Lead Teacher

YMCA of Metro Denver; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA is seeking a Lead Teacher for our early childhood program in Denver, CO. You will deliver a play-based curriculum for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old in a co-teaching setting, focusing on safe, engaging learning and strong family partnerships.

You will guide a classroom team, support child development, and contribute to a nurturing environment that aligns with YMCA values and program offerings. Previous EC guidance and collaboration skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in early childhood education settings.
• Ability to collaborate in a co-teaching environment.
• Familiarity with family engagement and communication with caregivers.

Responsibilities

• Create a warm, engaging classroom where every child feels valued and included.
• Plan fun, developmentally appropriate activities that foster creativity, exploration, and growth.
• Lead and mentor assistant teachers to build a strong classroom team.
• Build meaningful relationships with families through regular communication.
• Support children's social, emotional, and cognitive development.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and nurturing learning environment.

Skills

Play-based learning

Team leadership

Family communication

Child development

Job description

Help little learners grow, explore, and belong.

Do you believe the best learning happens throughplay, curiosity, and connection? Do you enjoy turning everyday moments into learning adventures? If so, we'd love to meet you.

At the YMCA, our early childhood educators do more than teach-theyspark confidence, nurture kindness, and help children discover the joy of learning. As a Lead Teacher, you'll guide a classroom where children feel safe, supported, and excited to explore the world around them.

What You'll Do

• Create awarm, engaging classroom where every child feels valued and included
• Plan fun, developmentally appropriate activities that encouragecreativity, exploration, and growth
• Lead and mentor assistant teachers to create a strong, supportive classroom team
• Build meaningful relationships with families through communication and partnership
• Support children'ssocial, emotional, and cognitive development
• Maintain a safe, organized, and nurturing learning environment

What Makes You a Great Fit

• You believeevery child deserves to feel seen, supported, and celebrated
• You bringenergy, creativity, and patience to the classroom
• You enjoy collaborating with other educators and supporting their growth
• You understand thatplay is powerful learning

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Make a real difference in children's lives every day
• Work with a team that lives the values ofcaring, honesty, respect, and responsibility
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• A supportive community focused on youth development

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lead Teacher working as part of the Y Academy Early Childhood Team, will deliver professional customer service and relationship building skills to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. The Lead Teacher will work in a co-teaching environment and will be responsible for implementing educational curriculum in our play-based learning environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Create an environment of play-based learning is foundational, focused on the whole child
• Ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of all children
• Nurture physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth and development of each child
• Plan, implement curriculum according to appropriate practices and Reggo-Emilio approach
• Plan to participate in family friendly parent teacher conferences and engagement programs
• Maintain a cheerful, nurturing healthy, safe and clean classroom environment
• Classroom is inviting and materials are readily available to children
• Share individual child's accomplishments, send photos/videos timely intervals to parents thru approved communication channels
• Assess child's developmental milestones through the Teaching Strategies Gold
• Collaboratively lead a team to support children's growth and success in the classroom
• Assist in planning, preparing professional development for early childhood professionals
• Create a shared vision, center wide, for a team-teaching environment
• Have a deep understanding and connection with YMCA programs and offerings

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger to handle or feel objects, tools, controls, reach with hands and arms, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, hear
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and focus
• Physical demands are required in order to teach, care for, and provide for overall safety of children for which this position is responsible

YMCA CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION & RISK MANAGEMENT

The YMCA is committed to the safety and well-being of all children and vulnerable individuals. As part of our commitment to child abuse prevention and Praesidium accreditation standards, all employees are required to comply with YMCA abuse prevention policies, including screening, training, supervision, and reporting requirements.