Preschool Lead Teacher

About the role

As a Lead Preschool Teacher you will head a classroom of 3‑ to 4‑year‑olds, creating a warm environment where each child feels known, cared for and excited to learn. The role blends relationship‑focused teaching with curriculum planning, classroom management and collaboration with an Assistant Teacher and families.

Key responsibilities

• Build meaningful relationships with children and foster a joyful, safe classroom atmosphere.
• Teach through play, designing experiences that support social‑emotional, language, cognitive, physical, creative and early academic development.
• Support children through big emotions, challenging behaviors and growing independence with developmentally appropriate expectations.
• Plan and manage daily rhythms, transitions and classroom organization to meet licensing standards.
• Lead and collaborate with an Assistant Teacher, sharing responsibilities and building a strong team.
• Observe each child’s development and communicate observations, updates and milestones to families via Brightwheel and daily conversations.
• Maintain a safe, organized environment that consistently meets state licensing requirements and Early Alpine’s standards.

Required profile

• Meets Montana state requirements for early childhood educators, including eligibility for Registry Level 2, background‑check clearance and current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Experience working with young children in a group setting.
• Physically able to lift, carry and engage with children throughout the day.
• Dependable, punctual and able to work a consistent 8 AM – 4 PM schedule.
• Strong communicator, kind and clear with both children and adults.
• Calm, flexible and steady in a busy classroom environment.

What we offer

• Starting pay of $28 per hour, with additional compensation based on ECP Registry Level.
• Paid time off beginning at 10 days per year, increasing with tenure, plus 5 paid sick days and paid holidays.
• Health insurance with employer contribution, plus dental, vision, voluntary life, AD&D and accident insurance options.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) availability.
• 401(k) plan with employer match (you contribute 6 %, Early Alpine contributes 4.5 %).
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption.
• Employer‑paid life, AD&D and long‑term disability coverage.
• Sabbatical program with cash bonus and additional time off at 5, 10 and 15 years.
• Subsidized childcare at Early Alpine.