Pre-Kindergarten Guide

$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-based learning experiences that foster joy, emotional security, and quantifiable developmental progress
• Build a movement- and sensory-responsive classroom environment that sustains high engagement and supports four-year-olds in learning through varied modalities
• Observe and record in the moment: Document same-day, objective observations linked to developmental domains, then refresh each child's milestone tracker weekly
• Let data shape your teaching: Review weekly documentation to pinpoint each child's next developmental step and design targeted learning responses
• Create personalized, interest-driven activity modifications for individual children, integrate one specific developmental target, and reassess results within two weeks
• Support children through frustration using composed co-regulation and emotional guidance instead of reactive behavior management
• Share student progress, daily routines, and developing concerns transparently and promptly with families

• Approach PreK as custodial care instead of purposeful early education
• Default to scripted worksheets or compliance-focused instruction as your primary method
• Spend most of your day supervising academic apps rather than facilitating live, experiential learning
• Apply reactive behavior management instead of composed co-regulation and emotional guidance

Ensure NYC Pre-K children develop a love of school while showing accelerated early-learning advancement through purposeful play.

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, OR CDA/Montessori/Reggio credential
• At least 2 years of experience working with 3–5-year-olds in a structured group environment (classroom setting, not exclusively one-on-one care)
• Documented success leading play-based learning that produces visible developmental progress
• Confirmed ability to record developmental milestones objectively and reliably on a weekly basis using a structured framework or rubric
• Strong relationship-building and emotional sensitivity: Capacity to establish trust rapidly, interpret emotional signals precisely, and apply personalized motivators to activate engagement
• Co-regulation and frustration support: Shepherd children through emotional escalations using calm modeling and systematic emotional coaching
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
• Available to work full-time on-site in New York City, NY