Lead Toddler Educator

Job Description

Job Description

About This Role

At ABC Academy, we believe childhood is a time for wonder, joy, and discovery. We are a vibrant, licensed learning community proudly serving families in Milton and St. Albans, Vermont. Our nurturing, play-based environment empowers children—from 6 weeks through 8th grade across our campuses—to learn through hands-on exploration, curiosity, and meaningful connections with their peers, educators, families, and the natural world.

Whether we’re splashing in puddles, exploring textures, singing songs, reading stories, or discovering bugs on the playground, every day at ABC Academy is filled with purpose, joy, and growth. If you believe children should be seen, supported, and celebrated, we’d love to welcome you to the ABC family.

The Role

ABC Academy is seeking a compassionate, energetic, and collaborative Lead Toddler Educator to lead a classroom of curious young learners ages 18-36 months. As the lead teacher, you will create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where toddlers build confidence, develop independence, and learn through play, exploration, movement, and meaningful relationships.

The Lead Toddler Educator serves as the classroom leader, partnering with assistant teachers and families to provide high-quality care and education while fostering each child’s social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.

What You Will Do

Lead Meaningful Learning

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum that reflects toddlers’ interests, developmental needs, and emerging skills.
• Create engaging learning experiences that encourage curiosity, exploration, language development, creativity, and early problem-solving.
• Support children’s growing independence through predictable routines and intentional teaching moments.
• Adapt activities to meet the unique developmental needs of every child.

Foster Social-Emotional Development

• Build warm, trusting relationships with every child through responsive caregiving and consistent interactions.
• Support emotional regulation, self-help skills, communication, and positive peer relationships.
• Use positive guidance techniques that encourage empathy, confidence, cooperation, and problem-solving.
• Create a classroom culture where every child feels safe, valued, and capable.

Embrace Nature and Active Play

• Incorporate outdoor learning and sensory exploration into each day through nature walks, gardening, water play, loose parts play, music, movement, and hands-on experiences.
• Encourage gross motor development through climbing, balancing, running, digging, and active outdoor exploration.
• Confidently supervise children outdoors in all Vermont seasons while maintaining active supervision and thoughtful risk assessment.

Observe and Support Development

• Observe and document children’s developmental progress.
• Use observations to guide lesson planning and individualize learning experiences.
• Communicate children’s milestones, successes, and developmental progress with families.
• Maintain accurate classroom documentation and licensing requirements.

Lead Your Classroom Team

• Mentor and collaborate with assistant teachers to create a positive, organized, and supportive classroom environment.
• Delegate classroom responsibilities while fostering teamwork and open communication.
• Maintain organized classroom materials and inviting learning spaces.
• Model professionalism, positivity, and excellence in early childhood education.

Partner with Families

• Develop strong, respectful relationships with families through daily communication and ongoing collaboration.
• Welcome families as partners in their child’s development.
• Share classroom experiences, developmental milestones, and celebrate each child’s growth.

Maintain Health and Safety

• Ensure compliance with all licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and ABC Academy policies.
• Support daily routines including diapering, toileting, meals, naps, transitions, and hygiene practices with warmth and respect.
• Practice active supervision and maintain a clean, safe, and engaging classroom environment.

• Associates Degree Required, Bachelor's degree preferred
• Must be able to pass a background check

Who You Are

A Leader

You confidently lead a classroom with organization, professionalism, flexibility, and a collaborative spirit. You enjoy mentoring others and creating a positive team environment.

A Toddler Development Expert

You understand the unique developmental needs of toddlers and appreciate that this stage is filled with rapid growth, big emotions, emerging language, and increasing independence.

A Play-Based Educator

You believe toddlers learn best through relationships, play, movement, exploration, repetition, and hands-on experiences rather than worksheets or rigid instruction.

A Nature Enthusiast

You see the outdoors as an extension of the classroom and embrace learning through mud, rain, snow, sunshine, and sensory experiences throughout every season.

An Attuned Caregiver

You are patient, calm, nurturing, and emotionally responsive. You recognize everyday routines as opportunities for connection, learning, and building trust.

A Collaborative Professional

You value strong relationships with families, children, coworkers, and administrators and contribute to a positive, supportive workplace culture.

Why Join ABC Academy?

We know that caring for children begins with caring for our educators. At ABC Academy, you’ll become part of a passionate, collaborative team committed to providing exceptional early childhood education in a joyful, nature-rich environment.

As part of our team, you’ll enjoy:

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Retirement Plan
• Child Care Discount
• Professional Development
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Childcare Discount
• Wellness Program with Gym Access
• Paid Professional Development
• Team Building Events
• Employee Appreciation Outings
• A collaborative workplace where your creativity, leadership, and teaching style are encouraged, supported, and celebrated.