Early Childhood Director - the Forest Hills Jewish Center
We are looking for an exceptional candidate to join us as our Early Childhood Director. The EC Director is a member of the Forest Hills Jewish Center professional team, which includes the Rabbi, the Hazzan, the Religious School Director and the Executive Director. They all work in tandem to create a warm and welcoming environment for children and families at the FHJC. The EC Director is also instrumental in maintaining our relationship with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), for our UPK and 3K classes.
The Forest Hills Jewish Center, currently located at 106-06 Queens Boulevard, is an egalitarian Conservative Jewish synagogue in central Queens with a proud history of inclusion and belonging.
If you have a working knowledge of early childhood education standards, policies, and best practices in teaching and supervision, then join us in shaping the future by leading innovative early childhood programs that inspire learning, foster community connections, and empower educators to make a lasting impression for early childhood learners.
Compensation: $110,000 – $125,000 annually DOE
Please send resumes and cover letters to: [email protected]
Responsibilities:
- Lead hiring and create a motivating, inclusive work environment that retains staff
- Collaborate with the leadership team to evaluate and ensure program quality standards
- Manage enrollment, marketing, billing, and accounts payable, while ensuring budget compliance
- Build strong relationships and communicate proactively with families, clients, staff, and licensing
- Manage an Early Childhood Program of over 100 children, from 18-month-olds (which consists of two Toddler or Two year old classes, three classes of 3 year old UPK and two 4 year old UPK classes) through NYCPS UPK.
- Supervise and train staff of approximately 20 teachers and assistant teachers.
- Implement secular and Judaic curricula, including a wrap-around Jewish Enrichment program for UPK.
- Personalizing programs and staff for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and special needs.
- Oversee registration and staffing for the FHJC’s Summer Camp program and after-school, early-morning drop-off programs
- Participate in Shabbat and holiday-related activities
Qualifications: Candidates must pass required state and company background checks, and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements:
- Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Education is required
- New York State Teaching Certification (B-2, N-6, 1-6, Special Education) is required
- At least 2 years of leadership experience in high-quality child care, daycare, or preschool settings who work with NYCPS is required
- Experience in both teaching (infant, toddler, or preschool) and administration of a childcare center, which included NYCPS classes, is required
- Strong understanding of center quality, compliance, health, safety and licensing standards is required
Physical Requirements: This leadership role requires work in person in an early education/preschool child care center to provide center supervision, curriculum delivery, business management, and customer and client services per FHJC and NYCPS policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure safety of children in FHJC’s care.
Deadline to Apply: May 18, 2026
Compensation: $110,000 – $125,000 annually DOE
Please send resumes and cover letters to: [email protected]
An Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of the Forest Hills Jewish Center to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, gender(sex), military status, unemployment status, caregiver status, consumer credit history, prior record of arrest or conviction(except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the above - noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation.
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