Lead Toddler Educator

What You'll Do

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.

Requirements

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

Nice to Have

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.

Benefits