Lead Teacher

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:

The Lead Teacher is accountable for ensuring that the Child Care Program is a warm, nurturing, safe and loving environment for each child, where safe concepts are enhanced, independence is encouraged and individually respected. The Lead Teacher will function as a team-leader, responsible for Teachers, Senior Teacher assistant and Teacher assistants. This person, in the absence of the Child Care Director is responsible for the program operating on a sound basis, meeting legal and practical standards and objectives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Train new staff.
• Responsible for assisting the Childcare Director in ongoing training of staff through in-service training, staff meetings, and other so designated programs.
• In the absence of the Director, plan and direct staff meetings.
• In the absence of the Director, supervise personnel to carry out the daily activities of the program.

Curriculum:

• Plan, implement, and monitor curriculum that meets the emotional, physical, intellectual, and social needs of the children.
• Give leadership to curriculum, evaluation and updating.
• Stimulate staff with new ideas, resources, and materials.
• Ensure that curriculum is in keeping with Icahn House childcare philosophy.

Parent Involvement:

• Provide handbook and relevant program updates for parent information.
• Develop and maintain communication links with parents.
• Encourage and provide a variety of ways for parents-volunteers to participate in the program.
• Ensure that families are appropriately oriented into the Childcare Program.

Other Responsibilities:

• Keep records of staff attendance and time clock corrections.
• Supervise and delegate responsibilities to staff as deemed necessary.
• Maintain individual folders for child containing health records, emergency numbers, and all personal information.
• Maintain escort and volunteer lists.
• Establish and maintain an attractive, clean, and safe physical environment.
• Observe health and development of children, and report illness within the Program to the nurse.
• Complete necessary record keeping and reporting to contracted food service program.
• Utilizing the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) - Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) complete incident reports as needed.

Professional Responsibility:

• Promotes the center’s philosophy and educational objectives.
• Supports the center’s code of ethical conduct.
• Engages in ongoing staff development to improve personal and professional skills.
• Supports the professional growth and development of colleagues by sharing materials
• and information and providing helpful feedback and encouragement.
• Attends staff meetings, workshops and in-service training provided by the center.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in child development, early childhood, elementary education, or related fields.
• Minimum of two (2) years supervised experience in an acceptable childcare setting.

• A minimum of two years early childhood experience.
• Effective leadership and communication.
• Teambuilding.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Teambuilding.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS (including Physical Demands):

• May be required to work long hours and a varied schedule.
• Travelling throughout various locations in the New York City area.
• Lifting and moving objects weighing up to 30 pounds several times a week.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EEO Statement – Children’s Rescue Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.