Lead Preschool Teacher

Lead 3-K Teacher – NYC DOE Early Childhood ProgramKiddie Academy of WilliamsburgBrooklyn, NYSchedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–3:00 PMPosition Type: Full-TimeProgram: NYC DOE 3-K for AllCompany DescriptionKiddie Academy® Educational Child Care has been a leader in education-based child care for more than 40 years, providing high-quality early childhood education in a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment.Kiddie Academy of Williamsburg is proud to partner with the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) to provide 3-K programming to children and families in our community. Our educational approach combines the requirements and expectations of NYC DOE Early Childhood Education with Kiddie Academy's commitment to whole-child development, strong family partnerships, and meaningful learning experiences.Position OverviewKiddie Academy of Williamsburg is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and highly organized Lead 3-K Teacher to lead one of our NYC DOE 3-K classrooms. The Lead Teacher is responsible for the daily planning, management, instruction, assessment, and overall operation of the classroom. This position requires an educator who understands that a successful 3-K classroom is built through intentional teaching, purposeful play, responsive relationships, careful observation, and a well-organized learning environment. The Lead Teacher works closely with an Assistant Teacher and is responsible for providing leadership and direction within the classroom while maintaining a positive, professional, and collaborative teaching partnership.Essential ResponsibilitiesCurriculum & InstructionPlan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences aligned with NYC DOE 3-K expectations, The Creative Curriculum®, and Kiddie Academy's educational philosophy.Develop weekly lesson plans and intentional learning experiences based on children's interests, developmental needs, classroom observations, and curriculum objectives.Create opportunities for learning through purposeful play, exploration, conversation, small-group instruction, large-group experiences, and individualized interactions.Prepare instructional materials and learning experiences in collaboration with the Assistant Teacher.Differentiate activities and teaching strategies to support children with varying developmental levels, learning styles, abilities, languages, and individual needs.Maintain a predictable and developmentally appropriate daily classroom schedule while remaining responsive to the needs of the children.Assessment & DocumentationRegularly observe and document children's learning, development, interests, strengths, and areas for continued growth.Maintain accurate child developmental records and portfolios.Complete required assessments and documentation using Teaching Strategies GOLD® and other required DOE or Academy systems.Use assessment data and classroom observations to inform lesson planning and individualized instruction.Ensure documentation is accurate, timely, objective, and reflective of each child's actual development and classroom experiences.Participate in required developmental screenings, progress monitoring, and other DOE assessment processes.Classroom LeadershipServe as the instructional leader of the classroom and provide clear guidance, expectations, and direction to the Assistant Teacher and other classroom support staff.Establish a collaborative teaching environment in which responsibilities are clearly communicated and shared appropriately.Direct classroom activities and staff responsibilities to ensure the classroom operates safely, smoothly, and effectively.Model professionalism, positive guidance, appropriate teacher-child interactions, and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.Communicate classroom needs, staffing concerns, developmental concerns, and other significant matters to the Education Director or administration in a timely manner.Learning EnvironmentMaintain a welcoming, engaging, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.Physically arrange the classroom into clearly defined learning centers and interest areas that encourage independence, exploration, and purposeful play.Maintain classroom materials so that they are organized, labeled, accessible to children when appropriate, and returned to designated locations.Create and maintain meaningful classroom displays, family information boards, children's work displays, and documentation of classroom learning.Ensure the classroom is clean, organized, sanitary, and prepared to receive children each day.Regularly inspect classroom materials, furniture, toys, and equipment and immediately report safety concerns or damaged materials.Child Development & Classroom ManagementBuild warm, responsive, and respectful relationships with each child.Establish classroom routines and expectations that support children's growing independence and sense of belonging.Use positive, developmentally appropriate guidance and behavior-support strategies.Support children in developing social-emotional skills, including communication, emotional regulation, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and peer relationships.Recognize developmental or behavioral concerns and collaborate with administration and families when additional support may be appropriate.Support children during all portions of the school day, including arrival, meals, toileting, rest, transitions, gross-motor activities, and dismissal.Family Communication & EngagementDevelop respectful, professional, and collaborative relationships with families.Communicate regularly with families regarding classroom learning, children's development, upcoming activities, and classroom needs.Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality when discussing children and families.Prepare for and conduct parent-teacher conferences throughout the school year.Participate in family engagement activities, Back-to-School Night, school events, classroom celebrations, and other Academy or DOE initiatives.Partner with families when developmental, behavioral, academic, or adjustment concerns arise.Health, Safety & ComplianceMaintain active supervision of children at all times and ensure appropriate child-to-staff ratios are maintained.Follow all NYC DOE, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York State, and Kiddie Academy policies and procedures applicable to the program.Complete accurate attendance, incident/accident reports, daily documentation, and other required classroom records.Follow established procedures related to health checks, illness, toileting, food service, allergies, emergency procedures, sanitation, and child safety.Maintain confidentiality of student, family, and staff information.Complete all required trainings and professional development within established deadlines.Qualifications:Candidates should meet the applicable NYC DOE and regulatory requirements for a Lead Teacher in a 3-K classroom.Preferred qualifications include:Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education, or a closely related field OR be currently enrolled in degree program.New York State teaching certification in Birth–Grade 2/Early Childhood Education, or eligibility to obtain the appropriate certification.Previous experience as a Lead Teacher in a preschool, 3-K, Pre-K, Head Start, or comparable early childhood classroom.Experience with The Creative Curriculum® and Teaching Strategies GOLD® strongly preferred.Strong knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practice for three-year-old children.Experience with observation, authentic assessment, lesson planning, differentiated instruction, and developmental documentation.Strong classroom management and positive-guidance skills.Ability to effectively supervise, guide, and collaborate with an Assistant Teacher.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Ability to build positive working relationships with children, families, colleagues, supervisors, and outside professionals.Strong organizational skills and attention to documentation and compliance requirements.Ability and willingness to participate in ongoing professional development and coaching.Ability to successfully complete all required background checks, medical clearances, fingerprinting, and other employment requirements.Physical Requirements:The Lead Teacher must be able to actively participate in the daily operation of a preschool classroom, including sitting and working with children at floor level, standing for extended periods, bending, reaching, walking with children in the community, assisting children with daily routines, and responding quickly when necessary to ensure children's safety.Schedule:Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–3:00 PMConsistent and punctual attendance is essential. The Lead Teacher is expected to be prepared for the classroom and ready to receive children at the beginning of the scheduled workday.Ideal Candidate:Our ideal Lead 3-K Teacher is an educator who takes genuine ownership of their classroom. They are warm and nurturing with children while also being organized, dependable, reflective, and intentional in their teaching.We are looking for someone who sees the classroom as a professional learning environment, values collaboration with their Assistant Teacher, communicates effectively with families, welcomes coaching and professional growth, and understands the importance of both high-quality instruction and accurate documentation.Most importantly, we are seeking a teacher who believes that three-year-olds learn best through meaningful relationships, purposeful play, exploration, conversation, and joyful learning experiences.Salary with Bachelor's in Early Childhood Ed: $61,070Salary with Master's in Early Childhood Ed: $68,652Benefits: • Flexible scheduling • Parental leave • Employee Assistance Program • Professional development assistance