Pre-K Lead Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Great Beginnings Early Learning Center is a family-owned, faith-based preschool in Alexandria, Virginia, dedicated to nurturing the academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development of young children. We are currently seeking a compassionate, engaging, and experienced Pre-K Teacher to join our growing team and make a lasting impact in the lives of the children entrusted to our care.

The Pre-K Teacher is responsible for planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate, engaging, and academically enriching learning environment for children ages 3½ to 5 years . Using the A Beka Book curriculum in conjunction with supplemental instructional materials, the teacher will foster school readiness by helping children develop the academic, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual skills needed for a successful transition to Kindergarten.

The successful candidate will create a structured, nurturing classroom where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to explore, ask questions, develop confidence, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning. The Pre-K Teacher will also build positive relationships with families, maintain effective classroom management, monitor each child's developmental progress, and ensure compliance with all Virginia Department of Education licensing standards and center policies.

Our ideal candidate has a genuine passion for early childhood education, understands the unique developmental needs of preschool-aged children, and embraces the opportunity to integrate faith-based values into everyday learning experiences. The candidate should demonstrate patience, creativity, professionalism, and excellent communication skills while fostering an inclusive and supportive classroom community.

If you are passionate about preparing young learners for Kindergarten, committed to educational excellence, and eager to become part of a collaborative, mission-driven team that values faith, family, and lifelong learning, we encourage you to apply. We would be honored to welcome you to the Great Beginnings family as we work together to provide every child with the strongest possible foundation for future success.

What You'll Do

• Develop and implement daily lesson plans aligned with the A Beka Book curriculum
• Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Pre-K classroom
• Foster children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development
• Maintain a structured, engaging, and nurturing classroom environment
• Effectively supervise and guide Teacher Assistants and Aides
• Communicate regularly and professionally with parents regarding student progress and classroom activities
• Document daily activities, care, and developmental updates using the Brightwheel app
• Conduct parent conferences and complete developmental assessments
• Ensure full compliance with all center policies and Virginia licensing standards

Requirements

• Minimum of two (2) years of verifiable professional experience working in a licensed early childhood education or child care setting.
• Demonstrated experience teaching preschool-aged children (ages 3½–5 years) and preparing them for a successful transition to Kindergarten.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential , Associate's Degree , or higher in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field, including a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in Early Childhood Education or a child-related field , as required by Virginia licensing standards.
• Strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-aged children.
• Experience planning, implementing, and assessing engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans using a structured curriculum (experience with the A Beka Book curriculum is preferred but not required).
• Excellent classroom management skills with the ability to create a safe, nurturing, organized, and engaging learning environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, along with basic computer proficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• High level of professionalism, dependability, flexibility, initiative, and enthusiasm for working with young children.
• Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification , or the ability to obtain certification upon hire.
• Ability to successfully complete all required background checks, fingerprinting, and health screening in accordance with Virginia Department of Education licensing requirements.
• Ability to maintain active sight-and-sound supervision of children at all times to ensure their health, safety, care, protection, and guidance.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to actively supervise children throughout the day in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to frequently walk, stand, sit on the floor, bend, kneel, squat, crouch, crawl, reach, and engage in activities with young children.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to operate classroom materials, educational equipment, and technology.
• Ability to hear and communicate effectively in a busy classroom environment.
• Ability to lift, carry, and/or assist children and classroom materials weighing up to 25 pounds .
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately in emergencies while maintaining the safety and supervision of children.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with the A Beka Book Christian Curriculum
• Experience with the Bright Wheel App
• MAT Certification desired

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Child Care Discount
• Professional Development
• Employee Childcare Discount
• Medical, Dental, Vision (Kaiser)
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Training
• Professional Development Assistance
• Referral Program