Certified Lead Preschool Teacher (Leave Coverage)

New York Preschool; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) Plan

Commuter programs

Discounted fitness memberships

Job summary

New York Preschool is seeking a certified Lead Preschool Teacher to cover a leave period in Tribeca. The role runs from January through March, with potential to become a full-time Floater Certified Teacher across campuses.

You will lead an inclusive classroom, employ Tools of the Mind, and collaborate with families to support children’s growth. Competitive benefits and a pathway to permanent roles are offered.

Qualifications

• Certification: NYS Early Childhood Initial or Permanent is required.
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s in ECE or related field.
• Experience: 2+ years as lead teacher in Pre-K or Kindergarten.
• Flexibility: able to join midyear and adapt to multiple classrooms.
• Special Edge: be a passionate lifelong learner.

Responsibilities

• Lead a preschool classroom with emergent, student-centered curriculum.
• Observe and document child development, plan small groups, and adjust activities.
• Maintain safe, inclusive learning environments and partner with families.
• Engage in professional development and coaching opportunities.

Skills

Lead Teacher Experience

Flexible / Adaptable

Student-centered Instruction

Education

Bachelor’s or Master in ECE

Tools

Tools of the Mind

Job description

Role: Certified Lead Preschool Teacher (Leave Coverage)
Location: Tribeca, 88 Leonard Street, New York, NY 10013
Salary: $70,000-$80,000/year, prorated for the coverage period (based on a 10-month school year)
Start Date: ASAP
Coverage Period: November 9th - February 12, 2027
Reports to: Head of School
Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

About us

New York Preschool is more than just a neighborhood preschool. It’s a year‑round early childhood education program built for NYC families with children ages one to five. Every school shares one philosophy across three core programs: NY Preschool, Afternoon Club, and Camp Kids Club.

We put the child first, give working parents the flexibility they need, and treat New York City as an extension of the classroom. This is how we prepare city kids and families to thrive at the next level.

With 12 campuses across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, and over 20 years of serving the NYC community, families get the depth and support of an established network, delivered with the warmth of a neighborhood school tuned to the block it serves.

About This Opportunity

We’re looking for a certified Lead Teacher to join our Tribeca location. You’ll start in mid-December so you can get to know the children, families, and teaching team before stepping in to lead the classroom from January through March while a member of our team is on leave. And this doesn’t have to end in March. We’d love to keep you on as a full-time Floater Certified Teacher with full benefits, supporting classrooms across our locations, with the opportunity to move into a permanent Lead Teacher role based on school needs and performance.

About the Role

We’re looking for a dedicated, certified Lead Preschool Teacher to step into one of our classrooms this winter and keep our mission moving: giving New York City’s youngest learners a joyful, solid foundation for lifelong learning. In this role, you’ll lead an inclusive preschool classroom, using an emergent curriculum that is student-centered, child-led, and data-informed. More than just a teacher, you’ll be the architect of a culture that fosters inquiry, independence, and social-emotional intelligence, and inspires children to become lifelong learners.

What You’ll Do

• The Architect of Learning: Successfully facilitate our preschool curriculum, Tools of the Mind, focused on intentional play and small group academic instruction.
• The Developmental Guide: Use Tools of the Mind to nurture student self-regulation skills, cognitive flexibility, and social-emotional learning.
• The Insightful Observer: Observe and assess every child daily, using a data-informed approach to guide your instruction. You’ll document each child’s growth through Narrative Assessments and Teaching Strategies GOLD, then use what you learn to plan small groups, adjust activities, and meet every child right where they are.
• The Safety Anchor: Ensure every student’s health and safety is the top priority. You’ll maintain a “safe-to-fail” environment where children feel secure enough to take risks and explore their world.
• The Family Partner: Build trust with parents and caregivers through daily updates, sharing the successes and challenges of their child’s day, and building a bridge between school and home.
• The Lifelong Learner: Successfully participate in all professional development experiences, including in‑person and virtual workshops, coaching sessions, teacher observations, and asynchronous coaching and learning experiences with the Tools of the Mind staff developers.

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the essential nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be all responsibilities or qualifications of the job.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For

• Certification: A NYS Early Childhood Initial or Permanent Certification (B-2 or 1-6) required
• Education: A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in ECE or a related field
• Experience: 2+ years of lead teaching experience in Pre‑K (2‑4 years old) or Kindergarten
• Flexibility: Comfortable stepping into an established classroom midyear and, as a Floater, adapting to different classrooms and locations
• Special Edge: Be a passionate teacher and lifelong learner!

Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.

What Success Looks Like

• Your students are reaching key developmental milestones and building the executive function skills to become confident, independent “masters of their own behavior,” and your assessment data shows that growth.
• You know every child in your classroom deeply. Your daily observations, Narrative Assessments, and Teaching Strategies GOLD documentation are complete and on time, and they drive how you plan small groups and adjust instruction.
• You’re facilitating Tools of the Mind with fidelity, turning intentional play and small group instruction into daily experiences that spark real curiosity and “lightbulb” moments.
• Parents and caregivers feel connected to their child’s day‑to‑day journey and progress, and they trust you as a primary partner in their child’s early education.
• You welcome feedback and grow from it, applying insights from our internal instructional coach’s observation cycle and the Tools of the Mind staff developers in your daily practice.
• You’re a steady presence in your school community, partnering closely with your Head of School and fellow teachers to keep safety and collaboration at the highest standard.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• A Path Forward: The opportunity to continue as a full-time Floater Certified Teacher after the coverage period, with a pathway to a permanent Lead Teacher role.
• Career Investment: Tuition Reimbursement Program to help you reach your next educational goal.
• Comprehensive Care: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, plus a 401(k) Plan with Company Contribution.
• The Extras: Commuter programs, discounted fitness memberships, and more!

Physical Demands

The role involves standing, walking, sitting, constant movement, and occasional climbing. The ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds is required. Specific sensory abilities include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjustment of focus.

Inclusivity and Diversity

NY Preschool & Kids Club is committed to an inclusive and diverse community. We celebrate differences, leading with kindness and respect. We are an equal opportunity employer, prohibiting discrimination based on various factors.

Accommodations

The NY Preschool & Kids Club complies with ADA requirements. If you need accommodation in completing the application, please contact [e-mail].