Lead Preschool Teacher-The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center

Job DetailsJob Location: Princeton, NJ 08540Salary Range: $40,000.00 - $44,000.00 SalaryYWCA Princeton is a mission-driven organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We advance this mission through a wide range of programs that foster equity and expand opportunity for women, girls, and marginalized groups at every age and stage of life. Our offerings include early childhood education, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, a Breast Cancer Resource Center, economic empowerment initiatives, racial and gender equity advocacy, and opportunities for professional development and community connection.

Position Summary

The Lead Preschool Teacher is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and engaging learning environment that supports the social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development of young children.

As the instructional leader of the classroom, the Lead Preschool Teacher plans and implements developmentally appropriate learning experiences using The Creative Curriculum and utilizes the Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment system to observe, document, and support each child's growth and development.

The Lead Preschool Teacher provides day-to-day leadership within the classroom, works collaboratively with assistant teachers and other Early Childhood team members, and develops positive, respectful partnerships with children and families. The ideal candidate demonstrates patience, creativity, flexibility, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to high-quality early childhood education.

This position requires flexibility to work scheduled shifts within the Center's operating hours of approximately 7:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Curriculum, Teaching & Child Development

Plan, prepare, and implement developmentally appropriate daily learning experiences aligned with The Creative Curriculum, Center goals, and YWCA policies and practices. Create an engaging classroom environment that encourages exploration, curiosity, creativity, independence, problem-solving, and a love of learning. Develop lesson plans and learning experiences that reflect children's individual developmental levels, interests, cultures, abilities, learning styles, and needs. Provide opportunities for children to develop age-appropriate social-emotional skills, including self-regulation, communication, cooperation, problem-solving, and positive peer relationships. Adapt curriculum, activities, and classroom strategies as necessary to meet the individual needs of each child. Maintain appropriate classroom routines and transitions that provide children with consistency, stability, and opportunities for both structured and child-directed learning. Ensure classroom materials, books, displays, and learning experiences reflect the diversity of the children, families, and communities we serve.

Assessment & Documentation

Conduct ongoing observations of each child's development and maintain accurate and timely documentation. Utilize Teaching Strategies GOLD to document observations, assess developmental progress, identify areas for growth, and inform individualized lesson planning. Maintain required classroom and child records, including attendance, daily care information, incident and accident reports, medication documentation, and other records required by the Center and New Jersey childcare licensing regulations. Maintain confidentiality of all child and family information. Participate in developmental screenings and other assessment activities as required by the Center.

Child Safety, Supervision & Well-Being

Maintain active supervision of children at all times, including in classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, during walks and transitions, and on field trips or special activities. Ensure the physical and emotional safety, security, and well-being of every child in the classroom. Treat every child with dignity, respect, patience, and compassion, recognizing each child's unique strengths, abilities, culture, personality, and needs. Interact with children at their eye level whenever appropriate and use calm, respectful, and developmentally appropriate language and tone. Provide individual attention and meaningful interaction with each child throughout the day. Support children's daily care needs, including toileting, diapering when applicable, feeding, handwashing, dressing, and other personal hygiene routines. Follow all Center policies and state licensing requirements related to health, safety, supervision, sanitation, emergency procedures, and mandated reporting.

Classroom Leadership & Teamwork

Provide positive day-to-day leadership within the classroom and establish clear expectations for classroom routines, responsibilities, and instructional practices. Work collaboratively with assistant teachers, substitutes, floaters, specialists, interns, and other staff assigned to the classroom. Model effective teaching practices, professional communication, positive guidance, and appropriate interactions with children. Communicate classroom needs, concerns, successes, and challenges promptly and professionally with Early Childhood leadership. Participate actively as a cooperative and productive member of the Early Childhood and broader YWCA team. Support colleagues and contribute to a positive, respectful, mission-driven workplace culture.

Family Engagement & Communication

Build welcoming, respectful, and collaborative relationships with children and families. Greet children and families warmly and create an environment in which every family feels welcomed, respected, and valued. Maintain consistent and professional communication with families regarding their child's experiences, development, accomplishments, and needs. Conduct formal parent/guardian conferences at least twice annually, as well as additional conferences when needed. Communicate developmental observations and assessment results with families in a clear, respectful, confidential, and strengths-based manner. Encourage family engagement and participation in classroom and Center activities. Participate in family events, open houses, conferences, and other Center-sponsored activities as required.

Classroom Environment, Health & Safety

Maintain a classroom environment that is clean, organized, attractive, developmentally appropriate, and conducive to learning. Ensure the safe and sanitary use, storage, and maintenance of classroom equipment, toys, learning materials, and supplies. Participate in daily classroom cleaning and sanitation routines in accordance with Center procedures and New Jersey childcare licensing requirements. Promptly identify and report facility, equipment, health, or safety concerns to Early Childhood leadership. Collaborate with Early Childhood leadership and Operations/Facilities staff to ensure classrooms and program spaces meet applicable health, safety, and licensing standards.

Professional Development & Organizational Responsibilities

Attend and actively participate in required staff meetings, professional development, training sessions, coaching, and other learning opportunities. Maintain all certifications, professional development hours, and documentation required by the Center and New Jersey childcare licensing regulations. Participate in Center and YWCA family events, community activities, and special programs as assigned. Support YWCA-sponsored events and organizational initiatives when appropriate. Model the YWCA's values and demonstrate professionalism, integrity, respect, accountability, and teamwork in all interactions. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the effective operation of the Early Childhood Center and the YWCA.

Physical Requirements

The Lead Preschool Teacher must be able to perform the physical responsibilities associated with caring for and supervising young children, including:

Regularly standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, and sitting on the floor or in child-sized furniture. Moving quickly when necessary to ensure the safety and supervision of children. Lifting and carrying children, classroom materials, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Participating in indoor and outdoor activities in a variety of weather conditions. Maintaining the physical stamina necessary to actively engage with and supervise young children throughout the workday.

Professional Expectations

The Lead Preschool Teacher is expected to demonstrate:

A strong commitment to high-quality early childhood education. Warmth, patience, creativity, flexibility, maturity, and sound judgment. Respectful and culturally responsive interactions with children, families, and colleagues. Strong communication, organization, and classroom management skills. Reliability and consistent attendance. The ability to work collaboratively while also providing leadership within the classroom. A commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Alignment with the mission and values of YWCA Princeton, including our commitment to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

QualificationsRequirements & Qualifications

Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, or a related field required. Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred. Minimum of two years of experience working with children in a licensed early childhood education or childcare setting. Demonstrated knowledge of child development, developmentally appropriate practices, and positive classroom management strategies. Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and time-management skills. Ability to take initiative, prioritize responsibilities, work independently, and exercise sound judgment. Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a diverse team of teachers, staff members, families, volunteers, and community partners. Ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate documentation. Demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive, equitable, welcoming, and respectful environment for children, families, and colleagues of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and lived experiences. Basic proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and other workplace technology, with the ability to learn childcare-specific technology and assessment platforms. Fluency in both English and Spanish, including verbal and written communication, required. Must meet all applicable New Jersey childcare licensing requirements, including required background checks, health clearances, training, and professional development requirements.