Preschool Director

The Director at Milldam Nursery School will play a key role in fostering a nurturing, inclusive and cooperative learning environment for young children. The Director is responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum, overseeing classroom activities and ensuring the smooth daily functioning of the school. Additionally, they will work closely with parents, staff and the Board of Trustees to maintain a collaborative school culture where families are actively engaged in their children’s learning. This role requires a dynamic leader with a passion for early childhood education, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage both the educational and operational aspects of the school. 

Milldam is one of the oldest and most established preschools in Concord, Massachusetts, serving children and families since 1969.  We are a cooperative, play-based preschool with a dynamic, developmentally appropriate environment.  Our educators create engaging, interactive classrooms full of opportunities to learn through play, as we believe that play is the best context in which children learn.  As a cooperative preschool, parents have the unique opportunity to participate first-hand in their child’s first educational experience. 

The school is currently composed of 62 children in six age-based small classes.  The children range from 2 - 5 years old. Milldam Nursery School is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The Director has a broad range of responsibilities, which are both educational and administrative. The Director’s role includes: 

The Program

  • Provide educational leadership and manage the school on a day-to-day basis.

  • Support and oversee implementation of Milldam’s educational philosophy around child-centered play-based curriculum which enhances the social-emotional, physical, and intellectual development of children enrolled in the program while engaging their families as partners. 

  • Ensure the safety of enrolled children and staff at all times whether in or out of the classrooms. Develop and maintain emergency plans for the program and maintain logs for drills, such as fire drills. Work with the Fire Department and Town Building Inspector and building managers to keep the physical facility in compliance with building code and DEEC regulations.

  • Coordinate afterschool programming and any other programming outside of regular school hours as established by the Board.

  • Work with outside specialists to maintain a robust enrichment program for the children.Parents

  • Help communicate to the parents the philosophy of Milldam and its goals, as well as the responsibilities of each parent as part of the co-op.

  • Plan the orientation of parents to Milldam’s policies and procedures including annual fall and spring orientation meetings.

  • Work with parents on issues relating to their children’s participation in the school, as needed.

  • Communicate with parents, formally and informally.

Parents

  • Help communicate to the parents the philosophy of Milldam and its goals, as well as the responsibilities of each parent as part of the co-op.

  • Plan the orientation of parents to Milldam’s policies and procedures including annual fall and spring orientation meetings.

  • Work with parents on issues relating to their children’s participation in the school.

  • Communicate with parents, formally and informally in alignment with Milldam’s philosophy and goals, to provide information pertaining to parent education, responsibilities, community activities, etc.

  • Maintain a strong presence within the membership community by assisting with morning drop-off and dismissal, as well as regularly engaging with families to foster relationships and ensure open communication. 

Staff

  • Provide leadership and guidance for the preschool teaching team in the following key areas: curriculum, classroom management, behavior management, and family involvement.

  • Lead, supervise, and support staff.   Provide regular check-ins and conduct monthly staff meetings.  Coordinate professional development (continuing education and safety training).  Provide guidance for licensing requirements. 

  • Conduct classroom observations and provide feedback to all teaching staff.  Provide written evaluations for all staff at least annually and help set individual professional development plans for the upcoming year. 

  • Help teachers identify children who may benefit from additional services.  Collaborate with outside resources to plan, implement, and maintain learning profiles. 

  • Remain current in the field of early childhood education and share this information with the staff. Create an environment for sharing of information and learning among the staff.

  • Recommend teacher and PA candidates to the Board for hiring.

  • Arrange substitute help or serve as the substitute when necessary

  • Recommend disciplinary action up to and including dismissal of a teacher, if necessary, in accordance with Milldam policies.

  • Be actively involved in day-to-day tasks and assist teachers in the classrooms as needed.


Administrative

  • Maintain records for institutional memory and to assist with transition of Board members, as needed. 

  • Support the Board by attending and reporting at monthly Board meetings and smaller committee meetings as needed, and providing information as requested. Work as a liaison between the Board and staff. 

  • Be present for and help with community and fundraising events.  

  • Work in conjunction with the Membership Coordinator to support the enrollment of children into the Milldam program. 

  • Assist current and prospective families with the application process for financial assistance from the school.

  • Coordinate and execute administrative aspects of the program, in coordination with the Bookkeeper and Board members. Approve staff hours and coordinate with Bookkeeper for payroll and financial approvals. 

  • According to department and state guidelines, maintain and oversee all program records, including without limitation, all licensing and operating files needed; children’s files (including all necessary forms, files and emergency information on each child, and all necessary health records). 

  • Maintain and oversee daily attendance sheets; sign-off on staff timesheets; sign-off on expense payments, and other business needs.  

  • Assist in acquiring supplies needed for running the school, including school supplies and indoor and outdoor equipment, and equipment maintenance.

  • Maintain professional knowledge through participation in in-service training workshops as well as meeting educational requirements established by EEC.   

  • Work with the Board annually to review and update all enrollment forms, handbooks and written policies and plan Milldam’s calendar.

  • Complete annual reports and prepare for bi-annual EEC licensing visits. 

  • Ensure that Milldam remains current in its non-profit status and in all licensing regulations of DEEC and ensure that Milldam’s license is current and in compliance with all DEEC regulations. 

  • Maintain all legally required health, safety and educational standards and records.

  • Work with First Parish Church and Milldam parent volunteers to arrange custodial care, maintenance and repair.

  • Coordinate parent work day plans with the Parent Work Day Coordinator.

Community Relations

  • Represent Milldam to the public, including without limitation, preschool functions, the media, local school departments and professional organizations.

  • Visit other community nursery schools and keep communication lines open as to joint concerns and efforts.

Job Skills:

  • Ability to communicate clearly with all members of the school community, including staff, families, and the co-op board. Liaise effectively between these entities.

  • Desire to create a supportive atmosphere for all school community members, including, but not limited to, age-appropriate emotional support for students, professional help to staff, and practical guidance to families.

  • Proven leadership, as well as strong organizational and interpersonal skills

  • Experience with and knowledge of Massachusetts EEC licensing guidelines and professional development expectations.

Job Requirements and Qualifications:

  • Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Director I or II certified (or ability to obtain before August 2025).  

  • DEEC Lead Teacher Preschool and DEEC Lead Teacher Infant/Toddler required.

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or a related field. A Master's Degree is preferred.

  • At least 3 years of experience in early childhood education (preschool - 2nd grade).

  • At least 2 years of classroom lead-teaching experience.

  • First Aid and Infant CPR trained (and renewed regularly as required by Department of Early Education and Care

  • Physical abilities: Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move a child safely around a group of active small children.

  • Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google applications

  • Strong working knowledge of EEC

  • Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Additional Information:

  • Summer: 

    • End of June-End of August

    • 8 hours per week

    • Flexible schedule

  • School Year: 

    • August 28-June 5 

    • Monday-Friday

    • 8:00 am-3:00 pm

  • Retirement and health benefits available

How to Apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to: vp@milldamnurseryschool.org.  Any questions or requests for more information can be sent to the same email addresses.