Assistant Early Learning Director at Peninsula Family Service – San Mateo, California

ABOUT US

Peninsula Family Service (PFS) is a nonprofit organization that provides children, families, and older adults with the support and tools they need to realize their full potential. As one of the largest providers of infant, toddler, and preschool programs in the region, PFS also delivers services in financial empowerment, employment, and older adult support — ensuring that people at every stage of life have access to opportunities to thrive. Established in 1950, PFS has been a trusted community partner for over 75 years, dedicated to fostering stability, resilience, and well-being for the individuals and families it serves.

At PFS, our values guide how we serve our community and work together as a team. We expect every team member to demonstrate Ownership, Proactive Engagement, and a commitment to Continuous Learning and Adaptability. These values are grounded in a shared dedication to community, service, and collaborative teamwork.

JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Early Learning Director provides hands-on leadership and operational oversight of the organization's early learning programs funded by Early Head Start (EHS), California State Preschool Program (CSPP), and CalWORKs Child Care (CCTR). This role ensures continuity of high-quality services, regulatory compliance, fiscal accountability, and support for site leadership and staff during a transition period.

In addition to maintaining current operations, the Assistant Director will play a key role in planning and preparing for the opening of two new and one rebuilt early learning sites scheduled for 2027, ensuring readiness across staffing, licensing, facilities, and program compliance. Due to a staff leave, this role will temporarily report directly to the Chief Program Officer.

REPORT TO: Director of Early Learning

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Exempt, Full Time

Salary: $125,000 – $135,000

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Operations & Oversight

• Provide day-to-day supervision of early learning programs across EHS, CSPP, and CCTR contracts.
• Ensure programs operate in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including Head Start Program Performance Standards and California Department of Education (CDE) requirements.
• Monitor enrollment, attendance, ratios, eligibility, and service delivery to meet contract obligations.
• Support site leaders with daily operations, staffing coverage, and problem solving.

Compliance, Monitoring & Reporting

• Oversee program documentation, recordkeeping, and readiness for reviews, audits, and monitoring visits.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of required reports, data, and deliverables to funders.
• Address findings, corrective action plans, and technical assistance needs promptly and effectively.
• Collaborate with fiscal staff to align program operations with contract budgets.
• Use program data to identify trends, inform decision-making, and drive continuous quality improvement across sites and funding streams.
• Track and analyze enrollment, attendance, outcomes, and compliance metrics to proactively address gaps before they become findings.

Staff Supervision & Support

• Supervise site supervisors, education managers, and program coordinators.
• Provide coaching and guidance to ensure consistent implementation of policies, procedures, and quality standards.
• Support hiring, onboarding, performance management, and staff development as needed.
• Promote a respectful, supportive, and compliant work environment.

Family & Community Engagement

• Ensure programs meet family engagement, comprehensive services, and referral requirements.
• Maintain relationships with families, community partners, and licensors.

Health, Safety & Quality

• Ensure implementation of health, safety, and child supervision requirements.
• Support developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environments.
• Address incidents, licensing concerns, or safety issues promptly and thoroughly.

Leadership & Transition Support

• Maintain program stability during leadership transition.
• Document key processes and support onboarding of permanent leadership.
• Serve as a consistent communication link between site leaders, program staff, and senior leadership, ensuring information flows clearly and equitably across the division.
• Translate organizational priorities and regulatory updates into actionable guidance for site teams, and surface site-level needs and concerns to leadership in a timely way.

New Site Planning & Startup (2027)

• Support planning and readiness for two new and one rebuilt early learning sites, subject to timing and organizational priorities.
• Coordinate with facilities, licensing, HR, and finance on staffing, compliance, and startup timelines.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Human Services, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience managing early learning programs, including publicly funded programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Early Head Start, CSPP, and/or CCTR program requirements.
• Experience supervising staff and managing complex program operations.
• Strong understanding of compliance, monitoring, and reporting expectations.

Special Requirements

• Submit and maintain clear Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting.
• Submit and maintain evidence of a current negative Tuberculin test and health report prior to hire.
• CPR and First Aid certified or willing to obtain within 3 months of employment; must maintain for the duration of employment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, with staff, families, partners, and leadership.
• Verification to legally work in the US and updated as required.
• Regular travel between program sites required.

Preferred Skills

• Master's degree or California Site Supervisor/Program Director Permit.
• Prior Head Start leadership experience.
• Experience supporting program expansion or new site openings.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish or other languages relevant to the community.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Approachable and solutions oriented.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to balance compliance, quality, and staff support.
• Comfortable stepping into a hands-on leadership role.