Little Thinkers Preschool Director

Description

Thinkery is where Austin’s children and their families come to enjoy play-based, inquiry-rich, hands-on learning experiences. We believe that innovative, play-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning experiences are a powerful way for children to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around them. Our mission is to lead the future of play-based STEAM learning experiences that inspire and equip all children to be confident, creative thinkers. Our exhibits and programs encourage children—alongside their caregivers—to solve creative challenges, explore a variety of materials, and to develop new ways to complete unfamiliar projects. Through these activities, children gain the tools and confidence to develop and grow into enthusiastic, creative, lifelong STEAM learners and thinkers.

Little Thinkers Preschool (Little Thinkers) is a state licensed childcare facility owned and operated by Thinkery offering Thinkery-developed curriculum to children ages 3 and 4 from September through May and summer programming from June through August. Little Thinkers provides a unique learning environment, using Thinkery’s hands-on, learner-led educational approach and access to our interactive exhibits to support the development of children’s school readiness skills. Through continuous collaboration and a climate of mutual respect, Thinkery’s Little Thinkers Preschool supports social, emotional, cognitive and physical development for every attendee child. Curricula and assessment are designed in collaboration with Thinkery’s STEAM Learning Institute, our early learning research partnership with Dr. Cristine Legare of The University of Texas at Austin, a nationally recognized expert in child development and science education, Dr. Amy Bryan, the Director of The Priscilla Pond Flawn Child and Family Laboratory (The UT Lab School), as well as research and education partners at other renowned institutions.

Thinkery’s vision for Little Thinkers is to evolve as a national leader in inclusive, emergent, and play-based STEAM education that is research-driven and financially sustainable.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Preschool Director will lead the advancement and growth of Little Thinkers as a model for emergent, play-based STEAM education. They will oversee both operational and educational functions while fostering collaborative partnerships across research, education, and caregiver engagement initiatives. The Director will ensure Little Thinkers reflects Thinkery’s mission through innovative pedagogy, culturally responsive practices, and family involvement, all while maintaining business sustainability by achieving full classroom enrollment. This individual will partner with Thinkery’s education and research teams, caregivers, and external collaborators to achieve a shared vision of inclusive, high-quality early learning.

The preferred candidate will be a passionate, committed early childhood professional who understands the pedagogy and instructional practices that support early ages, particularly preschool ages 3 and 4, their caregivers, and educators, while also having business knowledge and strong management skills. The preferred candidate is inspired by the challenge of managing a preschool that integrates early STEAM, social-emotional development- and early literacy with play- and inquiry-based learning through an Emergent Approach to curriculum design. Additionally, candidates value the benefits of a lab school model, which incorporates and discusses research on early learning, works with other early learner researchers such as the UT Lab School and United Way, and is excited to support research-focused educator professional development within the daily operations of the preschool. The candidate will be adept at working with colleagues across management lines to both deliver and train others to deliver the early learner programs. The position is full-time, year-round, and reports to Thinkery’s Vice President of STEAM Learning, supervises the Assistant Director and any preschool administrative staff such as an Administrative Coordinator, and ensures the support, development, and accountability of the classroom teachers and co-teachers. They are a member of Thinkery’s Leadership Team, and they collaborate with various teams such as the education teams, guest services, accounting, marketing, and operations, as well as the families enrolled within early childhood programs. With Thinkery’s Leadership Team, the selected candidate will support the strategic vision and plan for the institution’s early childhood programming.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Educational Leadership & Curriculum Development

• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of emergent, culturally responsive curricula aligned with Thinkery’s play-based STEAM learning approach.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to teachers and staff, ensuring alignment with Thinkery’s educational philosophy and licensing and legal regulations. c. Consult with and observe the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Early Childhood Program Standards and Texas Guidelines for Pre-Kindergarten to lead Little Thinkers Preschool in its accreditation process and continued growth with the support of the Assistant Site Director.
• Represent Thinkery’s key values of playfulness, belonging, collaboration, and innovation.
• Support a culture of cross organization communication, collaboration and information sharing.

2. Family Engagement & Communication

• Establish strategies to engage and involve caregivers, ensuring buy-in and collaboration through regular communication.
• Develop a structured caregiver engagement plan to align with Little Thinkers’ emergent learning philosophy and maintain strong relationships with families.

3. Business and Operational Leadership

• Manage daily operations, ensuring compliance with all state childcare licensing standards and fostering a safe, welcoming environment for children and families. This includes budgetary responsibilities and compliance with Minimum Standard Rules of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) and Licensing laws.
• Supervise, support, and develop the Assistant Director and any Little Thinkers Administrative staff by providing clear expectations, training, and goal setting.
• Ensure full enrollment of all classes by implementing sustainable business models aligned with Thinkery’s mission, stewarding families on the waitlists, building relationships in the community to attract future families for enrollment.

4. Research, Impact Evaluation, and Cross-Department Integration

• Work closely with Thinkery’s research and program evaluation team members and other Directors at Thinkery to inform a framework for equitable research and evaluation from the preschool perspective, and apply the framework to assess Little Thinkers’ impact on children, caregivers, and educators.
• Enhance or follow Thinkery’s system for ongoing collaboration across teams, such as Little Thinkers and the Educator Professional Development (PD) team and the Museum Learning team to align strategies and foster shared learning, as well as to share and present externally.
• Use data to drive continuous improvements on impact and financial effectiveness and share evaluation results with families, Thinkery leadership, and key stakeholders.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:

• Proven understanding of early childhood development, early STEAM subject matter, educational theories and pedagogy.
• Ability to recruit, train, develop, and nurture staff. Help them through coaching and mentorship while holding them accountable, being a collaborative and proactive leader and team member.
• Ability to steadily handle crisis situations, especially where children are involved, and immediately respond to emergency situations following organizational safety and licensing requirements.
• Proven experience applying strategic business knowledge, business development/expansion, and fiscal responsibility.
• Commitment and passion for the Museum’s approach to learning and inspiring others.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills. Strong presentation skills required.
• Excellent time management, project management, organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to creatively problem-solve and remain calm and positive during busy seasons or challenging situations.
• Must be flexible and patient.
• Able to handle a fast-paced, varied and busy work environment.
• MS Office Suite proficiency required.
• CPR/First aid certified is required. · Spanish fluency is a bonus to further reach our bilingual population.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Serve as an ambassador for Thinkery in communicating and furthering the mission and goals of the institution.
• Flexible and willing to fill cross functional roles to support museum operations.
• Support a culture of cross organization communication, collaboration and information sharing. · Schedule and availability reflect that the organization is a 7-day-a-week operation. Days and hours of work are largely Monday through Friday, with flexibility for personal needs and preferences. Periodic duties outside of/in excess of regular work week schedule during seasonal high-volume times.
• Assist in engaging and sustaining volunteers and interns through introduction, information sharing and oversight. Proactively provide support ensuring each volunteer or intern has a productive, safe and meaningful experience.
• Ability to meet all state mandated health and background screening including fingerprinting.

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

Qualifications must meet the educational and experience requirements as outlined in section 746.1015 of TDFPS Minimum Standard for Child -Care Centers and may include:

• A bachelor's degree with 12 credit hours in child development and six credit hours in management with one year of experience in a licensed child-care center or
• An associate’s degree of applied science in child development or a closely related field with six credit hours in child development and six credit hours in management and at least two years of experience in a licensed child-care center
• A current Director Certification in State of Texas & thorough knowledge of Texas Minimum Standards for licensed childcare centers.
• At least 3–5 years of leadership experience in an early childhood education setting, with a strong preference for prior experience as an Assistant Director or Director in a preschool.
• Complies with all state education and licensing standards and maintains validation of credentials for the position (i.e. professional development, director certification)
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle available for local travel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This position is active. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Observe and react to the needs of students, guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Move throughout the museum
• Manipulate and move components weighing up to 25 pounds, including those that may be low to the ground or above eye level
• Communicate and exchange accurate information with students and their parents/guardians, staff, volunteers, and community partners in a variety of formats including in-person, electronically, and over the phone.
• Detect and respond to safety hazards
• Regularly work in outdoor environments
• Position Specific: Conduct trainings and deliver content to groups of staff, families and community partners.

BENEFITS

Thinkery offers competitive and affordable benefits for our full-time staff including options for 100% employer sponsored medical coverage. Our benefits package includes:

• Medical insurance options including HSA, PPO Gold, and PPO Platinum plans
• Affordable dental and vision
• 100% employer sponsored EAP, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance.
• 2 weeks of paid vacation, 96 hours sick leave, and 13 paid floating holidays each year.

This job description should not be construed to imply these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job. Incumbents may be required to follow any additional related instructions, acquire related job skills, and perform other related work as required. This job description may be updated as needed.

The Thinkery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or any other basis. prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items. All candidates offered a position will be required to submit to a background and reference checks.