Assistant Director - Preschool and Elementary School esme learning Palo Alto, CA Job Details Full-time $55,727.88 - $65,500.24 a year 23 hours ago Qualifications School experience Teamwork Performance management Team development Organizational skills Parent-teacher conferences (communication methods) Full Job Description We are a growing Montessori school community in Palo Alto serving children from infancy through elementary school. We are seeking an experienced, thoughtful, and highly dependable Assistant Director to join our school leadership team. The Assistant Director will work closely with the School Director to support daily school operations, teachers, families, licensing compliance, enrollment, and program quality. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced early childhood educator or school administrator who is ready to take on broader leadership responsibility and help build a strong, collaborative school community. Key ResponsibilitiesSchool Operations Support the Director in overseeing daily school operations Help ensure appropriate classroom staffing, coverage, and teacher-child ratios Respond to operational issues throughout the school day and help solve problems proactively Coordinate closely with the office team and teaching staff Facilitate educational events and activities in school community Staff Leadership Support teachers with classroom operations, communication, and professional expectations Assist with staff onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance management Help facilitate staff meetings and professional development Build a collaborative and accountable team culture Provide classroom support when necessary Family Communication Build strong, professional relationships with current and prospective families Support parent meetings, concerns, and school communications Participate in school tours, enrollment conversations, and family onboarding Help ensure families receive timely and consistent communication Licensing & Compliance Support compliance with California Community Care Licensing requirements Maintain appropriate staff and student documentation Monitor classroom ratios, health and safety procedures, and required records Assist with preparation for licensing visits and other regulatory requirements Program Quality Work with teachers and leadership to maintain high-quality Montessori classroom environments Support curriculum planning and classroom consistency Observe classrooms and help identify areas for improvement Assist with student assessment, curriculum documentation, and family conferences Qualifications Previous experience in early childhood education, preschool leadership, school administration, or a related field Previous experience as an Assistant Director, Site Supervisor, Program Director, Lead Teacher, or similar leadership role strongly preferred Strong understanding of early childhood development and classroom operations Familiarity with California childcare licensing requirements strongly preferred Montessori experience or training is highly desirable Excellent interpersonal and parent communication skills Strong leadership, organization, and problem-solving abilities Able to manage multiple priorities and remain calm in a dynamic school environment Professional, dependable, collaborative, and proactive Experience in Montessorian environment is preferred Candidates who meet California licensing qualifications for a preschool Site Supervisor or Director are especially encouraged to apply The Person We Are Looking For We are looking for someone who wants more than a job. We hope to find a long-term member of our leadership team who: Values children, educators, and the school community Takes ownership Communicates openly Supports teachers while maintaining high expectations Builds trust with families Notices problems and solves them Wants to help build and improve a growing school community Compensation will be competitive and based on qualifications, education, leadership experience, and Montessori or early childhood credentials. To apply, please submit your resume and a short introduction describing your experience in early childhood education, school leadership, licensing, or Montessori education.

Pay:

$55,727.88 - $65,500.24 per year

Work Location:

In person