Lead Teacher

Lead Teacher – Preschool/Toddler

Summary: Full‑time position (35+ hours per week) at Women’s League Child Development Center. Lead a teaching team, guide assistant teachers through observations, assessments, curriculum planning, and build strong relationships with children and families. Nurturing leader committed to making an impact in a team environment.

Responsibilities:

• Treat each child, co‑worker, and family with dignity and respect.
• View the family‑teacher relationship as a partnership, focusing on each child’s strengths and abilities to achieve common goals.
• Demonstrate familiarity with and use the CT ELDS text during planning.
• Support children’s learning across the domains (social‑emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative) using developmentally appropriate practice, materials, interactions, and expectations.
• Plan with the team to meet individual needs and provide enriched learning environments.
• Provide ongoing differentiated instruction based on data assessment.
• Use, model, and promote positive guidance and techniques.
• Know the DOTS/T.S. Gold Assessment tools and Ages & Stages Questionnaire and implement accordingly.
• Enter observations and identify levels/age bands into the system during scheduled planning days with the team.
• Ensure a safe and healthy environment at all times; monitor child areas for hazards or sanitation problems and correct them immediately. Use Health and Safety & Classroom Management Forms.
• Provide appropriate adult supervision and maintain required ratios for all children.
• Promote good hygiene through appropriate handwashing, diapering and sanitation protocols according to WLCDC policies and procedures.
• Comply with and operate the classroom under all licensing regulations, NAEYC criteria, and WLCDC policies.
• Enforce all safety policies and procedures and understand emergency procedures for fire, storms, medical, first aid, CPR, etc.
• Attend staff meetings, family meetings/events and other mandatory in‑services during and after regular hours.
• Promote WLCDC policies and the NAEYC code of ethics.
• Attend additional workshops, trainings, and continuing education courses as required.
• Supervise assistant teacher(s), teacher aids, and substitutes in the classroom.
• Assist training substitutes, assistants, floaters, volunteers, or others assigned to the classroom.
• Improve own performance through ongoing reflection and feedback from supervisors.
• Develop an annual individualized professional development plan with a supervisor and use it to guide and improve practice.
• Ensure continuity of care for children by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance.
• Interact with all staff as a team member to ensure optimum program quality.

Other Functions:

• Perform special assignments and projects as assigned.
• Perform related duties as required.

Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), minimum 2 years of classroom teaching experience. Familiarity with CT ELDS and DOTS. Salary commensurate with educational level and classroom experience in leading a teaching team.

Benefits:

• 403(b) retirement plan
• Dental insurance
• Medical insurance
• Paid time off (PUD – Accrual of Paid Time Off)

About Us: Women’s League Child Development Center, Hartford. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and serving Hartford’s children and families for 104 years. Our facility houses 8 School Readiness Preschool classrooms, 8 Toddler Rooms, and 1 Infant Room.

Location:

Hartford, CT. Salary: $18.00–$20.50 per hour.

Hours:

35+ hours per week, full‑time.