Preschool Assistant Director

Summary

Grace Children?s Learning Center in Manassas VA, a vibrant 25-year ministry of Grace United Methodist Church, is seeking applicants for the position of preschool Director to begin on or before September 1, 2025. GCLC is a licensed preschool with before and after care serving 120-150 children from infants to Jr. Kindergarten. Qualified applicants should have leadership/administrative experience in education, classroom experience as an educator, and enthusiasm for continuing the legacy and mission of GCLC of providing excellent early childhood education to Manassas area children along with excellent extended care to meet the needs of community families, all in a way that reflects the grace of God.

The Assistant Director supports the Director and the school by coordinating operations, administration, and education systems for GCLC so that the school can fulfill its mission of providing excellent, developmentally appropriate education to community children and excellent extended care to support the needs of Manassas area families. The Director and Assistant Director together foster a loving, Christian environment, where children and their families are welcomed, and where they learn and grow intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually. The ideal Assistant Director has strong administrative, management, and communication skills, and incorporates Christian values in their life and personal interactions.

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume by July 27, 2025. Qualified applicants will be interviewed as soon as their application is received.

Duties

Education Responsibilities

• Coordinate the teaching schedule ensuring student ratios are in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Develop strong relationships with staff, parents and students that promote trust and engagement, being reasonably available to and communicating routinely and effectively with GCLC staff, students, and families.
• Assist the Director in curriculum development and execution, as well as educator and staff supervision.

Operations Responsibilities

Communication

• Collaborate with the GCLC School Board and staff to communicate, celebrate, and advertise the school.
• Facilitate the use of Playground Childcare Management tool by educators and families.
• Coordinate all school communication including website information.
• Communicate with parents routinely and effectively.
• Communicate with educators regularly regarding their classroom and scheduling needs in compliance with educator agreements.

School and Student Records

• Ensure the maintenance of all documents related to student enrollment, health records to meet State and Federal policies, and personnel files.
• Maintain medication logs and administration of necessary medications to children.

Facility Management

• Coordinate building use and communicate facility needs with the Director of Church Operations.
• Ensure adequate furniture, equipment, and materials are available for all classes.
• Schedule and coordinate all fire and safety drills.
• Oversee Supply Coordinator, coordinate supply orders, and procurement of supplies as needed.

Payroll & Tuition

• Administer the staff payroll system, approving staff hours, and managing staff leave when approved by the Director.
• Set tuition based on the Board?s recommendation, manage tuition payments.
• Oversee tuition billing and tracking delinquent accounts.
• Administer the GCLC scholarship program and subsidy program requirements.
• Oversee GCLC banking in collaboration with administrative staff.

Public Relations/Parent Services

• Develop strong relationships with staff, parents and students that promote trust and engagement, be reasonably available to and communicate routinely and effectively with GCLC staff, students, and families.
• Be a presence in the school office to answer phone calls, and receive visitors.
• Collaborate with the administrative staff and GCLC School Board to communicate, celebrate, and advertise the school.

Public Relations/Parent Services

• Develop strong relationships with staff, parents and students that promote trust and engagement, be reasonably available to and communicate routinely and effectively with GCLC staff, students, and families.
• Be a presence in the school office.
• Collaborate with the administrative staff and GCLC School Board to communicate, celebrate, and advertise the school.

Board Relations

• Serve on the GCLC School Board and collaborate with Grace?s pastors, staff, and Grace UMC Leadership Board to keep the school aligned with the church?s overall mission and vision.
• Assist the Director, GCLC School Board, and GCLC financial manager, to prepare and manage the budget for school operations.
• Assist the Director and the GCLC School Board to offer bi-annual reports to the Grace UMC Leadership Board regarding the financial well-being, and programmatic status of GCLC.
• Other duties as assigned to support Director, staff, families, students and church.

Requirements

• Experience in administration or classroom teaching in a licensed childcare/preschool facility.
• Strong knowledge of Virginia State Licensing Minimum Standards and Virginia Subsidy Regulations including new Virginia Department of Education standards for pre-school (e.g. VA Promise Partnership).
• Clear criminal and sex offender reports as well as positive character reference checks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Programs, Publishing Programs, and the Playground Childcare Management app.
• Ability to interact positively with others, and ability to lead parents, staff, and children, and resolve conflict when necessary.
• Understanding of school fiscal responsibilities and accounting principles.
• Trained in CPR, AED, standard First Aid, and MAT (Medical Administration Training).
• Familiar with early childhood curricula, especially the STREAMin� curriculum model.
• Familiar with assessment models, especially the CLASS Assessment system.