Lead Teacher

Job Description

About the Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic, dependable, and nurturing Lead Teacher to guide our classroom community. In this role, you will design and implement a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum, foster a warm and supportive learning environment, and build collaborative partnerships with families. You will serve as the primary educational leader in the room, mentoring assistant teachers while ensuring the highest standards of safety, care, and state licensing compliance.

Key Responsibilities
1. Classroom Leadership & Curriculum Delivery

Plan and facilitate an engaging, hands-on, child-centered curriculum that supports cognitive, social, emotional, and physical milestones.

Set up stimulating indoor and outdoor learning centers (sensory, literacy, dramatic play, STEM, art) that encourage curiosity and active discovery.

Lead daily routines, including circle time, structured small-group activities, free exploration, meal times, and rest transitions.

Provide constructive daily guidance and direction to classroom assistant teachers, aides, and floaters.

2. Health, Safety & Licensing Compliance

Maintain continuous visual and auditory supervision of children at all times, adhering strictly to mandatory state child-to-staff ratios and group sizes under WAC 110-300 standards.

Ensure classrooms, materials, and diapering/restroom areas meet rigorous sanitation, hygiene, and licensing safety guidelines.

Implement child allergy action plans, monitor dietary restrictions, and follow safe sleep protocols (for infant rooms).

Participate in monthly emergency safety drills and maintain accurate daily attendance and transition logs.

3. Child Observation & Development

Conduct routine developmental observations and assessments (e.g., Teaching Strategies GOLD or state-aligned frameworks) to monitor individual learning progress.

Utilize positive behavior support strategies, redirecting behavior with empathy, clear boundaries, and emotional regulation techniques.

Identify individual developmental needs and collaborate with the Center Director and parents on personalized support plans.

4. Family Communication & Partnership

Cultivate open, transparent, and welcoming relationships with enrolled parents and guardians.

Deliver daily updates, photos, and developmental highlights through our family communication portal (e.g., Brightwheel, Tadpoles).

Conduct bi-annual parent-teacher conferences to discuss each child’s social growth, milestones, and school readiness.

Qualifications & Requirements
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Credentials:

Completed or actively enrolled in an ECE Initial Certificate (12 credits) or ECE Short Certificate (20 credits), or possession of an Associate/Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (consistent with WAC 110-300-0100 timeline pathways).

Experience:

Minimum of 1–2 years of verified classroom teaching experience in a licensed child care center or preschool setting.
Certifications & Training (or willing to obtain prior to start):

Pediatric CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens certifications.

Negative TB test result within the state-mandated window.

Current Food Worker Card.

Completion of DCYF Child Care Basics (CCB) and mandatory health and safety modules.

Physical Demands
Ability to actively engage at children’s eye level (kneeling, bending, sitting on the floor).

Ability to lift and carry children or equipment up to 35–40 lbs.

Capacity to supervise outdoor playground activities across varying seasonal weather conditions.