Job Description
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Bonus based on performance
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Employee discounts
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Training & development
- Vision insurance
LEAD TEACHER – PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM (3-YEAR-OLDS)
Full-Time | Monday–Friday | No Nights, No Weekends
$20 – $25/hour (based on education and experience)
We’re not looking for just anyone. We’re looking for an experienced, passionate lead teacher who takes pride in shaping how three-year-olds discover the world—and who wants to do it inside a school that’s actively investing in its teachers and its future.
The Goddard School in Ashburn just completed a major expansion—adding three new classrooms, a full-size gym, and dedicated studios for STEM, Culinary Arts, Visual Arts, and Performance. Our teachers have real planning time, manageable class sizes, and a leadership team that treats them like professionals—because they are.
If your current school undervalues you, overloads your classroom, or treats you like a babysitter instead of an educator—this ad is for you.
Why This School Is Different
This isn’t a generic franchise posting. Here’s what makes our Ashburn location stand out:
Brand-new expansion: Our recently completed annex includes three additional classrooms, a full-size gymnasium, and innovative specialty studios for STEM, Culinary Arts, Visual Arts, and Performance—giving you access to resources most preschools can’t offer.
Teachers who stay: We have long-tenured educators on staff. Teachers don’t leave schools where they’re respected—ask us about our retention and we’ll give you names to talk to.
Real planning time: You get dedicated, off-floor lesson planning time. We don’t expect you to plan curriculum while managing a classroom.
Manageable classrooms: Our 3-year-old rooms have a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio with a maximum of 20 children and two lead teachers whenever possible. You will not be alone and overwhelmed.
Programs beyond daycare: We offer a Private Kindergarten program and are launching enrichment programming in STEM, martial arts, dance, chess, and foreign languages. This is an academically serious school.
Accredited quality: We are accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA-CSS)—a standard that goes beyond state licensing requirements.
Compensation & Benefits
We believe in transparency. Here’s what we offer—no hedging, no “may include.”
Pay: $20–$25/hour, based on your education, credentials, and experience. We reward qualifications.
Health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance available.
Paid time off: Up to 18 days of PTO plus paid holidays.
Childcare discount: 50% tuition discount for your own children enrolled at our school.
Professional development: Access to Goddard Systems University (IACET-accredited CEUs), plus CDA credential support and tuition reimbursement for continuing education.
Career growth: We promote from within. With our expansion creating new programming and leadership roles, there are real advancement opportunities here—not just a poster on the wall about career paths.
Recognition: Structured teacher recognition programs throughout the year.
What You’ll Do Every Day
As the Lead Teacher in our 3-year-old classroom, you’ll own the educational experience for up to 20 children alongside a co-teacher. Specifically, you will:
• Design and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans that spark curiosity and build school-readiness skills in language, social-emotional development, and early math and science.
• Lead classroom operations—managing the daily schedule, setting expectations, and creating a structured yet joyful learning environment.
• Mentor and collaborate with your co-teacher and assistant staff, modeling best practices in early childhood education.
• Build genuine relationships with parents through daily communication—sharing milestones, discussing development, and partnering on each child’s growth—using both personal conversations and our mobile communication platform.
• Leverage our new specialty studios (STEM, Culinary Arts, Visual Arts, Performance) to create cross-curricular learning experiences that go beyond a standard preschool program.
• Observe, assess, and document each child’s developmental progress, adapting your approach to meet individual needs.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and nurturing classroom that meets or exceeds all state licensing and MSA-CSS accreditation standards.
Qualifications
What We’re Looking For (Ideal Candidate)
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent
• 2+ years of lead teaching experience in a licensed childcare or preschool setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-age children
• Strong classroom management skills with the ability to create structure while maintaining warmth
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills—you’ll be talking with parents every day
• Completion of all Virginia-required pre-service training
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background check
Don’t meet every single requirement? If you have a genuine passion for early childhood education and are committed to growing as a professional, we still want to hear from you. We invest heavily in our teachers’ development—including CDA support, CEUs through Goddard Systems University, and tuition reimbursement. The right attitude, work ethic, and love for children matter just as much as a credential on paper.
Physical Requirements
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. as needed for child safety and program activities
• Ability to sit on the floor, bend, kneel, and move at a child’s level throughout the day
• Ability to stand and move actively for extended periods
Our team includes long-tenured teachers who have chosen to build their careers here. We believe that says more about our school than any job posting can.
Compensation: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
This Is Your Moment
The joy of childhood comes from those bright sparks of discovery -- moments that delight and surprise us. Your career at The Goddard School can be just as exciting. For more than 35 years, Goddard Schools have put each teacher at the heart of everything we do because teachers put each student at the heart of everything they do. The Goddard School trusts, empowers, and honors its exceptional educators. Develop your teaching skills in a vibrant and nurturing environment and make a difference in children's lives every day.
Each Goddard School location is privately owned and operated by Goddard Franchisor LLC franchisees. The Goddard School franchise owner(s) are the employers at each school, and the franchise owner(s) set their own wage and benefit programs, which vary by location.
Numbers & Facts
| Location | Ashburn, Virginia |
| Industry | Education |
| Company Size | 20 to 49 employees |
| Website | http://www.goddardschool.com/chicago/plainfield-joliet-theodore-street-il#moreFromThisSchool |
About Company
The Goddard School provides the foundation to encourage a child's lifelong love of learning .In our warm, caring atmosphere, dedicated teachers support the development of children from 6 weeks to 8 years old. Our year round program offers families the choice of either half day or full day schedule.
We are delighted to be the on-site owners of The Goddard School on Theodore Street in Plainfield. We welcome the opportunity for you to join our team by providing the best educational child care for children. Our play-based curriculum taught by our wonderful degreed teachers in a nurturing learning environment, is tailored to meet the social, intellectual, physical and emotional needs of each individual child. We are not a daycare, but rather a preschool with purpose.
Rundy and Karen Wells
Skills
- Accreditation Standardsunmatched
- Background Investigationunmatched
- Best Practicesunmatched
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheet)unmatched
- Child Developmentunmatched
- Childcareunmatched
- Communication Skillsunmatched
- Compensation and Benefitsunmatched
- Dental Insuranceunmatched
- Early Childhood Educationunmatched
- Health Insuranceunmatched
- Health Planunmatched
- Leadershipunmatched
- Lesson Plansunmatched
- Licensingunmatched
- Lift/Move 50 Poundsunmatched
- Mathematicsunmatched
- Mentoringunmatched
- Organizational Skillsunmatched
- Parental Controlsunmatched
- Physical Demandsunmatched
- Presentation/Verbal Skillsunmatched
- Schedule Developmentunmatched
- School Buildingsunmatched
- Training/Teachingunmatched
- Training/Teaching Curriculumunmatched
- Tuition Feesunmatched
- Tuition Reimbursementunmatched
- Vision Planunmatched
- Writing Skillsunmatched
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