Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Lead Pre-S Teacher – Preschool Ages 3–4

Early Learning Preschool (ELP) | Rio Rancho, NM
$20–$24/hour, based on experience and qualifications
Monday–Friday | Availability Required: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM

Early Learning Preschool is looking for a dependable, creative, nurturing, and experienced Lead Pre-S Teacher to lead our classroom of children ages 3–4.

ELP is a nonprofit parent-cooperative preschool that has served the Rio Rancho community since 1983. Our program combines purposeful play, kindergarten-readiness skills, social-emotional development, creativity, and hands-on learning in a warm, close-knit school environment.

What Makes ELP Different:

As a parent cooperative, family involvement is an important part of our school and classroom environment. Parents regularly volunteer in our classrooms and work alongside our teachers.

Our Lead Teachers must be comfortable and confident having parents present and actively participating in the classroom. This includes providing parent volunteers with appropriate direction, communicating professionally, and creating an environment where teachers, assistants, and families work together while the Lead Teacher maintains responsibility and leadership of the classroom.

We value strong relationships with our families and are looking for someone who views parent involvement as an important part of creating a supportive preschool community.

About the Position:

Our Pre-S Lead Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, engaging, developmentally appropriate classroom where our youngest preschoolers can build independence, confidence, friendships, and foundational learning skills.

We are looking for someone who understands the unique developmental needs of 3- and 4-year-olds and recognizes that young children learn through play, movement, exploration, repetition, relationships, and hands-on experiences.

Schedule & Availability:

Candidates must be available to work Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Our regular school hours are 8:30 AM–2:00 PM, with additional time before and after the school day used for classroom preparation, cleaning, documentation, communication, and other teacher responsibilities.

Lead Teachers must also be comfortable working independently to complete lesson planning, required trainings, classroom documentation, and other teacher responsibilities. Time spent completing required work and training is completed as clocked-in, paid work time.

Our school year generally follows the Rio Rancho Public Schools (RRPS) and Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) calendars, including scheduled school breaks and closures.

Candidates should also be available to work our Summer Program, which may continue through June. ELP traditionally has a summer break during July before preparation begins for the upcoming school year.

Because our program operates on a school-year schedule, applicants should be comfortable with a position that includes scheduled breaks throughout the year rather than a traditional year-round schedule.

Responsibilities:

• Lesson plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate activities for children ages 3–4
• Develop and independently complete weekly lesson planning and classroom preparation
• Create a positive, organized, welcoming, and predictable classroom environment
• Support early literacy, math, fine and gross motor, creative, and social-emotional development
• Use positive guidance and developmentally appropriate classroom management strategies
• Observe children's development and maintain classroom documentation and student portfolios
• Communicate professionally and positively with families
• Provide guidance and direction to classroom assistants and parent volunteers
• Be comfortable having parents regularly participate in the classroom
• Help children develop independence with classroom routines and age-appropriate self-help skills
• Complete required professional development and training
• Participate in staff meetings, school events, and field trips
• Follow ELP policies and applicable New Mexico child care licensing requirements
• Maintain required classroom, health, and safety documentation
• Work collaboratively with administration and other teaching staff

Qualifications:

We are specifically seeking candidates with education and/or credentials in Early Childhood Education with a focus on preschool-aged children (ages 3–5).

Candidates should have one or more of the following:

• CDC (Child Development Certificate)
• CDA (Child Development Associate Credential)
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education
• Another qualifying Early Childhood Education degree or credential applicable to teaching children ages 3–5

Additional qualifications include experience working directly with preschool-aged children, particularly ages 3–4. Previous Lead Teacher or classroom leadership experience is preferred. Candidates should have knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for preschool children, strong classroom management and communication skills, and the ability to successfully complete all required background checks.

Candidates should also have the New Mexico ECECD 45-Hour Entry Level Course and CPR/First Aid certification or be willing and able to complete applicable requirements.

Compensation:

$20–$24 per hour, based on education, credentials, preschool teaching experience, and qualifications.

Our Teaching Philosophy:

ELP believes preschool should be a place where children are excited to come to school. Our program balances purposeful play with developmentally appropriate kindergarten-readiness experiences.

Our teaching philosophy incorporates a blend of early childhood education approaches, rather than following one specific model. We take elements from curriculum-based learning, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, play-based learning, and child-led exploration to create a balanced classroom experience.

This allows our teachers to provide intentional kindergarten-readiness instruction while also encouraging independence, creativity, hands-on discovery, and learning inspired by each child's individual interests and developmental needs.

We also incorporate Conscious Discipline and positive guidance strategies to help children build emotional regulation, independence, problem-solving skills, and positive relationships.

Who We're Looking For:

We're looking for someone who genuinely loves working with preschool-aged children and understands the energy, patience, flexibility, and sense of humor that come with teaching 3- and 4-year-olds.

The right person can get down on the floor and play, turn children's interests into learning opportunities, calmly support big preschool emotions, provide consistency and structure, communicate confidently with families, and make learning fun.

Because ELP is a small school and parent cooperative, communication, teamwork, professionalism, reliability, and initiative are extremely important. Our Lead Teacher should be comfortable taking ownership of their classroom, working independently when needed, and collaborating with assistants, administration, and the parent volunteers who help make our cooperative model possible.

About Early Learning Preschool:

Early Learning Preschool has served families in the Rio Rancho community since 1983. Our parent-cooperative model creates a unique environment where families have the opportunity to participate in their child's preschool experience while working alongside our teaching staff.

To apply: Please submit your resume along with a brief introduction describing your experience working with children ages 3–5, your Early Childhood Education credentials, and why you are interested in joining Early Learning Preschool.

Pay: $20.00 - $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Early childhood education: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Child Development Associate Certification (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Rio Rancho, NM 87124 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person