Head of School – Preschool

Position : Head of School

Reporting To : Business/Management Team / Centre Director

Location

Maple Bear Canadian Pre School, CHD Avenue 71, Sector 71, Gurugram

Role Purpose

The Head of School is responsible for the overall academic, operational, advisory and developmental leadership of the school, ensuring a safe, nurturing, structured and high-quality learning environment for every child.

The role requires strong leadership of the teaching team, proactive and meaningful engagement with parents, rigorous attention to child safety and safeguarding, and consistent implementation of the prescribed curriculum and school standards.

The Head of School will serve as the key link between children, parents, teachers, support staff and the Management/Central Team, ensuring that the school operates with professionalism, accountability, transparency and a strong child-first approach.

The Head of School is expected to lead by example and create a school culture where every child is safe, every parent feels heard and respected, and every teacher is supported to deliver high-quality learning experiences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Academic Leadership & Curriculum

- Provide overall academic leadership and ensure effective implementation of the prescribed curriculum across all classes and age groups.
- Ensure teachers consistently follow the prescribed curriculum, learning objectives, academic framework, lesson plans, timelines and implementation guidelines in line with Maple Bear Global practices.
- Ensure adherence to the Visual Schedule and maintain a structured, predictable and age-appropriate daily routine for children.
- Monitor student-wise learning and developmental progress and identify children requiring additional attention, support or intervention.
- Ensure appropriate follow-up and documentation for children requiring additional academic, developmental or behavioural support.
- Conduct regular classroom observations to assess:

o Teaching practices

o Teacher-child interactions

o Classroom management

o Engagement levels

o Age-appropriateness of activities

o Implementation of curriculum and learning objectives

o Overall quality of the learning environment

- Support teachers in academic planning, classroom challenges, activity execution and effective implementation of the curriculum.
- Monitor the quality, consistency and engagement of learning experiences across all classrooms.
- Ensure classrooms are well-maintained, organised, presentable and aligned with prescribed classroom presentation standards and guidelines established by the Business/Central Team.
- Ensure appropriate and meaningful classroom displays, learning materials and resources are available and maintained.
- Conduct daily team meetings to align teachers and staff on priorities, upcoming events, PTMs, activities, celebrations, academic requirements, operational matters and other important updates.
- Ensure explicit allocation of responsibilities and timely follow-up on all action points discussed during team meetings.
- Coordinate internal academic activities, celebrations and special events in accordance with the annual academic/event calendar.
- Ensure appropriate preparation and coordination for assessments, observations and student progress tracking.
- Work closely with teachers on the preparation and completion of report cards, observation checklists, Continuum and Continua, ensuring accurate and meaningful documentation of each child's learning and developmental progress.
- Review teacher observations and documentation for consistency, accuracy and alignment with the prescribed academic framework.
- Identify gaps in academic delivery and implement appropriate corrective and improvement measures.
- Coordinate teacher training and professional development in alignment with the Central Team.
- Ensure teachers complete all prescribed training programmes, certifications and learning modules within stipulated timelines.
- Follow up on pending training and certification requirements and maintain appropriate records.
- Facilitate the practical implementation of learnings from Central Team training in classroom practices.

2. Parent Relationship & Engagement

Parent partnership is a core responsibility of the Head of School. The Head of School must build and maintain a relationship with parents based on trust, accessibility, transparency, empathy and professionalism, while always keeping the child's best interests at the centre.

- Act as the primary academic and school-level point of contact for parents on matters relating to their child's learning, development, wellbeing, behaviour and overall school experience.
- Build strong, positive and professional relationships with parents and foster a culture of trust and open communication.
- Ensure parents receive timely, accurate and appropriate communication regarding academic programmes, activities, events, routines, assessments, school policies and other relevant matters.
- Conduct and oversee effective Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) and other parent engagement initiatives.
- Ensure teachers are adequately prepared for parent interactions and have accurate information regarding each child's progress and development.
- Ensure parent concerns, queries and feedback are acknowledged promptly and addressed in a structured and professional manner.
- Maintain appropriate documentation and follow-up of significant parent concerns, complaints and action points.
- Personally intervene in escalated or sensitive parent matters and ensure concerns are handled fairly, objectively and with appropriate confidentiality.
- Ensure that parent communication remains factual, respectful, child-focused and aligned with school policies.
- Manage difficult conversations with parents calmly and professionally, avoiding defensive or confrontational communication.
- Ensure parents are kept appropriately informed about significant matters affecting their child's wellbeing, safety, learning or participation in school.
- Build parent confidence in the school's academic, safety and operational processes through consistent actions, transparency and responsiveness.
- Proactively identify potential parent concerns and address them before they escalate into formal complaints wherever reasonably possible.




- Ensure no parent concern involving child safety, wellbeing, injury, safeguarding or inappropriate conduct is ignored, delayed or handled informally.
- Ensure appropriate escalation to Management/Central Team wherever a matter requires higher-level intervention.
- Maintain professional boundaries while ensuring parents feel that the school is accessible and responsive.
- Collect and review parent feedback and use it to identify opportunities for improvement in the school experience.
- Encourage meaningful parent participation in appropriate school activities while maintaining clear professional and safeguarding boundaries.

3. Child Safety, Safeguarding & Wellbeing

Child safety is a non-negotiable responsibility of the Head of School. The Head of School must ensure that every child is protected from physical harm, emotional harm, neglect, inappropriate conduct and unsafe practices while under the school's care.

- Maintain overall responsibility for ensuring a safe, secure, child-friendly and nurturing environment across the school.
- Ensure strict adherence to all applicable child protection, safeguarding, safety and school policies.
- Ensure every staff member understands and follows the school's child safeguarding requirements and code of conduct.
- Maintain appropriate supervision of children at all times and ensure there are no avoidable gaps in supervision.
- Ensure appropriate child-to-adult supervision and classroom/staff deployment as prescribed by school policies.
- Monitor teacher and support staff interactions with children to ensure they remain appropriate, respectful, caring and professional.
- Ensure that no form of physical punishment, intimidation, humiliation, threatening behaviour or inappropriate physical handling of children is permitted.
- Ensure children are treated with dignity, respect, patience and sensitivity at all times.
- Monitor school arrival, dispersal, transitions, movement between classrooms and other activities to minimise safety risks.
- Ensure strict compliance with authorised child pick-up and handover procedures.
- Ensure appropriate visitor management and prevent unauthorised access to children or restricted school areas.
- Ensure incidents, injuries, accidents, behavioural concerns and safeguarding concerns are reported, documented and escalated in accordance with established procedures.
- Ensure parents/guardians are informed appropriately and promptly of significant incidents involving their child, in accordance with school policy.
- Ensure incident documentation is factual, objective, timely and complete.
- Ensure CCTV, access control and other safety systems are used and maintained in accordance with applicable school policies and privacy requirements.
- Conduct regular safety checks of classrooms, play areas, furniture, equipment, washrooms, entry/exit points and other areas accessible to children.
- Identify potential safety hazards proactively and ensure corrective action is taken without unnecessary delay.
- Ensure emergency preparedness, evacuation procedures, first-aid arrangements and emergency contact protocols are understood by staff.
- Ensure staff know the appropriate reporting and escalation process for any suspected safeguarding concern.
- Escalate serious or sensitive child safety matters immediately to the appropriate Management/Central Team and statutory authorities wherever required.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive child, family, medical, safeguarding and incident-related information.
- Promote a school culture in which child safety takes precedence over convenience, routine or commercial considerations.

4. Student Wellbeing & Child-Centred Leadership

- Ensure the emotional, social and developmental wellbeing of children is given equal importance alongside academic learning.
- Monitor children's adjustment, participation, behaviour and general wellbeing.
- Encourage teachers to understand individual children's needs, personalities, interests and developmental stages.
- Ensure classroom practices are inclusive, respectful and developmentally appropriate.
- Identify children who may require additional support and coordinate appropriate follow-up with parents and relevant professionals where applicable.
- Ensure children experience a positive, secure and welcoming environment at school.
- Promote positive behaviour guidance rather than punitive approaches.
- Ensure children's dignity and privacy are respected at all times.
- Encourage teachers to build secure and positive relationships with children while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

5. Teacher Leadership & Team Management

- Provide day-to-day leadership, direction and support to teachers and school staff.
- Establish clear expectations regarding academic delivery, child safety, professionalism, attendance, punctuality and conduct.
- Allocate responsibilities effectively and monitor completion.
- Conduct regular team meetings and ensure effective communication across the school.
- Monitor teacher performance through classroom observations, documentation reviews, feedback and day-to-day interactions.
- Provide constructive feedback and coaching to improve teacher effectiveness.
- Identify training and development needs within the teaching team.
- Support new teachers and staff in understanding school processes, curriculum expectations, safeguarding requirements and operational standards.
- Address performance or conduct concerns promptly and escalate them appropriately where required.
- Promote teamwork, accountability, mutual respect and a positive work culture.
- Ensure staff maintain professional boundaries with children and parents.
- Ensure adequate staffing and appropriate deployment of staff across classrooms and activities.

6. School Operations & Administration

- Ensure smooth day-to-day functioning of the school.
- Monitor attendance, punctuality and deployment of teachers and support staff.




- Ensure adherence to school opening, closing, arrival, dispersal and transition procedures.
- Ensure all required registers, records, checklists and documentation are maintained accurately and on time.
- Coordinate school events, celebrations, PTMs, observations, assessments and other scheduled activities.
- Ensure school facilities, classrooms, play areas and common areas remain clean, organised, safe and presentable.
- Coordinate with the Business/Management Team regarding maintenance, infrastructure, supplies and operational requirements.
- Monitor availability and appropriate use of teaching-learning materials and classroom resources.
- Ensure operational issues affecting children, parents or teachers are escalated and followed through to closure.
- Maintain appropriate records and ensure school documentation is audit-ready.

7. Compliance & Policy Implementation

- Ensure implementation of all applicable school policies, procedures, standards and guidelines.
- Ensure staff understand their responsibilities under school policies.
- Maintain required registers and records relating to attendance, incidents, visitors, safety, training and other prescribed areas.
- Ensure timely completion of compliance-related documentation.
- Support internal and external inspections, audits and reviews.
- Ensure corrective actions arising from audits, inspections or management reviews are implemented within prescribed timelines.
- Stay updated on changes communicated by the Central Team and ensure timely implementation at the school level.
- Ensure the school operates in accordance with applicable child safety, safeguarding, health, safety and regulatory requirements.

8. Communication & Coordination with Management / Central Team

- Act as the key school-level liaison with the Business Team and Central Team.
- Provide timely and accurate updates on academic, operational, parent, staffing and child-related matters.
- Escalate significant concerns promptly rather than allowing issues to remain unresolved.
- Implement Central Team directions and ensure effective execution at school level.
- Participate in reviews, meetings, training programmes and strategic initiatives.
- Share relevant school-level insights, challenges and improvement opportunities with Management.
- Ensure communication from Management/Central Team is understood and effectively cascaded to staff.

9. School Culture & Continuous Improvement

- Build a school culture centred around children, safety, learning, respect and partnership with parents.
- Lead by example in professionalism, integrity, empathy and accountability.
- Regularly review school practices and identify areas for improvement.
- Use parent feedback, teacher feedback, classroom observations, student progress and operational data to identify improvement opportunities.
- Develop and implement practical action plans to improve academic quality, parent satisfaction, child safety and school operations.
- Ensure improvements are followed through and their effectiveness is reviewed.
- Promote a culture where staff take ownership rather than waiting for issues to be escalated.
- Recognise and encourage good performance and positive contributions by staff.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES / SUCCESS MEASURES

The effectiveness of the Head of School will be assessed through, among other factors:

Child Safety

- Zero tolerance for preventable safety lapses.
- Timely reporting, documentation and escalation of incidents and safeguarding concerns.
- Consistent compliance with child safety and safeguarding protocols.
- Safe and well-supervised classrooms and school environments.

Parent Relationships

- High levels of parent trust, engagement and satisfaction.
- Timely and professional resolution of parent concerns.
- Effective PTMs and parent communication.
- Reduction in recurring or unresolved parent concerns.
- Strong parent confidence in the school's academic and safety practices.

Academic Quality

- Consistent implementation of the prescribed curriculum.
- Quality of classroom teaching and teacher-child interactions.
- Accurate and timely student documentation and progress tracking.
- Effective implementation of Central Team academic standards.

Team Performance

- Teacher accountability and professional conduct.
- Timely completion of training and certifications.
- Effective teamwork and communication.
- Continuous improvement in teaching practices.

School Operations

- Smooth and organised daily functioning.
- Accurate and timely records and documentation.
- Compliance with school policies and procedures.
- Well-maintained, safe and presentable school environment.

REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

- Strong leadership and people-management skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong parent relationship management and conflict-resolution skills.
- High degree of empathy and emotional intelligence.
- Strong understanding of early childhood education and child development.
- Strong child-safety and safeguarding orientation.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with maturity and discretion.
- Strong organisational and follow-up skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic school environment.
- Solid observation and analytical skills.
- Ability to coach, mentor and develop teachers.
- High standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability.
- Ability to remain calm and objective during difficult or sensitive situations.
- Strong documentation and reporting skills.
- Proficiency in basic digital tools, email, MS Office/Google Workspace and school management systems.

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

- Bachelor's/Master's degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Child Development or a related discipline preferred.
- Relevant qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education will be an advantage.
- 5+ years of relevant experience in preschool/early childhood education, including demonstrated experience in a leadership or supervisory role.
- Experience in managing teachers, parents and school operations.
- Demonstrated experience in implementing curriculum and monitoring classroom quality.
- Experience in child safeguarding, school compliance and incident management will be strongly preferred.

Pay: ₹40,000.00 - ₹60,000.00 per month

Benefits:

- Paid sick time
- Paid time off

Work Location: In person

📌 Center Head (Sohna)
🏢 Maple Bear Canadian Pre School
📍 Sohna