Lead Teacher | Early Childhood Education

• Pay: $17.50–$21.00 per hour, based on experience and qualifications.
  
  
• Competitive compensation
  
  
• Health insurance opportunities for eligible employees
  
  
• Paid time off
  
  
• Childcare discounts
  
  
• Professional development and ongoing training
  
  
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
  
  
• A supportive, collaborative team environment
  
  

• Take ownership of daily classroom operations, ensuring a safe, organized, welcoming, and engaging learning environment.
  
  
• Provide direction, guidance, and support to Assistant Teachers and other classroom staff.
  
  
• Delegate responsibilities appropriately while maintaining accountability for classroom routines, organization, and expectations.
  
  
• Model positive interactions, professionalism, and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
  
  
• Establish consistent classroom routines, expectations, and transitions that support a positive learning environment.
  
  
• Collaborate with center leadership to address classroom needs, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
  
  

• Plan, prepare, and implement The Learning Experience's proprietary L.E.A.P. Curriculum® with consistency, creativity, and enthusiasm.
  
  
• Develop engaging, hands-on learning experiences that encourage curiosity, independence, and developmental growth.
  
  
• Maintain current lesson plans and ensure classroom activities align with curriculum objectives.
  
  
• Observe, document, and assess children's developmental progress.
  
  
• Use developmental observations and assessments to guide instruction and support individual learning needs.
  
  
• Prepare for and participate in parent-teacher conferences, sharing meaningful insights into each child's progress.
  
  
• Adapt teaching strategies to accommodate varying developmental stages, learning styles, and individual needs.
  
  

• Create a positive classroom environment through consistent routines, clear expectations, and developmentally appropriate guidance.
  
  
• Use positive reinforcement, redirection, and effective classroom management strategies to support children's behavior.
  
  
• Actively engage children throughout the day through songs, stories, movement, play, and interactive learning activities.
  
  
• Support children's social-emotional development by modeling kindness, communication, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
  
  
• Maintain a calm, patient, and professional approach when navigating challenging behaviors or classroom situations.
  
  

• Maintain active supervision of children at all times, following all center safety procedures and applicable licensing regulations.
  
  
• Ensure accurate child accountability, attendance tracking, and face-to-name verification during transitions.
  
  
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, safe, and organized classroom, including learning materials, storage areas, and shared spaces.
  
  
• Ensure daily caregiving needs are met, including diapering, toileting, handwashing, feeding, and other age-appropriate personal care responsibilities.
  
  
• Follow all applicable health, safety, incident reporting, and center policies.
  
  
• Identify and promptly communicate safety concerns, classroom needs, or incidents to center leadership.
  
  

• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and families through warm, respectful, and consistent communication.
  
  
• Provide timely, accurate, and meaningful updates about children's daily experiences, activities, and developmental milestones through the center's communication platform.
  
  
• Ensure classroom documentation, daily reports, and parent communications are completed consistently.
  
  
• Communicate professionally with families regarding children's progress, classroom experiences, and concerns.
  
  
• Partner with center leadership to support positive family experiences, engagement, and retention.
  
  
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and center-wide events and initiatives.
  
  

• High school diploma or GED required.
  
  
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
  
  
• Previous experience working in a licensed childcare center, preschool, or early childhood education setting required.
  
  
• Prior classroom leadership experience strongly preferred.
  
  
• Early Childhood Education coursework, CDA credential, or related degree preferred.
  
  
• Must meet all applicable New Jersey childcare licensing requirements for the assigned classroom and position.
  
  
• Must successfully complete required background checks, health screenings, and health and safety training.
  
  
• Must demonstrate strong classroom management, communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
  
  
• Must be comfortable guiding classroom staff, providing feedback, and maintaining accountability for daily classroom operations.
  
  

• Standing, walking, sitting, and moving throughout the classroom for extended periods.
  
  
• Bending, kneeling, crouching, and sitting on the floor to interact with children.
  
  
• Safely lifting and carrying children or classroom materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
  
  
• Reaching, stretching, and performing routine classroom tasks.
  
  
• Maintaining appropriate visual and auditory awareness to supervise children effectively.
  
  
• Participating in outdoor activities in varying weather conditions, consistent with center safety policies.
  
  
• Maintaining the alertness and stamina necessary to perform essential classroom, leadership, and caregiving responsibilities.