Preschool Lead Teacher - Gateway Child Development Center

Peninsula YMCA is seeking a full-time Lead Teacher for the Preschool classroom at the Gateway Child Development Center, located at 559 Gateway Blvd, South San Francisco, CA 94080.

The YMCA Preschool Lead Teacher collaborates with the Site Director and Coordinator to provide a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for children aged 2–6 years. This role ensures successful program delivery by implementing best practices in early childhood education. The Lead Teacher supports compliance with licensing standards, enforces classroom policies, and promotes children’s development and safety. Acting as the classroom and suite lead when needed, the Lead Teacher works closely with the Master Teacher or Suite Coordinator to create and implement classroom improvement plans aligned with YMCA goals and objectives.

• Curriculum & Child Development
  Plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities for children aged 2–6 years.
• Observe and assess children's developmental progress, providing tailored support as needed.
• Stay updated on early childhood education best practices, including accreditation standards.

• Classroom Leadership & Supervision
  Act as the classroom lead in the absence of the Master Teacher or Suite Coordinator.
• Supervise daily classroom activities, ensuring consistency in routines and transitions.
• Delegate responsibilities to staff for effective program operations.
• Mentor and support assistant teachers, volunteers, and classroom staff.

• Safety & Compliance
  Ensure compliance with licensing standards and YMCA programming goals.
• Enforce classroom policies to uphold children's safety and well-being.
• Monitor indoor and outdoor spaces for safety and compliance with licensing requirements.

• Family & Community Engagement
  Foster positive relationships with families, offering regular updates on children’s progress.
• Address parent inquiries professionally, following YMCA policies and procedures.

• Collaboration & Program Improvement
  Collaborate with the Master Teacher or Suite Coordinator to develop and implement improvement plans.

• Administrative & Operational Support
  Maintain accurate records of attendance, incidents, and developmental observations.
• Organize classroom materials and supplies to ensure efficient operations.
• Support administrative tasks assigned by the Child Development Director or Suite Coordinator.

The position involves working in a classroom setting with children and staff. The Lead Preschool Teacher should be able to engage in physical activities, including standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 40 lbs. The role also requires effective communication with parents, staff, and children in both individual and group settings. The work environment includes managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced and dynamic setting.

• Must successfully complete a background screening, including criminal and employment verification. Some positions may also require a credit check.
• All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. The YMCA of Greater San Francisco promotes an equal employment opportunity workplace, which includes reasonable accommodation for otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees. Please contact your manager if you have any questions about this policy or these job duties.
• This job description may not be all-inclusive, and employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned by management. Job descriptions and duties may be modified by management as needed.
• Job offers are conditional and contingent upon background clearance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and CA Fair Chance Act, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

The hourly rate for this position is $29.00-$36.88 per hour, based on experience, qualifications, and alignment with salary benchmarks for similar roles. Compensation is in accordance with grant funding approval and program budget requirements.