Preschool Director - Curious Minds Sherwood

About Curious Minds

Curious Minds Preparatory Preschool in Sherwood has been a trusted part of the Sherwood community for over two decades. We're a preschool that takes early childhood education seriously: strong relationships, structured curriculum, dedicated teachers, and families who choose us because they trust us with their kids. We're part of a growing family of preschools across the Portland metro area committed to delivering high-quality early childhood education, supporting families, and investing in the educators who make our schools work.

Our current Director is moving after many years in this community, and we're looking for our next leader - someone who will partner with our Regional Director, our experienced Assistant Director, and our long-tenured team of teachers to continue building on the foundation that makes this school what it is.

About the Role

As Preschool Director, you'll own the day-to-day operations, financial performance, and team leadership of Curious Minds Sherwood. You'll be the school's primary point of contact for enrolled families, the on-the-ground decision-maker for daily operations, and the partner who supports our teachers in delivering an excellent program. You'll report to our Regional Director and lead a strong team that includes a tenured Assistant Director and dedicated teaching staff.

What You'll Do

• Lead daily operations: open and close the school, manage staff schedules, maintain DELC ratios at all times, and walk every classroom daily
• Recruit, hire, onboard, coach, and develop teachers in partnership with the Regional Director
• Be the primary point of contact for enrolled families: run tours, lead family communications, plan family events, and handle day-to-day family concerns
• Own DELC licensing, compliance, drills, documentation, and serve as the school's point of contact with the assigned licensor
• Run the school to budget: manage staffing within set parameters, approve routine expenses, support timely tuition collection
• Document and respond to incidents per protocol: ensure safety, ratios, and supervision standards are met
• Provide weekly updates to the Regional Director and partner on monthly business reviews

What We're Looking For

Required:

• 2+ years of experience in licensed childcare or preschool administration, including supervisory experience
• Current enrollment in the Oregon Central Background Registry
• Working knowledge of Oregon DELC licensing standards
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications
• Current Food Handler's card
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including with families
• Comfort with technology and administrative systems

Preferred:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field
• Prior experience as a Director or Assistant Director at a licensed preschool
• Experience driving enrollment growth and managing teacher performance
• Familiarity with Playground (our parent and staff communication platform)

Compensation & Benefits

• Base pay: Starting at $56,000 / year
• Performance bonus: Monthly bonuses tied to your school's enrollment and staffing efficiency targets - meaningful upside when you hit your numbers
• Health insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage with 50% employer contribution
• Paid time off: 10 days PTO, up to 5 days rollover, plus paid holidays
• Paid sick leave: Oregon-mandated sick leave (40 hours/year), kept as a separate balance
• 401(k): Eligible per plan rules
• Childcare benefit: Significant tuition discount for your own children at any school in our network
• A real path forward: As a growing community of schools, we invest in our directors, and there are genuine opportunities to grow into Regional and higher leadership roles over time.

How to Apply

Submit your application through Indeed with a current resume. We respond to qualified applicants within 5 business days. Our process is not rushed: we prefer several phone screens and in-person interviews with one of our owners and our Regional Director, before additional on-site visits and interviews with the school team. For us, fit is more important than urgency.

Curious Minds Sherwood is an equal opportunity employer

Pay: From $56,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Sherwood, OR 97140 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person