Full Circle Preschool seeks a school director to lead our organization at an important moment of transition and growth. Full Circle was founded nearly seven years ago when three exceptional early education teachers partnered with the leadership of Ohavi Zedek (OZ) to build a preschool that would empower children to learn and grow in a child-centered, nature-based, intimate school setting with a Jewish foundation.
Located in Burlington’s historic North End, the preschool has five classrooms (bookended by an infant classroom and two mixed aged classrooms for pre-K and nursery) and serves 40 students from diverse families who live in the neighborhood as well as up to an hour away. Our community is vibrant, colorful, passionate, and engaged. With a staff of 13 full-time, part-time, and volunteer teachers, Full Circle’s next director will not only lead the preschool community but will collaborate closely across the OZ organization with other senior leaders and the clergy. This is an opportunity to imagine, grow, and build, ensuring that the youngest members of our community are nurtured, cared for, and loved.
Offering high-quality, holistic care, the Full Circle pedagogy centers on child-led learning and exploration, along with Jewish values of kindness, generosity, and community building. At Full Circle, we embrace a play and interest-based child-led curriculum, inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Using this project-based approach, we encourage teachers, children, family, and other members of the community to collaborate in projects based on children’s interests. Weekly activities at Full Circle include gym classes in the social hall and on the playground, yoga in the Preschool’s very own yurt, fieldtrips off campus to the Intervale, outdoor exploration in the Preschool’s dense urban woods, gardening, cooking, art projects, and the community’s beloved and rousing Shabbat Party on Friday mornings with the Rabbi and families. While Jewish content is interwoven through our daily learning experiences, Full Circle Preschool whole-heartedly welcomes interfaith, non-affiliated, and non-Jewish identifying students. Inclusion, warmth, and compassion are at our core. Embracing the pillars of diversity, inclusion, and social justice are essential for success in our community.
Position Summary and Opportunities:
The Full Circle Director is accountable for the overall leadership, administration, strategic direction, and management of Full Circle’s resources to uphold the mission of the preschool. Ensuring the financial sustainability of the preschool may require creative work in grants acquisition, fundraising, and community outreach by building relationships throughout the community and with a diverse group of stakeholders. Reporting to the OZ Executive Director and supported by OZ’s Board, clergy and administartive staff, this position leads a team of teachers, using research, best practices, and trustworthy interactions to promote a child-and-family-centered quality program. The Director exemplifies the values of Full Circle and nurtures our organizational culture by creating a learning community of children and adults that promotes optimal child development and healthy families. Partnering across OZ will be essential, including creative and innovative vision work to help Full Circle thrive in its next chapter. We are looking for an energetic, creative, professional, and thoughtful leader who can help our community reach its potential.
Responsibilities of the Director include:
- Staff recruitment, retention, and supervision
- Parent communication and community building
- Daily child interaction and teaching
- Foster continuous improvement
- Oversight of curriculum development
- Policies and procedures to ensure a safe and nurturing environment
- Compliance, including ACT 166 Universal Pre-K partnership and conforming with State licensing regulations and STARS criteria
- Business, financial management and strategic planning
Required Qualifications:
- Deep genuine love for tiny people and their adults
- Teacher Associate under the Vermont Early Childhood Education Regulations (minimum requirement)
- Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
- Prior experience with staff management and oversight
- Complete 3-college credit course in managing an early care and education program that includes budgeting and financial management, approved by the division, within one year of employment
- 2 or more years of experience in childcare or related field
- Understanding of the Vermont Early Learning Standards and Vermont Childcare Licensing Regulations
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to build positive relationships with staff, parents, and community members
- Proficient in strategic planning and implementation
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree
- Experience as a director or an assistant director of a childcare facility or experience leading a staff
- Vermont Teaching License
Benefits:
- Vacation, sick time, parental leave and holidays
- Professional development opportunities
- Health Insurance
- Retirement
Compensation:
- $50,000 – $65,000
Research shows that people belonging to structurally marginalized groups often only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. As no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply if you feel that most of the above qualifications reflect your experience and expertise.
