Early Childhood Center Director

IKAR Early Childhood Center (ECC)

Reports to: Senior Director of Education
Duration: Full-Time, Exempt

Summary

The Early Childhood Center Director oversees the daily operations of IKAR’s Early Childhood Center (ECC), currently serving up to 50 children ages 18 months to 4 years old, with plans to launch an infant program this year. The Director ensures a welcoming, safe, nurturing, stimulating, child-centered, play-based, and inclusive learning environment grounded in Reggio Emilia principles and Jewish values.

The Director is responsible for faculty supervision, program development, compliance, family communication, strategic visioning, and financial oversight. This position is ideal for an inspired leader who brings warmth, creativity, and professional excellence to early childhood education and who will continue to build on our culture of community, curiosity, resilience, social justice, and joyful learning.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a visionary leader to join a vibrant, mission-driven organization and steward a beloved and thriving school community into and through its next chapter. This person will lead the expansion of the Early Childhood Center and vision of the new space for the preschool in the IKAR Center for up to 80 students.

The Director will join a strong, collaborative team within one of Los Angeles’s most dynamic Jewish institutions, led by Rabbi Sharon Brous, guiding a program that values joy, justice, creativity, and belonging.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Vision

• Develop and articulate a clear educational vision aligned with Reggio Emilia philosophy and Jewish values
• Foster a warm, inclusive, and welcoming environment for children and families of all backgrounds
• Serve as the primary ambassador for the ECC, cultivating strong relationships with families, faculty, IKAR leadership, and the broader community
• Cultivate a community culture that encourages ECC alumni and their families to continue their Jewish learning journeys at IKAR
• Report annually to the Board on ECC financial targets, achievements, and challenges

Administration & Operations

• Oversee all day-to-day operations, including faculty scheduling, parent engagement, communication, and supervision of the ECC Operations Manager
• Manage the ECC budget, tuition planning, financial tracking, and resource allocation in alignment with organizational priorities
• Maintain and update institutional policies and ensure full compliance with California licensing requirements
• Ensure classrooms and outdoor environments reflect Reggio Emilia best practices
• Launch or expand infant and toddler care programs, as appropriate
  • Note: IKAR is currently applying for an infant license and hopes to launch infant care this school year

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Schedule and lead school tours for prospective families
• Guide enrollment, re-enrollment, and onboarding processes
• Develop strategies for retention, recruitment, and enrollment growth
• Represent IKAR ECC at community preschool fairs, open houses, and IKAR-wide events
• Maintain strong visibility during school hours and attend key community programs, including select evenings and weekends

Faculty Leadership

• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate teaching staff, ensuring high-quality instruction aligned with the ECC’s mission and values
• Lead ongoing professional development, goal-setting, and classroom observations
• Cultivate a collaborative, positive work environment that promotes teamwork and shared learning
• Support teachers with parent conferences and written assessments
• Collaborate with educators to plan emergent, child-centered curricula integrating Judaic and Hebrew learning

Educational Oversight

• Provide vision and leadership for continuous program improvement, staying current on early childhood education and Reggio Emilia developments
• Partner with teachers to plan instructional activities, holiday programming, and Shabbat experiences
• Facilitate all-school programs including Shabbat, InterGen, Katira Day, and holiday celebrations
• Design family education opportunities that deepen engagement in Jewish life and strengthen community connection
• Offer guidance on behavioral and developmental needs, supporting individualized plans for children when appropriate
• Oversee committees focused on parent education and community-building initiatives

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field required; Master’s degree strongly preferred
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience in early childhood education, ideally in a Reggio Emilia–inspired or play-based environment
• Deep passion for working with young children and a commitment to joyful learning grounded in Jewish values and social justice
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Exceptional organizational, time-management, and multitasking abilities
• Creativity, flexibility, and a collaborative spirit
• Experience ensuring compliance with California child care licensing regulations
• Proven ability to manage budgets, operations, and administrative systems
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Google Workspace, and school management platforms
• Knowledge of Reggio Emilia philosophy and Jewish life, holidays, rituals, and values
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, and develop staff
• Ability to support and interact with infants through Pre-K in a developmentally appropriate manner, including floor-level engagement and occasional lifting, as needed

Salary & Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90,000–$110,000, with a generous benefits package that includes:

• Full health, vision, dental, and life insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer matching

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

IKAR is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Not sure you meet 100% of the qualifications? Systemic inequities in hiring have caused women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and others to apply only if they meet every requirement. We encourage you to break those statistics and apply. No one ever meets 100% of the qualifications, and we look forward to your application.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter (no more than one page) to post-6966b593f9e0057bb34ac5ea-1768343977@apply.jewishstaffing.com.

In your cover letter, we invite you to share:

• Why this role excites you and how your experience prepares you to lead a Reggio-inspired, Jewish values-driven early childhood program
• How you connect with IKAR’s mission and Jewish life, and how you would contribute to a joyful, inclusive, justice-oriented Jewish community
• The unique perspective or vision you would bring as IKAR enters a new chapter of growth

About IKAR

IKAR, an innovative model for Jewish engagement, launched in 2004 to reclaim the vitality and relevance of Jewish religious practice and reimagine Jewish community. Recognized nationally for its success in engaging young and disaffected Jews, IKAR is a proactive response to declining affiliation trends.

IKAR is dedicated to reanimating Jewish life through imaginative ritual, spiritual practice, and a deep commitment to social justice. Fusing piety and chutzpah, obligation and inspiration, IKAR mobilizes the intellectual and creative energy of the Jewish community to address real-world concerns.

Since its founding, IKAR has grown from a handful of participants to more than 1,000 member households, making it one of the fastest-growing Jewish communities in the country. In addition to its strong presence in Los Angeles, IKAR has become a leading national model for engaging, authentic, and resonant Jewish life.