Lead Early Childhood Educator
2 days ago
New York
The Educator We'd Love to Meet \n You see possibilities everywhere. A basket of pinecones becomes a lesson in nature. A rainy afternoon inspires a new story. A favorite song becomes part of a child's daily rhythm. \n \n \n You genuinely enjoy being with children, but you also understand the expertise, preparation, patience, and responsibility required to lead a classroom. \n \n You take pride in the environment you create, the relationships you build with families, and the developmental progress of every child in your care. You are observant, dependable, organized, and excited to contribute your own ideas to a growing educational community. \n \n Casa Primary is seeking an experienced, imaginative, and deeply engaged Lead Early Childhood Educator who finds genuine joy in the everyday work of childhood. \n We are looking for someone who loves to create beautiful environments, introduce children to new discoveries through singing, telling stories, and turn ordinary moments into meaningful learning experiences. Someone who might spend the morning baking with toddlers, build a fort in the afternoon, introduce a new folk song at circle time, or invite children to explore the changing seasons through art, science, and nature. \n \n Our approach is deeply rooted in the Montessori Method, with playful influences from Waldorf and Reggio Emilia. We believe in respecting children as capable individuals and supporting their development through independence, purposeful play, creativity, exploration, and discovery. \n This is a lead role for an experienced educator who brings both creative inspiration and the professional expertise to confidently manage a classroom, protect children's safety, document their development, and take ownership of a thoughtfully prepared environment. \n Our primary classrooms serve children ages 0–5. Experience working across infancy, toddlerhood, and early childhood is highly valued. \n \n What You'll Do \n Create an inspiring childhood experience \n\n • Design and lead playful, level-appropriate learning experiences through art, music, literature, nature, science, geography, movement, and practical life.\n, • Bring creativity into each day through storytelling, puppetry, folk songs, singing, painting, drawing, pottery, baking, building, imaginative play, and hands-on discoveries.\n, • Prepare beautiful, inviting learning spaces and seasonal activities that encourage curiosity, independence, and exploration.\n, • Observe children's interests and developmental stages, adapting lessons and experiences to support individual growth.\n, • Bring enthusiasm to community gatherings, seasonal celebrations, and special experiences for children and families.\n\n Lead with confidence \n\n • Take ownership of the daily classroom environment, routines, schedules, materials, and learning experiences.\n, • Confidently manage and balancing individual care with group activities, transitions, and developmentally appropriate boundaries.\n, • Maintain exceptional standards of child safety, active supervision, hygiene, feeding, diapering, toileting, and bathroom support.\n, • Foster children's social-emotional development, independence, communication, and confidence through respectful, consistent guidance.\n, • Maintain accurate developmental observations, children's portfolios, daily care records, and classroom documentation.\n, • Build strong relationships with families and communicate regularly about their children's experiences and progress.\n, • Collaborate with fellow educators, pediatric specialists, and leadership to maintain a safe, organized, and enriching environment.\n\n Who We're Looking For \n We are looking for an educator who brings both substantial classroom experience and a genuine love of creating meaningful experiences with young children. \n \n Required qualifications \n\n • Minimum 3 years of professional preschool or toddler classroom experience, including demonstrated experience managing full groups of children.\n, • Relevant early childhood teaching credentials and qualifications appropriate to the role, including applicable New York State certification or licensing requirements.\n, • Strong knowledge of infant, toddler, and preschool development, child safety, active supervision, and level-appropriate care.\n, • Proven ability to lead classroom routines, manage transitions, plan lessons, and maintain developmental documentation.\n, • Confidence leading creative activities, music, storytelling, art, sensory exploration, and play-based learning.\n, • Excellent organization, communication, reliability, and classroom leadership skills.\n, • Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification.\n\n Especially valued \n\n • Montessori certification or substantial Montessori classroom experience.\n, • Familiarity with Waldorf and Reggio Emilia educational approaches.\n, • Experience across multiple developmental groups, from infancy through early childhood.\n, • A background or personal interest in music, visual arts, ceramics, children's literature, theater, gardening, cooking, or other creative disciplines.\n\n \n Salary is competitive for the right candidate. \n \n Email your cover letter and resume to hello@casaprimary.com Subject: Early Childhood Educator Application — 2026–2027