Director of Education- Early Childhood Education

Education Director – Early Childhood Education

Location: Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201

Salary: $100,000 per year

Schedule: Full-Time | Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM–6:00/6:30 PM

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Education Director to lead the launch of a new private daycare and preschool serving children from infancy through age five in Brooklyn Heights .

Our educational philosophy combines the principles of Lev Vygotsky, Maria Montessori, and Jean Piaget , with a strong emphasis on meeting each child where they are developmentally through individualized learning experiences.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role in opening a brand-new location. The selected candidate will initially train at an established Brooklyn preschool before transitioning to the new Brooklyn Heights campus when it opens in September .

If you're excited about building a positive school culture from the ground up while supporting children, families, and educators, we'd love to hear from you.

Position Summary

The Education Director will serve as the operational and educational leader of the new location. This individual will be the primary point of contact for families, staff, and regulatory agencies while ensuring compliance with New York State and New York City early childhood education standards.

We are looking for a proactive, organized leader who enjoys solving problems, building relationships, and creating systems. The ideal candidate is a positive, approachable professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and leads by example.

Key Responsibilities

Educational & Operational Leadership

• Lead the daily operations of the preschool
• Support and promote a Vygotsky-based educational philosophy that meets children where they are developmentally
• Provide visible onsite leadership throughout the majority of each business day
• Foster a positive, collaborative culture among teachers and staff

Parent & Community Relations

• Serve as the primary point of contact for parents and families
• Conduct tours for prospective families
• Handle parent concerns and escalation calls professionally
• Maintain strong communication with families through Brightwheel or a similar childcare management platform

Compliance & Administration

• Maintain student and staff files and ensure records remain current
• Monitor compliance deadlines and required documentation
• Coordinate with the Department of Health and Department of Education
• Prepare for audits and ensure all regulatory requirements are met
• Complete required compliance paperwork and submissions

Office & Facility Management

• Oversee front-office operations, including answering phones
• Open and close the facility as needed
• Coordinate inventory and classroom supply ordering
• Maintain an organized, welcoming school environment

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Early Childhood Education
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership experience in an early childhood education setting
• Must meet New York State qualifications for an Education Director (not currently on a study plan)
• Experience with Brightwheel or another childcare management software platform
• Strong understanding of early childhood development
• Familiarity with or experience implementing Vygotsky's educational philosophy
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills

Preferred

• Experience working in a private preschool or daycare
• Experience managing Department of Health and Department of Education compliance
• Candidates who live in or are familiar with Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, or surrounding Brooklyn neighborhoods

What We're Looking For

We're seeking someone who is:

• A positive, approachable leader
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• A natural problem solver with a "figure it out" mindset
• Excellent at building relationships with staff and families
• Comfortable leading a new location from the ground up
• Calm under pressure and confident handling multiple priorities

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $85,000 annually
• Paid Time Off:
• 10 Vacation Days
• 5 Sick Days
• 3 Personal Days
• 6+ Paid Holidays
• Training provided at an established Brooklyn location before the new campus opening
• Opportunity to play a key leadership role in launching a growing early childhood education center

Required Training

The selected candidate must complete or maintain all required New York State training, including:

• State-required Early Childhood Education training
• FDNY training
• Code ANA and other required regulatory certifications

If you're passionate about early childhood education and excited about helping launch a new school community, we'd love to hear from you.