Position Overview
We are looking for a warm, patient, and dependable Pre-K Lead Teacher who genuinely enjoys working with children and wants to make a meaningful difference in their day. This role is ideal for someone who can guide a classroom with kindness, structure, and consistency while helping children build confidence, independence, social skills, and kindergarten-readiness skills. The right person will be compassionate, calm under pressure, flexible with scheduling, and comfortable working in a licensed Colorado large child care center.
Who We Are Looking For
· A teacher who genuinely enjoys being with children and sees early childhood education as more than just a job.
· Someone patient, compassionate, and emotionally steady, especially during challenging behaviors, transitions, and busy classroom routines.
· A positive role model who speaks to children with respect, kindness, and calm authority.
· A team-oriented professional who communicates well with families, coworkers, and leadership.
· Someone flexible, reliable, and willing to help where needed, including closing shifts and occasional classroom support outside the assigned room.
Key Responsibilities
· Lead the classroom with warmth, patience, compassion, structure, consistency, and age-appropriate expectations.
· Maintain active supervision of children at all times and follow all licensing, safety, sanitation, and center policies.
· Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, classroom routines, transitions, group activities, and individual learning experiences.
· Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and engaging classroom environment.
· Build positive relationships with children and families through respectful, timely, and professional communication.
· Connect with each child in a way that helps them feel safe, valued, respected, and excited to come to school.
· Complete required documentation, attendance records, incident reports, daily notes, assessments, and classroom records accurately and on time.
· Support assistant teachers, aides, substitutes, and floaters by modeling best practices and giving clear classroom direction.
· Follow guidance, discipline, and behavior support practices that are positive, respectful, and appropriate for young children.
· Participate in staff meetings, training, coaching, quality-improvement activities, and licensing preparation as assigned.
· Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, staff, and center operations.
· Create a Pre-K classroom environment that supports kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early math, social-emotional growth, independence, and problem-solving.
· Use observation and informal assessment to support each child’s progress and communicate developmental needs to leadership and families.
· Guide children through structured routines while allowing meaningful choice, exploration, play, and hands-on learning.
· Support classroom behavior through clear expectations, positive redirection, conflict-resolution coaching, and consistent follow-through.
· Prepare materials and activities that support language development, fine-motor skills, early writing, science, art, practical life skills, and cooperative play.
Required Qualifications
· Colorado PDIS Level 2: Must currently hold, or be able to document and maintain, Colorado Shines PDIS Level 2 credential/training as required by the center and applicable Colorado Child Care Licensing rules.
· Licensing qualifications: Must meet Colorado large child care center requirements for a lead teacher/early childhood teacher role, including required education, experience, and training documentation.
· Background checks: Must successfully complete and maintain all required Colorado child care background checks, including fingerprint-based criminal background checks and child abuse/neglect background checks, before unsupervised work with children.
· CPR/First Aid: Must have, or be able to obtain promptly, current First Aid and CPR certification appropriate for child care settings, including child/infant components when required.
· Required training: Must complete required child care trainings through PDIS or approved vendors, including mandated reporter, standard precautions, emergency/disaster preparedness, and any other training required by licensing or the center.
· Professionalism and character: Must be dependable, flexible, mature, patient, compassionate, and able to communicate professionally with children, families, coworkers, and leadership.
· Physical requirements: Ability to sit, stand, bend, kneel, lift, carry, and actively supervise children indoors and outdoors; ability to respond quickly in an emergency.
Preferred Qualifications
· Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with children through patience, compassion, consistency, and genuine care.
· Prior experience as a lead teacher in a licensed child care center, preschool, Montessori-inspired program, or Pre-K classroom.
· Experience supporting kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early math, classroom management, and social-emotional development.
· Familiarity with Colorado Shines, PDIS, child care licensing visits, classroom observations, and quality-improvement expectations.
· Strong parent communication skills and ability to work as part of a professional teaching team.
Schedule Expectations
· Flexible schedule availability is required.
· Must be able to work closing shifts as scheduled.
· Must be dependable, punctual, and able to maintain consistent attendance.
· May be asked to assist in other classrooms when needed to support ratios, supervision, or center operations.
Compensation
· $18.00 - $25.00 per hour.
· Final offer depends on documented experience, PDIS credential level, education, licensing qualifications, schedule availability, and overall fit for the role.
Compliance and Employment Requirements
· Employment is contingent upon completion of required Colorado child care background checks and verification of eligibility to work in a licensed child care setting.
· Candidate must provide documentation of PDIS Level 2 credential/training and all required licensing trainings or complete assigned trainings within required timelines.
· Candidate must maintain required certifications and trainings throughout employment.
· This job description is intended to align with Colorado child care licensing expectations for a large center, but final qualification review may be subject to the center director, licensing specialist, and current Colorado rules.
How to Apply
Please apply with your resume and include any documentation showing your Colorado Shines PDIS credential level, early childhood coursework, child care experience, and current First Aid/CPR certification if available.
Pay: $18.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
