Teacher- Float Positon

Job Description

Job Description

Lead Teacher

Reports To: Director/Owner
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Lead Teacher is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and engaging classroom where children can learn, grow, and thrive. The Lead Teacher plans and implements developmentally appropriate learning experiences aligned with the Center's curriculum, philosophy, and goals.

The Lead Teacher provides classroom leadership, high-quality instruction and care, active supervision, positive guidance, family communication, and professional leadership within the teaching team.

Essential Responsibilities

• Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons and activities supporting children's social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.
• Follow and implement the Center's approved curriculum, philosophy, policies, and educational goals.
• Adapt activities and teaching strategies to individual developmental levels, interests, abilities, learning styles, and needs.
• Establish predictable routines and positive expectations that promote independence, cooperation, respect, and learning.
• Maintain an inclusive, organized, welcoming, and tour-ready classroom.
• Prepare learning materials, activities, and the classroom environment for each day.
• Provide active, attentive, and continuous supervision indoors and outdoors in accordance with Center policies and licensing requirements.
• Participate actively in classroom, playground, fieldtrip, and other child-centered activities.
• Support children's physical, emotional, social, and behavioral needs using positive, age-appropriate guidance.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to injuries, illnesses, emergencies, hazards, and other safety concerns.
• Report incidents promptly and complete required documentation.
• Follow all applicable health, safety, sanitation, emergency, supervision, mandated-reporting, confidentiality, and child-care licensing requirements.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, orderly, and developmentally appropriate classroom.
• Clean and sanitize classroom materials, surfaces, equipment, and restrooms as required.
• Monitor and report classroom supply, maintenance, safety, and facility needs.
• Build positive, respectful, and professional relationships with children and families.
• Provide appropriate daily communication regarding children's experiences, development, and classroom activities.
• Participate in parent/guardian conferences as assigned.
• Communicate developmental, behavioral, or well-being concerns promptly to the Director.
• Partner with the Director regarding family communication and resolution of concerns.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Serve as a positive role model and collaborative leader for the teaching team.
• Communicate effectively with co-teachers, support staff, and management to maintain consistent classroom routines and expectations.
• Attend required meetings and training and complete all required licensing and professional-development requirements.
• Stay informed about child-care regulations, Center policies, and early childhood best practices.
• Demonstrate reliability, flexibility, accountability, and willingness to assist with Center needs.
• Perform other reasonable duties assigned by the Director/Owner.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Genuine commitment to children's safety, development, and well-being.
• Strong classroom leadership, organization, and time-management skills.
• Knowledge of early childhood education and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Professionalism, integrity, emotional maturity, patience, and sound judgment.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a busy classroom.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• Basic computer skills, including email and digital documentation.
• Flexibility to meet changing classroom and Center needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of two (2) years of direct experience working with children in an early childhood education or child-care setting, unless otherwise permitted or required by applicable regulations.
• Must meet all applicable state licensing, background-screening, training, and employment requirements.
• Knowledge of early childhood education and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability and willingness to complete all required state licensing and Center training.

Essential Physical Requirements

With or without reasonable accommodation, the Lead Teacher must be able to:

• Lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Push and pull classroom equipment, furniture, carts, toys, and supplies.
• Stand and walk for extended periods and sit on the floor as needed.
• Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, squat, crouch, reach, climb, and transition between positions.
• Participate actively in classroom and playground activities.
• Perform repetitive movements during classroom, cleaning, documentation, and child-care duties.
• Safely handle classroom materials, equipment, and safety devices.
• Demonstrate sufficient vision, hearing, speech, coordination, and stamina to actively supervise children, identify hazards, communicate effectively, and respond to emergencies.

Reasonable accommodations may be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Work Environment

The Lead Teacher works primarily in an active early childhood classroom and may also work in offices, common areas, playgrounds, and other outdoor environments. The position involves frequent interaction with young children, typical classroom noise and activity, and frequent movement, lifting, bending, kneeling, squatting, reaching, standing, walking, and participation in children's activities.

Professional Standards

All employees are expected to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, dependability, and respect; follow Center policies and applicable laws; maintain confidentiality; prioritize children's safety and well-being; and contribute to a positive, respectful, inclusive, and team-oriented workplace.

Disclaimer

This description summarizes the general nature and essential functions of the position and is not exhaustive. Duties may be modified, expanded, or reassigned based on Center needs. The Center reserves the right to revise this description. Employment is subject to applicable laws, licensing requirements, and Center policies. Reasonable accommodations will be considered as required by law.