Lead Teacher

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.

This role sets the tone for the classroom by modeling high-quality teaching practices, positive guidance strategies, strong teacher-child interactions, and intentional curriculum planning, and leads the implementation of curriculum, manages daily routines, conducts ongoing child observations, maintains developmental documentation, and fosters effective communication with families. The Lead Teacher also supports classroom staff in maintaining consistency, safety, and professionalism. 

Working closely with the Center Director, the Lead Teacher ensures that classroom practices align with organizational standards, as well as all applicable state regulations, including Title 22 and Title 5 requirements. The role also supports individualized learning by adapting instruction and environment to meet the diverse developmental needs of children, including those with IEP goals or other specialized supports.

What You’ll Be Doing 

• 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.
• Bilingual in Spanish
• 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.
• Required to be a mandated reporter.