Overview
An Infant / Toddler Teacher plays a critical role in the earliest stages of a child’s educational journey. These educators are entrusted with creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment in which infants and toddlers can thrive. Their work goes beyond simply supervising children; it involves intentional interactions, purposeful curriculum planning, and fostering foundational skills that set the stage for lifelong learning.
Key Responsibilities
· Care and Supervision: Provide attentive, responsive care to infants and toddlers, ensuring their health, safety, and well-being at all times.
· Developmental Support: Observe and assess individual developmental milestones, using this information to tailor activities that support physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth.
· Curriculum Implementation: Design and implement age-appropriate lesson plans and sensory-rich experiences that encourage exploration and discovery.
· Health and Hygiene: Adhere strictly to state and facility guidelines for cleanliness, diapering, feeding, and medication, maintaining a sanitary and safe classroom.
· Positive Guidance: Foster positive behaviors and emotional regulation using evidence-based strategies, redirection, and modeling appropriate interactions.
· Family Communication: Build strong partnerships with families by providing regular updates on children’s progress, developmental achievements, and any concerns, both in written documentation and face-to-face exchanges.
· Team Collaboration: Work collaboratively with co-teachers, support staff, and administration to ensure consistency in care and curriculum delivery.
· Professional Development: Pursue ongoing training in early childhood education, staying current with best practices, child development research, and licensing requirements.
Daily Duties
· Welcome children and parents each day, providing a warm and reassuring transition into the classroom environment.
· Feed infants and toddlers according to individual schedules and dietary requirements, including bottle-feeding, spoon-feeding, and self-feeding practice.
· Change diapers and assist with toilet training, maintaining accurate hygiene and tracking logs as required by regulations.
· Organize and facilitate play-based activities such as sensory play, music and movement, story time, and outdoor exploration.
· Monitor nap times, ensuring comfort and safety, and support children in developing healthy sleep routines.
· Observe children closely to identify developmental progress or potential concerns, documenting observations and sharing insights with parents and supervisors.
· Maintain a clean, organized, and stimulating classroom with age-appropriate materials and equipment.
· Respond promptly and calmly to emergencies or incidents, following established protocols and communicating clearly with families and management.
Qualifications
· High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development Associate, or related field strongly preferred.
· Relevant state or national certification for infant/toddler care (such as CDA credential or equivalent) highly desirable.
· Experience working with children under three years old, in a group or center-based setting.
· CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain upon employment).
· Strong observational, communication, and organizational skills.
· Physical ability to lift children (up to 40 pounds), sit on the floor, and engage in active play.
· Background check and immunization compliance as required by state or local regulations.
Essential Skills and Attributes
· Nurturing Demeanor: Demonstrates warmth, patience, and sensitivity toward young children and their families.
· Flexibility: Adapts to changing schedules, routines, and children’s needs with ease and positivity.
· Observational Acumen: Notices subtle changes in behavior, mood, or development, using this insight to respond pro-actively.
· Team-Oriented: Works effectively with others, showing respect, dependability, and a willingness to learn and share best practices.
· Communication: Able to convey information clearly to both children and adults, adjusting language and strategies as appropriate to the audience.
· Commitment to Safety: Maintains unwavering focus on children’s safety and well-being in every aspect of care and instruction.
Work Environment
Infant / Toddler Teachers typically work in early childhood centers, preschools, or childcare programs. The environment is lively and ever-changing, requiring both physical stamina and emotional resilience. Class sizes are small, allowing for personalized attention and relationship-building. The classroom is designed for exploration, with safe spaces for crawling, climbing, and playing, as well as cozy nooks for quiet time and bonding.
Professional Growth
Early childhood education offers diverse opportunities for advancement. With further education and experience, teachers may move into lead teaching roles, curriculum coordination, administration, or specialized areas such as early intervention or parent education. Many employers support continued learning through workshops, conferences, or tuition assistance.
Impact and Rewards
The work of an Infant / Toddler Teacher is profoundly impactful. Educators in this role lay the groundwork for social skills, emotional resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. The trust built with families and the joy of witnessing growth and discovery make this both a challenging and deeply rewarding career.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $12.00 - $15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
