Lead Teacher

Overview A lead teacher at our facility is responsible for managing the classroom, supporting children's development, and maintaining a safe and structured environment.

Classroom Leadership:

~ Lead and manage the daily activities in the classroom. ~ Maintain a structured schedule including learning activities, meals, nap, and playtime.

Child Development and Learning:

~ Plan and implement age-appropriate lessons and activities. ~ Support children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. ~ Encourage creativity, curiosity, and positive behavior in children . Child Safety and Supervision ~ Ensure children are supervised at all times. ~ Follow all health, safety, and sanitation procedures. Classroom Management ~ Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom environment. ~ Ensure classroom materials and supplies and properly used and maintained. Record Keeping ~ Track attendance, incidents, and daily reports for students. ~ Document developmental progress and classroom activities. ~ Complete required reports for the facility (i.e., incident reports, medication logs, accident reports, ASQ's, Gold Books, etc.) Team Collaboration ~ Work closely with other teachers and staff to maintain a consistent learning environment. ~ Participate in staff meetings and center planning. Responsibilities Develop and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards and individual student needs Manage classroom behavior through effective behavior management strategies and positive reinforcement techniques Collaborate with specialists such as speech therapists, behavioral therapists, and early intervention professionals to support children with diverse needs Utilize learning technology and educational tools to enhance instructional delivery and student engagement Conduct assessments, including standardized testing and progress monitoring, to evaluate student development and inform instruction Maintain detailed records of each child's progress, including Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), behavioral plans, and learning milestones Foster strong communication with families through regular updates, conferences, and collaborative planning sessions Requirements Must be 19 years of age, have their high school diploma or GED, and the following college requirements: completed 60 semester hours with 6 of those being in courses related to childcare or child development. Must pass a criminal background check. Must provide 3 reference letters. Able to communicate clearly with children, parents, and other staff members. Patience and care towards young children. Positive and nurturing attitude. Reliable and dependable. Have organization skills to keep track of attendance, meals, activities, and incident reports. Ability to create meaningful and engaging daily lesson plans. Join us as a Lead Teacher to ignite young minds, foster inclusive learning experiences, and champion the potential of every child. Your dedication will help build a foundation for lifelong success while working in a supportive environment that values innovation, teamwork, and professional growth. About the Company Since 2004, KidZone has been a trusted center providing childcare for Richland and other surrounding counties. Our center has 6 classrooms, 2 administrative offices, a parent resource center, a fully equipped kitchen, and 4 different playgrounds with ample space to cater to every age group. KidZone provides a comprehensive developmental early education program for children six weeks to thirteen years. The center strives to make its program responsive to each individual child's level of development, ability and learning style. Children are provided a daily opportunity to learn to work and play with other children. Constructive age-appropriate educational material and toys are provided. Children are also able to work independently in the learning centers. KidZone is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) a distinction that places us among the top 8% of early childhood education centers worldwide. Additionally, we have achieved the Illinois ExceleRate Gold Circle of Quality administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services, reflecting our commitment to excellence in early childhood education.

Benefits:

Employee discount Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan

Work Location:

In person