About Gilda’s Preschool Academy
Gilda’s Preschool Academy is a long-standing, multigenerational early learning center serving children and families in New Orleans East. We believe that the whole child, every child, deserves to be understood, included, and supported.
Our teachers create safe, nurturing, accessible classrooms where infants and toddlers of different abilities, learning styles, developmental needs, cultures, and family backgrounds can learn through play, relationships, exploration, and responsive caregiving.
Position Summary
The Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate Early Head Start classroom. The Lead Teacher plans learning experiences, monitors children’s development, supports family relationships, maintains required documentation, and works closely with the Assistant Teacher, GPA leadership, Early Head Start staff, coaches, and specialists.
This position requires consistent attendance, active supervision, strong teamwork, professional communication, and a commitment to responsive infant and toddler care.
Essential Responsibilities
- Maintain a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and engaging classroom for infants and toddlers.
- Maintain required Early Head Start child-to-teacher ratios and maximum group sizes.
- Provide continuous active supervision indoors, outdoors, during transitions, and during routines.
- Develop and submit weekly lesson plans using the center’s approved curriculum.
- Plan child-initiated and teacher-guided activities that support cognitive, language, physical, social, and emotional development.
- Adapt classroom activities and materials for children with different developmental, sensory, communication, mobility, or learning needs.
- Complete child observations, developmental documentation, Teaching Strategies GOLD entries, assessments, portfolios, and progress reports by established deadlines.
- Use assessment results and children’s interests to individualize classroom activities.
- Complete daily reports documenting meals, bottles, diapering, toileting, sleep, activities, and significant information.
- Follow all safe sleep, diapering, sanitation, food-handling, health, and emergency procedures.
- Maintain an organized, clean, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate classroom.
- Greet each child and family warmly and communicate professionally about the child’s day.
- Participate in parent-teacher conferences, family engagement activities, home-school communication, and referrals for additional services.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
- Work collaboratively with the Assistant Teacher and provide clear direction regarding classroom responsibilities.
- Coordinate appropriately with therapists, interventionists providers, coaches, and other specialists serving children.
- Attend required professional development days, staff meetings, coaching sessions, and Early Head Start activities.
- Follow Head Start Program Performance Standards, Louisiana licensing requirements, GPA policies, mandated reporting requirements, and program procedures.
- Report injuries, incidents, suspected abuse or neglect, health concerns, or safety concerns immediately.
- Perform other classroom-related duties necessary to maintain safe, high-quality program operations.
Required Qualifications
- Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate credential or an equivalent early childhood credential.
- A Preschool CDA candidate adding an Infant/Toddler credential may be considered when permitted.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Experience caring for or teaching infants and toddlers.
- Ability to pass the Louisiana Child Care Criminal Background Check.
- Ability to complete required health clearance and employment documentation.
- Current pediatric CPR and first aid certification, or ability to obtain certification promptly after hire.
- Ability to complete Louisiana Key Orientation Training Modules and required annual continuing education.
- Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, Teaching Strategies GOLD, developmental assessments, lesson planning, and Early Head Start requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Louisiana Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate.
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, education, or a related field.
- Experience in Early Head Start, Head Start, City Seats, or another publicly funded early childhood program.
- Experience supporting children with disabilities, developmental differences, sensory needs, or individualized service plans.
- Training in Frog Street, Conscious Discipline, trauma-informed care, CLASS, Creative Curriculum, or Teaching Strategies GOLD.
Physical and Professional Expectations
The employee must be able to supervise young children closely; sit and work on the floor; bend, kneel, stand, and move throughout the classroom and playground; and lift or assist young children with or without reasonable accommodation.
Employees must maintain dependable attendance, professional boundaries, calm communication, and respectful interactions with children, families, coworkers, visitors, and partner-agency staff.
Compensation and Program Benefits
- Starting pay of $16.00–$18.00 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.
- Five Early Head Start paid-time-off days after completion of the applicable probationary period, subject to program rules.
- Paid eligible closure days, including designated holidays, training days, and emergency closures, in accordance with the Early Head Start agreement.
- Paid required professional development.
- Ongoing coaching and opportunities for professional growth.
Gilda’s Preschool Academy provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, family status, or any other legally protected status.
Pay: $16.00 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
License/Certification:
Ability to Commute:
- New Orleans, LA 70127 (Required)
Work Location: In person
