Preschool Director

Preschool Director
Lead the Next Chapter of Solomike Early Childhood Center
Bellevue, Washington
Salary: $95,000–$120,000 + comprehensive benefits

The Solomike Early Childhood Center (SECC), located on the campus of Temple B'nai Torah in Bellevue, Washington, is seeking an experienced and visionary Preschool Director to lead our next chapter of growth.
This is an opportunity for a collaborative leader who loves both children and systems, someone who can build an outstanding educator experience, strengthen enrollment, and ensure every child and family feels the warmth of our Jewish community.
You'll inherit a strong operational team, including an experienced Assistant Director and Office Manager, allowing you to focus on leadership, culture, staff development, and strategic growth. 

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About Solomike Early Childhood Center
Our center serves children from six weeks through Pre-K in a Reggio Emilia-inspired learning environment where curiosity, creativity, relationships, and joyful Jewish learning come together. We welcome families of every background and believe Jewish early childhood education should be meaningful, accessible, and engaging for Jewish and non-Jewish families alike.
Our goal is simple: children leave our program confident, curious, kind, and excited to learn. 

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Position Overview
We're looking for a leader who can successfully balance two equally important responsibilities:
Develop an outstanding teaching team where educators feel supported, challenged, accountable, and excited to come to work.
Grow the school strategically by strengthening enrollment, cultivating family relationships, and partnering with clergy, staff, parents, and lay leadership to build a thriving early childhood community.
This is an ideal opportunity for a director who enjoys coaching educators, building systems, solving problems collaboratively, and thinking several steps ahead rather than simply reacting to daily challenges. 

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What You'll Do
Lead People

• Recruit, hire, coach, and retain a high-performing team of educators.
• Create a culture of warmth, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular classroom observations and provide meaningful coaching and feedback.
• Support educators through mentorship, professional development, and individualized coaching.
• Empower teachers to solve problems while providing the guidance and structure they need to succeed.

Build Systems

• Develop clear expectations, timelines, and accountability across the school.
• Ensure curriculum, holiday programming, and classroom resources are planned well in advance.
• Balance immediate operational needs with long-term strategic planning.
• Maintain compliance with Washington licensing requirements and all required documentation.

Grow the School

• Partner with clergy, staff, parents, and lay leadership to strengthen enrollment.
• Develop and execute marketing and community outreach strategies.
• Meet with prospective families and build lasting relationships with current families.
• Support enrollment goals through exceptional family experiences and strong community partnerships.

Educational Leadership

• Lead implementation of a Reggio Emilia-inspired program.
• Ensure Jewish learning is joyful, authentic, and accessible for every family.
• Support teachers in delivering engaging holiday celebrations, classroom experiences, and Jewish curriculum.
• Continue participation in the ElevatEd Seattle cohort and ongoing professional learning.

Organizational Leadership

• Manage the annual operating budget.
• Partner with Temple leadership on strategic planning.
• Collaborate closely with facilities to maintain a safe, welcoming campus.
• Support the Parent Teacher Organization.

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Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field
• Meets Washington State Director qualifications
• Experience supervising, coaching, and developing educators

Preferred

• Master's degree
• Jewish early childhood experience
• Reggio Emilia-inspired experience
• Marketing or enrollment leadership experience
• Experience partnering with boards, clergy, or nonprofit leadership

Jewish background is welcomed but not required. We welcome candidates who are excited to learn about Jewish traditions and lead an inclusive Jewish early childhood community.

Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $95,000–$120,000
Benefits include:

• Medical and dental insurance
• Pension contribution
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Professional development
• Membership in ECE-RJ
• Participation in ElevatEd professional learning