Early Childhood Curriculum & Program Quality Manager

Early Childhood Curriculum & Program Quality Manager

Kiddie Academy of Harrisburg, PA is seeking an experienced early childhood education leader to strengthen curriculum implementation, teacher coaching, child assessment, and program quality across our classrooms. This role is for someone who understands licensed child care, believes in developmentally appropriate practice, and can help teachers turn curriculum expectations into strong daily classroom practice.

This position reports directly to the Academy Owner and will work closely with center leadership, classroom teachers, families, and future site leadership as our organization grows.

The Early Childhood Curriculum & Program Quality Manager is responsible for helping drive educational excellence across the Academy. The role focuses on curriculum fidelity, instructional coaching, classroom quality, child assessment, teacher development, and continuous improvement.

The right candidate may come from a current Center Director role, Assistant Director role, Curriculum Coordinator role, Education Coordinator role, Instructional Coach role, or a strong Lead Teacher role with clear leadership potential.

Curriculum, Instruction & Classroom Quality

• Lead implementation of Kiddie Academy Life Essentials curriculum with consistency, creativity, and age-appropriate expectations across classrooms.
• Review lesson plans and support alignment with PA Early Learning Standards, developmentally appropriate practice, play-based learning, and whole-child development.
• Help classrooms strengthen literacy, STEM, social-emotional learning, early math, art, music, movement, and hands-on discovery experiences.
• Conduct classroom walkthroughs and environment reviews to support safe, engaging, inclusive, print-rich, and developmentally appropriate learning spaces.
• Identify gaps in classroom practice and create practical action steps that teachers can understand and implement.

Teacher Coaching & Professional Development

• Observe classrooms and provide clear, constructive coaching that improves instructional practice and classroom consistency.
• Model effective teaching strategies, classroom routines, child engagement techniques, behavior support strategies, and family communication practices.
• Support new teacher onboarding so staff understand curriculum expectations, classroom routines, child development, documentation, and quality standards.
• Plan and lead professional development, team coaching, and one-on-one support for teachers at different experience levels.
• Help develop strong Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and future classroom leaders.

Child Assessment, Family Communication & Developmental Support

• Oversee child observation and assessment practices so teachers are tracking progress, milestones, and support needs appropriately.
• Use child development data and classroom observations to guide instruction, family conversations, and individualized support.
• Support teachers in communicating with families in a warm, professional, and developmentally informed way.
• Partner with leadership and families when children may need additional support, referrals, classroom strategies, or developmental follow-up.
• Help plan curriculum events, family engagement opportunities, and education-focused communications.

Program Quality, Keystone STARS & Growth Readiness

• Support continuous program quality improvement and help maintain strong quality practices as a Keystone STARS 3 facility.
• Help prepare classrooms, teachers, documentation, and systems for ongoing quality improvement, licensing readiness, and future STAR growth goals.
• Partner with the Academy Owner and leadership team on curriculum systems that can scale across current and future centers.
• Support hiring, interviewing, onboarding, and evaluation conversations for education-focused roles as needed.
• Bring a practical, solutions-focused mindset to improving classroom quality without overwhelming teachers.

We are looking for an experienced early childhood professional who has both classroom credibility and leadership ability. The ideal candidate may currently be serving as a Center Director, Assistant Director, Curriculum Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Instructional Coach, Preschool/Elementary School Lead Teacher who is ready to move into program-level leadership focused on education and curriculum.

• Strong understanding of early childhood education, child development, curriculum implementation, and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Experience working in a licensed child care center, preschool, early learning program, or comparable ECE environment.
• Ability to coach adults with professionalism, clarity, warmth, and accountability.
• Experience reviewing lesson plans, observing classrooms, supporting child assessments, and strengthening teacher practice.
• Knowledge of PA Early Learning Standards; familiarity with Keystone STARS is strongly preferred.
• Comfort working directly with ownership and leadership on quality improvement, teacher development, and multi-classroom consistency.
• Professional communication skills with families, teachers, leadership, and outside partners.
• Reliable, organized, proactive, and able to follow through on priorities without needing constant direction.
• Able to balance high standards with teacher support, encouragement, and practical solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or a closely related field preferred.
• CDA credential, Director Credential, or comparable professional development in early childhood education is a plus.
• Experience as a Center Director, Assistant Director, Curriculum Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Instructional Coach, or Lead Teacher strongly preferred.
• Experience with Keystone STARS, NAEYC-aligned practices, child assessments, staff mentoring, and classroom quality systems preferred.
• Ability to obtain required PA clearances, including State Police, Child Abuse, NSOR, and FBI Fingerprinting.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. in connection with child care, classroom support, and safety needs.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay based on experience, education, and leadership ability.
• Monday-Friday schedule.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous PTO and wellness days.
• Paid clearances and telehealth benefits.
• Childcare employee discount.
• CDA credential support and paid professional development.
• Bonus opportunity and 401(k) retirement plan.
• Supplemental insurance options.
• Supportive leadership and promote-from-within culture.

About Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care

The Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care system has been preparing young minds for future success since 1981. With more than 350 independently owned academies across the United States, Kiddie Academy provides quality early childhood education and child care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Our Life Essentials curriculum is built on activity-based, hands-on learning designed to nurture the whole child socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically.

Kiddie Academy of Harrisburg, PA is a Keystone STARS 3 facility committed to strong program quality, professional growth, and a supportive early learning environment for children, families, and teachers.