Co-Op Preschool Director

Glenridge Cooperative Nursery School is hiring for a Director! Please come join us!

Job Type: Full Time, Exempt position

Compensation: $80-100k annual salary, commensurate with experience

Additional Perks: Full Health benefits (medical, dental, vision), paid holidays, winter break,

spring break, Retirement plan with annual contributions, holiday and year-end bonuses

Schedule: Monday-Friday, approximately 8:30-4:30 with some flexibility for start and end times.

Must be at school with kids M-F 9 am-1 pm, attend monthly meetings with parents and board,

and admissions events, as scheduled.

Location: On-site, with remote option for some administrative responsibilities. Please note that

Glenridge Co-Op operates from Silver Tree Lodge inside Glen Canyon and requires an

approximately 10-minute walk from the park to the school site.

Glenridge Cooperative Nursery School is a play-based, community-centered pre-school with

a 50 year history as a parent-participation cooperative. We are seeking a talented leader and

teacher to join our small but mighty team. We are looking for someone who embraces the co-op

model and collaborates with staff, parents, and the Board of Directors to create an inspiring,

nurturing, and safe environment for children. We would love to hear from you if you have a

passion for teaching, an understanding of play-based education, and are an inspirational leader

with a warm and capable presence.

What You’ll Do:

Program & Community Leadership

○ Develop, implement, and steward a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum that includes predictable routines to support children’s emotional regulation, independence, and learning

○ Be consistently present with children, supporting their emotional regulation, peer interactions, and individual developmental needs

○ Supervise children, staff, and participating parents to ensure safety and healthy group dynamics

○ Foster an inclusive, respectful school culture aligned with Glenridge’s philosophy and cooperative model

○ Lead the school through a period of organizational and leadership transition with steadiness, transparency, and a focus on building and maintaining trust within the community

Family & Board Partnership

○ Communicate clearly and compassionately with families about child development, classroom experiences, and school policies

○ Serve as an active and collaborative partner to the Board of Directors by preparing monthly reports and attending meetings, and keeping the board informed about key operational, safety, and licensing matters.

○ Lead parent education sessions on topics such as positive discipline, developmental stages, and cooperative participation

Admissions & Community Outreach

○ Plan and participate in admissions events, including preschool fairs, open houses, and follow-up information sessions

○ Clearly and warmly communicate Glenridge’s philosophy, cooperative model, and program to prospective families

Operations & Compliance

○ Ensure compliance with all California Community Care Licensing requirements, including preparation for inspections and clear communication following licensing visits

○ Maintain required certifications (CPR, first aid, mandated reporter, etc.)

○ Oversee administrative responsibilities related to licensing, evaluations, and grants

○ Attend school events, fundraisers, and community gatherings outside of regular school hours as needed

What You’ll Need:

• Meets or exceeds California DSS Community Care Licensing (Title 22, Division 12) requirements for a Program Director
• Experience in early childhood education with a strong understanding of play-based learning
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and collaborating with a governing board, particularly in a nonprofit or parent-participation setting
• Strong organizational, time-management, and communication skills
• Comfort working within a cooperative, parent-participation school model with active family involvement
• Ability to navigate a natural canyon environment in varying weather and lift equipment up to 50 lbs
• Current CPR, first aid, TB clearance, mandated reporter training, and required
• immunizations (or willingness to obtain promptly)
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and eligibility to work in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BA or higher in Education, Child Development, Psychology, or a related field
• Experience working in a cooperative or parent-participation preschool
• Experience leading organizations through periods of growth or change

We are an equal opportunity employer and thrive with diversity in the workplace.