Assistant Toddler Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

At Natural Learners, we value educators as professionals and encourage creativity, innovation, and lifelong learning. Our teachers have the opportunity to design meaningful experiences, spend time outdoors each day, and become part of a supportive team that believes childhood should be filled with wonder, exploration, and connection.

If you are passionate about nurturing young children, embracing nature as a teacher, and creating meaningful early learning experiences, we'd love to welcome you to our team.

At Natural Learners, we believe learning begins at birth. Our toddler program is rooted in responsive caregiving, meaningful relationships, and daily exploration of the natural world. We are seeking a compassionate, creative, and dedicated Toddler Teacher who is passionate about supporting our youngest learners through individualized care, outdoor experiences, and play-based learning.

This is more than a childcare position—it's an opportunity to foster curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of nature from the very beginning.

Position Overview

The Nature-Based Toddler Teacher is responsible for providing nurturing, responsive care while creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for children. Teachers design and implement their own emergent curriculum based on children's interests, developmental milestones, and seasonal opportunities, with nature serving as the classroom whenever possible.

Our teachers are encouraged to think creatively, follow children's curiosity, and provide rich experiences that support every area of development.

• Provide loving, responsive care to meet each child's individual needs, including feeding, diapering, caring for, and maintaining sleep routines.
• Build trusting, meaningful relationships with infants and their families.
• Create and implement engaging, play-based curriculum inspired by children's interests, developmental milestones, and the natural world.
• Plan daily experiences that encourage exploration both indoors and outdoors in all seasons.
• Observe, document, and assess children's growth and development to inform curriculum planning.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment that encourages curiosity and independence.
• Prepare thoughtful provocations and learning invitations using natural and open-ended materials.
• Foster language development through singing, reading, conversation, and responsive interactions.
• Support children's social-emotional development by providing consistent, nurturing care and helping them build secure attachments.
• Collaborate with coworkers to create a positive, supportive team environment.
• Communicate professionally and regularly with families regarding their child's daily experiences, development, and accomplishments.
• Follow all Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations and health and safety procedures.

• Experience working with children in a licensed childcare or early education setting.
• Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Experience with nature-based, play-based, or emergent curriculum is preferred but not required.
• CPR and First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Ability to meet the physical demands of caring for toddlers, including lifting up to 50 pounds, sitting on the floor, and participating in outdoor activities year-round.
• 12+ related credits in ECE
• Must clear a full background check/fingerprinting
• Ability to work positively and effectively with others

• $250 Sign On Bonus*

Benefits:

• Dental Insurance (after 30 day waiting period)
• Simple IRA with 2% matching
• AFLAC
• 40 hours Accrued PTO
• 120 hours Paid Vacation (set weeks in February, July & December!)
• 9 Paid Holidays and 2 Professional Development Days
• 50% Employee Discount for Childcare
• Professional Development Assistance

Positions pay above industry average