Lead Teacher Pre-K Classroom

YWCA PRINCETON•Princeton, NJ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Teacher for the Pre-K Classroom is responsible for planning, supervising, and implementing the Creative Curriculum daily, adhering to the philosophy and policies of the YWCA Princeton. A primary duty is ensuring the safety, security, and nurturing of children in the classroom, hallways, on walks, and during field trips. The teacher must tailor the program to meet the individual needs of children, recognizing their differences, interests, abilities, and learning styles, while also fostering socialization skills. Key administrative tasks include documenting attendance, accident reports, medication waivers, and daily care sheets in compliance with YWCA Princeton and licensing regulations. The role involves recording daily observation notes, adjusting plans as needed, and utilizing the GOLD assessment system to track progress, summarize findings, and communicate with parents. The Lead Teacher is expected to treat all children with dignity and respect, providing personal attention at their eye level with a pleasant tone. Maintaining effective communication with children, parents, staff, and the Director is crucial. The position also involves assisting with personal hygiene, toileting, diapering, feeding, and participating in daily cleaning routines. Collaboration with the Director of Childcare, Operations, and Facilities is required to ensure the childcare center's facilities are safe, clean, attractive, and meet health and safety regulations. The teacher must attend staff meetings, required training, and childcare family events, and be willing to work at least one 6-hour shift during Tiger Camp weekend and volunteer for YWCA Princeton-sponsored events when possible. The role requires modeling values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and functioning as a cooperative and productive team member.

Requirements

Must have a Child Development Associate (CDA) or Associates degree in Education or related field
Minimum 2 year of experience working with children in an early childhood program
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills required
Ability to prioritize, be self-directed and work independently
Ability to work flexibly with a collaborative team of staff members and volunteers
Ability to work within procedures efficiently and handle several tasks concurrently to meet deadlines
Must be willing to work with all persons without regard to race, religion, ethnic origin, socioeconomic status or disability and sexual orientation
Must be knowledgeable in Microsoft Words, and Excel
Must be able to communicate fluently in Spanish both oral & written

Nice To Haves

Bachelor is Degree in Education or related field

Responsibilities

Plan, supervise and implement the Creative Curriculum daily in accordance with the philosophy and policies of the YWCA Princeton
Be responsible for the safety, security and nurturing of the children assigned to the classroom at all times, including both inside and outside the classrooms, on walks, in the hallways, and on field trips when applicable
Arrange and plan the program according to the Creative Curriculum to the needs of the individual children, recognizing their differences, special interests, needs, abilities and styles and pace of learning socialization skills
Document attendance, accident reports, medication waivers, and daily care sheets for each child in compliance with the YWCA Princeton and licensing regulations
Record daily observation notes on each child and adjust plans to accommodate specific needs
Use GOLD assessment system for documentation for observing and collecting facts, evaluating each child’s progress, summarizing, planning and communicating your findings to parents
Treat all children at all times with dignity and respect, recognizing that each has his/her unique qualities, gifts and needs
Give special personal attention to each child in the room each day, at the child’s eye level and with a pleasant tone
Interact with each child on their eye level and height level, using calm, natural and respectful tones of voice
Greet every child, parent, staff member and visitor with a smile and friendliness
Help children become aware of their roles as integral members of a group
Assure safe and sanitary use and maintenance of all classroom equipment and supplies
Conduct parent conferences on children’s adjustment to the classroom and appropriate center behavior on an as needed basis (at least twice a year) and in a professional manner
Assist with toileting, diapering, and feeding, cleaning and personal hygiene
Participate in daily cleaning routines in accordance with NJ Licensing requirements
In collaboration with the Director of Childcare, Operations and Facilities, ensure that facilities for the TBFECC are safe, clean, attractive, and meet the state and local health and safety regulations for a childcare center
Maintain safe and sanitary use of all classroom equipment and supplies
Maintain effective communication lines with the children, parents, fellow staff, and Director
Attend all staff meetings and required training sessions, as well as childcare family events
Work at least one 6-hour shift during Tiger Camp weekend
Volunteer when possible for the YWCA Princeton-sponsored events
Assume any other duties as requested by professional staff at the YWCA Princeton
Model values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility
Function as a cooperative, productive member of the YWCA Princeton staff team