Director of Early Education

Description

Cross Schools | Bluffton, South Carolina
Full-Time, 12-Month Leadership Position

Cross Schools is seeking an experienced, faith-centered Director of Early Education to provide strategic, instructional, and operational leadership for our Early Education program. The Director will cultivate a Christ-centered environment where young children are known, loved, and challenged to grow spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

The ideal candidate is a servant leader who combines a genuine passion for early childhood education with strong skills in staff development, family engagement, regulatory compliance, and daily program management.

• Provide Christ-centered leadership aligned with the mission, vision, values, and culture of Cross Schools.
• Oversee the daily operation of the Early Education program, ensuring a safe, nurturing, organized, and engaging learning environment.
• Recruit, supervise, coach, evaluate, and retain qualified teachers and support staff.
• Promote developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction, classroom practices, and student assessments.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable South Carolina childcare licensing, health, safety, and staffing requirements.
• Manage enrollment, classroom capacity, staffing ratios, schedules, and substitute coverage.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with students, families, faculty, and school leadership.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with families regarding program expectations, student needs, and school activities.
• Coordinate staff training, professional development, onboarding, and required certifications.
• Maintain accurate student, personnel, licensing, incident, and compliance records.
• Support effective transitions between Early Education and the Lower School.
• Respond professionally and compassionately to parent concerns, employee matters, and operational challenges.
• Participate as an active member of the school’s leadership team and contribute to school wide planning and initiatives.

Candidates must demonstrate a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and a willingness to support the Christian mission and values of Cross Schools. The Director will model Christ-centered leadership, encourage the spiritual development of students and employees, and help protect the culture of the school.

At Cross Schools, our shared commitments guide our work:

• We put God first.
• We do what is best for students.
• We protect our school culture.
• We improve each day.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, Educational Leadership, or a related field required; master’s degree preferred.
• Prior leadership or administrative experience in an early childhood, preschool, childcare, or school setting.
• Strong knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practices, and early learning curriculum.
• Familiarity with South Carolina childcare licensing regulations and compliance standards preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and hold employees accountable with professionalism and care.
• Strong organizational, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with budgeting, enrollment management, staffing, and program operations preferred.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters with sound judgment and discretion.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification upon hire.
• Successful completion of all required background checks and employment screenings.