Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Welcome to ninaBees Early Learning Center!

At ninaBees, we believe children thrive when they feel safe, valued, connected, and free to explore. Our mission is to build a school family where all belong through joy-filled curiosity, exploration, and community. We nurture the whole child through inclusive, play-rich experiences that build confidence, creativity, self-regulation, and a lifelong love of learning.

What makes ninaBees a special place to work is our small size, devoted professionals, collaborative teamwork, and strong sense of community and parent engagement. We prioritize meaningful relationships, shared responsibility, and a supportive team environment where educators can contribute ideas, learn from one another, and make a visible difference in children’s lives.

What You Can Expect at ninaBees:

• A close-knit team: Work alongside dedicated educators who value kindness, mutual respect, collaboration, and helping one another succeed.
• Time to grow and plan together: Participate in dedicated professional development days, collaborative planning, curriculum development, coaching, and team-building.
• Meaningful, child-centered work: Help shape a Reggio-inspired learning environment that honors children’s curiosity, creativity, relationships, and individual growth.
• Professional development: Build your skills and knowledge through ongoing learning, reflection, and opportunities to strengthen your early childhood practice.
• Employment benefits: a health stipend, access to a 403(b) retirement savings plan, paid sick time, paid holidays, scheduled school breaks, and paid time off (PTO) of 4-5 weeks annually.
• A culture of belonging: Join a community that values different perspectives, communicates directly and respectfully, works through challenges, and supports one another’s growth.

Our shared values of kindness, respect, integrity, collaboration, and curiosity guide how we show up each day. We take initiative, address challenges proactively, communicate with clarity and compassion, and recognize that everyone plays a role in creating a safe, consistent, and joyful environment.

Position Summary

The Lead Teacher creates a safe, nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom where children are known, respected, and supported as capable learners. As the primary classroom educator, the Lead Teacher guides curriculum, observes and documents learning, supports social-emotional development, builds family partnerships, and leads the classroom team.

At ninaBees, we value teachers who are caring, reflective, dependable, and actively invested in their work. Lead Teachers take initiative, anticipate needs, and follow through without waiting for repeated reminders. They are expected to recognize what needs attention, take appropriate action within their authority, and communicate or seek support when needed.

Lead Teachers are expected to learn and apply our Reggio-inspired educational philosophy and Conscious Discipline framework. Previous experience with these approaches is valuable, but curiosity, openness to feedback, and a genuine commitment to continued growth are essential.

Key Responsibilities

1. Child Safety, Supervision, and Well-Being

• Maintain active supervision and a safe, inclusive, nurturing environment throughout the day, including transitions, meals, rest, outdoor play, and shared-space activities.
• Follow applicable Colorado child care licensing requirements and center policies regarding ratios, group sizes, supervision, health, sanitation, emergencies, and daily care routines.
• Build warm, respectful relationships with children and families; respond promptly to injuries, illness, safety concerns, and changing needs, completing required documentation and communication.
• Identify hazards proactively. Report and remove damaged, missing, or unsafe items: immediately remove damaged or unsafe items from children's access when safe to do so, secure them in the designated inaccessible area, and notify the appropriate supervisor. Follow center procedures for repairs, replacement, and disposal.

2. Curriculum, Observation, and Documentation

• Develop, write, implement, and regularly evaluate meaningful, developmentally appropriate curriculum based on children's interests, questions, observations, developmental needs, and emerging ideas.
• Apply a Reggio-inspired approach by viewing children as capable, curious learners and using relationships, inquiry, project work, play, collaboration, and thoughtfully prepared environments to support discovery.
• Prepare materials, activities, and transitions in advance; maintain organized, inviting spaces that encourage independence, creativity, problem-solving, and sustained engagement.
• Observe and document learning consistently throughout the year. Use objective observations, photographs, work samples, learning stories, and other appropriate methods to capture children's thinking, strategies, relationships, progress, and emerging abilities.
• Use documentation and assessment to guide curriculum decisions, individualized support, and family communication—not simply to record completed activities or prepare for conferences.
• Maintain accurate, current, confidential records and share meaningful examples of children's learning and development with families and colleagues.

3. Social-Emotional Development and Conscious Discipline

• Support children's emotional awareness, self-regulation, independence, empathy, problem-solving, and healthy relationships.
• Learn and consistently apply Conscious Discipline strategies, including connection, co-regulation, emotional safety, respectful boundaries, and teaching children skills for managing feelings and resolving conflict.
• Respond to challenging behavior with calm, curiosity, dignity, and developmentally appropriate guidance. Model the communication and emotional regulation we want children to develop.
• Collaborate with families and leadership when a child may need additional support, sharing objective observations and protecting confidentiality.

4. Family Partnerships and Communication

• Build welcoming, respectful, professional relationships with families and guardians, valuing the diverse cultures, languages, family structures, and experiences of our community.
• Communicate relevant information about children's experiences, learning, successes, and concerns clearly and promptly.
• Prepare for and participate in family conferences and center events using current observations and thoughtful reflections on each child's progress.
• Handle sensitive conversations professionally and refer concerns to the Director or appropriate supervisor when necessary.

5. Classroom Leadership, Initiative, and Teamwork

• Take primary responsibility for the classroom's organization, readiness, daily functioning, educational quality, and continuity of care.
• Demonstrate a consistent “notice and do” approach: anticipate needs, address appropriate tasks without routine reminders, prepare and restore materials, monitor supplies, and keep the classroom clean, safe, and functional throughout the day.
• Provide clear direction, modeling, and support to Assistant Teachers and other classroom team members. Communicate plans, children's relevant needs, transitions, and responsibilities so the team can work consistently and collaboratively.
• Exercise sound judgment. Address issues within your role, communicate decisions and concerns, and seek authorization or escalate matters when required. Initiative does not mean acting outside your authority or making exceptions to licensing requirements.
• Follow through on commitments, documentation, assigned tasks, and agreed-upon next steps. Report incidents, errors, hazards, and unmet responsibilities honestly and promptly; accept feedback and make needed corrections.
• Maintain reliable attendance, arrive prepared to begin work as scheduled, follow call-out procedures, and remain actively engaged during working time.
• Collaborate respectfully with colleagues and leadership, assist with appropriate center-wide needs when classroom responsibilities permit, and participate in meetings, professional development, reflective practice, and approved program improvements.

Qualifications and Professional Growth

• Meet applicable Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) Early Childhood Teacher qualification requirements before assuming responsibilities requiring those qualifications.
• 5 years relevant experience preferred
• Maintain required background clearances, training, certifications, and professional documentation.
• Demonstrate the ability—or a strong commitment to developing the ability—to plan curriculum, observe and document children's learning, communicate effectively, organize responsibilities, and lead a classroom team.
• Be willing to learn, reflect on, and consistently apply ninaBees' Reggio-inspired philosophy, Conscious Discipline framework, center policies, and applicable licensing requirements.
• Participate in required professional development and demonstrate openness to feedback and continued growth.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This is an active teaching position involving regular walking, standing, bending, kneeling, floor-level engagement, and participation in indoor and outdoor activities. The Lead Teacher must be able to actively supervise and engage with children and lift or move classroom materials weighing up to 40 pounds when required and safe, using assistance or equipment as appropriate. Essential functions will be performed with reasonable accommodation as applicable under law.

We Invite You to Join Our Team!

If you are passionate about early childhood education, value meaningful relationships, enjoy working collaboratively, and want to be part of a small team where your contributions matter, we would love to meet you. At ninaBees, you can make a meaningful difference in children’s lives while growing alongside devoted professionals who care deeply about their work and one another.

Ready to explore a career at ninaBees? Please submit your résumé and a brief introduction sharing your experience, what draws you to early childhood education, and why you are interested in joining our team. We look forward to learning more about you and exploring whether ninaBees is the right fit for your next step.

Together, we can build a place where children, families, and educators all belong and flourish.

Welcome to ninaBees Early Learning Center!

At ninaBees, we believe children thrive when they feel safe, valued, connected, and free to explore. Our mission is to build a school family where all belong through joy-filled curiosity, exploration, and community. We nurture the whole child through inclusive, play-rich experiences that build confidence, creativity, self-regulation, and a lifelong love of learning.

What makes ninaBees a special place to work is our small size, devoted professionals, collaborative teamwork, and strong sense of community and parent engagement. We prioritize meaningful relationships, shared responsibility, and a supportive team environment where educators can contribute ideas, learn from one another, and make a visible difference in children’s lives.

What You Can Expect at ninaBees:
- A close-knit team: Work alongside dedicated educators who value kindness, mutual respect, collaboration, and helping one another succeed.
- Time to grow and plan together: Participate in dedicated professional development days, collaborative planning, curriculum development, coaching, and team-building.
- Meaningful, child-centered work: Help shape a Reggio-inspired learning environment that honors children’s curiosity, creativity, relationships, and individual growth.
- Professional development: Build your skills and knowledge through ongoing learning, reflection, and opportunities to strengthen your early childhood practice.
- Employment benefits: Eligible positions include a health stipend, paid sick time, paid holidays and scheduled school breaks, and paid time off (PTO), subject to applicable eligibility requirements and policies.
- A culture of belonging: Join a community that values different perspectives, communicates directly and respectfully, works through challenges, and supports one another’s growth.

Our shared values of kindness, respect, integrity, collaboration, and curiosity guide how we show up each day. We take initiative, address challenges proactively, communicate with clarity and compassion, and recognize that everyone plays a role in creating a safe, consistent, and joyful environment.

We Invite You to Join Our Team!

If you are passionate about early childhood education, value meaningful relationships, enjoy working collaboratively, and want to be part of a small team where your contributions matter, we would love to meet you. At ninaBees, you can make a meaningful difference in children’s lives while growing alongside devoted professionals who care deeply about their work and one another.

Ready to explore a career at ninaBees?

Please submit your résumé and a brief introduction sharing your experience, what draws you to early childhood education, and why you are interested in joining our team. We look forward to learning more about you and exploring whether ninaBees is the right fit for your next step.

Together, we can build a place where children, families, and educators all belong and flourish.