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Preschool Principal Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Spring Education Group

Preschool Principal

Rocklin, CA · On-site

$71K - $80K/yr

Preschool Principal - Merryhill School What We Offer * Competitive pay, commensurate with experience * Medical, dental, and vision insurance * 401(k) plan with company match * Paid holidays, vacation ...

Spring Education Group

Preschool Principal

Cary, NC · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Preschool Principal - Chesterbrook Academy Now offering a $2,000 sign-on bonus! Chesterbrook Academy is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and student-centered Preschool Principal to lead the ...

Spring Education Group

Preschool Principal

Norristown, PA · On-site

$66K - $72K/yr

At Chesterbrook Academy, our leaders are called Principals because they do more than manage schools ... preschool, or early childhood education program. * Thorough knowledge of Pennsylvania childcare ...

Heritage Oak Private Education

$90 - $120/hr

At Chesterbrook Academy, our leaders are called Principals because they do more than manage schools ... preschool, or early childhood education program. * Thorough knowledge of Pennsylvania childcare ...

Learning Care Group

Preschool Principal

Maple Grove, MN · On-site

$62K - $70K/yr

The Principal assists in the creation and representation of Everbrook as a premier child care brand, which reflects high business and professional standards. The Principal is responsible for all ...

Learning Care Group

Preschool Principal

Apple Valley, MN · On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

The (plus 1) Principal assists in the creation and representation of Everbrook as a premier childcare brand, which reflects high business and professional standards. The Principal is responsible for ...

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Preschool Principal information

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$56K

$81.2K

$141.5K

How much do preschool principal jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for preschool principal in the United States is $81,173.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,000.00 and $94,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a preschool principal do?

A Preschool Principal oversees the daily operations of a preschool, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for young children. Their responsibilities include supervising teachers and staff, developing and implementing curriculum, communicating with parents, and managing budgets and administrative tasks. They also ensure the school meets state and federal regulations and fosters a positive learning atmosphere. In addition, they often handle enrollment, staff training, and school improvement initiatives.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a preschool principal?

To thrive as a Preschool Principal, you need expertise in early childhood education, leadership, and school administration, typically supported by a relevant degree and state certification. Familiarity with educational management systems, curriculum development tools, and regulatory compliance software is commonly required. Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and organizational skills distinguish outstanding principals in this role. These competencies are vital for fostering a safe, nurturing learning environment, ensuring compliance, and driving staff and student success.

What are common challenges a preschool principal faces?

As a Preschool Principal, you may encounter challenges such as balancing administrative duties with supporting teachers in the classroom, maintaining compliance with state regulations, and fostering a positive school culture. Managing a diverse team often involves ongoing professional development, addressing staff concerns, and ensuring clear communication. Additionally, you'll be responsible for implementing curriculum standards and collaborating with families to support children's developmental needs, making adaptability and strong leadership skills essential for success.

What is the difference between Preschool Principal vs Preschool Director?

AspectPreschool PrincipalPreschool Director
CredentialsEarly childhood education degree, administrative certificationEarly childhood education degree, administrative certification
Work EnvironmentSchool administration, overseeing staff and policiesManaging daily operations, staff, and curriculum
Employer & Industry UsageUsed interchangeably in many regions; some differentiate by sizeCommonly used in private and corporate preschools
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in preschoolsComparing management responsibilities in early childhood settings

Both Preschool Principal and Preschool Director roles involve overseeing preschool operations, staff, and curriculum. The main difference often lies in regional terminology or organizational structure, with some institutions using the titles interchangeably. Typically, both positions require similar credentials and focus on ensuring a high-quality learning environment for young children.

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Preschool Principal jobs near you
Infographic showing various Preschool Principal job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,173 per year, or $39 per hour.

Preschool Principal

Spring Education Group

Rocklin, CA • On-site

$71K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Merryhill School is a multi-location school group with campuses in California, Colorado, Nevada, and Texas offering an outstanding private education to preschool, elementary, and middle school age students. Our preschools offer the perfect balance of learning and play, while our elementary and middle schools provide a challenging and robust curriculum, innovative instruction, and a vibrant school community. A career with Merryhill offers opportunities in education, summer camps, before and after school programs, and regional management with the support of our parent company, Spring Education Group.
Preschool Principal - Merryhill School
What We Offer
  • Competitive pay, commensurate with experience
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
  • Tuition discounts for eligible children
  • Employee referral bonus
  • Professional development and leadership training
  • Education reimbursement and partnership programs

About the Role
The Preschool Principal leads the school administration team and is responsible for the delivery of instructional programs and the overall operation of the campus. This includes staff leadership, enrollment growth, family engagement, financial performance, marketing execution, compliance, and facility oversight.
The Principal establishes a clear vision for learning, ensures a safe and well-managed environment, and partners closely with families and staff to deliver a high-quality preschool experience aligned with Merryhill School and Spring Education Group standards.
Key Responsibilities
School Leadership and Culture
  • Establish and communicate a clear vision for the school
  • Recruit, lead, and develop educators and support staff
  • Ensure consistent implementation of approved curriculum and instructional practices
  • Model and reinforce a culture of care, accountability, and professionalism

Operations, Safety, and Compliance
  • Oversee daily campus operations to maintain a safe, clean, and organized learning environment
  • Maintain compliance with state licensing requirements, accreditation standards, and applicable laws
  • Ensure adherence to Spring Education Group policies and procedures
  • Oversee facility operations and emergency preparedness

Enrollment, Marketing, and Community Engagement
  • Drive enrollment and retention through strong family relationships and service excellence
  • Execute local, grassroots marketing strategies in partnership with regional teams
  • Serve as a visible, responsive leader within the school community

Financial and Business Management
  • Manage campus budgets and profit and loss performance
  • Monitor enrollment trends, staffing ratios, and operational metrics
  • Use data to inform staffing and operational decisions

What We're Looking For
  • Twelve (12) semester units in Early Childhood Education required; Bachelor's degree preferred
  • Minimum of three years of experience in education administration or business administration
  • At least one year of classroom teaching experience
  • Meets all state licensing and credentialing requirements, including required Director certifications
  • Working knowledge of licensing, accreditation, and compliance standards
  • Sales, enrollment, or marketing experience preferred
  • Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills

Why Join Spring Education Group?
At Spring Education Group, we believe strong leadership builds strong schools. As a Preschool Principal at Merryhill School, you'll benefit from:
  • Support: A collaborative network of campus, regional, and home-office partners
  • Financial Rewards: Quarterly incentive bonuses up to $2,000, with an annual target of $8,000 tied to clear performance goals
  • Career Growth: Leadership development, training, and long-term career pathways
  • Meaningful Impact: The opportunity to shape school culture and positively impact children, families, and educators every day

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In general, this position requires an individual to frequently walk, stand, sit, squat, stoop, reach, kneel, rise from the floor, twist, listen, read, write, and speak the English language. In addition, this position often requires an individual to carry, lift, use repetitive or fine hand movements, and occasionally push, pull, or bend. This position is regularly required to hear and use clear vision with or without correction. Spring Education Group, including, but not limited to SEG Inc., and their affiliates (collectively "Company") is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants for employment and employees are provided equal employment opportunities, including in recruitment, hiring, and assignment, without regard to actual or perceived race, color, religion and religious creed, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or familial status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military/veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. The Company expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee or student harassment or discrimination.

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