Lead Teacher - Preschool Classroom

The Goddard School; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Bonus based on performance

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Employee discounts

Health insurance

Paid time off

Training & development

Vision insurance

Job summary

The Goddard School in Ashburn is seeking a Lead Teacher for a preschool classroom with 3-year-olds. This full-time role offers a competitive hourly pay range and a supportive environment that values planning time, small class sizes, and professional growth through expanded facilities and specialty studios.

You will enjoy dedicated planning time, a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and a leadership team that treats teachers as professionals, with opportunities for advancement as the school expands.

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field.
• CDA credential or equivalent.
• 2+ years lead teaching experience in licensed setting.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for preschoolers.
• Strong classroom management with warmth and structure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with parents.
• Virginia pre-service training completion.
• Ability to pass background check.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
• Lead classroom operations and set daily schedules.
• Mentor and collaborate with co-teacher and staff.
• Communicate with parents daily about milestones and growth.
• Utilize STEM, Culinary Arts, Visual Arts, and Performance studios in lessons.
• Assess and document each child’s progress.
• Maintain safe, organized, and compliant classroom.

Skills

Early childhood education

Communication skills

Classroom management

Mentoring co-teacher

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s in ECE/Child Development

CDA credential

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Bonus based on performance
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance

LEAD TEACHER – PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM (3-YEAR-OLDS)

Full-Time | Monday–Friday | No Nights, No Weekends

$20 – $25/hour (based on education and experience)

We’re not looking for just anyone. We’re looking for an experienced, passionate lead teacher who takes pride in shaping how three-year-olds discover the world—and who wants to do it inside a school that’s actively investing in its teachers and its future.

The Goddard School in Ashburn just completed a major expansion—adding three new classrooms, a full-size gym, and dedicated studios for STEM, Culinary Arts, Visual Arts, and Performance. Our teachers have real planning time, manageable class sizes, and a leadership team that treats them like professionals—because they are.

If your current school undervalues you, overloads your classroom, or treats you like a babysitter instead of an educator—this ad is for you.

Why This School Is DifferentThis isn’t a generic franchise posting. Here’s what makes our Ashburn location stand out:

• Brand-new expansion: Our recently completed annex includes three additional classrooms, a full-size gymnasium, and innovative specialty studios for STEM, Culinary Arts, Visual Arts, and Performance—giving you access to resources most preschools can’t offer.
• Teachers who stay: We have long-tenured educators on staff. Teachers don’t leave schools where they’re respected—ask us about our retention and we’ll give you names to talk to.
• Real planning time: You get dedicated, off-floor lesson planning time. We don’t expect you to plan curriculum while managing a classroom.
• Manageable classrooms: Our 3‑year‑old rooms have a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio with a maximum of 20 children and two lead teachers whenever possible. You will not be alone and overwhelmed.
• Programs beyond daycare: We offer a Private Kindergarten program and are launching enrichment programming in STEM, martial arts, dance, chess, and foreign languages. This is an academically serious school.
• Accredited quality: We are accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA-CSS)—a standard that goes beyond state licensing requirements.

Compensation & Benefits

We believe in transparency. Here’s what we offer—no hedging, no “may include.”

• Pay: $20–$25/hour, based on your education, credentials, and experience. We reward qualifications.
• Health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance available.
• Paid time off: Up to 18 days of PTO plus paid holidays.
• Childcare discount: 50% tuition discount for your own children enrolled at our school.
• Professional development: Access to Goddard Systems University (IACET-accredited CEUs), plus CDA credential support and tuition reimbursement for continuing education.
• Career growth: We promote from within. With our expansion creating new programming and leadership roles, there are real advancement opportunities here—not just a poster on the wall about career paths.
• Recognition: Structured teacher recognition programs throughout the year.

What You’ll Do Every DayAs the Lead Teacher in our 3-year-old classroom, you’ll own the educational experience for up to 20 children alongside a co‑teacher. Specifically, you will:

• Design and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans that spark curiosity and build school‑readiness skills in language, social‑emotional development, and early math and science.
• Lead classroom operations—managing the daily schedule, setting expectations, and creating a structured yet joyful learning environment.
• Mentor and collaborate with your co‑teacher and assistant staff, modeling best practices in early childhood education.
• Build genuine relationships with parents through daily communication—sharing milestones, discussing development, and partnering on each child’s growth—using both personal conversations and our mobile communication platform.
• Leverage our new specialty studios (STEM, Culinary Arts, Visual Arts, Performance) to create cross‑curricular learning experiences that go beyond a standard preschool program.
• Observe, assess, and document each child’s developmental progress, adapting your approach to meet individual needs.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and nurturing classroom that meets or exceeds all state licensing and MSA‑CSS accreditation standards.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For (Ideal Candidate)

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent
• 2+ years of lead teaching experience in a licensed childcare or preschool setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-age children
• Strong classroom management skills with the ability to create structure while maintaining warmth
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills—you’ll be talking with parents every day
• Completion of all Virginia-required pre-service training
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background check

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you have a genuine passion for early childhood education and are committed to growing as a professional, we still want to hear from you. We invest heavily in our teachers’ development—including CDA support, CEUs through Goddard Systems University, and tuition reimbursement. The right attitude, work ethic, and love for children matter just as much as a credential on paper.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. as needed for child safety and program activities
• Ability to sit on the floor, bend, kneel, and move at a child’s level throughout the day
• Ability to stand and move actively for extended periods

Our team includes long-tenured teachers who have chosen to build their careers here. We believe that says more about our school than any job posting can.

Each Goddard School location is privately owned and operated by Goddard Franchisor LLC franchisees. The Goddard School franchise owner(s) are the employers at each school, and the franchise owner(s) set their own wage and benefit programs, which vary by location.