Preschool Lead Teacher

Miami Valley Child Development Centers, Inc.; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Leave

Retirement Plan

Tuition Assistance

Child Care Discount

Professional Development

Student Loan Forgiveness and paid hols

Job summary

Miami Valley Child Development Centers, Inc. seeks a Head Start Lead Teacher to guide a 3-5 year old classroom under Head Start standards.

You will work with families, staff, and supervisors to provide a safe, inclusive environment that supports social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

Qualifications

• Meet and maintain Head Start standards, regulations, and MVCDC policies.
• 2 years of teaching experience with Head Start or Pre-K children.
• Associate’s degree required; Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Valid driver’s license or access to transportation to centers as needed.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a Head Start classroom, ensuring safety and development.
• Develop and implement lesson plans aligned with standards.
• Supervise staff and volunteers, guiding daily activities.
• Conduct home visits and parent conferences to involve families.
• Assess child progress and maintain accurate records.
• Collaborate with families to support each child’s growth.
• Ensure health, safety, and sanitation compliance.
• Participate in quality improvement and meetings.
• Lead screenings, referrals, and IEP processes.

Skills

Head Start experience

Pre-K teaching

Team leadership

Family engagement

Classroom management

Developmental knowledge

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor's in ECE

Job description

About This Role

As the Head Start Lead Teacher, you will oversee the development and execution of a child-centered educational program for children aged 3-5, adhering to the Head Start Performance Standards, state regulations, and MVCDC policies. Your primary responsibility is to create a safe, stimulating environment that fosters the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth of the children in your care. You will lead a team of classroom staff and work closely with families to ensure the child's overall development.

About This Role

As the Head Start Lead Teacher, you will oversee the development and execution of a child-centered educational program for children aged 3-5, adhering to the Head Start Performance Standards, state regulations, and MVCDC policies. Your primary responsibility is to create a safe, stimulating environment that fosters the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth of the children in your care. You will lead a team of classroom staff and work closely with families to ensure the child's overall development.

What You'll Do

• Maintain an inclusive, organized classroom environment that promotes learning and growth.
• Develop and implement lesson plans that meet the individual needs of each child, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging their unique talents.
• Supervise and support classroom staff and volunteers, promoting a positive and productive work environment.
• Support the family through home visits and parent conferences, ensuring they are well-informed and involved in their child's education.
• Participate in meetings, supervision, and quality improvement activities to continuously improve the program and its outcomes.
• Build strong, lasting relationships with families and ensure their needs are met.
• Ensure compliance with all program policies and regulations, including those related to health, safety, and sanitation.
• Assess child development and maintain accurate records, identifying areas for improvement and celebrating successes.
• Develop and implement strategies to manage behavior and ensure smooth daily routines and transitions.
• Conduct screenings, referrals, and IEP processes, collaborating with staff and families to ensure the best possible outcomes for each child.
• Use positive guidance and behavior management strategies to create a positive learning environment.
• Conduct developmental screenings and participate in meetings, supervision, and quality improvement activities to ensure the program's high standards are maintained.
• Supervise and support the classroom staff, volunteers, and families, ensuring a cohesive and supportive team environment.
• Implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans, differentiating instruction to meet the unique needs of each child.
• Use active supervision and safe learning environments to ensure the well-being of each child.
• Conduct child assessments and maintain accurate records, identifying areas for improvement and celebrating successes.

Requirements

• Ability to meet and maintain compliance with ODJFS, USDA, Health, and Sanitation regulations.
• Valid Driver’s License and/or access to transportation to other centers as needed
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for children aged 3-5 years
• Knowledge of Head Start/Early Head Start program standards
• 2 years of teaching experience working with Head Start or Pre-K children (required)
• Associate’s Degree (required), Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (preferred)

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual (English/Spanish or other languages) is a valuable asset, enhancing your ability to connect with and support culturally and linguistically diverse families.
• You possess a strong collaborative spirit, with excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills that foster positive relationships with families and colleagues.
• A willingness to continue professional education and learning is essential, as you strive to remain up-to-date on the latest child and family curriculum, Conscious Discipline principles, and Head Start practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) is a valuable asset, enabling you to manage tasks efficiently and effectively.
• Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse families is a significant advantage, enriching your understanding and ability to support their unique needs.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills, combined with an organized and detail-oriented approach, are essential for success in this role.
• A positive and dedicated work ethic, coupled with a passion for supporting children and families, is vital in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment.
• Leadership experience, preferably with a proven track record of success, is highly desirable, as you will be responsible for leading a team of classroom staff and volunteers.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child and family curriculum, Conscious Discipline principles, and Head Start practices is a valuable asset, ensuring you can provide high-quality support and guidance to families and staff.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Assistance
• Child Care Discount
• Professional Development
• Student Loan Forgiveness and paid holidays

Miami Valley Child Development Centers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.