Early Childhood Center Director

Reports to: Preschool Board and Church Council

Directly Supervises: Honey Tree Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper, Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers

Status: Full Time, $68,640-$72,000; expected work hours Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm during the school year, with some church or preschool board meetings in the evening. Summer hours are flexible. 

FLSA: Exempt

Position Start Date: June 15, 2025

Application Deadline: March 30, 2025

Job Summary

The Honey Tree Early Childhood Center has been an outreach of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Thousand Oaks since 1973 with the commitment to positively influence the lives of young children in our community, help each child to value themselves as a unique individual created by God, and to develop a joyful curiosity in knowing and learning about God’s world. 

Honey Tree is seeking a dynamic Director to lead our outstanding Early Childhood Center serving ages two through Kindergarten. The ideal candidate will bring an inspired, forward-thinking vision to all aspects of our early childhood program. The Honey Tree Early Childhood Center Director is a strong leader who stands for the ideas and values of Honey Tree and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Honey Tree Early Childhood Center has an over fifty year history in the community, and a critical focus of the role will be to continue to foster the growth of our excellent program.

Essential Functions:

• Ensure all California Licensing (CCLD) requirements are met

• Responsible for overseeing the daily successful operations of the center

• Lead, listen, observe, inspire, and provide regular critical and constructive feedback to the faculty.

• Be visible and accessible to families and staff, promoting a positive, caring climate for learning. 

• Management of fiscal, administrative and facilities functions

• Guide and advise lead teachers in designing and maintaining the center’s curriculum. 

Other Responsibilities:

• Promote the school in community events and tours.

• Effectively communicate with staff, families and children; effectively articulate the center’s programs, goals, and expectations to staff, families, Honey Tree board, and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church council. 

• Serve on the senior leadership team (board) of the school; serve as liaison between the Early Childhood Center and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church with the goals of developing a strong relationship with the church. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts or Science Degree (or higher) in Child Development/Early Childhood Education or related field

• Master's Degree (preferred), minimum 15 semester units of Early Childhood Education or Child Development; 3 units must cover administration or staff relations. California Child Development Site Supervisor Permit or Child Development Program Director Permit (preferred).

• Current CPR, First Aid, and Health and Safety Training (required)

• Preschool director experience, minimum 2 years (preferred, but not required)

• Experience in a classroom and management or leadership in an early childhood learning setting

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with staff, families, and children

• Strong working knowledge using technology and applications relevant to preschool/child center management (Honey Tree currently utilizes ProCare) 

• Supports Christian values and education in word, practice, and leadership

Physical Requirements:

• Be able to meet physical demands of the position including bending, kneeling, lifting items up to 50 pounds, prolonged time at a computer, dealing with interruptions. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Resume

• Letter of Intent

• Copies of college transcripts and certificates

• Three letters of recommendation, or three references