Lead Teacher, St. James’ Nursery School

Title: Lead Teacher, St. James’ Nursery School
Reports to: Priest-in-Charge of St. James’ Episcopal Church
Position Type: Part-time, non-exempt
Hours: 8:00 am to noon, Monday through Friday during the school year (follows closings/holidays of the Hyde Park School District) 
Salary: $13,860 per year (payable over 10 or 12 months)
Benefits: Benefits include ten days of paid personal/sick leave per year

About St. James’ Nursery School

For more than sixty years, St. James’ Nursery School has supported Hyde Park families by providing preschoolers a safe and nurturing place to play, learn, and grow!

Children in the Nursery School play and learn together with the skilled guidance of experienced teachers. Age-appropriate activities encourage curiosity and help kids learn new skills, play cooperatively, and adjust to routines outside their family. We aim to keep our tuition reasonable and our class sizes small (no more than 10-12 per group). Activities include: 

• arts & crafts, blocks, clay, painting, and cooking; 
• active indoor & outdoor play; 
• stories (including Bible stories) and music;
• healthy snack time with simple prayers;
• special field trips like apple-picking and picnics;
• and more!

The Nursery School is an outreach ministry of St. James’ Episcopal Church. As a Christian school we emphasize God’s love for everyone and we are committed to respecting and honoring all people as we would respect and honor Christ. The priest of St. James’ Church directs the preschool and regularly visits to share Bible stories and simple prayers. Children learn about Christian holidays and practices. Families of all faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds are welcome in the Nursery School. We do not discriminate and we embrace and support LGBTQ+ families.

We offer a two-day, three-day, and five-day option: 

• Two-day session: Mondays and Tuesdays, 9:00-11:30 am (age 3 and up by Sept. 1st)
• Three-day session: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:00-11:50 am (age 4 by Sept. 1st)
• Five-day session: Combines two-day and three-day sessions (age 3.5 by Sept 1st)

Current tuition rates are available at: stjameshydepark.org/nursery-school

Position Summary

The Lead Teacher creates and oversees a nurturing Christian environment where children aged 3-5 are encouraged to play, explore their interests, develop their talents and independence, and respect and cooperate with others. The lead teacher is responsible for classroom management, ongoing parent communication, and maintaining appropriate documentation. The lead teacher also leads the promotion of the Nursery School in the community and recruitment of new students. 

Responsibilities 

Curriculum Development and Classroom Management 

• Plan seasonal and daily activities, incorporating Christian teachings and principles 
• Organize class trips and special activities 
• Develop and maintain daily routine and schedule for students, balancing group and individual needs, active and quiet time, learning and play
• Closely monitor all student activities to ensure a safe and respectful environment 

Administration

• Order/purchase appropriate classroom supplies within allotted budget 
• Ensure compliance with Safe Church policies at all times
• Create class list with tuitions for St. James’ Office Manager
• Maintain and update appropriate documentation, including New York State requirements 
• Attend Nursery School Committee meetings as appropriate
• Support hiring and recruitment of Assistant Teacher as needed

Parent/Guardian Communications

• Maintain ongoing open communication with parents/ guardians on student progress, celebrations, and concerns
• Coordinate key mailings to parents/guardians such as annual Welcome letter with tuitions
• Regularly communicate with parents/guardians re: classroom plans, activities, and schedule
• Recruit and train parent/guardian volunteers

Promotion 

• Lead promotion of Nursery School and student recruitment via community advertising, social media, open houses, etc. and recruitment of Nursery School
• Communicate with, meet, and register interested families in the summer months

Qualities

• loves children and has genuine joy and confidence in leading a classroom;
• respects St. James’ Christian identity and is committed to creating an environment that emphasizes God’s inclusive love; 
• supports and inspires children in developing their language, social-emotional, and motor skills; 
• creates and manages a safe and enriching classroom environment; 
• has excellent skills in communicating with colleagues, parents/caregivers, children, and community members from diverse backgrounds;
• is willing to make a commitment of three or more years to the Nursery School. 

Qualifications

• Has prior classroom experience teaching young children (two years preferred)
• Demonstrates excellent social and communication skills
• Has an understanding of early childhood development and (preferred) an educational background in early childhood development
• First aid and CPR certification (may be obtained upon hiring) 
• Employment is subject to passing a background check. 
• As a parish of the Diocese of New York in The Episcopal Church, St. James’ requires all employees to complete Safe Church Training for the prevention of sexual misconduct and protection of children and vulnerable adults.