Program Director at PreK and Childcare Center
About This Role
This Program Director at PreK and Childcare Center role at Rainbow Playschool in Woodstock, VT offers $55,000 – $70,000/Yr to an experienced early childhood education professional ready to lead staff, curriculum, and compliance.
About Rainbow Playschool
For 44 years, Rainbow Playschool has been a cornerstone of early childhood in Woodstock and its surrounding villages. We're a four-star, state-accredited, community-owned nonprofit built on one core belief: young children learn best through guided, outdoor, play-based exploration. Our days are spent outside as much as in, and our families and staff feel more like a community than a customer list.
We're looking for a Program Director to lead our team, steward our mission, and help write the next chapter of a school this community deeply loves.
Lead a beloved, four-star, community-owned preschool where children grow through outdoor play.
We are always accepting applications for this role.
What You'll Do
Role Overview
As Program Director, you're the heart of our daily operations and the leader our teachers look to. Working in close partnership with a supportive Board of Directors, you'll set the tone for our program, care for our staff and families, keep classrooms full and thriving, and keep us financially healthy and fully licensed. This is a role for someone who wants real leadership responsibility and the daily joy of staying close to children and teaching.
What You’ll Do
Lead & Inspire
- Lead a dedicated team of early childhood educators and set a warm, high-quality tone across the program
- Bring our play-based, outdoor philosophy to life through curriculum aligned with the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS)
- Serve as our licensing liaison, maintaining full compliance and a strong relationship with the state's Child Development Division
- Partner with the Board on strategic planning, policy, and long-range program growth
Care for Families & Enrollment
- Own enrollment: manage the waitlist, lead tours and outreach, and keep classrooms full year-round
- Build genuine, lasting relationships with families as their trusted first point of contact
- Represent Rainbow in the community and nurture local partnerships
Steward Our Resources
- Develop the annual budget for Board approval and manage day-to-day finances responsibly
- Oversee tuition collection, payroll, accounts payable, and record-keeping
- Keep our fiscal practices sound, transparent, and sustainable
Grow Our Team
- Recruit, train, and mentor excellent teaching staff
- Plan and lead engaging staff meetings and support ongoing professional development
- Cultivate a positive, collaborative workplace where teachers want to stay and grow
Champion Great Early Learning
- Ensure rich, developmentally appropriate programming and mentor teachers in their practice
- Uphold health, safety, and emergency procedures so every child is cared for and secure
- Keep a welcoming, well-run environment that reflects our four-star standard
Requirements
What You Bring
Required
- 21 years of age or older
- Vermont Teacher Associate qualification (or higher), plus one of the following Program Director credential paths:
- A Vermont Early Childhood & Afterschool Program Director Step One Certificate, or
- Successful completion of a three-credit college course in program management (or staff supervision) for early care/education or school-age care, and a three-credit college course in curriculum
- Strong communication and leadership skills, with genuine warmth toward children and adults alike
- Current pediatric first aid and CPR certification (or willingness to obtain)
- Ability to pass a comprehensive background check, including fingerprinting
- A real passion for early childhood education and outdoor, play-based learning
Nice to Have
Preferred
- Two or more years of leadership, administrative, or lead-teaching experience in a licensed early childhood setting
- An associate's or bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, or a related field
- Familiarity with the Vermont Early Learning Standards and nonprofit or Board-partnered operations
- Completion of the required management course within one year of your start date preferred
Benefits
About Rainbow Playschool
Rainbow playschool is a non-profit organization in the foothills of Mt. Tom in Woodstock, Vermont. We provide daycare and preschool services with an emphasis on play and outdoor education to children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years old. Play. Learn. Grow.
Rainbow Playschool was founded in 1981, offering childcare services to the Woodstock communities. We are a four star state accredited program, operating at our newly renovated 8,000 square foot net zero building, which hosts beautiful classrooms dedicated to each unique learner. Children thrive in our large outdoor learning and play area, abutting the Marsh Billings National Park.
PLAY IS A SUPERPOWER!
Our program is built on the essential premise that free play is vital for the healthy development of young children. It is a critical element in all aspects of child growth. All children have the ability to play and through free play children are allowed the freedom to explore, make their own choices, ignite their curiosity, learn compassion, build resilience and charge their brain.
https://www.rainbowplayschool.org/
Common Questions
What ECE credentials are required for this position?
This role requires some ECE Credits.
What does this position pay?
This Program Director at PreK and Childcare Center role pays $55,000 to $70,000/Yr.
Is this full-time or part-time?
This job is Full Time.
Where is Rainbow Playschool located?
Rainbow Playschool is located at 281 Barnard Road, Woodstock, VT