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The Early Childhood Program Director provides overall leadership, administration, and educational oversight for the church’s preschool program serving children ages 3–4. The Director ensures a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment while managing daily operations, supervising staff, and maintaining compliance with all applicable Indiana childcare licensing standards.

The Director supports the mission of the congregation by fostering a caring community for children and families and, when appropriate, respectfully reflecting the values and teachings of a confessional Lutheran congregation.

This role combines program leadership, staff supervision, family engagement, and operational management to ensure a high-quality preschool experience. The position is full-time and salaried.

This position reports to the Early Childhood Committee of Grace Lutheran Church (ECC) and provides regular written and/or verbal reports on program operations, enrollment, finances, and progress toward goals. The ECC operates under a policy-based governance model, providing direction on mission, policy, and long-term goals while deferring day-to-day operational authority to the Director.

Minimum Requirements

Meet Indiana licensing qualifications for a childcare center director, including:

At least 21 years of age

Appropriate combination of education and experience in early childhood education

Minimum experience working in an early childhood setting (commonly 3+ years)

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred

Relevant experience in early childhood program leadership or teaching

Supervisory or management experience strongly preferred

Skills and Competencies

Strong knowledge of early childhood development and best practices

Leadership and team management skills

Effective communication and interpersonal skills

Organizational and administrative ability

Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and staff

Understanding of regulatory compliance and licensing requirements