Director of Early Childhood Education

PLEASE NOTE: To receive full consideration for this position, please submit the requested information through Armstrong McGuire's portal at https://jobs.armstrongmcguire.com/. Due to integration issues, applications submitted through 3rd party sites such as Indeed and LinkedIn may not be received.

The Opportunity

Sipe's Orchard Home serves 4-5 year old children through two North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NCPK) classrooms at its Tyndall Center.

The Director of Early Childhood Education provides strategic and operational leadership for Sipe's Orchard Home's licensed North Carolina Pre-K program and other early childhood education initiatives. Reporting to the Executive Director, this leader is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, developmentally appropriate educational experiences that prepare children for lifelong learning and success.

The Director oversees all aspects of program administration, including curriculum implementation, regulatory compliance, staff supervision, family engagement, budgeting, and continuous quality improvement. This individual serves as the educational leader for the program, fostering a collaborative culture that supports children, families, and staff while advancing the organization's mission of Preparing Children and Youth for Their Best Futures.

This is a remarkable opportunity for a nurturing and creative leader to join a much-revered 80+ year old organization working toward the mission of preparing children and youth for their best futures.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the appropriate professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics to accomplish the following:

Program Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership for all early childhood education programs, ensuring alignment with Sipe's Orchard Home's mission, strategic priorities, and North Carolina Pre-K standards.
• Lead the ongoing development, implementation, and evaluation of high-quality early childhood programming that supports children's cognitive, language, physical, social, and emotional development.
• Develop annual program goals, monitor outcomes, and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment where every child can thrive.
• Represent the organization in early childhood education initiatives and community partnerships.

Curriculum and Instruction

• Ensure implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with NC Pre-K requirements.
• Oversee lesson planning, classroom observations, instructional coaching, and assessment practices.
• Promote evidence-based instructional strategies and innovative teaching practices that enhance children's learning experiences.
• Monitor student progress and support teachers in differentiating instruction to meet individual developmental needs.
• Ensure classrooms maintain high standards of safety, quality, and educational excellence.

Staff Leadership and Professional Development

• Recruit, supervise, coach, and evaluate 2 Lead Teachers, 2 assistant teachers, and other program staff as needed. 
• Foster a collaborative, supportive, and accountable team culture grounded in continuous improvement.
• Develop individualized professional growth plans for teaching staff and provide ongoing coaching and mentoring.
• Coordinate required professional development, including compliance with DCDEE regulations.
• Encourage reflective practice and continuous learning across the educational team.

Family and Community Engagement

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with families, recognizing parents and caregivers as essential partners in children's education.
• Establish systems for effective communication regarding children's development, classroom activities, and program expectations.
• Develop partnerships with schools, community organizations, and early childhood agencies that strengthen services and expand opportunities for children and families.
• Promote family engagement through educational events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities.

Compliance and Administration

• Ensure full compliance with all DCDEE, licensing, health and safety, and accreditation requirements.
• Maintain accurate program documentation, student records, and regulatory reporting.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures that support operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor classroom environments to ensure safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning spaces.
• Lead licensing visits, audits, and quality assurance reviews.

Financial and Operational Management

• Develop and manage the annual program budget in collaboration with organizational leadership.
• Monitor expenditures and allocate resources to maximize program effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities to secure grants, partnerships, and additional funding that support program growth and sustainability.
• Ensure efficient utilization of staff, materials, facilities, and educational resources.

Additionally candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• Level III childcare administrative credential.
• Strong background in curriculum development, teaching, and classroom management.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, management, and leadership roles within educational settings.
• Experience in fundraising activities to support program growth and sustainability.
• Excellent public speaking skills to advocate for early childhood education initiatives effectively.
• Supervising experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams of educators.
• Knowledge of budgeting processes and resource management within educational organizations.
• Passion for working with young children and understanding their developmental needs.

 Additional Preferred Attributes

• A deep commitment to early childhood education and a belief in every child's ability to succeed.
• Strong instructional leadership and curriculum expertise.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with children, families, educators, and community partners.
• The ability to inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing educational teams.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, integrity, and emotional intelligence.
• A collaborative leadership style that balances accountability with encouragement.
• Cultural competence and an understanding of trauma-informed educational practices.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

About the Organization

Our History

For more than 80 years, Sipe's Orchard Home has been helping children and young adults overcome adversity and build successful, independent futures. Founded in 1943 by Vernon O. and Viola Sipe, the organization has evolved from a traditional children's home into an innovative nonprofit serving children, youth, and young adults throughout western North Carolina. Guided by its mission of Preparing Children and Youth for Their Best Futures, Sipe's provides a continuum of programs that equip young people with the education, life skills, relationships, and support needed to thrive.

The North Carolina Pre-K Program serves as the starting point for many children on that journey. Located in the Tyndall Center on the Sipe's campus, the licensed NC Pre-K program provides high-quality early childhood education for four/five-year-old children, preparing them academically, socially, emotionally, and developmentally for success in kindergarten and beyond. Through developmentally appropriate instruction, strong family partnerships, and a nurturing learning environment, the program helps children build the confidence, curiosity, and foundational skills that support lifelong learning.

The NC Pre-K program is one part of Sipe's comprehensive continuum of services, which also includes summer enrichment, transitional living, young adult services, workforce readiness, life-skills development, and community partnerships that help remove barriers to long-term success. This integrated approach allows Sipe's Orchard Home to support children and families at multiple stages of development while remaining focused on lasting outcomes rather than short-term interventions.

Throughout every program, Sipe's Orchard Home is known for its deeply relational and trauma-informed approach. The organization's culture emphasizes compassion balanced with accountability, individualized support, long-term relationship building, and collaboration with families and community partners. Staff are united by a shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and that lasting change begins by building strong foundations early in life.

Today, Sipe's Orchard Home is recognized as a trusted resource throughout Catawba County and the surrounding region. By working collaboratively with schools, behavioral health providers, local governments, and community organizations, Sipe's helps ensure children and young adults receive the coordinated support they need to build brighter futures. As the director of Early Age Education, you will play an essential role in advancing that mission by providing young learners with a strong educational foundation during one of the most important stages of their development.

Not Your Typical School Administrator Experience

This is more than an administrative position - it's an opportunity to become part of a mission-driven organization that has been transforming the lives of children and families for more than 80 years. As the Director of Early Age Education in Sipe's Orchard Home's NC Pre-K program, you'll enjoy many of the rewards of teaching administration without many of the challenges often associated with traditional public school settings. Because the program operates within a nonprofit environment, you'll work in a close-knit, relationship-focused culture where your voice is valued and your contributions directly impact the children and families you serve.

Unlike larger school systems, Sipe's Orchard Home offers a highly personalized and supportive professional environment. The NC Pre-K program consists of just two classrooms led by two Lead Teachers and two teaching assistants, providing the opportunity to work as part of a small, collaborative team. In your role you will offer individualized coaching, mentorship, and support while partnering with each teacher to establish and achieve professional development goals. This level of accessibility and personalized leadership is uncommon in traditional educational settings and creates an environment where administrators and teachers are known, supported, and empowered to grow professionally. Combined with the resources and stability of an established nonprofit, Sipe's Orchard Home offers educators the unique opportunity to build strong relationships, innovate in the classroom, and make a lasting difference in the lives of young children during one of the most important stages of their development.

Want to know more? Visit https://www.sipesorchardhome.org/.

Think you are the next Sipe’s Orchard Home Director of Early Age Education?

To apply, click on the link to the Director of Early Age Education position profile at https://jobs.armstrongmcguire.com/. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume and salary requirements. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.

Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled with preference given to applications submitted by July 15th.

This is a full-time leadership position offering a competitive salary in the $45,000 to $50,000 range commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Sipe's Orchard Home offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees personally and professionally, including:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Retirement savings plan
• Professional development assistance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Opportunities for ongoing leadership development and continuing education

Sipes Orchard Home seeks a diverse pool of candidates and is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.

About Armstrong McGuireArmstrong McGuire is a leading executive search, fundraising and strategic advising firm that believes in unlocking the potential of nonprofit leaders and the communities they serve. Founded in 2004, our diverse team of advisors work with clients and leaders to align strategy, optimize operations, build capacity, and lead nationwide searches that bring supremely talented individuals to high-impact organizations. Learn more about our services in talent acquisition, fundraising counsel, and strategic planning.