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Preschool Program Director Jobs in Springfield, MO

Preschool Teacher - Part Time

Ozark, MO ยท On-site

$13.50 - $17.75/hr

... Academy program. Greet and communicate with parents in relation to their child. Assume weekly ... Weekday Preschool Director and Coordinator. Requirements: Job Requirements * Complete requested ...

Preschool Teacher - Part Time

Ozark, MO ยท On-site

$13.50 - $17.75/hr

... Academy program. Greet and communicate with parents in relation to their child. Assume weekly ... Weekday Preschool Director and Coordinator. Requirements Job Requirements * Complete requested ...

Preschool Teacher - Part Time

Ozark, MO

$13.50 - $17.75/hr

... Academy program. Greet and communicate with parents in relation to their child. Assume weekly ... Weekday Preschool Director and Coordinator. Requirements Job Requirements * Complete requested ...

Preschool Program Director information

See Springfield, MO salary details

$24.6K

$49.7K

$70K

How much do preschool program director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for preschool program director in Springfield, MO is $49,701.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,800.00 and $57,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Preschool Program Director do?

A Preschool Program Director oversees the daily operations of a preschool or early childhood education program. Their responsibilities include managing staff, developing curriculum, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and maintaining a safe, nurturing environment for children. They also communicate with parents, handle budgeting, and coordinate enrollment processes. The director plays a crucial leadership role in setting the tone and quality standards for the entire program.

What are the typical challenges a Preschool Program Director faces in balancing administrative duties with staff support?

Preschool Program Directors often juggle a variety of responsibilities, including curriculum planning, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and staff management. One common challenge is finding the right balance between administrative tasks and providing hands-on guidance and support to teachers and staff. Effective directors prioritize open communication, delegate tasks when possible, and establish efficient processes to ensure both the program's daily operations and team development needs are met. This balance is essential for fostering a positive learning environment and maintaining high program standards.

What is the difference between Preschool Program Director vs Preschool Teacher?

AspectPreschool Program DirectorPreschool Teacher
CredentialsEarly childhood education certification, management experienceChild development or early childhood education certification
Work EnvironmentAdministrative office, overseeing programsClassroom setting with children
ResponsibilitiesProgram planning, staff supervision, complianceTeaching children, implementing curriculum

The Preschool Program Director focuses on managing the overall program, staff, and compliance, while the Preschool Teacher directly educates and cares for children. Both roles require early childhood credentials, but the director's role is more administrative and supervisory, whereas the teacher's role is classroom-focused.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Preschool Program Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Preschool Program Director, you need a background in early childhood education, program management experience, and often a relevant bachelor's degree or higher. Familiarity with licensing regulations, curriculum development software, and child assessment tools is essential. Outstanding leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help foster a positive environment for staff, children, and families. These abilities ensure the preschool operates smoothly, meets educational standards, and provides a safe, nurturing space for young learners.
What are popular job titles related to Preschool Program Director jobs in Springfield, MO? For Preschool Program Director jobs in Springfield, MO, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Preschool Program Director jobs in Springfield, MO look for? The top searched job categories for Preschool Program Director jobs in Springfield, MO are:
What cities near Springfield, MO are hiring for Preschool Program Director jobs? Cities near Springfield, MO with the most Preschool Program Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Preschool Program Director job openings in Springfield, MO as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,701 per year, or $23.9 per hour.
Preschool Head Teacher

Preschool Head Teacher

Little Sunshine's Playhouse

Ozark, MO โ€ข On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Description

We are seeking a Head Teacher to join our leadership team at Little Sunshine's Playhouse and Preschool of Ozark, MO!


We are looking for a leader who is interested in...

  • Joining a company that provides an encouraging environment for our educators, thus the very best educational experience to young learners.
  • Growing their career within the industry

All applicants must:

  • Be able to work full-time and be flexible with scheduling - NO NIGHTS, NO WEEKENDS!
  • Meets and exceeds all state Child Care Licensing requirements.
  • Has previous experience in childcare, teaching, or other related fields, preferred.
  • Possess a teamwork mindset, strong communication skills, organization skills, and problem-solving ability.
  • Has the ability to build rapport with children, families, and peers

Are you a leader who loves making a difference? You will fit right in! As a leadership team member at Little Sunshine's Playhouse, you will provide a positive and encouraging environment for the educators at your location. You provide support as they work to successfully implement our Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, Creatively Shine.


Requirements

  • Manage all responsibilities outlined for the Lead Teacher. In some schools, Head Teachers are also Lead Teachers (assigned to a classroom).
  • Intentionally focus on supporting staff in the classroom through:
  • Mentoring: share your knowledge, skills, and experience regarding best practices, the Reggio Emilia approach, state licensing requirements, and LSP policy and procedure. Provide encouraging, positive, intentional training opportunities by identifying areas of classroom improvement. Guide all LSP teachers regarding appropriate classroom setup, parent-teacher conferences, portfolios, curriculum, lesson planning, LuvNotes, and classroom-related questions as needed.
  • Modeling: engaging both students and teachers in the classroom by engaging and showing them how to perform a skill while explaining the rationale behind each step to the teacher regarding the Reggio Emilia approach, state licensing requirements, and LSP policy and procedure. Assist LSP teachers regarding appropriate classroom setup, parent-teacher conferences, portfolios curriculum, lesson planning, LuvNotes, and classroom-related questions as needed.
  • Remember! The Classroom is the 3rd Teacher: Have an ethical position of leaving the classroom better than you found it, do no harm! Remember to provide thoughtful and positive feedback in a timely, professional, and caring manner; after all each staff member is the reason you are here!
  • Intentionally focus on family relationships through:
  • Taking time to learn each child's name as well as their guardians' name.
  • Taking time to learn and show genuine interest in our children and families.
  • Thoughtfully and positively provide feedback in a timely, professional, and caring manner while remembering that each child is the reason you are here and needed.
  • Participate in monthly Head Teacher Training conducted by the home office.

The following outlines the secondary job responsibilities within the school:

  • Assist the program director, and assistant director with completing onboarding for new staff members as necessary.
  • Assist the program director and assistant director in completing campus-wide inspections as necessary.
  • Assist in actively engaging staff members on the community page on Paylocity.
  • Assist in opening and closing the center, for example, 6 am-8 am / 5:30 pm-6:30 pm with the program director's guidance and by state and LSP policy and procedures.
  • Assist in answering school phones in a courteous, relatable, and professional manner.
  • Assist prospective families in scheduling admissions calls or tours.

The foregoing description is for example only and is not exhaustive. Job responsibilities may evolve with the position. #INDOzark