Lead Teacher

Kidz Korner Children's Center; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Kidz Korner Children’s Center in Santa Monica, CA seeks a Lead Teacher to create a safe, nurturing classroom for preschoolers. You will guide development across social, language, cognitive, and physical domains while ensuring licensure compliance and program expectations.

The role requires implementing engaging activities, documenting progress, and communicating with families. Collaboration with staff and daily safety protocols are essential.

Qualifications

• Completion of required Early Childhood Education units or equivalent qualifications.
• Must meet California child care licensing requirements for the position.
• Current or ability to obtain Mandated Reporter training.
• Current or ability to obtain Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification.
• Current or ability to obtain health screening, TB clearance, immunization records, and criminal background clearance.
• Experience working with preschool-age children preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and daily activities.
• Maintain a warm, positive, respectful classroom environment.
• Supervise children at all times indoors, outdoors, during meals, rest time, transitions, and field trips.
• Follow child care licensing requirements, including supervision, ratios, health, safety, and recordkeeping.
• Support children with self-help skills, social skills, emotional regulation, and positive behavior guidance.
• Use appropriate corrective language and redirection when addressing children’s behavior.
• Observe and document children’s development, progress, and needs.
• Prepare classroom materials, lesson plans, learning centers, and activity areas.
• Communicate professionally with parents regarding children’s daily experiences, progress, and concerns.
• Work cooperatively with assistants, aides, floaters, and other staff members.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment.
• Follow all health and safety procedures, including cleaning, sanitizing, handwashing, diapering/toileting support, and illness policies.
• Report suspected child abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development as required.
• Support inclusion and provide individualized support for children with different learning styles, behaviors, or developmental needs.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.

Skills

Classroom management

Clear communication

Child development

Patience & professionalism

Team leadership

Policy & safety adherence

Education

ECE units

CPR/First Aid certification

Mandated Reporter training

Job description

Kidz Korner Children’s Center

Job Description: Lead Teacher

Position Title: Lead Teacher Reports To: Director / Site Supervisor

Program: Preschool / Child Care Program

Employment Status: Full-Time or Part-Time, Non-Exempt

Position Summary:

The Lead Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and engaging classroom environment for children. The Lead Teacher supports children’s social-emotional, cognitive, language, physical, and creative development while ensuring compliance with licensing regulations, center policies, and program expectations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and daily activities.
• Maintain a warm, positive, respectful classroom environment.
• Supervise children at all times indoors, outdoors, during meals, rest time, transitions, and field trips.
• Follow child care licensing requirements, including supervision, ratios, health, safety, and recordkeeping.
• Support children with self-help skills, social skills, emotional regulation, and positive behavior guidance.
• Use appropriate corrective language and redirection when addressing children’s behavior.
• Observe and document children’s development, progress, and needs.
• Prepare classroom materials, lesson plans, learning centers, and activity areas.
• Communicate professionally with parents regarding children’s daily experiences, progress, and concerns.
• Work cooperatively with assistants, aides, floaters, and other staff members.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment.
• Follow all health and safety procedures, including cleaning, sanitizing, handwashing, diapering/toileting support, and illness policies.
• Report suspected child abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development as required.
• Support inclusion and provide individualized support for children with different learning styles, behaviors, or developmental needs.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must meet California child care licensing requirements for the position.
• Completion of required Early Childhood Education units or equivalent qualifications preferred/required based on assigned role.
• Current or ability to obtain Mandated Reporter training.
• Current or ability to obtain Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification.
• Current or ability to obtain health screening, TB clearance, immunization records, and criminal background clearance.
• Experience working with preschool-age children preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Strong classroom management and supervision skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with children, families, and staff.
• Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Patience, flexibility, dependability, and professionalism.
• Ability to lead a classroom team and model appropriate interactions.
• Ability to follow written policies, schedules, licensing requirements, and safety procedures.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, lift, and move throughout the classroom and playground.
• Ability to lift or assist children as needed.
• Ability to supervise children visually and physically at all times.
• Ability to participate in indoor and outdoor activities.

Work Expectations:

The Lead Teacher is expected to arrive on time, maintain dependable attendance, follow the daily schedule, communicate professionally, and help create a safe, loving, structured, and respectful learning environment for all children.