La Scuola is seeking a Director of Early Childhood Education for its preschool location in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood. The position will report to the Assistant Head of School, while working with the Head of School and Leadership Team members to successfully manage the program and guide a team of faculty to who bring warmth, expertise and a strong commitment to nurturing young learners. The Director works in collaboration with teachers, specialists, coordinators and administrative staff to design, implement and evaluate a developmentally appropriate Reggio inspired, International Baccalaureate (IB-PYP Early Years) and Italian immersion program.Key ResponsibilitiesProgram OversightMaintain a high quality program for children and staff and ensuring that the philosophy and core values of the school are being realized;Ensure the school’s activities reflect best practices in child development and that the school provides inclusive and developmentally appropriate learning experiences and activities;Ensure that the school provides an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for children;Supervise and direct the ongoing operation of the school;Communicate school philosophy and objectives to all school constituencies (including students, teachers, parents and alumni/ae) and to the community outside the school;Foster and oversee communication and partnership among the staff and families;Provide community outreach and participate in important meetings and conferences related to the preschool community and early childhood education;Act as a resource to parents for concerns or collaboration about their child;Interact with parents by attending and speaking at events such as potlucks, new parent orientations, school-wide events, workshops and affinity group meetings;Support children with special needs and their families and ensuring full inclusion;Maintain an effective Kindergarten placement process, including:a.   Providing guidance and support for families and teachers during the Kindergarten search and admissions process;b.   Maintaining an open and positive dialogue with elementary school admission directors and heads of school at both public and private schools; c.   Maintaining a working knowledge of both private and public school options in SanFrancisco and neighboring areas, and of both the public school and private school application/selection processes.Faculty and Staff SupervisionHire, evaluate, supervise, manage, mentor, retain and support a superior faculty;Recruit and evaluate outstanding teachers and staff with diverse experience and backgrounds whose style and values complement the school;Provide for effective integration and training of new teachers;Establish and maintain standards of performance and supporting exemplary teaching;Maintain positive, active relationships with staff and creating an open, safe environment for peer-to-peer communication and conflict resolution;Ensure ongoing professional development of teachers/staff;Inspire reflection and encouraging innovation;Supervise administrative staff responsibilities, including student records, program supply maintenance, tuition payments, payroll, and payables and receivables;Maintain an effective and fair process for allocating non-teaching roles;Be available to advise and to support teachers and staff to help solve problems.Enrollment and SafetySupervise registration and enrollment, and be responsible for maintaining full enrollment by engaging in and monitoring activities such as: (i) introducing prospective parents to the program in collaboration with Admissions, (ii) supporting the school’s outreach efforts, (iii) maintaining a waiting list, (iv) [participating in/advising the indexed tuition committee in its decision making] and (v) making admissions decisions that are supportive of the school community and program;Assume ultimate responsibility for compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations for the operation of the school, including maintaining familiarity with licensing regulations and ensuring that the school is in compliance as well as maintaining communication with Community Care Licensing;Ensure that a pleasant, safe and clean facility is maintained, including contracting with and vetting third party contractors;Assume ultimate responsibility for school record-keeping and its security. External RelationsPromote and enhance support the school’s mission and objectives among staff, parents, alumni and the wider community;Attend and participate in ITP groups, meetings, preschool directors meetings and other professional development growth opportunities;Maintain positive relationships with:a.   local community educators, including those at peer preschools and relevant elementary schools;b.   funders (both private and public);c.   potential or actual partners of the school; andd.   neighbors of the school.
