Mannahouse Christian Academy Vancouver Preschool Director Vancouver, WA · Full time Company website

Apply for Vancouver Preschool Director

For more than 50 years Mannahouse Academy has been providing the finest in academic excellence in a wholesome Christ-centered environment within NE Portland and SW Washington. MCA offers preschool through 12th grade and has been serving many local families and the larger Christian community. It offers an excellent educational experience in a vibrant, Spirit-filled environment.

At MCA, we understand and we work alongside parents to help prepare children academically, spiritually, and inter-personally. Our curriculum is presented in the context of a Christian worldview. Along with providing an excellent academic foundation, the staff and faculty work along side parents to develop strong moral character in the student’s lives.

Purpose & Summary

The Preschool Director is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and daily operation of the preschool program. This includes supervising and developing staff, maintaining compliance with Washington State childcare licensing requirements, overseeing classroom practices and program quality, and cultivating positive relationships with families and the broader school community.

The Director is expected to lead with moral, spiritual, ethical, and empathetic conviction while demonstrating integrity, accountability, transparency, and sound judgment. This role requires someone who can establish clear expectations, address challenges directly, value the contributions of others, and create an environment where staff feel respected, supported, and equipped to succeed.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Staff Development

• Provide effective leadership, supervision, scheduling, and direction for preschool teachers and aides.
• Establish clear expectations and promote fair, consistent, and accountable staff practices.
• Foster a collaborative team culture through open communication, mutual respect, teamwork, and shared responsibility.
• Encourage honest and respectful dialogue, creating an environment where staff feel comfortable sharing feedback, asking questions, and contributing ideas.
• Value the experience, knowledge, and perspectives of staff while providing clear direction, consistent expectations, and confident leadership.
• Take time to understand staff members, their individual strengths and experiences, and the existing culture of the preschool and broader school community in order to provide meaningful support and lead effectively.
• Coach, mentor, and support staff in their professional development, including establishing educational goals, identifying training needs, conducting observations, and documenting professional growth.
• Address performance concerns, workplace challenges, and interpersonal conflict directly, thoughtfully, respectfully, and consistently.
• Maintain appropriate staffing coverage and classroom ratios in accordance with licensing requirements.
• Coordinate staff meetings, training, cross-training, and team-building opportunities.
• Promote connectedness between the preschool team and schoolwide leadership through communication, collaboration, and participation in school community activities.

Compliance & Operations

• Oversee daily preschool operations in accordance with Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licensing requirements, applicable Washington Administrative Code (WAC) provisions, MCA policies, and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Maintain accurate and organized student, staff, licensing, incident, and operational records.
• Monitor staff qualifications, required trainings, certifications, background clearances, and ongoing professional development documentation.
• Ensure appropriate supervision, staffing levels, classroom ratios, health and safety practices, and emergency preparedness.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
• Prepare for and coordinate licensing visits, inspections, audits, and any required corrective actions.
• Maintain required director qualifications and professional development records in the applicable state workforce registry.
• Ensure appropriate leadership coverage when the Director is not onsite, in accordance with state requirements.

Program & Family Engagement

• Provide oversight and guidance for developmentally appropriate curriculum, classroom practices, and learning environments.
• Develop and communicate the preschool program's educational philosophy and expectations to staff and families.
• Support teachers in providing engaging learning experiences that promote children's spiritual, social, emotional, physical, and academic development.
• Build positive relationships with families through consistent, professional, and responsive communication.
• Respond to family questions, concerns, and challenges with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.
• Maintain awareness of community resources available to support families, including resources for children with special needs.
• Represent the preschool positively within the broader MCA community.

Administrative Support

• Assist with preschool budgeting, purchasing, inventory, and resource management.
• Coordinate with school leadership regarding facility needs, maintenance, and operational planning.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate discretion when handling sensitive staff, student, and family information.
• Complete other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a leader who is both capable and relational - someone who can manage the responsibilities of a licensed preschool program while building trust, developing staff, and contributing positively to the culture of our school.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong leadership, organizational, and staff management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• The ability to establish clear expectations and hold staff accountable with fairness and consistency.
• A collaborative approach that values staff experience, feedback, and professional contributions.
• A willingness to listen, learn, and understand the people and culture of the school.
• Confidence in addressing conflict, difficult conversations, and operational challenges.
• Transparency, integrity, humility, and a willingness to receive feedback and remain teachable.
• Sound decision-making, discretion, and the ability to balance empathy with accountability.
• A commitment to creating a healthy, positive, and supportive work environment.
• The ability to work collaboratively with schoolwide leadership and support the overall mission and direction of MCA.

Required Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must meet applicable Washington State DCYF Preschool Director qualification requirements under WAC 110-300-0100.
• Must have at least two years of experience teaching children in an early learning program.
• Must have at least six months of administrative or management experience, or meet an applicable DCYF-approved alternative plan.
• Must meet the applicable Early Childhood Education (ECE) education qualification at the time of hire, as outlined below.
• Must complete applicable DCYF preservice training requirements.
• Must be able to obtain an ECE State Certificate or equivalent within five years of hire, as required by applicable state regulations.
• Must maintain required qualifications, professional development records, and background clearance in accordance with state requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, schedule, and support a team.
• Knowledge of early childhood development, developmentally appropriate practices, and childcare program operations.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters with professionalism and discretion.

ECE Education Requirements at Time of Hire

ECE college credit requirement of 45 quarter credits, based on the licensed capacity of 25 or more children for the preschool program. 

An applicable ECE State Certificate or equivalent may satisfy the education requirement in place of the college credit threshold, as permitted by DCYF requirements. The Director must meet the applicable at-hire qualification and complete the required ECE State Certificate or equivalent within the applicable five-year timeframe.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or related field.
• Previous experience directing or managing a licensed preschool or early learning program.
• Experience with Washington State childcare licensing and DCYF requirements.
• Experience with staff coaching, professional development, and performance management.
• Familiarity with Early Achievers or other early learning quality improvement programs.
• Experience working in a Christian school, ministry, or faith-based educational environment.

Faith Alignment

Mannahouse Christian Academy is a Christ-centered educational community. Employees are expected to support the school's Christian mission, values, and statement of faith and to demonstrate a personal commitment to following Jesus Christ.

The Preschool Director should be able to lead with Christ-centered character, integrity, compassion, humility, and wisdom while helping foster an environment where children, families, and staff are treated with dignity and respect.

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to move throughout preschool classrooms and facilities and supervise children in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to occasionally lift or carry up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to respond appropriately to children's needs and emergency situations.
• Ability to remain active and engaged throughout the workday.
• Ability to fulfill the responsibilities of a full-time, year-round leadership position.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time, year-round position. The Director's schedule will be established based on the operational needs of the preschool and applicable state requirements for director presence and qualified leadership coverage.

Benefits

Mannahouse Christian Academy offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement plan.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Voluntary life insurance options.
• Tuition benefits for eligible custodial children, including applicable tuition remission for children ages 6 weeks through 12th grade and reduced tuition for children ages 1–3, subject to program availability and applicable policies.

Compensation

The anticipated hourly compensation range for this position depends on qualifications and experience. Placement within the range will be based on relevant education, Washington State childcare licensing qualifications, staff supervision and management experience, and demonstrated experience overseeing preschool operations and program leadership.