DEPARTMENT: Family Ministries
SUPERVISOR: Sr. Director of Family Ministries
FULL/PART TIME: Full Time
Position Summary
Westminster Preschool is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn serving more than 180 children and their families. We are committed to providing an experience that is academically excellent, play-based, and faith-based. We believe children thrive when they are challenged intellectually, free to learn through play, surrounded by caring adults, and connected to a community that reflects the love of Christ.
The Director of Westminster Preschool provides visionary, relational, and operational leadership for the preschool. This includes overseeing staff, curriculum, enrollment, family engagement, finances, and day-to-day operations while cultivating a thriving preschool community.
As a member of the First Presbyterian Church staff team, the Director helps create meaningful connections between Westminster Preschool and the broader life of the church. Success in this role will be measured not only by educational excellence and operational effectiveness, but also by strong family retention, staff stability, and meaningful connections between Westminster families and First Presbyterian Church.
The Director is expected to maintain a highly visible presence within both Westminster Preschool and First Presbyterian Church, building relationships with children, parents, staff, volunteers, and church members.
Specifics of the Role:
Program Management
● Develop, implement, and oversee the school’s class offerings and curriculum, ensuring it promotes spiritual, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
● Develop, implement, and oversee summer camp.
● Plan and execute daily, weekly, and monthly schedules, including children’s church, service opportunities, special events (Mother’s Day Tea, Dad’s Night, Fall Festival), holiday programs, and educational activities that form the Westminster community and intentionally connect it to the First Presbyterian Church community.
● Connect with the local community to understand and remain competitive with other area preschool offerings, crafting our classes and offerings in order to be responsive to the needs of our community.
● Ensure the preschool is in compliance with all applicable state and local regulations.
● Work with teachers and the associate director to ensure necessary supplies are on hand.
Staff Leadership & Development
● Recruit, hire, and train qualified, certified teachers.
● Provide ongoing training and professional development to staff on child development, current best practices in early childhood education, special needs, safety, and Christian education principles.
● Foster a positive, supportive, and collaborative team culture. ● Supervise staff, conduct performance evaluations, and provide guidance for continuous improvement.
● Equip teachers to monitor and assess children’s progress and developmental needs, helping them to adapt activities to meet individual needs.
● Work closely with the Westminster Elder to draft reports and pull numbers monthly Session reports.
Parent and Community Engagement
● Regularly communicate with parents and serve as a point of contact for parents and caregivers, offering support and guidance when needed.
● Organize parent meetings, family events, open houses, and volunteer opportunities to build a strong community.
● Serve on First Presbyterian Church’s Family Ministry Team and attend weekly meetings along with the First Pres Weekly Staff Meetings.
● Partner with Family Ministries staff to create natural pathways between Westminster Preschool and the broader life of First Presbyterian Church.
● Ensure Westminster families receive consistent invitations into worship, fellowship, formation, and service opportunities.
● Provide visible leadership and participation at key church-wide events, including Vacation Bible School (VBS), Backpack Blessing, Preschool Milestones and Celebrations, 4th at First, Easter Egg Hunts, Christmas Eve Services with Kids in Mind, Family Ministry Events,Community Outreach Events, and other strategic church-wide events as assigned.
● Help Westminster families experience First Presbyterian Church as a place where they belong.
Safety and Compliance
● Ensure that all safety protocols are in place, including child protection policies, emergency procedures, and a secure check-in/check-out process.
● Regularly inspect the physical space for safety hazards and cleanliness, maintaining a safe and welcoming environment.
● Stay current on licensing requirements and maintain all necessary certifications and records.
Financial and Administrative Oversight
● Develop and manage the Westminster budget, ensuring financial sustainability.
● Assist in fundraising efforts, grant applications, and other financial support for the program.
● Develop and oversee the yearly registration process.
● Maintain accurate records of enrollment, attendance, and other administrative documentation.
Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
● Illinois Gateways Director-Qualified Credential.
● Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in early childhood education or child care, with at least 2 years in a leadership or administrative role.
● Experience working in a Christian environment or faith-based institution is preferred.
● Knowledge of child development, early childhood education practices, and safety regulations.
● Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect with children, parents, and staff.
●A heart for ministry and the spiritual development of children, aligning with the church’s values and mission.
Personal Qualities:
● A compassionate, patient, and loving approach to working with children and staff.
● Strong organizational and time-management skills.
● A team player who works well with diverse groups of people.
● Commitment to professional growth and the ability to lead by example.
● Alignment with the church’s mission and faith-based values.
● A willingness to work some evenings and weekends, as required for special events.
Who We Are
First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn has a rich history of engaging in both local and international mission and justice ministries. There is also a long history of equipping people for a lifelong journey of discipleship through participation in Bible study, small groups and mission. We are a growing PC(USA) congregation with an emphasis on both discipleship and outreach and are looking for someone to minister to children through the same lens. Having wrestled through issues at both the denominational and congregational level, FPCGE is a church that has remained a family centered on Jesus Christ. We are a church that desires to see individuals of all ages serve alongside one another in what God is already doing in our church, our community and beyond.
Compensation
A competitive compensation package will be offered based on experience.
Submit resumes and cover letters to Jen Bradbury, Sr. Director of Family Ministries, at jbradbury@firstpresge.org
