EARLY LEARNING CENTER DIRECTOR
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Temple Shalom and its Early Learning Center
Temple Shalom is a vibrant inclusive Reform synagogue located in the Washington D.C. area, with 400+ member households, a 250+ student religious school, and a thriving year-round Early Learning Center (ELC) with 30+ children ages 12 months - 5 years. The ELC uses Reggio-inspired and play-based learning rooted in Jewish values. Temple Shalom welcomes the diversity of our community and celebrates the unique journey of each of our families and members. It is led by our innovative and dynamic clergy, education and music teams, and Board of Trustees.
Position Description
The ELC Director leads all functions of the ELC and ensures a high quality vision, program, and operations. Key responsibilities include developing warm relationships with parents, staff management and development, program development, admissions, day-to-day operations, budget, family and community engagement, and collaboration with Temple Shalom leadership. The successful candidate will have strong leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills, be knowledgeable about best practices for each age and stage of development, and demonstrate warmth and creativity. The ELC Director is supported by the ELC Administrator, works directly with Temple Shalom’s clergy and Executive Director, and is part of Temple Shalom’s Senior Staff.
Key Responsibilities
Program Development and Implementation
- Plan and oversee implementation of:
- developmentally appropriate Reggio-inspired curriculum to foster social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development
- Judaic curriculum in collaboration with Temple Shalom clergy and religious school director
- Ensure that all programming maintains best practices and a high standard of excellence in early childhood education and development
Staff Management
- Recruit, hire and retain high-quality staff
- Supervise and mentor staff
- Develop and oversee implementation of:
- staff professional development and training
- evaluation of staff including formal evaluation tools and classroom observations
- strategies for students who may require additional support for success
- methods and tools for teachers and parents to discuss student progress, success, and needs
Day to Day Operations/Administration
- Ensure continuous compliance with all state and local licensing, safety and other requirements by the ELC and its staff
- Acquire and maintain competency of MSDE Accreditation MD EXCELS application and associated requirements
- Collaborate with Temple staff including Executive Director to improve ELC operations
- Report status of the ELC several times each year to the Board of Trustees
Family and Community Engagement
- Create and maintain positive, trusting relationships with parents/guardians, children, and staff
- Develop, implement and oversee strategies to recruit, welcome, enroll, and support families and their students into the ELC and Temple Shalom
- Ensure regular and proactive communication with parents/guardians
- Facilitate integration of ELC and prospective families into other aspects of Temple Shalom including Gift of Membership
- Participate in local and national associations related to Jewish early childhood education
Fiscal Responsibility
- Prepare, implement and oversee the ELC annual operating budget
- Oversee ELC expenditures, vendor contracts, and purchases, in collaboration with Temple Shalom’s Executive Director
- Identify and apply for grant opportunities for ELC funding
Qualifications
- Experience as the Director, Assistant Director or highly experienced classroom teacher of an early childhood learning center or a preschool program
- Experience leading a Reggio-inspired and/or a Jewish preschool program preferred
- Certification as an MSDE childcare center/preschool director or meets the qualifications for certification
- Excellent interpersonal, management, and organizational skills
- Proficient at successfully developing and implementing early childhood curriculum and programs, managing staff,overseeing licensing and financial management
- Demonstrated track record as a problem solver skilled at guiding, overseeing, and implementing innovative solutions
- An outstanding level of personal initiative, responsibility, discretion, and good judgment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to oversee use of social media, ELC website, and video streaming
- Strong sensitivity and inclusiveness to all demographics including race, ethnicity, religion, sexual identity, and gender identity
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to attend worship services and events for families with young children, meetings and other programs.
Statement on Hiring Qualifications
Some statistics show that women and people of underrepresented groups apply to jobs only when they meet 100% of the job qualifications. Temple Shalom encourages individuals to break those statistics, as no candidate ever meets 100% of the requested qualifications. We look forward to your application.
Salary and Benefits
Initial annual salary range is $70K – $80K. Benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, paid parental leave, Temple Shalom membership, and waiver of religious school fees for the ELC Director’s children.
Application and Hiring
Please submit your resume and a cover letter to [email protected]
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Target start date is July 1, 2024 - August 1, 2024, with some flexibility for the ideal candidate.