Early Childhood Coordinator/Lead Teacher

About the Role This Early Childhood Coordinator role includes a supervisory component — supporting and overseeing other teachers alongside your own classroom responsibilities. You'll coach teachers, help monitor curriculum, support staff training, and help ensure health, safety, and licensing compliance across the center. This role reports to the Director/Owner and Administrator.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coach teachers and assistant teachers; observe classrooms and provide feedback
• Monitor curriculum and lesson-plan implementation to ensure developmentally appropriate practices
• Support staff training, onboarding, and professional development
• Staff performance/evaluation support
• Monitor health, safety, ratios, and licensing compliance
• Communicate with parents, help resolve routine concerns, and support parent-teacher conferences
• Assist with daily operations — opening/closing, arrival/dismissal, tours, and staffing coverage as needed
• Maintain confidentiality and serve as a professional role model for staff

Qualifications

• Associate's degree required
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a licensed child care setting, with demonstrated leadership or mentoring ability
• Strong knowledge of early childhood development, curriculum, and classroom management
• Able to pass required NJ background checks, fingerprinting, and clearances
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred

• CDA credential
• Understanding of New Jersey standards
• Understanding of GKNJ curriculum
• Understanding of GKNJ ITERs
• Understanding of GKNJ ECERs

Nursery Rhyme Academy is a licensed child care center in East Orange, NJ, dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive. Our team is committed to developmentally appropriate care, strong family partnerships, and helping every child build the foundation for lifelong learning.