Lighthouse Early Learning Center
Lead Teacher Job Description
Position: Lead Teacher
Department: Early Childhood Education
Reports To: Director/Center Administration
Employment Status: Full-Time/Part-Time, as assigned
Position Summary
The Lead Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children at Lighthouse Early Learning Center. The Lead Teacher provides classroom leadership, develops and implements lesson plans, supports children's social-emotional and academic growth, maintains positive relationships with families, and ensures that classroom practices meet Lighthouse policies and applicable Maryland child care requirements.
Our Lead Teachers are expected to model professionalism, patience, teamwork, consistency, and a genuine commitment to helping every child learn and grow.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Classroom Leadership & Supervision
- Maintain a safe, welcoming, organized, and nurturing classroom environment.
- Provide active supervision of children at all times.
- Ensure children are properly accounted for during classroom activities, meals, outdoor play, transitions, field trips, and arrival/dismissal.
- Establish consistent classroom routines and age-appropriate expectations.
- Use positive guidance and redirection techniques when addressing children's behavior.
- Serve as a positive role model for children and classroom staff.
- Provide direction and support to Assistant Teachers, Aides, and other assigned classroom staff.
Curriculum & Child Development
- Plan and implement developmentally appropriate weekly lesson plans and classroom activities.
- Provide learning experiences that support language, literacy, math, science, art, music, motor development, social-emotional development, and creative play.
- Adapt activities to meet the individual developmental needs and learning styles of children.
- Prepare classroom materials and learning centers in advance.
- Observe children's development and document progress as required.
- Encourage independence, confidence, problem-solving, communication, and positive peer relationships.
- Participate in center-wide themes, special activities, celebrations, and educational programs.
Health & Safety
- Follow all Lighthouse Early Learning Center health, sanitation, supervision, and safety procedures.
- Maintain a clean and organized classroom.
- Follow proper handwashing, diapering/toileting, meal, rest-time, and sanitation procedures as applicable to the classroom.
- Immediately report accidents, injuries, illnesses, safety concerns, or suspected hazards to administration.
- Follow emergency procedures and participate in required drills.
- Protect the confidentiality and privacy of children and families.
Family Communication
- Greet children and families professionally and warmly.
- Maintain respectful and appropriate communication with parents and guardians.
- Provide families with appropriate updates regarding their child's day, classroom experiences, and developmental progress.
- Communicate concerns to administration and follow center procedures before addressing sensitive matters with families.
- Participate in parent conferences, family events, and other center activities as required.
Professional Responsibilities
- Arrive on time and be prepared to begin work at the scheduled start time.
- Maintain reliable and consistent attendance.
- Follow Lighthouse Early Learning Center policies, procedures, and staff expectations.
- Complete required documentation accurately and on time.
- Attend staff meetings, trainings, professional development, and center events as required.
- Maintain all required certifications, clearances, and training.
- Work cooperatively with teachers, assistants, administration, families, and other staff members.
- Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Use personal cell phones only in accordance with Lighthouse policies and never when doing so would interfere with proper supervision of children.
- Perform additional child care and classroom-related duties assigned by the Director or administration.
Qualifications
Candidates should:
- Meet applicable Maryland requirements for the Lead Teacher/Teacher position for the age group assigned.
- Have experience working with young children in a licensed child care, preschool, early learning, or similar educational setting.
- Demonstrate an understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Be able to plan and implement engaging learning activities.
- Demonstrate strong classroom management and positive guidance skills.
- Have strong communication, organization, and teamwork skills.
- Be dependable, patient, professional, and able to take initiative.
- Complete all required background checks, health documentation, certifications, and training required for employment.
Physical Requirements
The Lead Teacher must be able to perform the physical responsibilities associated with caring for young children, including:
- Sitting and working with children at floor level.
- Standing and walking for extended periods.
- Bending, reaching, kneeling, and moving throughout the classroom and outdoor areas.
- Assisting children with daily routines and personal care when required.
- Lifting or assisting children and classroom materials as appropriate for the assigned classroom.
- Participating in indoor and outdoor activities.
Reasonable accommodations may be provided when applicable.
Professional Expectations
As a Lead Teacher at Lighthouse Early Learning Center, employees are expected to demonstrate:
Safety • Respect • Patience • Professionalism • Dependability • Teamwork • Positive Communication • Love of Learning
Lead Teachers set the tone for their classrooms. They are expected to lead by example and help create an environment where children feel safe, supported, valued, and excited to learn.