Lead Teacher - Kids Crest

Join Our Brand-New Kids Crest Team in Brainerd!

Teachers—and future teachers—are you passionate about helping children learn, grow, and have fun? Kids Crest of Country Manor is looking for enthusiastic, caring Lead Teachers to help us open our brand-new childcare center at Pinecrest in Brainerd! Positions start in August with grand opening in September 2026.

Kids Crest is currently looking for lead teachers in the following classrooms:

• Infants (6 weeks- 16 months)
• Toddlers (16 months- 33 months)
• Early Preschool (33months- 4 years)
• Late Preschool (4 years
  - Kindergarten)
• School Age (Kindergarten- 5th grade)
• Lead Teacher Substitute/ Float (All ages)

Kids Crest builds on the success of Kids Country Child Care and Learning Center, voted Central Minnesota’s Best Childcare Center and Best Preschool. Our new center will feature five age-specific classrooms and outdoor play areas, providing plenty of room for children to explore, learn, and make every day unique.

As part of the Pinecrest campus, Kids Crest offers something especially meaningful: opportunities for children and seniors to build relationships through intergenerational activities and special visits. Teachers can also take their classrooms throughout the campus for a change of scenery and participate in community events and creative learning experiences.

As a Lead Teacher, you will create a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom where every child feels valued. You’ll develop age-appropriate lesson plans, guide classroom activities, collaborate with assistant teachers, and help children build the skills and confidence they need for future success.

At Country Manor, we build careers, shape futures, create communities where people thrive, and enrich lives for generations to come. Join us from the beginning and help create an exceptional childcare community for Brainerd-area children and families!

• Interact and build relationships with students
• Develop and implement lesson plans that promote the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual growth of your students
• Supervise classrooms and maintain a fun and interactive environment for all
• Monitor the development of each child and communicate progress with parents
• Lead activities such as arts/crafts, science experiments, and gym games
• Plan frequent field trips and accompany students for the fun! (Preschool age and up!)
• Creating and leading supportive, nurturing learning environment
• Teaching children how to interact with the world around them
• Encouraging children to grow and develop social, emotional, and physical skills
• Teaching younger children basic skills such as color, shape, numbers, and letter recognition

• A degree in early childhood education or a similar field, a CDA, or at least 2 years of college credits in early childhood education or similar field
• 1+ year experience in a child care center
• Strong communication skills to effectively interact with children and families
• Meet Rule 3 Requirements to be a Lead Teacher in the state of Minnesota
• Have general knowledge about Rule 3 and the Licensing requirements for a center in the state of Minnesota
• 18+ Years of Age
• CPR/ First Aid Certified, or willing to become certified

• Extended lunch breaks
• No work on weekends or major holidays
• Robust benefits package (PTO, ESST (earned sick and safe time), medical/dental/vision & more) available to new employees after just one hour worked
• 401k with employer match
• Employee discount for Kids Crest

This is a full-time M-F position. Hours will vary based on classroom, Kids Crest is open from 6am- 6pm.