PRESCHOOL LEAD TEACHER - FULL TIME

tiny tunes daycare; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Performance bonus

Free snacks

Paid time off

Training & development

Job summary

Tiny Tunes Daycare in New York, NY is seeking a qualified Lead Preschool Teacher to oversee daily classroom operations and provide a safe, structured, developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children.

The ideal candidate leads with confidence, plans engaging lessons, manages behavior, supports social-emotional and academic development, and communicates professionally with families and staff. Leadership, organization, and accountability are essential.

Qualifications

• Meets applicable New York State requirements for a Lead Teacher in a licensed preschool childcare program.
• Required education, credentials, and experience must align with the applicable classroom and program regulations.
• Previous experience in an early childhood classroom is strongly preferred.
• Strong classroom-management, communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to develop and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
• Ability to supervise, coach, and collaborate with teacher assistants.
• Strong written documentation skills and the ability to follow program procedures.
• Dependable, punctual, professional, and receptive to constructive feedback.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement age-appropriate lesson plans that support early literacy, mathematics, language development, creativity, and social-emotional growth.
• Establish and maintain classroom routines, expectations, and positive behavior-management strategies.
• Actively supervise children and maintain a safe, nurturing, and organized classroom environment.
• Lead, guide, and delegate responsibilities to teacher assistants to ensure effective classroom operations.
• Observe children's development, document progress, and adjust activities to support individual learning needs.
• Prepare instructional materials, learning centers, and classroom activities in advance.
• Maintain accurate attendance records, developmental observations, lesson plans, and other required classroom documentation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable childcare regulations, health and safety procedures, and program policies.
• Communicate professionally with families regarding children's progress, classroom experiences, and concerns, following program communication procedures.
• Identify and report developmental concerns, incidents, behavioral patterns, and safety issues promptly.
• Maintain classroom cleanliness, organization, and readiness throughout the day.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, evaluations, and ongoing program improvement.
• Demonstrate leadership, initiative, flexibility, and accountability without requiring constant direction from administration.

Skills

Leadership

Classroom management

Communication

Organizational skills

Team coaching

Education

Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Job description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Bonus based on performance
• Free food & snacks
• Paid time off
• Training & development

Position Overview

Tiny Tunes Daycare is seeking a qualified, dependable, and proactive Lead Preschool Teacher to oversee the daily operation of a preschool classroom and provide a safe, structured, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children.

We are looking for an educator who can lead with confidence, plan and implement engaging lessons, manage classroom behavior, support children's social-emotional and academic development, and maintain professional communication with families and staff. The ideal candidate is organized, accountable, and capable of making sound classroom decisions independently while collaborating effectively with the administration and teaching team.

This position requires more than supervising children. The Lead Teacher must take ownership of the classroom, maintain consistent routines, guide assistant teachers, and ensure that educational activities and daily operations meet program expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and implement age-appropriate lesson plans that support early literacy, mathematics, language development, creativity, and social-emotional growth.
• Establish and maintain classroom routines, expectations, and positive behavior-management strategies.
• Actively supervise children and maintain a safe, nurturing, and organized classroom environment.
• Lead, guide, and delegate responsibilities to teacher assistants to ensure effective classroom operations.
• Observe children's development, document progress, and adjust activities to support individual learning needs.
• Prepare instructional materials, learning centers, and classroom activities in advance.
• Maintain accurate attendance records, developmental observations, lesson plans, and other required classroom documentation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable childcare regulations, health and safety procedures, and program policies.
• Communicate professionally with families regarding children's progress, classroom experiences, and concerns, following program communication procedures.
• Identify and report developmental concerns, incidents, behavioral patterns, and safety issues promptly.
• Maintain classroom cleanliness, organization, and readiness throughout the day.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, evaluations, and ongoing program improvement.
• Demonstrate leadership, initiative, flexibility, and accountability without requiring constant direction from administration.

Qualifications

• Meets applicable New York State requirements for a Lead Teacher in a licensed preschool childcare program.
• Required education, credentials, and experience must align with the applicable classroom and program regulations.
• Previous experience in an early childhood classroom is strongly preferred.
• Strong classroom-management, communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to develop and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
• Ability to supervise, coach, and collaborate with teacher assistants.
• Strong written documentation skills and the ability to follow program procedures.
• Dependable, punctual, professional, and receptive to constructive feedback.

What We Expect From Our Lead Teacher

We expect our Lead Teachers to take full ownership of their classrooms. This means arriving prepared, maintaining consistent routines, anticipating classroom needs, addressing behavioral challenges appropriately, and ensuring that assistants understand their responsibilities.

The successful candidate must be able to make sound decisions, solve problems, accept accountability, and maintain professional boundaries with children, families, and coworkers. Leadership requires setting a positive example, addressing concerns appropriately, and following through on responsibilities without repeated reminders.

Minimum Requirements — Mandatory

• Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
• Applicants must hold an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or an equivalent qualification.

Applicants who do not meet BOTH requirements will be disqualified from consideration.

Important Notice

This is a leadership position, not simply a classroom supervision role. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to lead a team, manage competing priorities, maintain required documentation, and deliver consistent educational experiences. Performance will be evaluated based on classroom safety, instructional quality, professionalism, reliability, team leadership, and adherence to program standards.

At Tiny Tunes Daycare, we are looking for a Lead Teacher who leads by example, takes initiative, and is committed to helping every child learn, grow, and succeed.