Early Childhood Educator Infant & Toddler

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Join a vibrant, relationship-centered community reimagining inclusive early childhood education.

The Early Learning Center, Inc. (ELC) is a welcoming program serving 46 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from 6 weeks to 5 years. As a 4-STAR, S.E.E.D. certified program , we honor our strong legacy while embracing innovation, curiosity, and new possibilities.

We’re entering an exciting new chapter and are looking for a full-time Infant & Toddler Educator to join our team. We value neuro-affirming care, meaningful relationships, and inclusive practice , and we believe every child, family, and colleague deserves to be met with respect, curiosity, and compassion.

If you’re energized by connection, collaboration, and the opportunity to help shape what early education can be , we’d love to hear from you!

We Offer:

A supportive team environment, opportunities for professional growth, and a competitive compensation package, including a $1,000 hiring bonus, vision, dental, vacation/sick time with annual rollover and Employee Assistance Program.

What You'll Do

As an ELC educator, you’ll help create a safe, inclusive, and relationship-centered environment where young children feel known, valued, and inspired to learn. You’ll partner closely with children, families, and colleagues to make each day meaningful.

In this role, you will:

• Create a safe, welcoming environment by following Vermont licensing regulations, safety standards, and emergency procedures.
• Build meaningful relationships with families through open communication, conferences, and daily updates through our childcare management system, as well as in person connection and collaboration.
• Inspire learning through play by creating developmentally appropriate curriculum and engaging environments that encourage curiosity, creativity, and exploration.
• Celebrate every child’s individuality by fostering belonging throughout the program.
• Grow as an educator through ongoing professional development (at least 15 hours annually) and current CPR/first aid certification.
• Be part of a collaborative team by participating in staff meetings, training, and reflective practices that strengthen our shared work.
• Lead with professionalism and integrity by maintaining confidentiality and honoring the trust of our children, families, and community.
• And because great early learning is always evolving, so is this role. Responsibilities may grow and change as our program and community continue to develop, creating opportunities to learn, contribute, and make a lasting impact.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list, and the scope of the job may evolve.

Requirements

Educators must meet the minimum qualifications and training outlined in the Vermont State Early Childhood Program Licensing Regulations.

In addition, candidates should have:

• Certificate/Credential or degree in Early Childhood Education (Associate, Bachelor’s, or Master’s) or equivalent experience/training, preferably with additional ECE credits.
• Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Satisfactory fingerprinted background check. (performed upon hire)

Additional Skills

• Strong oral and written communication, including technology skills.
• Ability to collaborate with staff, children, and families in a team-centered environment.
• Solid understanding of child development and early childhood education practices.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

What We Value

We welcome educators who bring a range of experiences, perspectives, and strengths. You may have experience with:

• Inclusive, neuro-affirming, or anti-bias practices that support diversity, equity, and belonging.
• Play-based learning that encourages creativity, curiosity, and exploration.
• Sensory-rich or nature-based experiences that support whole-child development.
• Reflective supervision or coaching that encourages professional growth and self-awareness.
• Additional certifications , such as Child Development Associate (CDA) or trauma-informed care.
• Creative documentation using photos, portfolios, or digital storytelling to make learning and growth visible.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication that strengthens relationships with diverse families and supports language development.

Don’t check every box? That’s okay. We value a willingness to learn, grow, and bring your unique strengths to our community .

Benefits

Why Join ELC?

At the Early Learning Center, we care for our educators as deeply as we care for our children. We believe great early education starts with supported, valued, and growing educators.

We’re proud to offer:

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Retirement Plan
• Child Care Discount
• Professional Development
• Flexible Schedule
• $1,000 hiring bonus , distributed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months
• Vision and dental coverage
• Roth IRA through Vermont Saves and access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Competitive paid time off , including vacation and sick time, a paid week in December, holiday pay, and your birthday
• Childcare discounts
• $1,500 one-time stipend for educators who earn their teaching license
• Ongoing professional development and on-site reflective coaching
• Seed & Sew annual membership for additional professional learning and support
• A supportive, values-driven community where your growth, ideas, and unique perspective matter
• A strong community of families who actively contribute to the well-being of our staff
• A commitment to growing compensation and benefits as we continue to strengthen our program and invest in the educators who make our work possible

We’re always looking for ways to improve pay, benefits, and working conditions so our educators feel valued, supported, and able to build a lasting career in early childhood education!

About Us

The Early Learning Center (ELC) is a non-profit early childhood program created in partnership with families, educators, and community members. We are a fully licensed, center-based program located in Williston, Vermont providing care and education for up to 46 children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. We are a neuro-affirming, relationship-focused early childhood program where we believe children deserve to be understood, respected, and supported for exactly who they are.

In early 2026, the ELC moved to our new home in Williston, our 3rd and largest location in our history. This expansion represents a bold step forward, doubling our space and deepening our commitment to inclusive, neuro-affirming environments. The new building features exciting amenities such as a dedicated art room, sensory break room, and library, along with designated space for staff and ample classroom space.

This move is more than a change of address, it’s our opportunity to re‑imagine what early education can be, and to welcome even more families into a community built on curiosity, respect, and inclusivity.