Lead Teacher

CAPITOL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Capitol Child Development Center in Hartford, CT, seeks a Lead Teacher dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive classroom where children are deeply engaged and learning through exploration.

You will plan developmentally appropriate activities, observe child growth to tailor teaching, and collaborate with a supportive team to strengthen classroom practice and family partnerships. A focus on social-emotional growth and ongoing professional development is essential.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or related field, or a degree in another field with at least 12 foundational early childhood education credits, per Connecticut requirements.
• At least two years of professional experience with young children.
• Strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with children, families, and colleagues.
• Ability to lead a classroom team, stay organized, and work collaboratively.
• Commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive teaching and ongoing professional growth.
• Required certifications, background checks, and health screening per state regulations and CCDC policies.

Responsibilities

• Create a welcoming, inclusive classroom where children feel safe, valued, and deeply engaged.
• Plan dynamic, developmentally appropriate learning experiences built on children’s interests.
• Observe and document children’s development to guide curriculum and support individual needs.
• Lead and collaborate with your classroom team, modeling positive teaching practices.
• Build trusting relationships with families through daily communication and shared observations.
• Support children’s social-emotional development through responsive relationships and independence.
• Maintain a healthy, safe, and nurturing classroom that meets CT licensing and NAEYC/CCDC standards.
• Participate in professional development and ongoing quality improvement.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Team leadership

Collaboration

Observation

Education

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education

Degree in another field with at least 12 ECE credits

Job description

Capitol Child Development Center (CCDC) | Hartford, CT | Full-Time

Help children grow. Help families thrive.

Capitol Child Development Center (CCDC) is a nonprofit early childhood education center in Hartford with a history of serving children and families since 1987. We believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and engaging place to learn, explore, build relationships, and discover what they’re capable of.

We’re looking for a Lead Teacher who brings curiosity, compassion, creativity, and a commitment to high-quality early education. This is an opportunity to help shape meaningful classroom experiences, build strong partnerships with families, and contribute to a collaborative team that is continually learning and growing.

Why CCDC?

At CCDC, early childhood education is about more than what happens in the classroom. It’s about building meaningful relationships, partnering with families, and creating a community where children feel safe, valued, and supported as they grow.

We believe great educators are always learning. At CCDC, Lead Teachers have opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and program leadership, reflect on their practice, access professional learning, and help shape the future of our center. We value educators who bring curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to grow—and who want to be part of a team that is thoughtful about its work and committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.

What You'll Do

• Create a welcoming, inclusive classroom where children feel safe, valued, and deeply engaged.
• Plan dynamic, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that build on children’s interests, questions, and discoveries.
• Observe and document children’s development, using what you learn to guide curriculum and support individual needs.
• Lead and collaborate with your classroom team, modeling positive teaching practices and supporting colleagues.
• Build trusting relationships with families through daily communication, shared observations, and partnership in children’s learning.
• Support children’s social-emotional development through responsive relationships, positive guidance, and opportunities to build independence.
• Maintain a healthy, safe, and nurturing classroom that meets NAEYC accreditation standards,Connecticut Office of Early Childhood licensing requirements, and CCDC policies.
• Participate in professional development, reflective practice, and ongoing efforts to strengthen program quality.

Requirements

• An associate degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, or a degree in another field with at least 12 foundational early childhood education credits, consistent with applicable Connecticut requirements.
• At least two years of professional experience working with young children.
• A strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with children, families, and colleagues.
• The ability to lead a classroom team, stay organized, and work collaboratively.
• A commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive teaching and continued professional growth.
• Required certifications, background checks, and health screening in accordance with state regulations and CCDC policies.

A bachelor’s degree, experience mentoring other educators, proven ability working with diverse communities, and familiarity with Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards or NAEYC quality standards are preferred.

Nice To Have

Equal Opportunity and Belonging

Capitol Child Development Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for our children, families, and staff. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including people of all races, ethnicities, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. We value the diverse experiences and perspectives that educators bring to our community and believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our ability to serve children and families.

This is a full-time, on-site position in Hartford, Connecticut. Employment is contingent upon meeting applicable education, credentialing, background check, and health requirements.