Director of Early Age Education – Sipe’s Orchard Home

About the role

Sipe's Orchard Home serves 4–5-year-old children through two North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NCPK) classrooms at its Tyndall Center. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Early Childhood Education provides strategic and operational leadership for the licensed North Carolina Pre-K program and other early childhood education initiatives, ensuring high-quality, developmentally appropriate educational experiences that prepare children for lifelong learning and success. The Director oversees program administration, curriculum implementation, regulatory compliance, staff supervision, family engagement, budgeting, and continuous quality improvement, while advancing the organization’s mission of Preparing Children and Youth for Their Best Futures.

Program Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership for all early childhood education programs aligned 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 quality assurance reviews.

Financial and Operational Management

• Develop and manage the annual program budget in collaboration with organizational leadership.
• Monitor expenditures and allocate resources to maximize program effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities to secure grants, partnerships, and additional funding that support program growth and sustainability.
• Ensure efficient utilization of staff, materials, facilities, and educational resources.

Qualifications

• Level III childcare administrative credential.
• Strong background in curriculum development, teaching, and classroom management.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, management, and leadership roles within educational settings.
• Experience in fundraising activities to support program growth and sustainability.
• Excellent public speaking skills to advocate for early childhood education initiatives effectively.
• Supervising experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams of educators.
• Knowledge of budgeting processes and resource management within educational organizations.
• Passion for working with young children and understanding their developmental needs.

Preferred Attributes

• A deep commitment to early childhood education and a belief in every child's ability to succeed.
• Strong instructional leadership and curriculum expertise.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with children, families, educators, and community partners.
• The ability to inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing educational teams.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, integrity, and emotional intelligence.
• A collaborative leadership style that balances accountability with encouragement.
• Cultural competence and an understanding of trauma-informed educational practices.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

About the Organization

For more than 80 years, Sipe's Orchard Home has helped children and young adults overcome adversity and build successful, independent futures. Founded in 1943, the organization evolved from a traditional children's home into an innovative nonprofit serving children, youth, and young adults throughout western North Carolina. Guided by its mission of Preparing Children and Youth for Their Best Futures, Sipe's provides a continuum of programs that equip young people with education, life skills, relationships, and support needed to thrive.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Retirement savings plan
• Professional development assistance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Opportunities for ongoing leadership development and continuing education