Lead Teacher

St Francis Children s Center•Fox Point, WI

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Teacher is responsible for leading the daily operations of an assigned classroom while creating a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment where every child can thrive. This position is responsible for planning and implementing high-quality curriculum, fostering children's cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language development, and ensuring each child's individual needs are met through intentional teaching and active supervision. As the instructional leader of the classroom, the Lead Teacher models professionalism, mentors classroom staff and builds collaborative partnerships with families to support each child's success. The Lead Teacher ensures compliance with Wisconsin DCF 251 Licensing Rules, Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS), NAC standards, and St. Francis Children's Center policies. SFCC’s philosophy: "All children can learn if we can learn how to teach them."

Requirements

State Mandated Courses: Introduction to the Childcare Profession, Fundamental of Infants and Toddlers and Skills and Strategies courses.
An associate degree in Early Childhood
CPR, Mandated Reporter, Abusive Head Trauma, Fire Extinguisher and Bloodborne Pathogen Completion
Signed TEACH contract is required if an employee does not have at least an associate’s degree in the required field.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and staff.
Knowledge of child development and early childhood best practices.
Experience with Microsoft Office, ADP, LineLeader, and related software.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Lead the daily operations of the classroom by implementing consistent schedules, routines, and transitions.
Ensure the classroom is prepared and ready prior to children's arrival, including setting up learning centers and educational materials.
Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and licensing-ready classroom environment throughout the day.
Assign daily responsibilities to Assistant Teachers and Classroom Aides to ensure classroom tasks are completed effectively.
Monitor classroom staffing to maintain required child-to-staff ratios and active supervision at all times.
Complete and maintain accurate attendance records, name-to-face attendance checks, and head counts throughout the day.
Ensure classroom materials, supplies, and equipment are organized, sanitized, and in good working condition.
Maintain bulletin boards, classroom displays, and children's work to reflect current learning experiences.
Prepare and maintain daily classroom documentation, including schedules, lesson plans, child observations, and required records.
Communicate classroom supply needs and maintenance concerns to leadership in a timely manner.
Support smooth daily operations by assisting with arrival, departure, meals, rest time, toileting, diapering, outdoor play, and classroom transitions.
Maintain open communication with the Assistant Director and Director regarding classroom needs, concerns, and opportunities for improvement.
Promote a positive, collaborative team environment by modeling professionalism, flexibility, and accountability.
Ensure all classroom practices align with Wisconsin DCF 251 Licensing Rules, Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS), accreditation standards, and St. Francis Children's Center policies and procedures.
Establish welcoming, respectful, and trusting relationships with children and their families.
Greet children and families warmly during arrival and departure while promoting a positive center experience.
Communicate regularly with families regarding their child's daily experiences, developmental progress, milestones, and classroom activities.
Respond to family questions and concerns professionally, respectfully, and in a timely manner.
Complete and facilitate parent-teacher conferences according to program expectations.
Prepare and distribute monthly classroom newsletters highlighting classroom learning, upcoming events, and family engagement opportunities.
Encourage family participation in classroom activities, center events, conferences, and family engagement opportunities.
Collaborate with families to establish and support individual learning goals and developmental milestones.
Maintain confidentiality regarding all children, families, and program information in accordance with SFCC policies and applicable regulations.
Communicate concerns regarding a child's development, behavior, health, or well-being promptly with leadership while following established center procedures.
Promote an inclusive environment where every family feels respected, valued, and welcomed.
Updates families through Lineleader daily, including a picture every day.
Respond to family emails, messages, and other forms of communication within 48 business hours. If additional time is needed to gather information or collaborate with leadership, acknowledge the communication within 48 business hours and provide an estimated timeline for follow-up.
Develop and implement weekly lesson plans aligned with the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS), children's developmental needs, and program curriculum.
Complete ongoing child observations to monitor developmental progress and inform instructional planning.
Develop, implement, and monitor individualized learning goals for each child based on observations and assessment data.
Maintain accurate attendance records and complete required name-to-face attendance verification throughout the day.
Complete daily child reports and ensure all required classroom documentation is entered accurately and on time in LineLeader or other designated systems.
Prepare and distribute monthly classroom newsletters by established deadlines.
Maintain organized child portfolios, developmental assessments, screening results, and progress documentation.
Complete accident reports, incident reports, medication documentation, and behavior documentation accurately and within 48 hours.
Maintain classroom schedules, emergency information, allergy lists, and required licensing postings.
Ensure classroom documentation is organized, readily accessible, and prepared for licensing visits, accreditation reviews, and internal audits.
Collaborate with the Assistant Director and Director to ensure compliance with Wisconsin DCF 251 Licensing Rules, NAC standards, CACFP requirements, and SFCC policies.
Meet all established deadlines for documentation, reports, assessments, newsletters, and other required classroom records.
Maintain confidentiality of all children, family, and program records in accordance with SFCC policies and applicable state and federal regulations.
Attend and actively participate in all mandatory meetings, professional development sessions, trainings, and other required events as outlined in the school calendar or assigned by leadership.
Report any cases of suspected child abuse and neglect.
Perform other duties as requested or assigned