Early Childhood Curriculum & Program Quality Manager

About the role

The Early Childhood Curriculum & Program Quality Manager is responsible for helping drive educational excellence across the Academy. The role focuses on curriculum fidelity, instructional coaching, classroom quality, child assessment, teacher development, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Kiddie Academy Life Essentials curriculum with consistency, creativity, and age-appropriate expectations across classrooms.
• Review lesson plans and support alignment with PA Early Learning Standards, developmentally appropriate practice, play-based learning, and whole-child development.
• Help classrooms strengthen literacy, STEM, social-emotional learning, early math, art, music, movement, and hands-on discovery experiences.
• Conduct classroom walkthroughs and environment reviews to support safe, engaging, inclusive, print-rich, and developmentally appropriate learning spaces.
• Identify gaps in classroom practice and create practical action steps that teachers can understand and implement.
• Observe classrooms and provide clear, constructive coaching that improves instructional practice and classroom consistency.
• Model effective teaching strategies, classroom routines, child engagement techniques, behavior support strategies, and family communication practices.
• Support new teacher onboarding so staff understand curriculum expectations, classroom routines, child development, documentation, and quality standards.
• Plan and lead professional development, team coaching, and one-on-one support for teachers at different experience levels.
• Help develop strong Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and future classroom leaders.
• Oversee child observation and assessment practices so teachers are tracking progress, milestones, and support needs appropriately.
• Use child development data and classroom observations to guide instruction, family conversations, and individualized support.
• Support teachers in communicating with families in a warm, professional, and developmentally informed way.
• Partner with leadership and families when children may need additional support, referrals, classroom strategies, or developmental follow-up.
• Help plan curriculum events, family engagement opportunities, and education-focused communications.
• Support continuous program quality improvement and help maintain strong quality practices as a Keystone STARS 3 facility.
• Prepare classrooms, teachers, documentation, and systems for ongoing quality improvement, licensing readiness, and future STAR growth goals.
• Partner with the Academy Owner and leadership team on curriculum systems that can scale across current and future centers.
• Support hiring, interviewing, onboarding, and evaluation conversations for education-focused roles as needed.
• Bring a practical, solutions-focused mindset to improving classroom quality without overwhelming teachers.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of early childhood education, child development, curriculum implementation, and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Experience working in a licensed child care center, preschool, early learning program, or comparable ECE environment.
• Ability to coach adults with professionalism, clarity, warmth, and accountability.
• Experience reviewing lesson plans, observing classrooms, supporting child assessments, and strengthening teacher practice.
• Knowledge of PA Early Learning Standards; familiarity with Keystone STARS is strongly preferred.
• Comfort working directly with ownership and leadership on quality improvement, teacher development, and multi-classroom consistency.
• Professional communication skills with families, teachers, leadership, and outside partners.
• Reliable, organized, proactive, and able to follow through on priorities without needing constant direction.
• Able to balance high standards with teacher support, encouragement, and practical solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or a closely related field preferred.
• CDA credential, Director Credential, or comparable professional development in early childhood education is a plus.
• Experience as a Center Director, Assistant Director, Curriculum Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Instructional Coach, or Lead Teacher strongly preferred.
• Experience with Keystone STARS, NAEYC-aligned practices, child assessments, staff mentoring, and classroom quality systems preferred.
• Ability to obtain required PA clearances, including State Police, Child Abuse, NSOR, and FBI Fingerprinting.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. in connection with child care, classroom support, and safety needs.