Preschool Lead Teacher

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionPreschool Lead TeacherPosition:Preschool Lead TeacherEmployment Type:Full-TimeLocation:Little Honors Academy – Somerset, NJPosition SummaryLittle Honors Academy is seeking a caring, dependable, and experiencedPreschool Lead Teacherto provide a safe, nurturing, organized, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for preschool-aged children.The Lead Teacher is responsible for the overall management of the classroom, implementation of the curriculum, supervision and guidance of children, classroom documentation, communication with families, and leadership of classroom support staff.Minimum QualificationsCandidates must:Hold aBachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) or Master’s Degree (MA/MS) in Education, Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related educational field.Have prior experience working with preschool-aged children in a classroom or early childhood education setting.Demonstrate knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.Possess strong classroom management, communication, organization, and teamwork skills.Be dependable, punctual, professional, and able to maintain consistent attendance.Meet all applicable New Jersey childcare licensing requirements, including required background checks, health documentation, and mandatory trainings.Essential ResponsibilitiesThe Preschool Lead Teacher will:Plan and implement engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans and learning experiences.Provide daily small-group, large-group, center-based, and individualized learning opportunities.Maintain a warm, positive, structured classroom environment that supports children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.Prepare the classroom and learning materials before children arrive each morning.Maintain an organized, clean, attractive, and developmentally appropriate classroom.Supervise children closely at all times, including during classroom activities, meals, toileting, transitions, outdoor play, and arrival and dismissal.Maintain accurate attendance and child-count procedures throughout the day.Observe children's development and maintain required assessments, portfolios, documentation, and progress records.Communicate professionally with parents regarding children's progress, classroom activities, and appropriate concerns.Work collaboratively with assistant teachers and other staff members and provide appropriate classroom leadership and direction.Ensure that classroom staff consistently follow established schedules, routines, policies, and procedures.Implement positive behavior guidance and developmentally appropriate classroom-management strategies.Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.Follow all Little Honors Academy policies and procedures and applicable state licensing, health, safety, and program requirements.Participate in staff meetings, professional development, training, classroom preparation, and other required school activities.Complete additional classroom-related responsibilities as assigned by administration.Professional ExpectationsThe Lead Teacher serves as the primary classroom leader and is expected to demonstrate professionalism, reliability, initiative, patience, and sound judgment. Consistent attendance and punctuality are essential because the Lead Teacher is responsible for preparing the classroom and establishing a positive and organized start to each school day.The successful candidate should be able to work collaboratively with administration and classroom staff while maintaining high expectations for children's safety, supervision, learning, and overall well-being.Education Requirement: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related educational field.