Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader

Healthy Kids Programs • Inlet, NY

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Healthy Kids Programs is hiring an Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader at Town of Webb Union School in Old Forge, New York. The role leads a classroom serving children ages 10 months to 3 years, providing nurturing care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. The position is part-time, non-exempt, and scheduled for approximately 25–30 hours per week within center hours of 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. The listed pay is $17.00–$20.00 per hour.

The Lead Teacher works directly with children throughout most of the day, plans and implements activities across developmental domains, follows children’s routines and needs, conducts observations and developmental assessments, and maintains a safe, clean, engaging classroom. The role also supports daily care routines, builds relationships and communicates with families, participates in twice-yearly parent-teacher conferences, and contributes to enrollment and outreach activities.

The position uses Creative Curriculum and other early childhood practices, participates in program quality observations and improvement efforts, and helps ensure compliance with applicable New York State OCFS requirements. Limited leadership and administrative duties include supporting center operations and scheduling, maintaining records, assisting with staff onboarding, training and supervision, coordinating classroom materials, and collaborating with HR, enrollment, and regional leadership teams. These responsibilities do not replace the primary classroom duties.

Eligible children of employees may receive employer-paid childcare during the employee’s working hours. Healthy Kids Programs operates Early Learning, Before and After School, and Summer Camp programs at more than 150 locations and describes itself as a certified Benefit Corporation focused on accessible and affordable childcare. The company states that it is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience pathways: a 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; a NYS Children’s Program Administrator Credential plus 1 year of teaching and 1 year of supervisory experience; an 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 a 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, professional, and able to collaborate with staff and families.
• Be physically able to lift up to 50 pounds and actively engage with children.
• Be able to balance hands-on teaching and caregiving with leadership responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with infants and toddlers.
• A warm, nurturing, patient, and dependable approach.
• Ability to build strong relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for young children.

Responsibilities

• Lead a classroom serving children ages 10 months to 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 meals, diapering and toileting, rest, transitions, and other daily care needs.
• Build trusting relationships with children and families and communicate regularly 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, vision, and dental coverage.
• AFLAC supplemental plans.
• 401(k) for eligible employees.
• Paid sick time.
• On-demand pay, providing 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