforms. Must be able to lift and carry approximately 30-40 pounds and physically participate in the daily activities and care of young children. Must be able to bend, kneel, sit on the floor, stand for extended periods, and move safely and efficiently throughout the school environment. California child care centers are subject to Title 22 licensing requirements covering staffing, qualifications, supervision, health, safety, and operations. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field. Current California Child Development Program Director or Site Supervisor Permit. Montessori experience or familiarity with Montessori education. Experience managing a preschool, child care center, Montessori school, or similar early childhood program. Demonstrated success increasing enrollment or converting prospective families into enrolled students. Experience conducting school tours and admissions interviews. Experience managing enrollment pipelines, CRM systems, or admissions software. Experience recruiting and developing early childhood educators. Strong community networking and relationship-building skills. What Success Looks Like The successful Director will be evaluated on both operational excellence and measurable enrollment growth.

Key performance indicators may include:

New student enrollments Enrollment growth and classroom utilization Tour-to-enrollment conversion Inquiry-to-tour conversion Family retention and re-enrollment Quality and consistency of prospective-family follow-up Parent and family satisfaction Teacher retention and team culture Staff performance and professional development Licensing and regulatory compliance Overall quality of the preschool program Community engagement and referral growth This is not a position where success is measured solely by keeping the school running. The Director is expected to actively contribute to the growth of the school. The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a warm, confident, highly organized leader who genuinely enjoys people. You should be someone who can walk into a classroom and connect with a three-year-old, sit down with a teacher and coach them through a challenge, speak confidently with a prospective parent on a tour, and work with leadership to develop a strategy for increasing enrollment. You are comfortable being hands-on rather than purely administrative. You understand that every interaction with a family is an opportunity to build trust and that every teacher interaction is an opportunity to strengthen the team. Most importantly, you believe that great enrollment starts with a great school experience—and you are passionate about building both.

Pay:

$50,925.41 - $68,555.33 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Paid time off

Work Location:

In person