Lead Teacher-Preschool (Mayfair Early Learning Center)

About the role

The Lead Teacher is responsible for providing leadership in the daily supervision, care, and early learning experiences of preschool-age children within a state-funded early childhood program. This role ensures the creation of a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment where all children feel supported, engaged, and prepared to learn.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily supervision, care, and early learning experiences of preschool-age children in a safe, nurturing, clean, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Plan and implement age-appropriate curriculum, lesson plans, learning experiences, and daily routines that support each child’s development, interests, and individual needs.
• Promote children’s social-emotional, physical, cognitive, language, literacy, math, and school-readiness development through play-based learning, positive guidance, and strong teacher-child interactions.
• Support classroom routines, including arrival, meals, toileting, rest time, transitions, indoor/outdoor play, small group activities, and large group learning experiences.
• Maintain active supervision at all times and ensure the classroom team follows Kidango’s health, safety, supervision, licensing, and program requirements.
• Ensure compliance with Title 22, Title 5, and all applicable Kidango policies and procedures for state-funded early learning programs.
• Observe and document children’s development using required assessment tools, screenings, notes, photos, and work samples, and use this information to plan individualized learning experiences.
• Support children with IEP goals, developmental needs, disabilities, or other specialized supports in partnership with families, center leadership, and support staff.
• Maintain accurate classroom records, including attendance, meal counts, child observations, developmental documentation, assessments, and other required program records.
• Partner with families through regular, respectful communication, parent-teacher conferences, and family engagement practices that recognize families as the child’s first teacher.
• Provide leadership, modeling, and daily guidance to Associate Teachers, Teacher Aides, and classroom support staff to promote strong teaching practices, teamwork, consistency, and accountability.
• Support classroom organization, cleanliness, materials preparation, and readiness to ensure a safe, engaging, and high-quality learning environment.
• Collaborate with the Center Director, classroom team, and support staff to ensure strong classroom operations, continuity of care, and high-quality services for children and families.
• Participate in staff meetings, coaching, training, and professional development to strengthen teaching practice and program quality.
• Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and staff while representing Kidango’s mission, values, and professional expectations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred.
• Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing required.
• Must meet Title 5 and Title 22 requirements for a Lead Teacher in a preschool classroom, including required Early Childhood Education units.
• 2 to 3 years of experience working with preschool-age children in a licensed early childhood program preferred.
• Experience leading classroom activities, supporting other teaching staff, and helping maintain a high-quality learning environment preferred.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate preschool practices, curriculum planning, active supervision, and positive guidance strategies.
• Ability to support children with developmental needs, disabilities, IEP goals, or other individualized supports.
• Ability to provide leadership, accept responsibility, work independently, and support strong classroom teamwork.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred.
• Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing required.
• Must meet Title 5 and Title 22 requirements for a Lead Teacher in a preschool classroom, including required Early Childhood Education units.
• 2 to 3 years of experience working with preschool-age children in a licensed early childhood program preferred.
• Experience leading classroom activities, supporting other teaching staff, and helping maintain a high-quality learning environment preferred.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate preschool practices, curriculum planning, active supervision, and positive guidance strategies.
• Ability to support children with developmental needs, disabilities, IEP goals, or other individualized supports.
• Ability to provide leadership, accept responsibility, work independently, and support strong classroom teamwork.
• Required CPR and First Aid certification.
• Completion of required health and safety training, including nutrition training, as applicable.
• Immunization records must comply with Senate Bill 792, including measles, pertussis, and influenza requirements.
• Must pass a health screening and TB test.
• Must be 18 years or older.
• The ability to lift up to 30lbs may be needed during some job duties.
• The employee will be required to use hands for computer work, answering phone calls, etc.