Candidate Pool: Preschool Director

Netivot Shalom Preschool at Congregation Netivot Shalom

Full-Time, Exempt Position

March 2026

We are seeking a Preschool Director to lead our community forward. The ideal candidate is someone who truly enjoys working with children, families, and staff, and is passionate about shaping curriculum and culture.

The Preschool Director is both an educational leader and an active participant in the life of the school. You will be present in classrooms, connecting with children and families, and serving as a hands-on partner to your teaching team; this is a “Director/Teacher” role. 

The position parameters are somewhat flexible, and we are fully prepared to provide support to the right candidate. If you see yourself fulfilling some of the job requirements but not others, you are encouraged to apply. We will determine the type of support you need to successfully fill the role. 

Congregation Netivot Shalom is currently posting multiple positions as part of an intentional and open-minded search process. We are excited to meet candidates who feel drawn to one or more possible positions at Netivot Shalom Preschool, as we determine the best fit and structure for our school community. 

About Us:

Netivot Shalom Preschool at Congregation Netivot Shalom is entering its second decade of providing young children with a rich, joyful learning environment rooted in Jewish values, social-emotional learning, and child-centered practice. Our philosophy is inspired by Reggio Emilia: we see each child as curious, competent, and capable of building their own understanding of the world. Learning is play-based, emergent, and interwoven with Jewish life and practice. Netivot Shalom Preschool is a warm and inclusive community that welcomes families who are Jewish or interfaith, as well as those who do not identify as Jewish. Congregation Netivot Shalom is an LGBTQ+-affirming community.  

Key Job Duties / Responsibilities: 

Working with Families and the Community

• Build and sustain warm, trusting relationships with enrolled families, prospective families, children, and staff, grounded in the Jewish values of our program and synagogue
• Maintain proactive, consistent, and transparent communication with parents
• Foster meaningful integration of families into the life of Netivot Shalom Preschool and Congregation Netivot Shalom

Leadership

• Articulate, protect, and advance the preschool's vision and mission in partnership with synagogue leadership
• Inspire and educate staff to implement best practices in Jewish early childhood education, cultivating a warm, reflective, and professionally ambitious team culture
• Design and lead ongoing professional development grounded in current ECE research

Administration

• Oversee program operations: budget and finances, enrollment, curriculum, staff supervision, and regulatory compliance
• Manage classroom and school-wide operations, including willingness to step in as substitute or supervisor when needed
• Demonstrate strong skills in time management, program planning, and communication with all community members, including parents, children, and staff

Qualifications:

We are looking for demonstrated competence and passion, not a specific credential or degree. The following reflects California's director qualification requirements and our program's priorities:

• Director Qualification per California Community Care Licensing regulations, including at least 12 semester units in Early Childhood Education (Child Development; Child, Family, and Community; Preschool Curriculum), 3–6 units in Preschool Administration, and 3 units of Infant/Toddler coursework
• A.A. or B.A. in ECE or a related field preferred
• 4+ years of preschool teaching experience
• Supervision or administrative leadership experience preferred

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the qualifications listed here. If you are passionate about early childhood education and believe you could grow into this role, we want to hear from you.

Compensation: $75,000-$85,000 per year 

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off, including sick leave and holidays
• Meaningful opportunities for professional development and growth

Application Deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2026

Application Procedure:

Email resume, cover letter, and any relevant transcripts to Alison Sorscher, [email protected]. Please include “Candidate Pool – (Your name)” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Anticipated Start Date: May-June 2026

Netivot Shalom began in 1989 and grew out of our founding members’ collective commitment to create an egalitarian spiritual home for Conservative/Masorti Jews. Netivot Shalom is based in Berkeley, California, and is allied with the world of Jewish community. This participatory egalitarian community is defined by the values of connectedness; learning; justice; and Jewish ritual. Netivot Shalom welcomes  members who are Jewish and not, Jews-by-choice, interfaith families, multiracial, multicultural, married, single, families and individuals, LGBTQI, straight, old, and young. We explicitly recognize and cherish each other as teachers and students. For more information, please visit our website www.netivotshalom.org 

Congregation Netivot Shalom is an Equal Opportunity Employer