Lead Toddler Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About Glide

GLIDE is a nationally recognized center for social justice, dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives. Through its integrated comprehensive services, advocacy initiatives, and inclusive community, GLIDE empowers individuals, families, and children to achieve stability and to thrive. GLIDE is on the forefront of addressing some of society’s most pressing issues, including poverty, housing and homelessness, and racial and social justice. GLIDE’s mission is to create a radically inclusive, just, and loving community mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization.

Position Summary

The Lead Teacher plans and implements developmentally appropriate activities that meet toddler/preschool children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs. This person is responsible for ensuring compliance with all safety, personnel qualifications, and facility requirements of the CA Community Care Licensing, Department of Education, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Department of Social Services and Department of Early Education,. The Lead Teacher works in partnership with the Site Supervisor and others to provide a rich and creative environment which meets the learning needs of all children.

Qualified candidates will be compassionate early childhood educators who love working with children (ages 18 months to 5 years) and are dedicated to the development of the early teaching profession.

• Monitor, direct, protect, encourage, and nurture children. Maintain a nurturing environment, which supports the development of each child and ensures a child-centered approach, e.g., children choose the areas they desire to learn without restriction i.e., closing off a space, restricting a child from an area all day, using timeout to discipline. Ensure staff and other caregivers interact with the children in an appropriate manner.
• Observe the children’s health daily and make appropriate decisions regarding attendance by following health and safety procedures for illnesses and communicable diseases. Ensure children are assisted with daily hygiene, e.g., assisting children with hand washing and tooth brushing, assisting children in cleaning their play areas, etc.;
• Maintain a safe, fun, healthy classroom environment. Maintain all areas in an organized manner including all environmental quality aspects as they relate to maintaining quality scores per the Early Childcare Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS), Infant/Toddler Childhood Rating Scale (ITCERS) and/or Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS);
• Take reasonable precautions to protect children, equipment, materials, and classrooms both indoors and outdoors. Ensure all learning areas are clean and orderly at all times.
• Supervise staff and participate in daily classroom operations. Ensure caregiver/child ratios are maintained. Communicate all issues/concerns to the Site Supervisor immediately.
• Develop a high-quality, age and culturally appropriate curriculum to successfully engage children and foster physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development.
• Ensure compliance with: Preschool for All, Department of Children, Youth and Families, the California Department of Education Title V regulations, California Department of Social Services, Department of Early Childhood and the Child Care Food program (CACFP).
• Model and ensure, Positive Descriptive Acknowledgement (PDA) and Teaching Pyramid Techniques with the children and for the staff.
• Establish and promote productive relationships with parents/guardians by attending parent/guardian’ meetings/workshops, family events, and encouraging families to participate in events;
• Assist the Childcare Site Supervisor by preparing documentation and meeting all reporting requirements as needed; including but not limited to child assessments and portfolios, monthly sign-in/out sheets, Salesforce data requirements, Meal counts etc.
• Meet professional obligations through efficient work habits such as: meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, attending and actively participating in staff and individual meetings.

• Provide, facilitate, and support resources for staff and other caregivers.
• Assist with training and ensure standards and practices are adhered to at all times.
• Plan, assign, direct, and evaluate staff’s work. Provide ongoing feedback and assist with goal work and annual performance reviews;
• Coach and mentor staff. Provide constructive criticism and helpful solutions to staff without alienating or discouraging them;
• Work with staff to address complaints and resolve problems in accordance with GLIDE’s policies and procedures and in collaboration with the Childcare Site Supervisor, Program Director, and Human Resources

• BA degree in Early Childhood Education or related field.
• Must have a teacher’s permit (or higher level of certification) from CA Dept. of Education required with continued eligibility for renewal; and/or upgrade of permit to remain qualified for the position.
• A minimum of 17-24 ECE units (12 core, 2 supervising adults’, and 3 Infant/Toddler Care units).
• Knowledge of licensing requirements, Title 22, and Title V regulations.
• Experience supervising staff and a toddler/preschool program, day care center, or other child development facility.
• Experience teaching targeted age groups and possess strong group management skills.
• Solid curriculum development experience and knowledge of Learning Strategies.
• Familiar with CLASS practices, ITERS, and ECERS scale.
• A “leader” with a clear vision that drives for high standards. Possesses good observational and analytical skills and is able to offer novel solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal, organization, and planning abilities. Exercises tact and maintains confidentiality.
• Demonstrates Cultural Humility. Has the ability to work effectively across cultures.
• Must successfully pass Tuberculosis and Background check screening.
• Must have or complete CPR and First Aid Training.

• GLIDE’s buildings are located in the Tenderloin neighborhood.  
• GLIDE maintains an "open door" policy to the community and its clients, who frequently enter and leave the building.

• Ability to work on a computer and see details of objects at close range.
• Ability to hear within normal range, and communicate effectively (in person, telephone or Zoom).
• Finger dexterity and the ability to use all standard office equipment.
• Sit or stand comfortably, and the ability to navigate throughout office spaces (via elevator or stairs).

This is a full-time (40 hour/week) Non-Exempt position. This role is covered by the collective bargaining agreement.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.