Lead Toddler Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• Paid Winter Break
• Paid Spring Break
• 401(k) matching
• Bonus based on performance
• Company parties
• Competitive salary
• Paid time off
• Training & development

Montessori School of Chantilly is seeking a warm, dependable, organized, and confident Lead Toddler Teacher to lead a classroom of young learners during an important stage of their development.

The Lead Toddler Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom while providing consistent leadership and structure throughout the day. This individual will take ownership of the classroom, build positive relationships with children and families, work collaboratively with fellow teachers, and ensure that classroom practices meet school expectations and Minnesota childcare licensing requirements.

We are looking for someone who genuinely enjoys the toddler age group and understands that successful toddler care requires patience, consistency, active supervision, strong routines, and lots of positive interaction.

Key Responsibilities

Classroom Leadership & Management

• Take primary ownership of the daily operation, organization, and overall environment of the toddler classroom.
• Establish and maintain predictable classroom routines and transitions.
• Provide direction and support to assistant teachers and other staff working within the classroom.
• Help ensure classroom responsibilities are shared and completed consistently.
• Maintain an organized, clean, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate classroom.
• Communicate classroom needs, concerns, supply needs, and staffing issues with administration.
• Model professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and positive interactions for other staff.

Child Development & Curriculum

• Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Incorporate Montessori principles by encouraging independence, choice, exploration, practical life skills, and respect for the child.
• Provide opportunities that support language, cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and sensory development.
• Observe individual children's development, interests, strengths, and emerging needs.
• Adapt activities and expectations to meet children at their individual developmental levels.
• Encourage age-appropriate independence with eating, dressing, cleaning up, handwashing, toileting, and other self-help skills.

Caregiving & Daily Routines

• Provide responsive and attentive care throughout the day.
• Assist children with meals, snacks, diapering, toileting, handwashing, rest time, dressing, and other daily needs.
• Maintain sanitary diapering, food service, and classroom procedures.
• Follow individual children's schedules and care plans when applicable.
• Provide comfort, reassurance, and emotional support while encouraging growing independence.

Active Supervision & Safety

• Maintain active supervision at all times .
• Know the location and activity of every child assigned to your care.
• Maintain required staff-to-child ratios.
• Complete accurate attendance and name-to-face checks as required.
• Maintain safe classroom environments and immediately address potential hazards.
• Follow all school policies, licensing requirements, emergency procedures, and risk-reduction practices.
• Use positive guidance techniques appropriate for toddlers.
• Children must always be treated with patience, dignity, and respect. Rough handling, grabbing, pulling, threatening, humiliating, or inappropriate discipline is not acceptable.

Family Communication

• Build positive, professional relationships with parents and guardians.
• Provide meaningful updates regarding children's routines, development, accomplishments, and classroom experiences.
• Maintain accurate daily information regarding meals, diapering/toileting, naps, activities, and other required documentation.
• Communicate concerns professionally and involve administration when appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.

Teamwork & Professionalism

• Maintain dependable and consistent attendance.
• Arrive on time and ready to work at the beginning of each scheduled shift.
• Communicate respectfully and professionally with coworkers and administration.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, training, and school events as required.
• Accept feedback and demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow professionally.
• Help create a positive workplace culture by communicating directly, respectfully, and solution-focused.
• Complete assigned classroom and school responsibilities without requiring continual reminders.

Lead Teacher Expectations

As the Lead Teacher , this position carries additional responsibility for the success of the classroom. The Lead Teacher is expected to:

• Set the tone and expectations for the classroom.
• Maintain consistent routines even when staffing changes occur.
• Delegate responsibilities appropriately to classroom staff.
• Address minor classroom concerns proactively and communicate larger concerns to administration.
• Ensure required classroom documentation is completed accurately and on time.
• Monitor classroom supplies and communicate needs before items run out.
• Help onboard and support new or substitute staff assigned to the classroom.
• Maintain professional communication with families.
• Demonstrate strong judgment and remain calm during challenging situations.
• Take initiative rather than waiting to be directed through routine responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must:

• Meet Minnesota requirements to qualify as a Teacher under applicable childcare licensing regulations.
• Have experience working with toddlers or young children in a licensed childcare or early childhood setting.
• Demonstrate knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Be able to successfully complete all required background studies and employment requirements.
• Maintain required CPR/First Aid and other required training.
• Be dependable, patient, organized, and able to communicate effectively with children, families, coworkers, and administration.

Montessori experience is preferred but not required. Training and support can be provided to the right candidate.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to:

• Frequently sit and work on the floor with children.
• Bend, kneel, squat, stand, and move throughout the classroom regularly.
• Lift and carry children as necessary.
• Participate in indoor and outdoor activities.
• Respond quickly when necessary to maintain children's health and safety.
• Perform routine classroom cleaning and sanitation responsibilities.

What We're Looking For

Our ideal Lead Toddler Teacher is someone who:

• Truly enjoys working with toddlers.
• Is nurturing while still providing structure and boundaries.
• Takes initiative and notices what needs to be done.
• Is dependable and understands how attendance affects the entire school.
• Communicates well with parents and coworkers.
• Can lead a classroom without creating unnecessary conflict or negativity.
• Understands that supervision and children's safety come before secondary classroom tasks.
• Wants to be part of a school community and build long-term relationships with children and families.

Our School

Montessori School of Chantilly provides a nurturing Montessori-based learning environment for young children. Our goal is to support the whole child while fostering independence, confidence, curiosity, kindness, and a lifelong love of learning.

We value teachers who are dependable, caring, collaborative, professional, and committed to providing children with the high-quality care and education they deserve.