Early Childhood Learning Director & Lead Teacher

HEALTHY KIDS PROGRAMS • Town of Hyde Park, NY

5d • $17 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

Healthy Kids Programs is seeking a hands-on Early Learning Director / Lead Teacher to support and lead the Preschool classroom at its Early Learning Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. This is primarily a classroom-based, part-time role of approximately 25–30 hours per week, scheduled within the center’s hours of 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Approximately 80–90% of the day is spent working directly with children in ratio as the Preschool Lead Teacher; leadership and administrative responsibilities are handled in shorter blocks and do not replace the primary classroom responsibilities.

The role is suited to an experienced early childhood professional who enjoys teaching, leading by example, and contributing to program quality in a supportive, team-based environment. The Director / Lead Teacher plans and implements developmentally appropriate lessons using Creative Curriculum, promotes positive adult-child interactions using CLASS strategies, conducts child observations and developmental assessments, and maintains a safe, nurturing classroom aligned with ECERS/ITERS standards. The role also includes regular family communication, parent-teacher conferences twice a year, community outreach, professional development, support for daily center operations, regulatory compliance, recordkeeping, staff onboarding and supervision, and collaboration with internal teams.

Healthy Kids Programs provides early learning, before- and after-school, and summer camp programs across more than 150 locations. The organization describes itself as a certified benefit corporation focused on making childcare accessible and affordable and positively impacting the communities it serves.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience pathways: Bachelor’s degree with 12 or more credits in early childhood, child development, or a related field, plus one year of teaching and one year of supervisory experience; NYS Children’s Program Administrator Credential plus one year of teaching and one 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 two years of teaching and two years of supervisory experience; or CDA or OCFS-recognized credential with a plan of study, plus two years of teaching and two 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 pounds and actively engage with children.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Lead Teacher in the Preschool classroom and work directly with children for the majority of the day.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate lessons using Creative Curriculum.
• Promote positive adult-child interactions using CLASS strategies.
• Conduct ongoing child observations and developmental assessments.
• Maintain a safe, nurturing classroom environment aligned with ECERS/ITERS standards.
• Communicate regularly with families through conferences, meetings, and digital platforms.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences twice per year.
• Assist with enrollment efforts, open houses, and community outreach.
• Use ECERS, Creative Curriculum, and CLASS observations to support continuous improvement.
• Participate in professional development and training opportunities.
• Support daily center operations and scheduling.
• Ensure compliance with NY State OCFS Day Care regulations.
• Maintain required student 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 school-age children ages 5–12 enrolled in the program on the days and during the hours the employee is working.
• Telehealth coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• AFLAC supplemental plans.
• 401(k) for eligible employees.
• Paid sick time.
• On-demand pay.
• Career development and growth opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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