Lead Teacher

The Learning Experience•Wayne, NJ

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Teacher at The Learning Experience in Wayne, New Jersey leads a classroom and supports children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. The role is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, organized, and engaging environment where children can learn through play and developmentally appropriate activities. The Lead Teacher guides classroom staff, plans and implements the proprietary L.E.A.P. Curriculum®, tracks children’s progress, and communicates with families and center leadership. This position involves active supervision and caregiving, including diapering, toileting, feeding, and other age-appropriate personal care. It also requires maintaining classroom safety and cleanliness, following center policies and applicable licensing regulations, and participating in staff meetings, professional development, and center events. Compensation is listed as $17.50–$21.00 per hour based on experience and qualifications; the posting also separately lists $17.00–$21.00 per hour.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 18 years of age.
Previous experience working in a licensed childcare center, preschool, or early childhood education setting.
Meet all applicable New Jersey childcare licensing requirements for the assigned classroom and position.
Successfully complete required background checks, health screenings, and health and safety training.
Demonstrate strong classroom management, communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Be comfortable guiding classroom staff, providing feedback, and maintaining accountability for daily classroom operations.
Ability to perform the physical responsibilities described, including safely lifting and carrying children or classroom materials weighing up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Prior classroom leadership experience is strongly preferred.
Early Childhood Education coursework, a CDA credential, or a related degree is preferred.
A passion for early childhood education and supporting children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Initiative, dependability, professionalism, creativity, enthusiasm, patience, warmth, and a growth mindset.

Responsibilities

Lead daily classroom operations and maintain a safe, organized, welcoming, and engaging learning environment.
Provide direction, guidance, and support to Assistant Teachers and other classroom staff; delegate responsibilities and remain accountable for classroom routines and expectations.
Model positive interactions, professionalism, and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
Establish classroom routines, expectations, and transitions; collaborate with center leadership on classroom needs and improvement opportunities.
Plan, prepare, and implement The Learning Experience’s proprietary L.E.A.P. Curriculum® and maintain lesson plans aligned with curriculum objectives.
Create hands-on learning experiences that encourage curiosity, independence, and developmental growth.
Observe, document, and assess children’s development and use observations to guide instruction and support individual learning needs.
Prepare for and participate in parent-teacher conferences, sharing information about children’s progress.
Adapt teaching strategies to children’s developmental stages, learning styles, and individual needs.
Use consistent routines, clear expectations, positive reinforcement, redirection, and other developmentally appropriate classroom management strategies.
Engage children through songs, stories, movement, play, and interactive learning activities; support social-emotional development and conflict-resolution skills.
Actively supervise children and follow center safety procedures and applicable licensing regulations.
Maintain child accountability, attendance tracking, and face-to-name verification during transitions.
Keep the classroom, learning materials, storage areas, and shared spaces clean, sanitary, safe, and organized.
Meet children’s daily caregiving needs, including diapering, toileting, handwashing, feeding, and other age-appropriate personal care.
Follow health, safety, incident-reporting, and center policies; promptly communicate safety concerns, classroom needs, and incidents to center leadership.
Build trusting relationships with children and families through warm, respectful, consistent communication.
Provide timely and accurate updates about children’s daily experiences, activities, and developmental milestones through the center’s communication platform.
Complete classroom documentation, daily reports, and parent communications consistently.
Communicate professionally with families about children’s progress, classroom experiences, and concerns.
Partner with center leadership to support family experiences, engagement, and retention.
Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and center-wide events and initiatives.