Lead Teacher (Peixoto)

Kidango • Hayward, CA

89d • Onsite

About The Position

Kidango is an early learning nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in kindergarten and life. As the largest child care provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kidango offers thousands of children, particularly those from low-income families, safe, healthy, and nurturing environments. The organization also engages in policy work to influence early childhood education at various levels. The Lead Teacher role is crucial in providing leadership for the daily supervision, care, and early learning experiences of preschool-age children within a state-funded program. This position is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment that fosters child engagement and learning. The Lead Teacher sets the classroom's tone by modeling high-quality teaching practices, positive guidance, strong teacher-child interactions, and intentional curriculum planning. Key duties include implementing curriculum, managing daily routines, conducting child observations, maintaining developmental documentation, and fostering effective family communication. The Lead Teacher also supports classroom staff in maintaining consistency, safety, and professionalism, and works closely with the Center Director to ensure classroom practices align with organizational standards and state regulations (Title 22 and Title 5). The role also involves adapting instruction and the environment to meet the diverse developmental needs of children, including those with IEP goals or specialized supports.

Requirements

• Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing required.
• Must meet Title 5 and Title 22 requirements for a Lead Teacher in a preschool classroom, including required Early Childhood Education units.
• Required CPR and First Aid certification.
• Completion of required health and safety training, including nutrition training, as applicable.
• Immunization records must comply with Senate Bill 792, including measles, pertussis, and influenza requirements.
• Required to be a mandated reporter.
• Must pass a health screening and TB test
• Must pass background fingerprint clearance
• Must be 18 years or older
• The ability to lift up to 30lbs may be needed during some job duties

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred.
• 2 to 3 years of experience working with preschool-age children in a licensed early childhood program preferred.
• Experience leading classroom activities, supporting other teaching staff, and helping maintain a high-quality learning environment preferred.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate preschool practices, curriculum planning, active supervision, and positive guidance strategies.
• Ability to support children with developmental needs, disabilities, IEP goals, or other individualized supports.
• Ability to provide leadership, accept responsibility, work independently, and support strong classroom teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily supervision, care, and early learning experiences of preschool-age children in a safe, nurturing, clean, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Plan and implement age-appropriate curriculum, lesson plans, learning experiences, and daily routines that support each child’s development, interests, and individual needs.
• Promote children’s social-emotional, physical, cognitive, language, literacy, math, and school-readiness development through play-based learning, positive guidance, and strong teacher-child interactions.
• Support classroom routines, including arrival, meals, toileting, rest time, transitions, indoor/outdoor play, small group activities, and large group learning experiences.
• Maintain active supervision at all times and ensure the classroom team follows Kidango’s health, safety, supervision, licensing, and program requirements.
• Ensure compliance with Title 22, Title 5, and all applicable Kidango policies and procedures for state-funded early learning programs.
• Observe and document children’s development using required assessment tools, screenings, notes, photos, and work samples, and use this information to plan individualized learning experiences.
• Support children with IEP goals, developmental needs, disabilities, or other specialized supports in partnership with families, center leadership, and support staff.
• Maintain accurate classroom records, including attendance, meal counts, child observations, developmental documentation, assessments, and other required program records.
• Partner with families through regular, respectful communication, parent-teacher conferences, and family engagement practices that recognize families as the child’s first teacher.
• Provide leadership, modeling, and daily guidance to Associate Teachers, Teacher Aides, and classroom support staff to promote strong teaching practices, teamwork, consistency, and accountability.
• Support classroom organization, cleanliness, materials preparation, and readiness to ensure a safe, engaging, and high-quality learning environment.
• Collaborate with the Center Director, classroom team, and support staff to ensure strong classroom operations, continuity of care, and high-quality services for children and families.
• Participate in staff meetings, coaching, training, and professional development to strengthen teaching practice and program quality.
• Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and staff while representing Kidango’s mission, values, and professional expectations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• An opportunity to improve real lives, solve hard problems, and change the world
• Friendly, supportive, and adventurous environment with a team of engaged colleagues
• A comprehensive, industry-leading benefits package
• Opportunities to connect with and learn from colleagues and partners around the world

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree