Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader

About the role

Early Childhood Lead Teacher & Program Leader for infants and toddlers (10 months–3 years) at Taconic Hills Elementary School, Craryville, NY. Healthy Kids Programs is a fast‑growing Benefit Corporation operating Early Learning, Before and After School, and Summer Camp programs at more than 150 locations. You will lead a classroom, provide nurturing care, and benefit from employer‑paid childcare for your own child while you work.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Lead Teacher in a classroom serving children ages 10 months–3 years.
• Work directly with children throughout the majority of the day.
• Provide nurturing, responsive care and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Plan and implement activities that support children's social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.
• Follow individual children's routines, interests, developmental needs, and emerging skills.
• Conduct ongoing observations and developmental assessments.
• Maintain a safe, nurturing, clean, and engaging classroom environment.
• Promote positive adult‑child interactions using CLASS strategies and other developmentally appropriate practices.
• Support daily routines including meals, diapering/toileting, rest, transitions, and other care needs.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with children and families; maintain regular communication regarding children's experiences and development.
• Participate in parent‑teacher conferences twice per year.
• Assist with enrollment efforts, open houses, and community outreach activities.
• Use Creative Curriculum and other early childhood practices to support development and learning.
• Participate in CLASS, ECERS/ITERS, and other program quality observations and improvement efforts.
• Participate in professional development and required training.
• Help maintain a high‑quality program that meets applicable NYS OCFS requirements.
• Support daily center operations and scheduling; ensure compliance with NYS OCFS Day Care regulations.
• Maintain required child and program records.
• Support staff onboarding, training, and supervision.
• Coordinate classroom supplies and materials.
• Collaborate with HR, enrollment, and regional leadership teams.

Requirements

We're looking for an experienced early childhood professional who:

• Enjoys working with infants and toddlers.
• Is warm, nurturing, patient, and dependable.
• Builds strong relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Is comfortable taking a leadership role in the classroom.
• Has strong communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Can balance hands‑on teaching and caregiving with leadership responsibilities.
• Is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for young children.

Education & Experience (one of the following required):

• Bachelor’s degree (12+ credits in early childhood, child development, or related field) plus 1 year teaching and 1‑year supervisory experience.
• NYS Children’s Program Administrator Credential plus 1 year teaching and 1‑year supervisory experience.
• Associate’s degree in early childhood (or related field) with plan toward bachelor’s or administrator credential plus 2 years teaching and 2 years supervisory experience.
• CDA or OCFS‑recognized credential with plan of study plus 2 years teaching and 2 years supervisory experience.

Additional Requirements:

• Medically cleared to work in a childcare setting; free of communicable diseases including TB.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Dependable, professional, and able to work