Preschool Lead Teacher

YMCA of Greater Brandywine; West Chester (Chester County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free family YMCA membership

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid holidays and PTO

Babysitting while you work (up to 4 h/

12% employer retirement contribution

Continuing education reimbursement

Career development and paid training

Unlimited referral bonus beginning at

Job summary

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine invites applications for the Preschool Lead Teacher position at Oscar Lasko YMCA in West Chester, PA. This full-time role supports a safe, engaging educational program for young children in line with licensing and YMCA standards.

You'll develop weekly lesson plans, interact with children daily, maintain records, communicate with guardians, and ensure a positive, inclusive environment. Requires 2-year degree or equivalent and DHS compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or related field as required.
• Associate degree with 2+ years of experience working with children.
• Must maintain DHS file and comply with trainings.
• Ability to use technology for programmatic needs and keep records.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement weekly lesson plans with input from the director.
• Interact with all children to support development daily.
• Maintain program records and guardians' communication.
• Supervise all students and ensure a safe, clean environment.
• Adhere to all YMCA policies and licensing requirements.

Skills

Lesson planning

Child interaction

Record keeping

Guardian communication

Supervision

Safety focus

Positive guidance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education

Associate degree + 2 years' experience

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Oscar Lasko YMCA - West Chester , PA 19380

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: 2 Year Degree

Salary Range: $18.71 - $24.32 Hourly

Job Category: Childcare/Day Camp

Embark on a Journey of Impactful Adventure

The Preschool Lead Teacher supports the work of the YMCA, a leading nonprofit charitable organization committed to strengthening community through Youth Development Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. The Lead Teacher creates a safe and positive atmosphere that welcomes all children and families while promoting and maintaining a strong educational program in accordance with the YMCA and licensing and quality requirements.

Who Are We?

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) was named a 2026 Top Workplace by The Philadelphia Inquirer for the third consecutive year. An association of nine YMCAs serving Chester County, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine is a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child, promoting healthy living, and fostering social responsibility through life-changing programs for all.

Perks & Benefits

• Free family YMCA membership, including outdoor pools
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with paid holidays and plentiful PTO for full-time employees
• Babysitting while you work (up to 4 hours per day)
• Generous program discounts on childcare, camp, youth sports, swimming lessons and everyday essentials like home, auto, and pet insurance on our employee marketplace
• 12% employer contribution to retirement savings upon reaching eligibility and optional 403B retirement savings plan upon hire.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Continuing education reimbursement, tuition discounts with Chestnut Hill College and ImmaculataUniversity
• Career development and paid training
• Unlimited referral bonus beginning at $300.00

What You’ll Do

• Develop and implement weekly lesson plans and program goals with the support of director
• Interact with all children to encourage their individual development daily
• Maintain necessary program records.
• Establish relationships and maintain positive communication with all guardians.
• Maintain supervision of all students.
• Provide a safe, clean, and risk-free environment.
• Engage with the children to encourage their development and involvement in activities.
• Maintain maintenance records, including, but not limited to accident and incident reports, sign in/out sheets, attendance records.
• Greet parents and children daily and report or direct parental concerns to the lead teacher or director.
• Adheres to all program and district professional expectations and compliance
• Use age-appropriate positive guidance to support children.
• Follow DHS procedures and help others do as well.
• Provide care for the needs of children.
• Ensures compliance with all YGBW policies and standard operating procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

What You’ll Need

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, Elementary Education, or the Human Services field OR
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including 30 credit hours Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, Elementary Education, or the Human Services field and one-year experience with children OR
• Associate degree with a minimum of 2 years’ experience
• Must keep an up-to-date DHS file
• Ability to effectively use technology for programmatic needs
• Obtain and maintain all new hire certifications and trainings within 90 days of hire

Work Conditions and Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, communicate and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Will be exposed to illness-causing bacteria and viruses.