Toddler Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

Our Toddler Teachers create a nurturing, responsive, and relationship-based environment where our youngest learners feel safe, secure, and deeply connected. Rooted in nature-based philosophy, this role supports infant development through sensory-rich experiences, outdoor exploration (weather permitting), and meaningful interactions.

The Toddler Teacher understands that caregiving is curriculum — every diaper change, bottle feeding, and cuddle is an opportunity for connection, language development, and trust-building. They also utilize the environment to help deliver lesson plans through meaningful, child-led experiences.

Responsive Care & Relationships

• Provide warm, consistent, and attuned care to each child
• Follow feeding, sleeping, and care schedules.
• Build secure attachments through responsive communication and nurturing interactions.
• Partner closely with families to ensure continuity between home and school.

Nature-Based Learning

• Safely introduce infants to outdoor experiences daily, following licensing and weather guidelines.
• Incorporate natural materials (pinecones, leaves, water, sand, light, textures) into sensory exploration.
• Support safe risk-taking appropriate to developmental level (rolling, crawling, cruising, climbing).
• Encourage curiosity, wonder, and early environmental awareness.

Health & Safety

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment.
• Follow all state licensing regulations and center policies.
• Adhere to safe sleep practices and sanitation procedures.
• Conduct daily health checks and maintain accurate documentation.

Observation & Documentation

• Observe and document developmental milestones.
• Communicate regularly with families about their child’s growth and daily experiences.
• Use observation to guide individualized planning and classroom setup.

Team Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with co-teachers and leadership.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and reflective practices.
• Maintain open, respectful communication with team members.

• Is calm, patient, and deeply nurturing.
• Values outdoor play and nature as a teacher.
• Understands that babies learn through relationships and sensory exploration.
• Embraces teamwork and open communication.
• Finds joy in the small moments — first words, first steps, first discoveries.

• DCF Foundational Courses completed or willingness to obtain within 6 months of employment
• Infant/toddler coursework required (per state regulations) or willingness to obtain within 6 months of employment
• Experience working with infants in a licensed childcare setting
• Knowledge of child development and responsive caregiving practices
• CPR/First Aid/Pediatric First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain)

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Environmental Education, or a related field
• Infant/Toddler Credential
• Nature-Based Early Childhood Education credential
• Coursework in outdoor learning, environmental education, or place-based education
• Experience working in a nature-based or outdoor early learning program
• Experience incorporating natural materials into curriculum and sensory exploration
• Familiarity with play-based, or child-led learning approaches

Starting Pay: $16–$22 per hour , based on experience and qualifications

No weekends – we value work/life balance

Flexible scheduling options , including:

• Life Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Assistance
• Child Care Discount
• Professional Development
• Flexible Schedule
• 5 nine-hour days (with 1-hour break)
• 4 ten-hour days (with 30–60 minute break)

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off (PTO) with the ability to accrue additional time off

Discounted childcare for staff

Paid training and professional development

Access to the TEACH Early Childhood® Scholarship Program

Opportunity to attend a nature-based early childhood conference paid by Lake Edge

401(k) retirement plan

Optional Aflac supplemental insurance coverage with a $50 employer contribution

Paid Planning time