Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader

Description

Are you an experienced early childhood professional looking for a rewarding career that works for your family?

• →Serve as Lead Teacher in a classroom serving children ages 10 months–3 years.
• →Work directly with children throughout the majority of the day.
• →Provide nurturing, responsive care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• →Plan and implement activities that support children's social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.
• →Follow individual children's routines, interests, developmental needs, and emerging skills.
• →Conduct ongoing observations and developmental assessments.
• →Maintain a safe, nurturing, clean, and engaging classroom environment.
• →Promote positive adult-child interactions using CLASS strategies and other developmentally appropriate practices.
• →Support daily routines including meals, diapering/toileting, rest, transitions, and other care needs.

• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and families.
• Maintain regular communication with families regarding children's experiences and development.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences twice per year.
• Assist with enrollment efforts, open houses, and community outreach activities.

• Use Creative Curriculum and other early childhood practices to support children's development and learning.
• Participate in CLASS, ECERS/ITERS, and other program quality observations and improvement efforts.
• Participate in professional development and required training.
• Help maintain a high-quality program that meets applicable NYS OCFS requirements.

Administrative and leadership responsibilities are completed in limited blocks of time and do not replace the primary classroom responsibilities.

• Support daily center operations and scheduling.
• Ensure compliance with NYS OCFS Day Care regulations.
• Maintain required child and program records.
• Support staff onboarding, training, and supervision.
• Coordinate classroom supplies and materials.
• Collaborate with HR, enrollment, and regional leadership teams.

We're looking for an experienced early childhood professional who:

• Enjoys working with infants and toddlers.
• Is warm, nurturing, patient, and dependable.
• Builds strong relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Is comfortable taking a leadership role in the classroom.
• Has strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Can balance hands-on teaching and caregiving with leadership responsibilities.
• Is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for young children.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (12+ credits in early childhood, child development, or related field) plus 1 year teaching and 1 year supervisory experience
• NYS Children’s Program Administrator Credential plus 1 year teaching and 1 year supervisory experience
• Associate’s degree in early childhood (or related field) with plan toward bachelor’s or administrator credential plus 2 years teaching and 2 years supervisory experience
• CDA or OCFS-recognized credential with plan of study plus 2 years teaching and 2 years supervisory experience

• Medically cleared to work in a childcare setting; free of communicable diseases including TB
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Dependable, professional, and able to work collaboratively with staff and families
• Physically able to lift up to 50 lbs. and actively engage with children