Harrison Street Academy Preschool Program Director (Christian Early Learning Program) Leesburg, VA · Full time Company website

Apply for Preschool Program Director (Christian Early Learning Program)

Harrison Street Academy strives to provide a warm, caring and stimulating environment that prepares children to be leaders in a S.T.E.A.M. powered world. As a Christian preschool, Harrison Street Academy promotes the development of wholesome values: honesty, integrity, fairness, and caring for others more than self. Virtues that must be taught, practiced, and lived-out daily. Our program graduates will have received caring guidance and a firm foundation not only in academics, but in life and relational skills as well.

We at Harrison Street Academy are seeking a Christ-centered Preschool Program Director to lead a thriving early childhood program with excellence, structure, and heart. Goal is to grow our program and solidify and document processes.

This leader will work with the Executive Director and leadership team to oversee the daily operations of the preschool while cultivating a nurturing, faith-based environment where every child is known, valued, and supported. 

This role is ideal for someone who:

• leads with both strength and compassion
• builds strong teams and classroom culture
• is passionate about child development and early learning
• has a growing heart for supporting children with diverse developmental needs

Spiritual Leadership & Culture

• Reinforce and continue school’s mission: 
• Learn to LOVE- each person feels loved, supported, heard, and learns to love those around them better
• Love to LEARN- we want each student to have a great first taste of learning that will carry on through their lives
• Strong academic foundation- each student will go into their next school with a firm foundation in reading, writing, and arithmetic
• Model a strong, active Christian faith in daily leadership
• Cultivate a culture rooted in:
• love
• patience
• respect for each child’s unique design
• Support teachers in integrating faith into classroom life
• Foster a peaceful, joyful, and relational school environment

Program Leadership

• Work with Executive Director to continue and improve Harrison Street Academy’s mission and vision
• Oversee daily preschool operations
• Work with team to establish schedules and school calendars
• Support staff to provide a warm and enriching environment for students
• Ensure safety and compliance measures are at or above State licensing requirements
• Manage schedule for leadership on call for staffing/substitutes 
• Ensure classrooms are:
• structured
• warm
• engaging
• developmentally appropriate
• Support curriculum implementation and consistency across classrooms

Staff Leadership & Development

• Hire, train, and supervise teaching staff
• Provide ongoing coaching in:
• classroom management
• behavior guidance
• child development
• resourceful and creative teaching
• Conduct regular classroom observations and feedback
• Source and implement staff trainings and development tracks
• Reinforce and continue to build a strong, positive, and stable team culture

Family Engagement

• Build trust-based relationships with families
• Communicate clearly and compassionately regarding:
• development
• behavior
• classroom expectations
• Create a welcoming and supportive parent community
• Champion Parent and Teacher led programs

Operational Oversight

(Supported by Program Operations Coordinator)

• Ensure smooth daily operations
• Oversee staffing structure and classroom coverage
• Maintain organization and accountability across the program

Emerging Inclusion Leadership (Growth Track)

• Reinforce and grow foundational systems for supporting children with:
• developmental differences
• sensory needs
• communication delays
• Guide teachers in implementing basic accommodations
• Continue and build partnership relationships with specialists over time

Qualifications

Required

• Active Christian faith and alignment with mission
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
• 2–5+ years of preschool teaching AND leadership experience
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills

Preferred

• Experience or exposure to:
• autism
• ADHD
• developmental delays
• Interest in inclusive early childhood education

Ideal Candidate

• Strong, steady leader who builds trust with staff and families
• Organized and proactive
• Patient, emotionally intelligent, and relational
• Growth-minded and open to developing new skills
• Passionate about creating a school environment where all children can thrive

What Success Looks Like (Year 1)

• Fully staffed and stable classrooms
• Strong classroom management and consistency
• High parent satisfaction and trust
• Smooth daily operations
• Initial systems for supporting diverse learners

Compensation

• Base Salary: $50,000-60,000
• Performance Bonuses
• You grow as we grow
• Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance