Day School Director

Full-time | Exempt

Position Purpose

Lead the daily operation of First Baptist Church Day School, providing a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate Christian learning environment. Lead staff, partner with parents, manage resources responsibly, and support the church’s ministry to children and their families.

Reporting

•      Director of Preschool Ministries – Direct supervision of daily operations, programming, curriculum, ministry alignment, and operational matters outside personnel administration and finance.

•      Director of Finance and Human Resources – Oversight of personnel administration, compensation, benefits, budgeting, financial management, and human resources matters.

•      Family Discipleship Pastor – Strategic oversight, ministry vision, leadership development, and guidance to ensure the Day School supports the church’s discipleship mission.

The Day School Director provides daily supervision of Day School employees within approved policies and delegated authority. Personnel actions and financial approvals are coordinated with the Director of Finance and Human Resources.

Responsibilities

•      Plan, coordinate, operate, and evaluate a quality Christian Day School, including early care and after care programs.

•      Work with the Director of Preschool Ministries to implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, biblical teaching, prayer, and opportunities for children’s spiritual growth.

•      Observe classrooms and support teachers in instruction, classroom management, and appropriate guidance of children.

•      Manage enrollment, admissions, classroom placement, and the waiting list according to approved policies and available capacity.

•      Coordinate staff schedules, classroom assignments, and substitute coverage to maintain required ratios and appropriate supervision throughout operating hours.

•      Coordinate recruitment, interviews, and hiring recommendations with the Director of Finance and Human Resources; orient new employees to their responsibilities and school policies.

•      Provide staff coaching, conduct annual performance evaluations, and coordinate performance concerns and personnel actions with the Director of Finance and Human Resources.

•      Organize staff meetings and professional development; monitor required qualifications, background clearances, and training documentation.

•      Maintain required licensing documentation, renewal submissions, child and staff records, and inspection materials; coordinate inspections and correction of deficiencies.

•      Implement and monitor child protection, health, sanitation, safe sleep, authorized pickup, incident reporting, and emergency procedures in accordance with applicable requirements and church policies.

•      Coordinate facility, equipment, supply, and maintenance needs with appropriate church staff.

•      Work with the Director of Preschool Ministries and Christian Education Committee to assess programming and overall ministry effectiveness and recommend improvements.

•      Refer personnel matters requiring additional review through the Director of Finance and Human Resources, with Personnel Committee involvement according to church policy.

•      Perform other position-related duties assigned by supervising leaders within their respective areas of oversight; coordinate competing priorities with those leaders.

Stewardship

•      Prepare the annual Day School budget with the Director of Finance and Human Resources for review through the church’s established budget and Finance Committee process.

•      Operate within the approved budget and monitor enrollment, staffing costs, revenue, and expenditures; recommend adjustments as needed.

•      Coordinate tuition billing, electronic payments, and follow-up on outstanding balances with the finance office.

•      Document and transfer collected funds according to established church procedures; submit invoices, receipts, reimbursement documentation, and payment requests accurately and promptly.

•      Follow accounting and purchasing procedures adopted by the Finance Committee and use time, facilities, supplies, and other resources responsibly.

Relationships and Communication

•      Approach the position as a calling to ministry and demonstrate Christian character, servant leadership, and respectful conduct toward children, parents, employees, and church members.

•      Build constructive relationships with families; address questions, complaints, and concerns with compassion, consistency, and timely follow-up.

•      Support teachers in communicating children’s progress, developmental needs, and behavioral concerns to parents.

•      Communicate accurate information verbally and in writing; provide regular updates to supervising leaders on enrollment, staffing, finances, and ministry needs.

•      Maintain confidentiality of child, family, personnel, and financial information while fulfilling applicable reporting obligations; promptly communicate significant incidents to appropriate leadership.

•      Help connect Day School families with appropriate ministries and opportunities at First Baptist Church.

Qualifications

•      At least 25 years of age and able to meet Mississippi licensing standards for a child care director.

Meet one of the following education requirements:

•      A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, child care, special education, psychology with an emphasis on child psychology, family and consumer sciences with an emphasis on child development, or an equivalent degree in another child-related field. A master’s degree is preferred.

•      Alternatively, a two-year associate degree from an accredited community or junior college in child development technology, including at least 480 hours of practical training supervised by college instructors in a college-operated child care learning laboratory.

Additional qualifications:

•      Mature Christian with a nurturing spirit and an expressed calling from God to minister to children and their families.

•      Agreement with the theological teachings of First Baptist Church, Tupelo.

•      Active membership in First Baptist Church, Tupelo, or agreement to become an active member upon employment.

•      Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and supervise a developmentally appropriate early childhood educational program.

•      Demonstrated love for children and ability to relate effectively to children, parents, and teachers.

•      Demonstrated ability to manage people and resources efficiently, including experience handling personnel matters and evaluating staff performance.

•      Strong organizational, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills, including proficiency with electronic communication and recordkeeping systems.

•      Sound judgment, discretion, and ability to respond calmly to competing demands and emergencies.

•      Ability to obtain and maintain required background clearances, employment documentation, and director training.