Early Childhood Education Specialist

$120,000 USD/year ^{Pay is set based on global value, not the local market. Most roles = hourly rate x 40 hrs x 50 weeks}  ($60 USD/hour)

• Plan and lead 30–60 minute play-centered learning sessions that foster joy, emotional security, and quantifiable developmental progress
• Build a classroom environment rich in movement and sensory opportunities that sustains high engagement and supports multi-modal learning for four-year-olds
• Conduct real-time observation and documentation: Record same-day, objective observations aligned with developmental domains, updating each child's milestone tracking on a weekly basis
• Apply data to inform teaching: Review weekly documentation to pinpoint each child's next developmental threshold and design targeted, responsive instructional strategies
• Develop personalized, interest-driven activity modifications for individual children, embedding a single clear developmental objective, and reassess outcomes within a two-week window
• Support children navigating frustration through calm co-regulation techniques and emotional coaching rather than reactive behavioral interventions
• Maintain clear, proactive communication with families regarding student progress, daily routines, and any developing areas of concern

• Approach Pre-K as custodial care instead of purposeful early learning
• Default to scripted worksheets or compliance-focused instruction as your primary teaching method
• Spend the majority of your time supervising educational apps rather than delivering live, interactive, hands-on experiences
• Substitute reactive behavior management for calm co-regulation and structured emotional coaching

Ensure NYC Pre-K children develop a genuine enthusiasm for school while achieving accelerated early-learning outcomes through purposeful, play-based instruction.

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, OR CDA/Montessori/Reggio certification
• At least 2 years of experience working with children aged 3–5 in a structured group environment (classroom setting, not exclusively one-on-one caregiving)
• Documented success leading play-based learning experiences that produce measurable developmental advancement
• Established ability to objectively and consistently document developmental milestones on a weekly schedule using a structured assessment framework or rubric
• Advanced relationship-building and emotional awareness: Capacity to establish trust rapidly, interpret emotional signals with precision, and leverage personalized motivators to activate engagement
• Co-regulation and frustration support: Assist children through emotional escalations using calm demonstration and systematic emotional coaching strategies
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring sponsorship
• Available to work full-time on-site in New York City, NY