Director of Early Childhood Education - Sipe's Orchard Home

The Opportunity

Sipe's Orchard Home serves 4-5 year old children through two North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NCPK) classrooms at its Tyndall Center.

The Director of Early Childhood Education provides strategic and operational leadership for Sipe's Orchard Home's licensed North Carolina Pre-K program and other early childhood education initiatives. Reporting to the Executive Director, this leader is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, developmentally appropriate educational experiences that prepare children for lifelong learning and success.

The Director oversees all aspects of program administration, including curriculum implementation, regulatory compliance, staff supervision, family engagement, budgeting, and continuous quality improvement. This individual serves as the educational leader for the program, fostering a collaborative culture that supports children, families, and staff while advancing the organization's mission of Preparing Children and Youth for Their Best Futures.

This is a remarkable opportunity for a nurturing and creative leader to join a much-revered 80 year old organization working toward the mission of preparing children and youth for their best futures.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the appropriate professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics to accomplish the following:

Program Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership for all early childhood education programs, ensuring alignment with Sipe's Orchard Home's mission, strategic priorities, and North Carolina Pre-K standards.
• Lead the ongoing development, implementation, and evaluation of high-quality early childhood programming that supports children's cognitive, language, physical, social, and emotional development.
• Develop annual program goals, monitor outcomes, and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment where every child can thrive.
• Represent the organization in early childhood education initiatives and community partnerships.

Curriculum and Instruction

• Ensure implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with NC Pre-K requirements.
• Oversee lesson planning, classroom observations, instructional coaching, and assessment practices.
• Promote evidence-based instructional strategies and innovative teaching practices that enhance children's learning experiences.
• Monitor student progress and support teachers in differentiating instruction to meet individual developmental needs.
• Ensure classrooms maintain high standards of safety, quality, and educational excellence.

Staff Leadership and Professional Development

• Recruit, supervise, coach, and evaluate 2 Lead Teachers, 2 assistant teachers, and other program staff as needed. 
• Foster a collaborative, supportive, and accountable team culture grounded in continuous improvement.
• Develop individualized professional growth plans for teaching staff and provide ongoing coaching and mentoring.
• Coordinate required professional development, including compliance with DCDEE regulations.
• Encourage reflective practice and continuous learning across the educational team.

Family and Community Engagement

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with families, recognizing parents and caregivers as essential partners in children's education.
• Establish systems for effective communication regarding children's development, classroom activities, and program expectations.
• Develop partnerships with schools, community organizations, and early childhood agencies that strengthen services and expand opportunities for children and families.
• Promote family engagement through educational events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities.

Compliance and Administration

• Ensure full compliance with all DCDEE, licensing, health and safety, and accreditation requirements.
• Maintain accurate program documentation, student records, and regulatory reporting.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures that support operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor classroom environments to ensure safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning spaces.
• Lead licensing visits, audits, and