Good Dharma is a progressive and eco-friendly preschool dedicated to nurturing young minds in an environment that values sustainability, creativity, and holistic development. Our green ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from our curriculum to our daily practices. We are looking for a passionate and experienced Head of school to lead our school with a commitment to environmental stewardship and educational excellence.

Position: Head of School
Location: Good Dharma School, Ahangama Sri Lanka
Type: Full-Time

About the role

Good Dharma opened it’s doors 1st of November 2023. During the last school year we operated as a preschool and a kids club. The preschool had about 12-15 enrolments through the year, running as one department.During the next season are going to divide the preschool into two separate groups, each with about 15 children. The kids club is also a separate department catering towards 10+ children per day. Planning work to start the primary school has also commenced and will be opened within the next year. A small garden café with a playground will also be opened on our property, the half acre vegetable farm will be supplying both the school and the garden café with produce for our food. Your main focus would be to manage the activities within the school, including the preschool and kids club. You would also oversee and coordinate activities in the garden café and vegetable garden as support in the planning process for the upcoming primary section of the school. You would be in charge of the property as a whole, the person other staff members would lean back on, and report directly to the company directors. You will need to be able to manage the vision and goals set by the company, work well under stress and be good at delegating work to other staff members while inspiring a healthy and happy work environment.

Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Management:

  • Lead and inspire a team of dedicated educators.

  • Work towards realising the vision of the school, that we are true to the ‘soft’ values as well as reaching the quantifiable targets such enrolment numbers

  • Work to increase enrolments and revenue from other property assets (e.g., garden, café).

  • Oversee the implementation of the preschool curriculum with a focus on sustainability and environmental education.

  • Foster a positive and inclusive school culture that aligns with our green ethos.

• Curriculum Development:

  • Develop and implement innovative, age-appropriate lesson plans that integrate environmental awareness and sustainable practices for the preschool as well as the primary school

  • Ensure our pillars and ethos is reflected in the curriculum and lesson plans

  • Build on current curriculum and develop a solid age based curriculum for pre school and primary

• Student Development:

  • Support the social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children.

  • Create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment that encourages curiosity and creativity.

• Parent and Community Engagement:

  • Build strong relationships with parents and guardians, keeping them informed and involved in their child's learning journey.

  • Collaborate with local organizations and community members to enhance the educational experience.

  • Reply to enrolment requests, conduct school tours, shadow days

• Administration:

  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory and licensing requirements.

  • Manage budgets, resources, and schedules effectively.

  • Manage emails and online student management software; respond to new enrolment requests, process payments, and coordinate with the accounts department.

  • Oversee the inventory and purchasing of consumables and teaching materials.

  • Ensure cleanliness and sanitary standards are met; direct and oversee housekeeping staff.

  • Manage petty cash expenses.

• Vegetable Garden:

  • Collaborate with the gardener to ensure efficient operation of the vegetable gardens.

  • Integrate the vegetable garden into the curriculum to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship.

• Garden Café

  • Support the manager of the café and open playground.

  • Coordinate activities to enhance community engagement and educational opportunities.

• Primary school development

  • Lead in the development of the primary school section, overseeing the entire project from space design and requirements to curriculum development, hiring, and training, with support from directors and consultants.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in early childhood education, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.

• Strong knowledge of environmental education and sustainable practices.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Passion for fostering a love for learning and the environment in young children.

What We Offer:

• A supportive and collaborative work environment.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth.

• A beautiful, nature-inspired school environment.

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, cover letter, and references to hello [at] good dharma.lk. In your cover letter, please explain your philosophy of early childhood education and how you would integrate a green ethos into the preschool curriculum.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of young children and the planet. We look forward to welcoming a passionate and dedicated leader to our team!

Good Dharma is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.