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PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR

Lead a close-knit campus with purpose

Starbright School is hiring an experienced Preschool Director to lead our San Jose Campus, including its preschool and kindergarten programs. You will inherit a well-run, close-knit campus and lead its next chapter by supporting teachers, maintaining excellent licensing practices, and keeping enrollment healthy.

Founded in 1992, Starbright is one school with two Silicon Valley campuses. Our San Jose Campus serves 80 students with a faculty of 10 teachers. The campus was redesigned top to bottom in 2025, creating bright, calm, intentionally organized spaces for learning and play.

What you will lead

  • Lead, schedule, evaluate, and support a faculty of 10 teachers plus support staff. Address performance and discipline with clarity, consistency, and care.
  • Maintain full compliance with California Community Care Licensing requirements, including staffing ratios, health and safety practices, required records, and dependable campus procedures.
  • Uphold curriculum quality through classroom observation, thoughtful feedback, teacher development, and consistent implementation across preschool and kindergarten.
  • Build trusting relationships with families. Communicate clearly, respond to concerns with sound judgment, and help each family feel known and supported.
  • Lead enrollment at the campus level, including welcoming prospective families, giving tours, following up thoughtfully, and supporting retention.
  • Own the daily rhythm of the campus, so staff, students, and families experience an organized, responsive, and warm school environment.

This is an administrative leadership position, not a Director/Teacher hybrid. You will stay close to classroom life through observation and coaching, but regular classroom coverage is not part of the role.

What success looks like

You will build on a strong foundation. Staff will experience clear expectations, useful coaching, and steady leadership. Families will know where to turn, and trust that concerns will be handled thoughtfully. Classrooms will reflect consistent educational quality. Licensing practices will remain dependable, and enrollment will stay healthy.

Required qualifications

  • At least five years of experience in a licensed early-childhood setting, including at least two years in a leadership role such as Director, Assistant Director, or Site Supervisor.
  • Demonstrated experience supervising staff, creating schedules, evaluating and coaching employees, addressing performance concerns, and maintaining accountability.
  • Bachelor's degree, preferably in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or Education
  • Meets California Title 22 Child Care Center Director qualifications before employment through qualifying education and experience or a current Child Development Site Supervisor or Program Director Permit.
  • Strong communication and judgment with families, staff, and school leadership.
  • Experience supporting curriculum quality and enrollment in an early-childhood program.

Preferred qualifications

  • Current California Child Development Site Supervisor or Program Director Permit.
  • Experience leading both preschool and kindergarten programs.
  • Demonstrated success developing teachers and sustaining healthy enrollment.

Compensation and benefits

The salary range is $75,000 to $85,000 per year. The offer will reflect relevant education, California director qualifications, and the depth of the candidate's leadership experience.

Benefits include:

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Pension Plan (SIMPLE-IRA)
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Employee discount
  • Professional development assistance

Employment is contingent on satisfying applicable California Community Care Licensing requirements.

Apply

Email us your resume. A cover letter is welcome but optional. We are interested in the leadership you have practiced, not only the title you have held.

Starbright School is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the application and hiring process.