Exeter Day School Director, Colleen Anders, will retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.  Colleen has been an important part of our school leadership and has been instrumental in many improvements for our school community. 

 

Our goal is to have a new Director in place by spring of 2026, allowing time for a smooth transition and overlap for students, families, and staff. Below is the job posting for our new Director. Please feel free to apply or pass it along to a qualified candidate!

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Director of School – Exeter Day School

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Position Start: Summer of 2026 - with potential to begin as early as Spring 2026
Applications will be accepted through October 30, 2025

 

Exeter Day School, a vibrant early childhood program serving the Seacoast community for over 75 years is beginning a search for our next Director of School due to the upcoming retirement of our Director at the conclusion of the 2025–2026 academic year.

 

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and passionate leader to join a community preschool that values play-based learning, strong family partnerships, and a nurturing, inclusive environment for young children The Director of School serves as the primary administrator, responsible for the overall leadership, management, and advancement of Exeter Day School. This includes oversight of daily operations, curriculum, faculty and staff development, family engagement, financial management, compliance, and community relations.

 

The Director works closely with the Board of Directors to ensure the school’s mission and values are upheld, while fostering a joyful, safe, and supportive environment for students, families, and staff.​​​

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Key Responsibilities

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• Leadership & Administration

  • Provide visionary leadership that supports the school’s mission and long-term goals.

  • Oversee all aspects of daily operations, including staffing, scheduling, and program management.

  • Maintain compliance with state licensing requirements and accreditation standards.

• Educational Programming

  • Ensure the development and implementation of high-quality, play-based curriculum.

  • Support faculty in professional growth through mentoring, evaluation, and training.

  • Promote inclusive practices that respect and celebrate diversity.

• Financial & Strategic Management

  • Ensure financial reporting is done timely in conjunction with the school’s bookkeeper.

  • Collaborate with the Board to develop and manage the school budget.

  • Support strategic planning, enrollment management, and fundraising initiatives.

• Community Engagement

  • Foster relationships with families.

  • Represent the school in the broader community, building partnerships that enhance opportunities for students and staff.

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Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum of five years of leadership experience in an early childhood or education setting.

• Meet or exceed the minimum requirements for a Center Director as defined by New Hampshire Child Care Licensing

• Strong understanding of child development, curriculum design, and best practices in early childhood education.

• Proven skills in organizational management, communication, and team leadership.

• Commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive school culture.

• Familiarity with MS Office, Outlook, Brightwheel.​

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Compensation & Benefits

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This is a full-time, exempt position following the academic year schedule, with reduced summer hours. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications, and includes paid holidays and vacation time. The role is to be performed in person, at Exeter Day School in Exeter, NH.

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To Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials by October 30, 2025:

• Cover letter describing your interest in the position and alignment with the role.

• Current résumé.

• Contact information for three professional references available upon request.

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Please send application materials via email to mzipin@exeterdayschool.com with the subject line: Director of School Application – [Your Name].