Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader

Infants & Toddlers | Ages 10 Months–3 Years

Location: Taconic Hills Elementary School, Craryville, NY

Pay: $20.00 – $22.00 per hour

Job Type: Part-Time, Non-Exempt

Schedule: Approximately 25–30 hours per week, scheduled within center hours of 6:30 AM–6:30 PM

Bring Your Child to Work With You

Are you an experienced early childhood professional looking for a rewarding career that works for your family?

Healthy Kids Programs is looking for an Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader to join our team at Taconic Hills Elementary School. You'll lead a classroom serving children 10 months through 3 years old, creating a nurturing environment where young children can learn, grow, and thrive.

One of the things that makes this opportunity unique: your child can come to work with you.

Eligible children of all ages served by our programs can receive employer-paid childcare during the days and hours you work. Your child can be nearby in a safe, engaging program while you focus on your work—without the cost and hassle of arranging separate childcare.

What You'll Do Classroom Leadership

• Serve as Lead Teacher in a classroom serving children ages 10 months–3 years.
• Work directly with children throughout the majority of the day.
• Provide nurturing, responsive care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Plan and implement activities that support children's social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.
• Follow individual children's routines, interests, developmental needs, and emerging skills.
• Conduct ongoing observations and developmental assessments.
• Maintain a safe, nurturing, clean, and engaging classroom environment.
• Promote positive adult-child interactions using CLASS strategies and other developmentally appropriate practices.
• Support daily routines including meals, diapering/toileting, rest, transitions, and other care needs.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and families.
• Maintain regular communication with families regarding children's experiences and development.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences twice per year.
• Assist with enrollment efforts, open houses, and community outreach activities.

Program Quality

• Use Creative Curriculum and other early childhood practices to support children's development and learning.
• Participate in CLASS, ECERS/ITERS, and other program quality observations and improvement efforts.
• Participate in professional development and required training.
• Help maintain a high-quality program that meets applicable NYS OCFS requirements.

Center Leadership & Administration

Administrative and leadership responsibilities are completed in limited blocks of time and do not replace the primary classroom responsibilities.

• Support daily center operations and scheduling.
• Ensure compliance with NYS OCFS Day Care regulations.
• Maintain required child and program records.
• Support staff onboarding, training, and supervision.
• Coordinate classroom supplies and materials.
• Collaborate with HR, enrollment, and regional leadership teams.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced early childhood professional who:

• Enjoys working with infants and toddlers.
• Is warm, nurturing, patient, and dependable.
• Builds strong relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Is comfortable taking a leadership role in the classroom.
• Has strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Can balance hands-on teaching and caregiving with leadership responsibilities.
• Is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for young children.