Early Childhood Site Director

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Creative Scholars AcademyPreschool Site Director

Location: Whitehaven | Memphis, Tennessee

Reports To: Executive Director

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

Creative Scholars Academy is seeking an experienced, dependable, and collaborative Preschool Site Director to lead the day-to-day operations of the preschool program. The Site Director will serve as the primary point of contact for staff, families, and program partners at the school level while working closely with the Executive Director to ensure the program operates effectively and provides high-quality early childhood education.

The ideal candidate will have strong early childhood leadership experience, a working knowledge of Head Start requirements and Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) childcare regulations , and the ability to manage both instructional and operational responsibilities.

Head Start experience is required, and Head Start supervisory or management experience is strongly preferred. An active Tennessee F-Endorsement or the ability to obtain and maintain an F-Endorsement is required.

Essential Responsibilities1. Site Leadership & Daily Operations

• Oversee the daily operations of the preschool site.
• Serve as the primary site-level point of contact for staff, families, and program partners.
• Implement policies, procedures, and directives established by the Executive Director.
• Maintain a safe, organized, professional, and welcoming school environment.
• Conduct daily site walkthroughs to monitor classrooms, common areas, and overall operations.
• Monitor staffing, classroom coverage, schedules, attendance, and daily routines.
• Identify operational concerns and communicate them promptly to the Executive Director.
• Support school-wide goals related to quality, enrollment, staff performance, and family engagement.

2. Tennessee DHS Compliance

• Ensure the program maintains compliance with applicable Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) childcare licensing requirements .
• Monitor compliance with DHS requirements related to:
• Staff-to-child ratios
• Staff qualifications and training
• Background checks and required documentation
• Child records and enrollment files
• Attendance and sign-in/sign-out procedures
• Health and safety requirements
• Medication and health records
• Emergency preparedness
• Safe sleep practices
• Supervision and child safety
• Transportation requirements
• Facility and classroom requirements
• Maintain organized and current licensing and compliance documentation.
• Monitor required staff training and professional development hours.
• Ensure required postings, forms, licenses, and documentation are maintained.
• Assist with DHS inspections, monitoring visits, corrective action plans, and follow-up activities.
• Immediately communicate significant compliance concerns to the Executive Director.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented within established timelines.

3. Head Start Program Compliance

• Support implementation of applicable Head Start Performance Standards and program requirements.
• Maintain accurate and organized Head Start documentation.
• Monitor attendance, enrollment, family engagement, health, safety, and classroom requirements.
• Support preparation for Head Start monitoring and program reviews.
• Ensure staff understand and follow required Head Start procedures.
• Collaborate with Head Start leadership and program partners as needed.
• Track and communicate compliance concerns to the appropriate leadership team members.

4. F-Endorsement & Transportation Responsibilities

• Maintain an active Tennessee F-Endorsement as required for the position.
• Comply with all applicable transportation and driver requirements.
• Support the safe transportation of children when transportation duties are assigned.
• Ensure transportation procedures are followed, including:
• Vehicle safety checks
• Driver documentation
• Child attendance and accountability
• Transportation supervision
• Loading and unloading procedures
• Emergency procedures
• Required transportation records
• Communicate transportation concerns, incidents, or compliance issues to the Executive Director immediately.
• Assist with transportation coverage when necessary and within the scope of the employee's qualifications and endorsement.

5. Staff Leadership & Supervision

• Provide daily leadership, direction, and support to teachers and site staff.
• Monitor staff attendance, punctuality, schedules, and classroom coverage.
• Conduct staff check-ins and support staff meetings.
• Provide coaching and constructive feedback.
• Address staff concerns and performance issues according to organizational policies.
• Support onboarding and orientation of new employees.
• Ensure staff maintain required credentials and training.
• Collaborate with the Instructional Coach to support teacher development and classroom quality.

6. Curriculum & Instructional Quality

• Support implementation of the Creative Curriculum and established instructional expectations.
• Conduct classroom walkthroughs and observations.
• Monitor developmentally appropriate classroom practices.
• Support teachers in creating engaging, organized, and child-centered learning environments.
• Monitor classroom schedules, routines, transitions, and learning experiences.
• Collaborate with the Instructional Coach to address instructional needs.
• Support implementation of quality improvement initiatives and QRIS expectations.
• Encourage meaningful teacher-child interactions and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

7. Children & Family Engagement

• Build positive relationships with children and families.
• Respond professionally and promptly to parent concerns.
• Support family engagement activities and communication.
• Help create a welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Assist with enrollment, retention, and family outreach efforts.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.

8. Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate daily site records and reports.
• Monitor attendance and timekeeping procedures.
• Ensure staff follow established Procare procedures.
• Review required documentation for accuracy and completion.
• Submit reports and documentation by established deadlines.
• Maintain organized employee and child records.
• Participate in leadership meetings and planning sessions.
• Communicate daily operational updates and significant concerns to the Executive Director.

Key Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and accountability
• Knowledge of DHS compliance
• Understanding of Head Start requirements
• Effective staff supervision
• Strong communication skills
• Organization and attention to detail
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Staff coaching and development
• Family engagement
• Compliance monitoring
• Conflict resolution
• Team collaboration
• Commitment to high-quality early childhood education

Reporting Relationship

The Preschool Site Director reports directly to the Executive Director and is responsible for the daily leadership and operation of the preschool site.

The Site Director will work closely with the Executive Director, administrative team, teachers, Head Start personnel, families, and community partners to ensure consistent program quality, compliance, and positive outcomes for children.

Primary Point of Contact

The Site Director will serve as the primary point of contact for day-to-day preschool operations and will provide regular updates to the Executive Director regarding:

• Staffing
• Attendance
• Enrollment
• Classroom operations
• DHS compliance
• Head Start requirements
• Transportation
• Family concerns
• Facility needs
• Staff performance
• Safety concerns
• Program quality
• Corrective action items

The Site Director is expected to communicate concerns proactively and work with the Executive Director to identify solutions and ensure timely follow-through.

What You'll Do

Performance Expectations

The Site Director is expected to:

• Maintain a safe, compliant, and high-quality learning environment.
• Ensure compliance with Tennessee DHS requirements.
• Support Head Start program expectations.
• Maintain required F-Endorsement and transportation qualifications.
• Ensure staff understand and follow organizational expectations.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation.
• Support teacher effectiveness and professional growth.
• Promote positive family relationships.
• Communicate concerns proactively.
• Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director to achieve Creative Scholars Academy's operational, enrollment, compliance, and quality goals.

Creative Scholars Academy is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment where children, families, and educators can thrive.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in early childhood education.
• Head Start experience preferred.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience in an early childhood setting.
• Knowledge of Tennessee DHS childcare licensing and compliance requirements.
• Active Tennessee F-Endorsement or ability to obtain and maintain the endorsement within the required timeframe.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices.
• Strong understanding of classroom operations and early childhood program administration.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced childcare environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, families, administrators, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Must successfully complete all required background checks and meet applicable DHS licensing requirements.

Nice To Haves

Preferred Qualifications

• Head Start supervisory, management, or leadership experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Human Services, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CDA, Associate's, or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Experience with Creative Curriculum .
• Experience with QRIS or other early childhood quality improvement systems.
• Experience with child assessment and documentation systems.
• Experience with Procare or another childcare management system.
• Experience preparing for DHS licensing visits, Head Start monitoring, or other program reviews.
• Experience developing and implementing corrective action plans.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification preferred.

Benefits

• Paid Leave
• Child Care Discount
• Professional Development