Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader

Healthy Kids Programs • Chatham, NY

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Healthy Kids Programs is hiring an Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader at Taconic Hills Elementary School in Craryville, New York. The role leads a classroom serving children ages 10 months through 3 years, with primary responsibility for hands-on teaching and caregiving. The schedule is approximately 25–30 hours per week within the center’s operating hours of 6:30 AM–6:30 PM. Pay is $20.00–$22.00 per hour. Eligible children of all ages served by Healthy Kids Programs may receive employer-paid childcare during the employee’s working hours.

The position combines classroom leadership with limited administrative and center leadership duties. The teacher provides responsive care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences, supports children’s development and daily routines, builds relationships with families, participates in program-quality efforts and training, and helps maintain compliance with New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS) requirements.

Healthy Kids Programs provides Early Learning, Before and After School, and Summer Camp programs at more than 150 locations. The organization describes itself as a certified Benefit Corporation and states that its mission is to make childcare accessible and affordable while creating meaningful opportunities for children, families, and team members. It is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience pathways: Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 credits in early childhood, child development, or a related field, plus 1 year of teaching and 1 year of supervisory experience; NYS Children’s Program Administrator Credential plus 1 year of teaching and 1 year of supervisory experience; associate’s degree in early childhood or a related field with a plan toward a bachelor’s degree or administrator credential, plus 2 years of teaching and 2 years of supervisory experience; or CDA or OCFS-recognized credential with a plan of study, plus 2 years of teaching and 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Be medically cleared to work in a childcare setting and free of communicable diseases, including TB.
• Have strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Be dependable and professional, and able to work collaboratively with staff and families.
• Be physically able to lift up to 50 lbs. and actively engage with children.
• Be able to balance hands-on teaching and caregiving with leadership responsibilities.
• Work approximately 25–30 hours per week within center hours of 6:30 AM–6:30 PM.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead teacher in a classroom for children ages 10 months–3 years and work directly with children throughout most of the day.
• Provide nurturing, responsive care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Plan and implement activities supporting children’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.
• Follow individual children’s routines, interests, developmental needs, and emerging skills.
• Conduct ongoing observations and developmental assessments.
• Maintain a safe, nurturing, clean, and engaging classroom environment.
• Promote positive adult-child interactions using CLASS strategies and other developmentally appropriate practices.
• Support daily routines, including meals, diapering and toileting, rest, transitions, and other care needs.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and families and communicate regularly with families about children’s experiences and development.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences twice per year.
• Assist with enrollment efforts, open houses, and community outreach activities.
• Use Creative Curriculum and other early childhood practices to support children’s development and learning.
• Participate in CLASS, ECERS/ITERS, and other program-quality observations and improvement efforts.
• Participate in professional development and required training.
• Help maintain a high-quality program that meets applicable NYS OCFS requirements.
• Support daily center operations and scheduling.
• Ensure compliance with NYS OCFS Day Care regulations and maintain required child and program records.
• Support staff onboarding, training, and supervision.
• Coordinate classroom supplies and materials.
• Collaborate with HR, enrollment, and regional leadership teams.

Benefits

• Employer-paid childcare for eligible children of all ages served by the programs during the employee’s working hours
• Telehealth coverage
• Vision coverage
• Dental coverage
• AFLAC supplemental plans
• 401(k) for eligible employees
• Paid sick time
• On-demand pay with access to earned wages before the scheduled payday
• Career development and growth opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree