Pre School Director

The Temple Ohabai Sholom

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Job Summary

The Temple Preschool (TPS) is seeking its next Center Director to build upon its rich history of engaging children and families as collaborators in learning. The Center Director is responsible for ensuring high standards for the health, safety, and quality of education for all children within TPS’s care. They embrace and embody the mission and vision of the program and act with the highest level of integrity in implementing that vision. The Center Director is a model for the strong ideals of the program and communicates those ideals effectively with teachers, students, and families in the close-knit TPS community. TPS is an integral part of the Congregation Ohabai Sholom (the Temple), located in Nashville, Tennessee. Open to all in the greater Nashville community, TPS is a Jewish-focused, Reggio Emilia-inspired program, serving children from six weeks to Pre-Kindergarten. It offers a child centered, play-based learning environment where children are celebrated as competent, capable, and complex. The program is committed to inclusivity; TPS serves a diverse learning community and is welcoming of all families. TPS comprises classroom communities where children feel safe, supported, and empowered to care for themselves, others, and the environment. The school values each child’s creativity, thoughts, and ideas. Children are seen as partners with their teachers and peers in the educational process. The Center Director plays an instrumental role in implementing this ambitious vision, setting a high standard for the quality of learning experiences that children experience each day. They manage a high standard for professionalism and work ethic while partnering with the staff as collaborators in the program’s mission and continuous growth.

Job Responsibilities

Leadership and Vision

● Establishes an ambitious vision for the children attending TPS and leads the strategic direction of the Preschool, in collaboration with Temple leadership, families, and staff as appropriate. ● Designs short-term and long-term (3-5 year) strategic plans, in collaboration with Temple leadership, TPS Advisory Board and other staff as needed. ● Implements that vision and those plans and ensures that child-led learning aligns with Tennessee’s Early Learning Standards. ● Supervises and guides Assistant Director to ensure TPS adheres to the Reggio Emilia approach consistently and effectively across all classrooms. ● Strives to ensure that matriculating children are well-prepared for kindergarten. ● Facilitates strong, authentic relationships between and among teachers, families, the Temple staff and the community through events, communications and structures. Professional Development ● Commits to continued professional development for all staff members (including Center Director themself), including but not limited to attendance at conferences, meetings, activities, lectures and workshops.

Cultivates a culture of continuous learning and growth for teachers, children and families.

● Facilitates professional development for all TPS staff. Licensing and Regulatory Compliance ● Complies with all licensing requirements as set forth by the Tennessee Department of Human Services and any other relevant state and local regulatory agencies. ● Maintains TPS’s Three Star Rating from the Tennessee Department of Human Services. ● Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, including those of the Department of Children’s Services and those pertaining to fire safety, sanitation and health. ● Prepares, maintains and submits all records as needed, in a timely manner. ● Maintains positive relationships with regulatory agencies. Policies and Procedures ● Establishes, implements, maintains, updates and enforces policies and procedures of TPS. ● Publishes such policies and procedures in a parent handbook and employee manual. ● Creates other systems and structures that ensure compliance, consistency, accountability and communications across all stakeholders.

Office and Management

● Oversees all office functions, including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, tuition billing and payment, human resources and purchasing. ● Manages budget planning, drafting and review. ● Communicates regularly with the Temple team about operational matters including the budget, TPS calendar, facility, staff changes and compliance matters. Supervision of Assistant Director, Teachers, Administrative Assistant and Other Staff ● Hires educators and staff to effectively implement the TPS program. ● Provides orientation and training in conjunction with Assistant Director for all new hires. ● Develops salary schedule for all TPS employees, within confines of annual budget and Center’s financial goals. ● Oversees annual performance review process in conjunction with Assistant Director for all TPS educators and staff. ● Hires, orients, trains, and conducts annual performance reviews for Assistant Director and Administrative Assistant. ● Plans and conducts monthly TPS administrative, teacher and staff meetings as needed. ● Makes changes, if necessary, in the employment status of all TPS staff members. Enrollment ● Oversees all written information (including on social media channels), letters, brochures and pamphlets describing and advertising the TPS program. Disseminates such information to prospective parents and the community. ● Manages relationships with all new and potential TPS families, including overseeing the enrollment and student waitlist processes and communicating with families in a timely manner. ● Is available for tours of TPS facilities for prospective parents, acting as the representative of the Preschool and Temple leadership. ● Oversees determination of class size, schedules and placements for all children at TPS. Interaction and Relationship with the Internal and Local Communities ● Greets TPS parents, children and visitors, modeling kindness, inclusivity and expertise. ● Meets with parents to discuss concerns regarding children; makes referrals and identifies resources to strengthen families if necessary. Follows up as appropriate. ● Utilizes regularly collected data and feedback collected from teachers, families, finances and reports to continuously improve services to families. ● Informs and encourages current and prospective TPS families about membership in the congregation and the programs and activities available to all TPS families. ● Represents TPS in the community with integrity, enthusiasm and professionalism. ● Engages in the early childhood sector as a community leader. ● Develops, strengthens, and promotes positive community relationships, including early childhood agencies, advocacy groups, and supports. ● Develops and cultivates strong relationships with local elementary schools, supporting successful kindergarten preparedness.

Qualifications

● Bachelor’s, Master’s or other advanced degree in early childhood education or other relevant subject ● Coursework in early childhood and/or child development and coursework in management ● Program Administrator Credential ● Minimum of five (5) years’ experience administering an early care or education program or managing an early learning center ● Current, up-to-date continuing education, in compliance with regulatory guidelines. ● Experience with or willingness to learn about and engage with the Reggio Emilia approach ● Basic familiarity with Judaism and its values, customs, and holidays ● Past leadership of high performing teams ● Exceptional interpersonal skills ● Ability to relate sensitively and appropriately to young children and families ● Strong communication and conflict management skills ● Strong writing, speaking, and listening skills ● Excellent critical thinking skills, with a solutions-oriented mindset In exceptional circumstances, TPS will consider candidates who are missing one or more of the above criteria if they have significant alternative and commensurate credentials and/or experience.

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Please send cover letter and resume to : todd@templenashville.org

Details

• Date Posted: October 12, 2026
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Educator
• Service Area: Children / Youth
• Working Hours: 40 Hours