VPK/Preschool Lead Instructor (Director's Credential Required) - Central City Family YMCA

Under the direction of the Program Director, with oversight from Operations Director/Executive Director, the Preschool Lead Instructor with Director's Credential serves as both a lead instructor in the preschool/VPK classroom and the primary backup to the Program Director, ensuring the preschools operations comply with DCF (Department of Children and Families) licensing regulations. In this role, the Lead Teacher provides leadership in curriculum implementation, staff recruitment, and program oversight. They assist with operational duties, ensuring full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and step in for the Program Director when necessary to maintain seamless program management. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Assists Program Director with providing leadership and guidance to assistant teachers and support staff in the classroom.Models best practices in early childhood education, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.Mentor and coach staff to ensure high-quality teaching practices.Develop and deliver daily VPK lesson plans aligned with the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards and the YMCA curriculum framework.Implement developmentally appropriate, hands-on activities that promote literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning, motor development, and cognitive growth. Strong knowledge of all aspects of the daily routine and anticipates the needs of the children.Guides the childrens behavior and learning through active interaction and implementation of curriculum and lesson plans.Maintains accurate records for potential licensing and funding agencies.Maintains a safe, clean, pleasant physical environment conducive to optimal growth and development of children.Appreciates the diversity of families and knows how to share information effectively and appropriately with them about their child.Knows and follows all emergency policies and procedures.Supervises children during indoor-outdoor activities, handwashing, and toileting.Conducts parent conferences with individual parents at least twice yearly to report on childs progress, discuss concerns with parents and act on those concerns.Greets each child and parent upon arrival.Visually scans each child upon arrival and checks for illness, disease, or any physical impairment. Notes in daily health check report.Conducts daily/weekly observations and assessments on children. Conducts developmental assessments on children. Ensures completion of all classroom records.Attends staff meetings and contributes to the meeting.Attends staff training and YMCA special events.Manages classroom supplies and materials, ensuring resources are available and properly maintained.Assists in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new staff.Assists with interview and provide recommendations for staffing needs and ensure that staff qualifications meet regulatory requirements.Participates in continuous improvement efforts to enhance the quality of the preschool experience for children and families.Ensures program compliance with applicable local, state and federal policies and regulations governing preschool operations.Additional duties as required and assigned by a supervisor to support the overall mission of the YMCA and to ensure the success of the program.