Director of SEU Preschool

JOB SUMMARY  

Southeastern University is seeking a knowledgeable and experienced director/educator to join our staff as a Director of the Preschool.  The successful candidate will play a key role in establishing and growing a new preschool/daycare, which aims to provide preschool students with a well-rounded introduction to classical education which is rooted in a strong Christian worldview.  

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 

Reports to: Professor in the College of Education, Dean - College of Education

Supervisory Responsibility: Assistant Director, Administrative Assistant, Lead Teachers

Indirect Supervisory Responsibility: Assistant teachers, Substitute teachers, aftercare

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but is not limited to the following: 

• Direct and oversee daily functioning of the Classical/Charlotte Mason preschool setting.
• Lead and supervise preschool teachers, assistants, and staff. 
• Hire and train new preschool staff on the Classical/Charlotte Mason education model.
• Ensure that research-based developmentally appropriate practices are implemented in each preschool classroom. 
• Lead the application/enrollment process, meeting with prospective parents and students.
• Assist teachers and staff members in resolving conflicts and communicating with parents. 
• Ensure that preschool facilities are properly maintained and meet state safety regulations. 
• Ensure that all state and federal, (when applicable funding related) early childhood guidelines are met. 
• Participate in academic and community events and presentations to promote Classical Education and or Charlotte Mason Christian Preschool Initiative.
• Collaborate with local community leaders, stakeholders, parents and other organizations to establish partnerships and opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
• Plan, propose, and implement a profitable school budget with the oversight of a Faculty member of the College of Education that reports to the Dean of the COE.
   

ADDITIONAL/NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

All remaining duties are considered "nonessential" within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position.  Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

 LOCATION 

Preschool will be located at 2128 S. Crystal Lake Drive, Lakeland (Director position will be at SEU main campus until construction is complete, est. June 2026)  

EDUCATION   

Required Education:

Masters in Early Childhood Education or a related field

Preferred Education:

EdD or PhD in Early Childhood Education or related Field

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

Florida DCF Child Care Director's Credential

EXPERIENCE 

Required:

5 years daycare director-level experience is required

Preferred:

5 - 10 years of daycare and VPK director-level experience is preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Required:

• Experience in early childhood education instruction, and administration at the preschool level.  
• Understanding of Classical or Charlotte Mason education philosophy and methodology, as well as experience implementing the Classical or Charlotte Mason education model in the preschool classroom setting. 
• Understanding of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices. 
• Experience designing preschool programs which meet developmental and state standards. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong commitment to Christian faith and a desire to integrate faith and learning in the early childhood setting.
   

 Preferred:

• Significant experience in early childhood education instruction, and administration at the preschool level.  
• Strong understanding of Classical or Charlotte Mason education philosophy and methodology, as well as experience implementing the Classical or Charlotte Mason education model in the preschool classroom setting. 
• Strong understanding of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices. 
• Significant experience designing preschool programs which meet developmental and state standards. 
• Significant experience leading and supervising preschool/school faculty, and staff. 
• Daycare start-up experience preferred
• VPK administration experience preferred
   

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. 

• This position is considered non-essential for the purposes of Emergency Response.

Physical Requirements: 

• Mobility and stamina: A daycare director must have the stamina to remain on their feet for long periods and move between administrative offices and classrooms. This includes:
  • Substantial standing and walking
  • Bending, stooping, kneeling, and crouching
  • Crawling and sitting at low levels to engage with children
• Lifting: Occasionally lift and carry children and items such as files, documents, or small office equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Office Environment: Ability to work primarily in an office setting, which involves sitting for extended periods.
• Computer Use: Proficiency in using computers for various tasks, which requires hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity for typing and handling office equipment.
• Communication: Strong verbal communication skills for meetings, presentations, and interactions with staff, students, and parents.
• Visual Requirements: Ability to read and interpret data on computer screens and printed documents.
• Hearing and Speaking: Adequate hearing to participate in conversations and phone calls, and clear speaking ability for effective communication.

Travel:

5%

Schedule:

8 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday, including extended hours as needed and attendance at special events

TRAINING

All new hires and employees transferring into a new position will have a 90-day probationary period within which to learn the functions of the job and to be evaluated. Following the probationary period, the employee can transition to regular status, have the probationary period extended in order to receive more training, or employment can be terminated. Required compliance training is as follows:

Classical Education or Charlotte Mason Education

SAFETY 

• SEU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. 
• Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. 
• Work-related injuries must be immediately reported to Security and Human Resources. When life or limb are at risk, please dial 911. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 24 hours of the incident. 
• Emergency Employees report for or must remain at work in emergency situations.  Dismissal or closure announcements do not apply to this position, unless instructed otherwise by your direct supervisor or a member of the Leadership Team.  

SCREENING

All full-time positions at SEU are deemed security-sensitive and require background checks. Employees required to drive their own personal vehicle, a rental car or an SEU vehicle in performance of their duties must pass an MVR records check and meet the requirements of the University’s insurance carrier in order to meet the requirements of the position.

DISCLAIMER

SEU is an at-will employer.  This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

SEU is committed to providing a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All forms of discrimination against or harassment of a person because of his or her identification within a protected category are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition applies equally to conduct by and against employees, vendors, visitors, and students.

Southeastern University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors. The equal opportunity policy will apply in University programs and activities, and all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. All employees of Southeastern University, by continued employment, agree to abide by the policies contained in the Employee Handbook and in the SEU Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith and Community Covenant.