PALISADES PRESCHOOL
Good Beginnings Never End
Lead Toddler Room Teacher
Ages 18 Months – 2.5 Years
About Us
Palisades Preschool was founded in 1965 in Fort Lee, NJ, and has served young children ever since. The school remains proudly family-owned and operated today by the third generation, Tiffany and Rich Hubschman, honoring the traditions established by Maryann and Richard Hubschman Sr. while thoughtfully expanding to new locations.
Our mission is to raise the next generation of community leaders — helping shape kind, compassionate, generous citizens of the world through everything we teach. Our vision is to become a recognized leader in the preschool space across the United States through our distinct approach to early childhood education. Everything we do is guided by our core values: Kindness, Compassion, Generosity, and Community.
Good Beginnings Never End.
Our curriculum is built on six pillars: Practical Life skills, classrooms organized around each child's development rather than their birthday, Family Engagement to build community, World Language Discovery (building on our long-standing Spanish program, now with the addition of Mandarin), an Outdoor-First philosophy, and a Screen-Free environment.
Position Overview
Palisades Preschool is seeking a qualified, passionate Lead Toddler Room Teacher who enjoys working with our youngest learners and is committed to creating strong educational foundations that last a lifetime.
This role is guided day-to-day on curriculum by our Curriculum Director, and reports ultimately to the Director.
Position Responsibilities
- Lead classroom activities for children ages 18 months – 2.5 years in a structured, nurturing environment
- Implement and adapt the Palisades Preschool curriculum to meet the individual needs of each child
- Develop monthly classroom calendars that incorporate skills, crafts, and themes aligned with developmental milestones
- Select and maintain age-appropriate classroom materials
- Implement our custom-designed programs within the classroom
- Support smooth daily transitions and routines
- Foster each child's academic, physical, social, and emotional growth
Key Duties
- Provide a safe and nurturing environment for children
- Actively engage with children to create a positive and supportive learning environment
- Manage classroom behavior and implement age-appropriate behavior management strategies
- Conduct student assessments and track developmental progress
- Provide regular reports and feedback to parents regarding student performance and behavior
- Communicate clearly and professionally with staff and families
- Maintain accurate records, logs, and documentation in compliance with New Jersey state requirements
- Complete a minimum of 20 hours of professional development annually
Qualifications
- 2+ years of experience working with young children in a classroom setting
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification (preferred)
- Ability to lift objects of up to 30 lbs. without assistance
- Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time
- CDA with NJ Infant/Toddler certification, AA in Early Childhood Education, or Bachelor's degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Child Development
Benefits
- Employee discount on childcare
- Paid time off (24 paid days off from the school calendar, plus NJ Earned Sick Leave accrual up to 40 hours)
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
Beyond base pay, PPS teachers can also grow their earnings through our Staff Bonus & Incentive Program — a mix of credential-based pay increases and performance, retention, referral, and enrollment bonuses available throughout the year. Full program details are shared during onboarding.
Hours
Full time: 8:15 AM – 3:15 PM, with potential for additional hours.
Pay
From $20.00 per hour, with credential-based increases available
Work Location
In person — Palisades Preschool, Fort Lee, NJ.
Join us as a Lead Toddler Teacher to inspire young minds during their most crucial developmental years! Your dedication will shape bright futures while fostering a joyful learning environment filled with discovery and growth.
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
Work Location: In person
