Early Childhood Director

Billy Dalwin Preschool Director

The Billy Dalwin Preschool (BDPS) of Temple Emunah is seeking a full-time director for our award winning Jewish developmental preschool, to start July 2021. BDPS is an inclusive, pluralistic school that provides play-based learning opportunities and experiences for children of all abilities, interests, and needs in a warm and engaging environment. In addition, BDPS provides our students with ample opportunity to gain the requisite skills for making a smooth transition to kindergarten. We aim to nourish each child, develop positive Jewish identity, celebrate the diversity of backgrounds and religious/cultural observances of our Preschool families, and create a community for our children, families, and teachers. With capacity for approximately 60 children on premises, as well as a fully remote virtual program, BDPS makes full use of numerous indoor and outdoor spaces on Temple Emunah’s beautiful, wooded grounds, offering Jewish and secular programming in English and Hebrew to cultivate lifelong connections to the local and broader Jewish community and Israel.
The Preschool is located in the vibrant and historic town of Lexington, Massachusetts, and welcomes families of all affiliations, backgrounds, races, sexual orientations, and gender identities from the surrounding communities of Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Somerville, Waltham, Watertown, and beyond. Lexington is home to a large and diverse Jewish community, including a contingent of Israeli families. BDPS benefits from its close affiliation with both Temple Emunah, a Conservative congregation of 575 households, and Temple Isaiah, a Reform congregation of 850 households. BDPS offers full-day, full-year programming and is seeking a leader with innovative ideas for growth and marketing. The new director will build on the achievements of our founding director and work with the community to bring her/his/their own vision and skills to our school.
Job Description
The Director will collaborate with teachers to create high-quality and developmentally appropriate programming that meets the diverse needs, abilities, interests, and backgrounds of each child in the school. The Director works in collaboration with the Pre-School Board of Directors, as well as the synagogues’ clergy and professional leadership.

Position Responsibilities:
● Overall responsibilities for managing and overseeing all aspects of a private preschool to include health and safety, enrollment and financial wellness, staffing, training and retention, and delivery of high-quality education and care.
● Ensure adherence to all Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) standards.
● Build and maintain strong relationships with our families and faculty, as well as with the clergy and professional leadership of Temple Emunah and Temple Isaiah.
● Represent BDPS in the wider Jewish and secular community.
Position Qualifications:
● Master’s degree preferred, Bachelor’s degree required, in Early Childhood Education or related field.
● Meet Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Director I certification, Director II certification preferred.
● At least two years of center leadership/administrative experience.
● Professional teaching experience with toddler to preschool children.
● A strong knowledge of Judaics or a willingness to learn.

Personal Qualities:
● A passion for education and working with children and families.
● Collaborative, creative team player excited to work with dynamic professional teams at Temple Emunah and Temple Isaiah.
● Warm and caring—a role model to our children, families, staff, and community.

Position Specifications:
● Salary $65,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience + benefits (including medical, retirement, disability, paid time off, and synagogue membership). The planned starting date for the director position is July 1, 2021.
Application process: please submit résumé, cover letter, and a personal statement on your educational philosophy and approach to working with children (no more than 750 words) to bdpsdirectorsearch@gmail.com