Kidz Korner Children’s Center
Job Description: Lead Teacher
Position Title: Lead Teacher Reports To: Director / Site Supervisor
Program: Preschool / Child Care Program
Employment Status: Full-Time or Part-Time, Non-Exempt
Position Summary:
The Lead Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and engaging classroom environment for children. The Lead Teacher supports children’s social-emotional, cognitive, language, physical, and creative development while ensuring compliance with licensing regulations, center policies, and program expectations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and daily activities.
- Maintain a warm, positive, respectful classroom environment.
- Supervise children at all times indoors, outdoors, during meals, rest time, transitions, and field trips.
- Follow child care licensing requirements, including supervision, ratios, health, safety, and recordkeeping.
- Support children with self-help skills, social skills, emotional regulation, and positive behavior guidance.
- Use appropriate corrective language and redirection when addressing children’s behavior.
- Observe and document children’s development, progress, and needs.
- Prepare classroom materials, lesson plans, learning centers, and activity areas.
- Communicate professionally with parents regarding children’s daily experiences, progress, and concerns.
- Work cooperatively with assistants, aides, floaters, and other staff members.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment.
- Follow all health and safety procedures, including cleaning, sanitizing, handwashing, diapering/toileting support, and illness policies.
- Report suspected child abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter.
- Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development as required.
- Support inclusion and provide individualized support for children with different learning styles, behaviors, or developmental needs.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must meet California child care licensing requirements for the position.
- Completion of required Early Childhood Education units or equivalent qualifications preferred/required based on assigned role.
- Current or ability to obtain Mandated Reporter training.
- Current or ability to obtain Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification.
- Current or ability to obtain health screening, TB clearance, immunization records, and criminal background clearance.
- Experience working with preschool-age children preferred.
Required Skills and Abilities:
- Strong classroom management and supervision skills.
- Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with children, families, and staff.
- Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Patience, flexibility, dependability, and professionalism.
- Ability to lead a classroom team and model appropriate interactions.
- Ability to follow written policies, schedules, licensing requirements, and safety procedures.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, lift, and move throughout the classroom and playground.
- Ability to lift or assist children as needed.
- Ability to supervise children visually and physically at all times.
- Ability to participate in indoor and outdoor activities.
Work Expectations:
The Lead Teacher is expected to arrive on time, maintain dependable attendance, follow the daily schedule, communicate professionally, and help create a safe, loving, structured, and respectful learning environment for all children.