Preschool Lead Teacher, Rayitos de Sol Childcare

Preschool Lead Teacher, Rayitos de Sol Childcare

Purpose:

• Manage day-to-day logistics and operations for childcare preschool classrooms to run smoothly and effectively while sustaining a positive bilingual learning environment.
• Establish and facilitate clear communication, decision-making, and feedback processes with other staff to ensure that staff work collaboratively to support children's needs and program needs.
• Plan and implement age-appropriate bilingual curriculum and educational activities that promote children's love of language, culture, learning, and collaborative play.
• Create a safe, caring and respectful environment where children are able to express themselves.
• Build relationships with children and families in order to make students and families feel welcome and supported.
• Enhance/strengthen/support the child and family as a whole in their home and community. 

Outcomes:

• All children experience learning and relationship-building opportunities where they feel welcome, safe, supported, and connected to others. Families feel welcomed and celebrated in program spaces.
• Bilingual curriculum and learning activities demonstrate and value diversity in language and cultures.
• Every child experiences books, music, dance, songs, poems, games, celebrations, and cultural traditions from various perspectives, making learning fun and engaging.
• Families feel connected to their child's learning with regular communication.

Responsibilities:

Relationships with Children and Families

• Provide instruction, supervise, nurture, and care for children in the classroom(s) assigned to for the day.
• Organize indoor and outdoor activities that respond to children's learning and developmental needs, with continuous attention to children's language and cultural learning.
• Use positive guidance techniques to help children develop internal control of their behaviors. Redirect children to appropriate play when behavior is inappropriate.
• Attend to the daily needs of the children such as feeding, cleaning, diaper changing, and toilet training.
• Observe and document the individual progress of each child through regular assessments.
• Develop and maintain mutually supportive relationships with individual parents that enable both parents and teaching staff to meet each child's individual needs.
• Communicate and meet with parents regularly regarding their children and the center's policies: via direct conversation, daily reports, and a classroom monthly newsletter.
• Implement community outreach activities to maintain and promote positive community relationships.

Staff and administrative support 

• Work with the Childcare Director and other teachers to maintain regular communication with parents and contact parents in emergency situations.
• Maintain student records in accordance with established licensing rules, enrollment procedures and guidelines.
• Support in other classrooms as needed in the event of staff absences.
• Complete ongoing training and courses to remain up to date on childcare standards and procedures.
• Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, conferences, workshops, and other career development and professional activities.
• Act as a model and leader for fellow staff, with the ability to give and receive feedback, and a willingness to collaborate and learn with others.
• Support new staff members, ensuring they meet all policies and legal requirements with support from the Childcare Director and other staff.

Curriculum development

• Collaborate and implement a bilingual educational curriculum that enhances the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of each child.
• Create a positive learning environment where:
  • Teachers recognize and meet the abilities, interests, and needs of each child.
  • Program activities follow a flexible, yet routine schedule, with alternating periods of quiet/active play, fine/gross motor play, and child/teacher-initiated activities.
  • Children receive positive guidance to navigate real-life situations and develop appropriate habits in eating, dressing, napping, and personal hygiene.
• Conduct smooth and unregimented transitions between activities, staying flexible enough to change planned or routine activities as needed.
• Post the daily schedule, lesson plans, classroom activities, and special events for the month so that parents and other staff can view them. Provide copies to parents to take home.
• Work collaboratively with other staff and families to help improve, suggest, and make changes as needed.
• Participate in ongoing professional development to ensure continuous quality improvement including training and growth in teaching practices, behavior support, racial equity and social justice.

Facility support

• Develop and execute a cleaning routine throughout the day to keep all of the interactive areas cleaned, organized and safe. Arrange learning spaces to support children's ages and developmental needs, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Tasks include: organizing classroom, outdoor, and storage spaces daily; cleaning and disinfecting all areas of classrooms and bathrooms, including equipment and toys; loading and operating washing machines and dishwashers daily as needed.

• Evaluate and recommend materials, equipment, and supplies to director for purchases 
• Adhere to quality standards in accordance with state and local requirements and regulations. Recommend ideas that may lead to a QRIS star level increase. 
• Regularly review and make recommendations to the Childcare Director about the parent handbook based on parent feedback. 

• Communicate equipment repairs as needed.

CACFP Duties

• Complete all mandatory CACFP training and file any required paperwork as necessary.

Important Deadlines/Timeline and Compliance Expectations:

• Maintain records required for licensing, subsidy reimbursement and USDA food program reimbursement.

General Expectations

1.     Be committed to Mano en Mano/Rayitos de Sol Bilanugal Childcare mission.

2.     Adhere to all agency and program policies and procedures.

3.     Adhere strictly to confidentiality of internal and external  information.

4.     Exhibit a positive, professional, collaborative attitude and reflective approach in all internal and external connections.

5.     Engage in professional development opportunities for continuous growth. 

6.     Be punctual for scheduled work and use time appropriately.

7.     Perform the required amount of work in a timely fashion with a minimum of errors.

8.     Be neat and maintain a professional appearance.

9.     Follows accepted safety practices and never works in a way which compromises his/her safety or that of clients or co-workers.

10.  Perform other reasonably related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Hiring Information:

• Values: Must demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Mano en Mano's mission and vision. Ideal candidates for this position will demonstrate experience that reflects a commitment to equity and social justice, as well as strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience: Two to four years of relevant experience demonstrating a range of skills relevant to early childhood education, or work in childcare settings is preferred. Preference for applicants who demonstrate: experience working with bilingual students and an understanding of trauma-informed practices.
• Skills: Highly flexible and adaptable with the ability to work independently and as a team.
• Language: Strong Preference for bilingual (English and Spanish) speakers; qualified monolingual staff encouraged to apply.
• Education: Bachelor's degree or higher preferred. Five or more years of equivalent work experience with 135 hours of child-related training may be considered. Preference for applicants with teacher certification.
• Physical Requirements: Regularly required to sit and speak or listen, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel or crouch and ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds. 
• Pay Range: $18.50+  per hour, depending on language fluency and years of experience working with Mano en Mano   
• Expected Hours (Full Time): The schedule will normally be 40 hours per week. Ability to work flexible hours including mornings, afternoons, and weekends is necessary to provide services to children during busy seasons. Center hours are from 6:00 am–6:00 pm. Starting August 17, 2026

Disclaimer: this job description is subject to change and responsibilities may be expanded to meet the needs of the child care.