Open to new roles · Maplewood, NJ
School Manager / Operations Leader / Youth Programs

Daily operations for 200 children, with the budget to match.

Since April 2016, I have run The Little Ones Preschool in East Orange, New Jersey: 22 direct reports, a board-approved $700,000 budget, and enrollment grown 79% within the same 217-child licensed capacity.

See the capacity board Start a conversation
$700K
Annual budget, board-approved
22
Direct reports, 200-child program
79%
Enrollment growth since 2017
3 of 5
Grow NJ Kids stars, first rated 2024
Portrait of James Jefferson in a dark suit, white shirt and tie, against a light grey backdrop
The thesis

The same 217-child license, 55 more children.

Between 2017 and 2026, preschool enrollment rose from 70 children to 125 inside the same 217-child license. The growth came from neighborhood advertising, a school website, social media pages, and tours and parent outreach. Alongside it, the budget is tracked against actuals every month and the licensing files are kept in order. The Little Ones Preschool, 2017 to 2026
Signature case

The capacity board.

The school holds a license for 217 children. When it moved to private operation in 2017, 70 of those seats were filled. Today 125 are. Switch between the two points to see the same building at each.

70 of 217 licensed seats filled
The school moves to private operation in 2017.
Enrolled child Open seat under license
Head and shoulders portrait of James Jefferson in a dark suit and tie
About

Running the building and keeping the books.

Since April 2016, I have served as School Manager at The Little Ones Preschool, part of JC Daycares in East Orange, New Jersey. Daily operations cover a 200-child early childhood program with 22 direct reports, and I have served as Board Treasurer for both JC Daycares sites since May 2020.

The school moved from a school-district arrangement to private operation in 2017. That move took restaffing after five teachers left, setting private tuition rates and the operating budget, and marketing the reopening. Preschool enrollment stood at 70 children then. It stands at 125 now.

2007
Pharmaceutical Sales RepresentativeMerck & Co., National Business Group
2012
Family WorkerJC Daycares, The Little Ones Preschool
2016
School ManagerPromoted in April 2016
2020
Board TreasurerBoth JC Daycares sites, since May
2026
MBA, General ManagementWilliam Paterson University, 3.8 GPA
Scope

Four areas I run day to day.

01

Operations and compliance

  • Staff scheduling and staff-to-child ratios across the day
  • Licensing compliance, safety, and emergency planning
  • Vendors and a multi-floor facility
  • Co-led hiring with the Director, more than 20 hires
  • Moved HVAC and elevator service to more affordable providers
02

Finance and governance

  • Prepare the board-approved $700,000 annual operating budget
  • Track budget to actual each month as Board Treasurer
  • Report variances to the board for both JC Daycares sites
  • Helped secure $102,000 in 2021 and 2022 grants, including Thriving by 3, HUD Community Development, and SBA
03

Enrollment and community

  • Preschool enrollment up 79%, from 70 to 125 in the same capacity
  • Summer camp 2026: 78 children enrolled against a 60-child target
  • After-school programming, field trips, and graduation
  • Back-to-School Supply and Book Bag Giveaway, led for eight years, serving more than 300 parents and students a year
04

Quality and people

  • First Grow NJ Kids rating, 3 of 5 stars, in September 2024
  • Raised Programs for Parents subsidy reimbursement 10% per child
  • Organized the training through which 13 staff earned the CDA credential
  • Introduced brightwheel and ClassDojo for billing, records, and parent communication
Career

Experience, in order.

April 2016
to present

School Manager

JC Daycares, The Little Ones Preschool, East Orange, NJ

Run daily operations for a 200-child early childhood program with 22 direct reports. Own staff scheduling, licensing compliance, safety planning, vendors, and a multi-floor facility. Coordinate summer camp, after-school programming, field trips, graduation, and school-wide events.

$700K budget22 direct reportsEnrollment up 79%3 of 5 Grow NJ Kids
May 2020
to present

Board Treasurer

JC Daycares, both sites

Prepare the board-approved annual operating budget. Track budget to actual each month and report variances to the board across both sites.

Both sitesMonthly reporting
2012
to April 2016

Family Worker

JC Daycares, The Little Ones Preschool

Partnered with the local school district and school staff to support at-risk families. Conducted outreach and home visits, and connected children and families with support services.

Promoted to School Manager
January 2007
to September 2012

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Merck & Co., National Business Group

Managed more than 500 accounts and sold a six-product portfolio including Januvia, Janumet, and Singulair.

More than 500 accountsMerck Star Sales Award, 2009
Credentials

Education and credentials.

Graduate

Master of Business Administration

General Management, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ. GPA 3.8. May 2026.

GPA 3.8General Management
Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science, Accounting

La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA. May 2007.

Accounting
Certifications, honors, and community

Licensed, certified, and coaching

  • BLS Certified2025
  • Real Estate SalespersonNew Jersey licensed
  • Phi Sigma Pi National Honor FraternityMember
  • Track Coach, sprinters, The Speedsters, East Orange2025 to present
  • Assistant Football Coach, defensive backs and wide receivers, East Orange Rams2025

Operations

  • Staff scheduling
  • Staff-to-child ratios
  • Hiring and onboarding
  • Vendor management
  • Facilities
  • Health and safety
  • Emergency preparedness

Finance and governance

  • Budget preparation
  • Budget-to-actual reporting
  • Grant writing
  • Board reporting
  • QuickBooks
  • Excel

Compliance and quality

  • Childcare licensing
  • Grow NJ Kids rating
  • Staff credentialing
  • Project management
  • Staff training

Growth and tools

  • Enrollment growth
  • Marketing
  • Parent relations
  • brightwheel
  • ClassDojo
  • ADP
Get in touch

Let's talk about your next operation.

Open to Operations Manager, General Manager, and Recreation Manager roles in New Jersey and the New York City area. Based in Maplewood, New Jersey.

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