Job Overview

The Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher is responsible for fostering an environment that promotes whole-child development at [Insert Child Development Center Name]. Lead teachers provide high-quality early childhood education through a balance of social, emotional, and intellectual experiences, delivered via play-based and engaging activities. With appropriate guidance, children will thrive under the care of Lead Teachers and Teacher Assistants.

Essential Duties and Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Day-to-Day Caregiving

Create a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment for all children in care.

Provide meals and snacks from a parent-approved, healthy menu.

Change diapers at least every two hours or as needed; assist potty-trained children with restroom needs. Apply diaper cream as needed.

Use the Brightwheel app to document meals, diapering/toileting, naps, and other daily activities.

Take and share at least one picture per child daily through Brightwheel for parent updates.

Comfort and support children struggling with self-regulation (e.g., sadness, frustration, anger).

Report injuries to the Director immediately and administer first aid as needed.

Assist children in falling asleep, which may include gentle rocking or rubbing backs.

Provide individualized care, particularly for infants, by adhering to parent-provided schedules for feeding and sleeping.

Education and Behavior Management

Lead the creation and implementation of age-appropriate lesson plans in areas such as art, sensory play, science, math, and literacy.

Foster a learning-through-play environment with engaging activities available throughout the day.

Incorporate process-based, open-ended art and maintain sensory-play options (e.g., water, rice, dirt).

Use positive, developmentally appropriate behavior management strategies.

Collaborate with classroom staff to determine consistent behavior management techniques.

Decorate and maintain the classroom with curriculum-aligned themes and displays.

Adhere strictly to a zero-tolerance policy against negative discipline, yelling, or corporal punishment.

Collaboration and Communication

Provide guidance to Teacher Assistants and other support staff to ensure effective classroom operations.

Maintain open communication with parents via face-to-face interactions, conferences, and the Brightwheel app.

Training and Compliance

Follow all procedures and guidelines for regulated activities, including diapering, sunscreen application, and behavior management.

Maintain required training hours, attending both on-site and off-site sessions.

Seek additional training opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Ensure compliance with state-mandated child-to-teacher ratios, staying in the classroom until another staff member takes over.

Refrain from personal cell phone use during classroom hours.

Requirements

Essential Qualifications

Associate’s Degree with at least 9 credit hours in Early Childhood Education or a related field, or CDA (Child Development Associate) certification (preferred).

Minimum of 3 years of experience working with children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

Must pass all required background checks.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Quick decision-making skills and the ability to remain calm in crises.

Additional Competencies

Multitasking and working effectively in a high-energy, loud environment.

Attention to detail and reflective thinking.

Reliable transportation to and from work.

Professional appearance and attitude.

Flexibility and adaptability in response to the needs of children, staff, and the center.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to:

Sit, stand, walk, bend, jump, reach, and lift children and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

Perform physical activities such as crawling, stooping, balancing, running, and climbing stairs.

Spend time outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Note

This job description is an overview of essential tasks and responsibilities. It is not exhaustive, and management reserves the right to add, remove, or modify duties at any time.