Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader

Healthy Kids Programs • Livingston, NY

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Healthy Kids Programs is seeking an Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader at Taconic Hills Elementary School in Craryville, New York. The role leads a classroom serving infants and toddlers ages 10 months to 3 years, providing nurturing care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. The position is primarily hands-on classroom work, with limited blocks of time for administrative and leadership responsibilities.

The teacher plans activities that support children’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development; follows children’s routines and developmental needs; conducts observations and assessments; and maintains a safe, clean, engaging classroom. The role also builds relationships with families, communicates about children’s experiences and development, participates in twice-yearly parent-teacher conferences, and assists with enrollment and community outreach.

The role uses Creative Curriculum and other early childhood practices, participates in program-quality observations and professional development, and helps maintain compliance with New York State OCFS requirements. Leadership and administrative duties include supporting daily center operations and scheduling, maintaining records, supporting staff onboarding, training and supervision, coordinating supplies, and collaborating with HR, enrollment, and regional leadership teams.

The position is part-time and non-exempt, approximately 25–30 hours per week, scheduled within center hours of 6:30 AM–6:30 PM. Pay is $20.00–$22.00 per hour. Eligible employees may bring eligible children of any age served by the programs to receive employer-paid childcare during the employee’s working hours.

Requirements

• One of the following education and experience pathways is required: 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.
• Must be medically cleared to work in a childcare setting and free of communicable diseases, including TB.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Dependable and professional, with the ability to collaborate with staff and families.
• Physically able to lift up to 50 lbs. and actively engage with children.
• Able to balance hands-on teaching and caregiving with leadership responsibilities.
• Committed 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 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.
• Use Creative Curriculum and other early childhood practices to support learning and development.
• 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 and ensure compliance with NYS OCFS Day Care regulations.
• 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 working hours.
• Telehealth coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• AFLAC supplemental plans.
• 401(k) for eligible employees.
• Paid sick time.
• On-demand pay to access 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