Childcare Manager & Lead Teacher

Overview
We are seeking a passionate and dynamic Childcare Manager & Lead Teacher to oversee the daily operations of our early childhood program, while providing direct classroom instruction. In this role, you will lead a team of caregivers, develop engaging curricula, and ensure a nurturing environment that promotes childhood development, literacy, and social-emotional well-being. This is an exciting opportunity to shape our program at Little Village and contribute to the growth of our unique and innovative model.

About the Opportunity

Little Village is entering an exciting stage of growth as we launch an innovative childcare program designed to support modern families. Learn about our family-focused coworking and childcare space in Aliso Viejo: hellolittlevillage.com.

This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape the foundation of our program—from classroom culture to daily operations—while contributing to a mission-driven, community-centered environment.We are seeking a self-starter and natural leader who loves working with children, interacting with families, and is excited to build something meaningful from the ground up. As Little Village grows, this position offers strong potential advancement into senior leadership roles as the organization expands.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership (20%)

• Hire, supervise, and mentor staff; conduct performance evaluations; and provide ongoing training and professional development.
• Communicate regularly with parents and address concerns promptly.
• Foster a positive, collaborative environment and model best practices in childcare.Communicate regularly with the organization’s leadership team about program updates, challenges, and goals.

Lead Teacher (75%)

• Serve as the Lead Teacher with primary responsibility for an assigned group of children.
• Design and implement age-appropriate (ages 3 months–5 years), inclusive curriculum aligned with early learning standards and developmental milestones.
• Provide classroom support across other groups as needed and offer guidance and assistance to fellow staff.

Administrative (5%)

• Oversee application and enrollment processes, maintain accurate records, and ensure family files are up to date.
• Manage staff schedules and coordinate family schedules for care and meetings.
• Ensure safety, cleanliness, and compliance with health and safety standards.

Qualifications

• AA or BA degree in Early Childhood Education or related field. Minimum 5 years of experience in child care or early education, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Knowledge of child development, health & safety regulations, and inclusive practices.
• Strong communication, organizational, and compassionate leadership skills.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, sense of humor, and service-oriented mindset.

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting Compensation: $28.00–$32.00 per hour, plus eligibility for an annual performance bonus and merit-based raise.
• Benefits: Health insurance & wellness allowance, 10 PTO days, major holidays off, your birthday off, and a monthly for cell phone stipend

To Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter, that shares why you are interested in working at Little Village. Be sure to highlight experiences that demonstrate your leadership and entrepreneurial strengths.

This role requires a confident, self-directed leader who can help design, build, and lead our childcare program from the ground up.

We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis. The ideal candidate is able to start in early April in a part-time capacity, with anticipated growth to full-time as we approach launch in late spring/early summer.

Our Commitment to Our Values

We are committed to building an inclusive, equity-focused, and family-friendly workplace. We encourage applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and religious backgrounds to apply. Candidates with career gaps due to childcare or other family-related responsibilities are warmly encouraged to apply. Employment is contingent upon completion of criminal background and reference checks.

Pay: $27.00 - $32.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person