Lead UPK Pre-K (4's) Teacher

Our competitive Lead UPK Teacher salaries range from $29.58-$42.75 per hour. Salary is determined by your level of education and experience in Early Childhood Education or a related field.

Primary Purpose

Model exemplary behavior with children, parents/guardians and colleagues. Provide a safe and nurturing environment that encourages children's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. Take the lead in guiding the team to develop clear classroom goals that support a quality program. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum according to guidelines established by Bright Horizons and other designated quality standards to prepare children ages 4 and 5 for kindergarten. Incorporate Bright Horizons' mission, culture, goals, values (HEART Principles), philosophies, and policies into day to day work. Maintain positive relationships with families, children, colleagues, and supervisors. Give direction as needed to less experienced staff. Ensure safety and supervision of children at all times by fulfilling critical health and safety duties. Celebrate and value all children and adults by welcoming and honoring their unique abilities and backgrounds. Fulfill mandated reporter requirements as defined by the appropriate State agency including immediately reporting any suspected cases of abuse and neglect to the agency, and informing the director.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Model exemplary behavior with children, parents/guardians and colleagues. Give direction as needed to less experienced staff.
• Take the lead in guiding the team to develop clear classroom goals that support a quality program. Collaborate with the team in developing an action plan to implement the classroom goals.
• Ensure that daily responsibilities are completed and that jobs are shared and taught to each team member.
• Orient new team members to classroom routines, curriculum practices, and parent/guardian communication.
• Interact with children frequently, affectionately, and respectfully at their level in all settings. Encourage and model social behavior and expectations that are developmentally appropriate. Use positive guidance techniques when responding to children's behavior per Bright Horizons' policies and applicable state requirements. Give children your full attention. Be available and respond promptly and appropriately to their needs.
• Enhance children's play with language, materials, and activities. Engage in frequent conversations with children and look for opportunities to expand their learning and extend their thinking.
• Keep children within limits of sight and sound supervision at all times. Maintain accurate attendance tracking sheets (We Care) throughout the day. Know the number of children in your care, and maintain required staff/child ratios.
• Follow all health and safety procedures established by Bright Horizons and other designated quality standards. Encourage children to utilize appropriate health, safety, and nutritional practices.
• Maintain a safe, clean, appealing, and organized work area which is accessible to children.
• Support children's growth and development in all domains by fully implementing Bright Horizons curriculum, including signature practices and enrichment programs. Plan classroom daily schedules that provide a balance of activities. Maintain flexibility to change planned activities according to children's interests.
• Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities to promote and encourage kindergarten readiness and to foster social skills and encourage children to problem solve, question, experiment, and be creative. Celebrate diversity by providing materials and experiences that reflect both location and global communities.
• Create documentation of children's learning, daily experiences, and accomplishments through daily notes, documentation panels, our child assessment system - Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG), and portfolios
• Welcome and greet all visitors and families, including those attending for back-up care, with a friendly and professional demeanor. Respond to parent/guardian comments and concerns with sensitivity, interest, and respect. Share positive, individualized information with families daily regarding the development and specific activities of children. Conduct periodic family conferences to discuss transitions and developmental goals for children.
• Develop positive relationships with colleagues through professional and respectful communication and collaboration. Proactively work to resolve issues and concerns. Assume a fair share of responsibility in the classroom. Demonstrate initiative, and look for ways to be helpful in meeting the needs of children, the classroom, and teaching team.
• Ensure continuity of care for children by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance. Demonstrate flexibility to scheduling adjustments based upon program and center needs. Attend all mandatory meetings including staff meetings, trainings, and other location events. Actively contribute to program initiatives and positive work environment.
• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning by actively engaging in continuing professional development. Respond to and integrate change in a positive and constructive manner. Take responsibility for actions. Give and receive feedback with respect and a willingness to make suggested changes for professional growth.
• Protect confidential information related to staff and families, and treat necessary communications related to such information with sensitivity.

Job Requirements - Education/Experience

Education

All Pre-K for All lead teachers must adhere to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) regulations. Each lead teacher must have ONE of the following:

• Teaching license or certificate valid for service in the early childhood grades as set forth by New York State Education Department (NYSED) regulations. This includes: Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2); (n-6); or (Pre-K-6) certification.

• Teaching license or certificate for Children with Disabilities (Birth-Grade 2).

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood or a related field and a written study plan approved by an accredited college or university for obtaining Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2) certification.

Experience

Must have 12 to 18 months professional teaching experience.

Additional Job Requirements

• Make routine decisions regarding classroom management, respond to children's needs, create and implement lesson plans (subject to review by supervisor). Use good judgement, and ask for assistance where needed.
• Must comply with mandated reporting requirements. Suspected child abuse or neglect must be promptly reported to the appropriate State agency, or to the center director who then becomes responsible for filing the report immediately. The Lead Teacher has the obligation and the right to contact the appropriate state agency directly.
• May take action but must inform director when caring for child with significant injury, learning of a parent/guardian concern, or recording an unusual incident..
• Supervisor approval needed for schedule changes, time off requests, transition of a child into another classroom, scheduling a field trip, or administration of medication to a child, and to release a child to someone other than known parent/guardian, discuss behavioral challenges or developmental concerns with a parent/guardian, contact a parent/guardian about a child's temperature or illness, purchase supplies, or seek outside support services for a child.
• Follow state, federal and Bright Horizons' guidelines regarding immunizations, employment physical, and required health and safety training and practices.
• Maintain mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements. Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies.
• Demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities.
• Frequently lift, move, or hold children with a range of weight from 10 to 40 pounds. Occasionally lift, move, or hold weight more than 40 pounds.
• Pass required state and company background checks.

The range of compensation listed here or that may be discussed in the interview process is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.

Our people are the heart of our company. Because we're as committed to our own employees as we are to the children and families we serve, our collaborative workplaces are designed to grow careers and support personal lives. Here, you'll find traditional perks (health insurance, 401(k), PTO, and flex spending), education assistance (including access to free CDA and ECE degrees), and so much more. Come build a brighter future with us.

HAVING TECHNICAL ISSUES WITH YOUR APPLICATION?

Contact us at bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com or 855-877-6866

Bright Horizons is dedicated to creating a workforce that promotes and supports diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without discrimination. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations set forth in the following EEO is the Law Poster: EEO - English and EEO - Spanish along with information on the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.