Head Teacher - Preschool

Position Summary: The Head Teacher provides classroom leadership and supports teaching quality across the preschool for the Westport Weston Family YMCA preschool program. This position helps create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where children ages three through five learn through play and develop socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. The Head Teacher works with the teaching team and program administration to support positive family relationships, consistent child supervision, and high-quality programming that reflects the YMCA’s mission and core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Operations

- Oversee daily preschool classroom operations and provide direct care and instruction as assigned.

- Guide developmentally appropriate curriculum planning aligned with the CT Early Learning and Development Standards.

- Maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive classroom environment for every child.

- Provide active supervision and accurate child counts during all activities and transitions.

- Prepare, clean, and organize classroom materials, learning centers, and activity spaces.

- Maintain accurate attendance and follow authorized pick-up and sign-in/sign-out procedures.

Leadership & Staff Support

- Mentor Lead and Assistant Teachers and support consistent teaching practices across classrooms.

- Assist with staff onboarding, training, observations, and constructive feedback.

- Coordinate classroom staffing and transitions with the Assistant Director to maintain required supervision.

- Serve as the teaching team’s point of contact for daily classroom issues.

Child Development & Behavior Management

- Build trusting relationships with children and support independence, confidence, and social skills.

- Use positive guidance, co-regulation, and developmentally appropriate behavior support.

- Adapt activities and care routines to individual developmental needs, abilities, and approved support plans.

Family & Community Relations

- Communicate respectfully with parents and guardians about children’s daily experiences.

- Refer sensitive concerns to program leadership and maintain confidentiality.

- Support family participation and a positive connection to the YMCA community.

Safety & Compliance

- Follow YMCA policies, applicable Connecticut Office of Early Childhood requirements, and health and safety procedures.

- Monitor classrooms, outdoor spaces, and materials for safety concerns and report hazards promptly.

- Follow emergency procedures and report injuries, incidents, and suspected child abuse or neglect as required.

- Follow approved allergy, medication, toileting, handwashing, meal, and rest-time procedures.

Administrative Responsibilities

- Review classroom documentation, child observations, and lesson plans; support licensing readiness.

- Track classroom supplies and communicate replenishment needs within approved procedures.

- Participate in program planning, staff training, and classroom cleaning and reset days.

- Perform related duties as assigned by program leadership.

Qualifications

- Minimum of 5 years of childcare experience required.

- An Associate of Science (AS) in Early Childhood Education (ECE) is strongly preferred, or current enrollment in an ECE program.

- Supervisory experience strongly preferred.

- Experience supporting preschool-aged children and positive behavior guidance.

- Fluent in English and Spanish preferred.

- Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills.

- Ability to support children with diverse developmental needs and backgrounds.

- CPR/First Aid/AED, Authorization to Administer Medication, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications, or ability to obtain as required.

- Successful completion of required background checks, screenings, and staff training.

- Meet applicable state licensing eligibility requirements for assigned duties.