Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader

HEALTHY KIDS PROGRAMS • Town of Hillsdale, NY

5d • $20 - $22 • 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 for 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 6:30 AM–6:30 PM. Eligible children of all ages served by the programs may receive employer-paid childcare during the employee’s working hours.

The role combines hands-on classroom teaching and caregiving with limited blocks of center leadership and administrative work. The Lead Teacher plans and implements activities across developmental domains, responds to children’s routines and needs, observes and assesses development, maintains a safe and engaging environment, and supports daily care routines. The role also builds relationships with families, participates in conferences and outreach, contributes to program quality and required training, and supports center operations, compliance, records, staff onboarding and supervision, and coordination with internal teams.

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

Requirements

• Meet one of the listed education and experience pathways: a bachelor's degree with 12 or more credits in early childhood, child development, or a related field, plus 1 year of teaching and 1 year of supervisory experience; an 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 and professional, and able to collaborate with staff and families.
• Be physically able to lift up to 50 lbs. and actively engage with children.

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/toileting, rest, transitions, and other 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 while ensuring administrative work does not replace primary classroom responsibilities.
• 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 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