Job Overview
Fun Nest Child Care is seeking a dedicated, experienced, and passionate Toddler Lead Teacher to join our early childhood education team in Erie, Colorado.
In this role, you will help lead a small Toddler classroom serving children approximately 12 months to 3 years old, with a maximum of seven children and two teachers. You will be responsible for creating a nurturing, structured, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment where toddlers can build independence, language, social-emotional skills, confidence, and a strong foundation for future learning.
Our program is intentionally small, allowing teachers to provide individualized attention, meaningful observation, responsive caregiving, and purposeful learning experiences during one of the most important stages of childhood development.
We are looking for an educator who genuinely enjoys working with toddlers, takes pride in early childhood education as a profession, values consistency and high standards, and is interested in growing long-term with our school.
Responsibilities
- Plan and implement intentional, play-based, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for toddlers ages 12 months to 3 years.
- Create a safe, nurturing, structured, and engaging classroom environment that supports each child's individual development.
- Foster language development, social-emotional growth, positive behavior, early problem-solving skills, motor development, and growing independence.
- Maintain consistent daily routines that balance learning, sensory exploration, movement, outdoor play, meals, diapering/toileting, and rest.
- Observe and document children's developmental progress and adapt activities based on individual needs and interests.
- Maintain active supervision and follow all health, safety, sanitation, and Colorado licensing requirements.
- Communicate clearly and professionally with families regarding children's daily experiences, developmental progress, and individual needs.
- Share high-quality daily classroom photos and updates with families.
- Maintain a clean, organized, sanitary, and licensing-compliant classroom and playground.
- Collaborate closely with the second Toddler teacher, Director, and teaching team.
- Participate in staff meetings, professional development, school events, and family engagement activities as required.
- Maintain high standards of professionalism, reliability, confidentiality, and accountability at all times.
Qualifications & Skills
- Minimum of 2 years of experience working with toddlers in a licensed early childhood setting preferred.
- Strong understanding of toddler development and developmentally appropriate practices.
- Genuine passion for working with toddlers and supporting children during their early years.
- Strong classroom management, organization, and planning skills.
- Ability to support language development, emotional regulation, positive behavior, and emerging independence.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to build positive and professional relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
- Familiarity with child health, safety, sanitation, mandated reporting, and licensing regulations.
- Ability to observe and document children's developmental progress.
- Strong problem-solving skills and professional judgment.
- Comfortable using basic technology for documentation, classroom photos, and family communication.
- Reliable, punctual, consistent, and able to take ownership of classroom responsibilities.
- Current CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.
- Early Childhood Education coursework, CDA certification, or related credentials preferred.
Who We're Looking For
This position is ideal for an educator who values quality over quantity and understands that a small classroom requires strong presence, initiative, accountability, and consistency.
We are seeking someone who is patient, emotionally responsive, energetic, dependable, open to professional feedback, and genuinely committed to creating a high-quality environment for young children.
This is a professional early childhood education position in a high-expectation private program, not a casual childcare role. We are looking for someone who takes pride in their work and wants to make a meaningful, lasting impact on children's development.
Pay: $20.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
Experience:
- Early childhood education: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
