Pre-K Site Director

LAWNDALE EDUCATIONAL AND REGIONAL NETWORK CHARTER SCHOOL•North Chicago, IL

3d•$60,000 - $70,000

About The Position

The LEARN Pre-K Site Leader leads all day-to-day operations of a LEARN Pre-K site. The Site Leader ensures a safe, caring, rigorous, and joyful environment for children, families, and staff. This leader is responsible for program quality, compliance with DCFS, DFSS, and PFAE requirements, instructional coaching, staff development, and strong family partnerships. The role requires a leader who demonstrates strong problem-solving ability, deep self-awareness, the capacity to build and lead effective teams, a commitment to equity, and a relentless drive toward results for students and staff.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Level 2 Illinois Director Credential for Lake County.
5–10 years of experience in a traditional school setting, including at least 2 years in a direct leadership role in an early childhood/lower elementary (principal, vice principal, grade-level chair, instructional coach, etc.).
Strong instructional leadership experience including observations, feedback cycles, PD facilitation, and one-on-one coaching.
Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with families and staff, and to lead with empathy and accountability.
Experience developing, managing, and maintaining program budgets.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to use data to make decisions.
Demonstrated initiative, judgment, high expectations, and strong organizational skills.
Commitment to equity and culturally responsive leadership.
Ability to analyze complex situations, problem-solve in real time, and make decisions that prioritize children’s safety and learning.
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Maintains a positive attitude, professional demeanor, and high level of energy.
Ability to collaborate, give and receive feedback, and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders

Nice To Haves

CLASS certification; experience with Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies GOLD, ECERS-3, and other early childhood assessments.
Knowledge of PFA, COPA, IAFC, DFSS, DCFS, or similar systems.

Responsibilities

Facilitates ongoing individual check-ins, team meetings, and professional development that build instructional capacity and a healthy, positive staff culture.
Conducts annual evaluations, supports staff goal-setting, and ensures all staff meet and maintain required credentials, training, and professional standards.
Conducts weekly classroom observations using LEARN-aligned instructional frameworks and provides actionable, timely feedback.
Leads recruitment, hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management of all site staff in partnership with LEARN leadership.
Sets clear expectations and holds adults accountable for instructional quality, safety, compliance, and culture.
Models self-awareness by reflecting on personal impact, seeking feedback, and demonstrating continuous improvement.
Oversees all aspects of center operations, including health and safety; enrollment; staff scheduling; instructional quality; and family experience.
Ensures continuous compliance with DCFS, IDHS, DFSS, and PFAE regulations; maintains all required staff and child files; and proactively responds to emerging compliance or safety concerns.
Ensures appropriate staff ratios and coverage at all times by analyzing daily conditions and adapting in real time.
Maintains facility safety, cleanliness, and usability, and solves logistical issues quickly to avoid interruptions to learning.
Builds strong relationships with families, proactively communicates policies, and ensures every interaction reflects cultural responsiveness and inclusion.
Manages enrollment pipelines and recruitment strategies to meet occupancy and budget goals while ensuring equitable access for families.
Ensures high-quality learning environments grounded in Creative Curriculum and aligned to Teaching Strategies GOLD, CLASS, and ECERS expectations.
When needed, performs essential classroom, Leadery, or operational duties to ensure the program runs smoothly.
Contributes to annual budget planning and manages daily fiscal operations to ensure financial sustainability.
Tracks site-level revenue, expenditures, staffing costs, and enrollment trends to stay within budget and meet financial targets with support of the LEARN Finance Department.
Manages inventory and purchasing; identifies opportunities to maximize efficiency and reduce waste without compromising quality.
Uses data dashboards, budget reports, and enrollment projections to monitor progress and adjust strategies quickly.
Maintains a relentless focus on child outcomes, family satisfaction, staff performance, compliance, and enrollment.
Sets ambitious goals for instructional quality, culture, compliance, and operational execution—and tracks progress weekly.
Proactively identifies obstacles and implements solutions that protect instructional time and program quality.
Uses data, weekly observations, and family feedback to continuously raise the bar for children’s learning and staff development.