Preschool Director - Third Street Preschool

Description:

Position

Third Street Music School is seeking an energetic, warm, passionate educator and forward-thinking leader with excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and communication skills to oversee the Third Street Preschool and Early Childhood Programs. The Preschool’s progressive philosophy respects both the individual learner and the community, serving as Third Street’s entry for hundreds of families as a critical foundation for Third Street’s ongoing programming and community. With approximately 78 students ranging from 18 months nearly five years, the Preschool is led by the Director, a small team of administrators and a faculty of 15 educators, with an operating budget of $1.2M. The Director is responsible for all facets of the daily operation of the school which includes working with faculty, students, families, finances, facilities, and the overall curriculum. The Preschool Director reports to the Chief Programs Officer of Third Street Music School, working closely with the Executive Director.

Priorities 

• Serve as lead executive of the preschool, which includes visioning, strategy, implementation and being a hands-on 24/7 manager.
• Deep focus and action on recruitment, retention, outreach and marketing to achieve increased enrollment and sustainable growth.
• Create, build and maintain relationships with current and prospective families. 
• Recruit, retain and inspire and support teachers and staff to be the best possible educators and professionals.
• Prioritize the value of DEI and work to bring in diverse teachers and families.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities 

• Oversee the curriculum, programming and atmosphere of the early childhood operations, ensuring a strong developmentally appropriate learning environment, while blending active engagement with music and art and the overall vision and mission of the Third Street Settlement
• Actively work to recruit and retain students and families to pre-pandemic levels, effectively employing marketing and programmatic strategies, and articulating the preschool’s strengths and attributes to prospective families
• Manage all aspects of staffing for the Preschool and early childhood program (Music To Grow On) including recruitment, supervision, coaching, mentoring and professional development for educators and the administrative team
• Facilitation of proactive and consistent communication with parents, faculty, leadership and colleagues
• Oversight of a $1.2M departmental budget
• Participate and work collaboratively with the Third Street Settlement senior management team to foster intradepartmental cooperation and symbiosis
• Create and maintain strong relationships with faculty, parents, parent committee, board and community partners

Capabilities 

• Serves as a mentor to teachers and staff, actively facilities professional development, and inspires staff to work cooperatively to build community
• Excels at communicating with parents, board members and staff
• Forms warm and caring relationships with preschool children, their parents and caregivers that honor the importance of all individuals to the community
• Demonstrates an inclusive management philosophy and style that encourages creativity, collaboration, problem solving and diversity in perspective
• Uses networking, marketing and community outreach effectively to promote programs and build enrollment
• Actively participates in discussions surrounding best practice in Early Childhood Education and is capable of integrating the most successful strategies in developmentally appropriate learning 
• Ability to integrate public health guidelines into the operations of the school
• Understands the far-reaching benefits of early music experiences and creates an environment where music and learning meet

Qualifications: