Preschool Lead Instructor II (Director's Credential Required) - Central City Family YMCA

At the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, we are committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility—and our early learning programs play a vital role in that mission. The Preschool Lead Instructor II with Director’s Credential is a key leadership position within our preschool program, serving as both an experienced educator and a trusted operational partner. This role blends hands-on classroom leadership with program oversight, ensuring high-quality early childhood experiences while maintaining full compliance with Department of Children and Families (DCF) licensing standards. Working closely with the Program Director and center leadership, this individual helps cultivate a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment for children, supports and develops teaching staff, and ensures continuity of operations that positively impact children and families across our community.

Under the direction of the Program Director, with oversight from Operations Director/Executive Director, the Preschool Lead Instructor II with Director's Credential serves as both a lead instructor and the primary backup to the Program Director, ensuring the preschool’s operations comply with DCF (Department of Children and Families) licensing regulations. In this role, the Lead Teacher provides leadership in curriculum implementation, staff recruitment, and program oversight. They assist with operational duties, ensuring full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and step in for the Program Director when necessary to maintain seamless program management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists Program Director with providing leadership and guidance to assistant teachers and support staff in the classroom.
• Models best practices in early childhood education, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Mentor and coach staff to ensure high-quality teaching practices.
• Plans and conducts developmentally appropriate daily activities for children. 
• Strong knowledge of all aspects of the daily routine and anticipates the needs of the children.
• Guides the children’s behavior and learning through active interaction and implementation of curriculum and lesson plans.
• Maintains accurate records for potential licensing and funding agencies.
• Maintains a safe, clean, pleasant physical environment conducive to optimal growth and development of children.
• Appreciates the diversity of families and knows how to share information effectively and appropriately with them about their child.
• Knows and follows all emergency policies and procedures.
• Supervises children during indoor-outdoor activities, handwashing, and toileting.
• Conducts parent conferences with individual parents at least twice yearly to report on child’s progress, discuss concerns with parents and act on those concerns.
• Greets each child and parent upon arrival.
• Visually scans each child upon arrival and checks for illness, disease, or any physical impairment.  Notes in daily health check report.
• Conducts daily/weekly observations and assessments on children.
• Conducts developmental assessments on children.
• Ensures completion of all classroom records.
• Attends staff meetings and contributes to the meeting.
• Attends staff training and YMCA special events.
• Manages classroom supplies and materials, ensuring resources are available and properly maintained.
• Assists in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new staff.
• Assists with interview and provide recommendations for staffing needs and ensure that staff qualifications meet regulatory requirements.
• Participates in continuous improvement efforts to enhance the quality of the preschool experience for children and families.
• Ensures program compliance with applicable local, state and federal policies and regulations governing preschool operations.
• Additional duties as required and assigned by a supervisor to support the overall mission of the YMCA and to ensure the success of the program.