Three to five little ones. One big beginning.
3–5 children · Up to age 2 · Lead role with an Assistant Teacher · Annual salary · Bilingual English/Spanish
ABOUT THE POD
A small circle of families in Dorado has built something rare: a home-based learning pod of just three to five children, all under the age of two. Small enough that every child is truly known. We are looking for the Lead Teacher who will shape it — the person who designs the days, sets the tone, and guides an Assistant Teacher working under their direction. You will teach primarily in English while nurturing bilingual growth, follow the Puerto Rico school calendar (with a few agreed exceptions), and be paid an annual salary.
YOUR DAY, YOUR CLASSROOM
- Design the curriculum. A simple, age-right program built on play, exploration, sensory discovery, and social-emotional growth.
- Lead your Assistant. Set the daily plan, divide the work, and model the standard of care you expect.
- Prepare the room. Source supplies and ready every material the children will touch.
- Keep it joyful. Songs, art, outdoor play, sensory games, storytelling — varied weekly, and sized to short attention spans.
- Borrow from the best. Draw on Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia — each with established infant-toddler practice — adapted for children under two.
- Partner with parents. Work closely with one designated parent who speaks for the group, and share milestones warmly and often.
- Hold the space. Safe, predictable, affectionate — where a very young child feels secure enough to explore.
- Stay flexible. Structure the day, then bend it: shorter learning windows suit this age.
- Build two languages. Encourage bilingual development, with English as the primary language of instruction.
WHAT YOU BRING
- A degree, coursework, or certification in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (preferred).
- Real hands-on time with toddlers — preschool, daycare, or a structured home-based program.
- Familiarity with, or genuine curiosity about, Montessori, Waldorf, or Reggio Emilia toddler methods.
- A working understanding of how children under two develop and what they need.
- Current CPR and First Aid certification, or the willingness to earn it.
- Fluent, warm communication in English and Spanish — speaking, reading, and writing.
- The steadiness to mentor an Assistant Teacher and treat parents as genuine partners.
- The stamina toddlers ask for: lifting, bending, floor time, and outdoor play.
WHO BELONGS HERE
- Warm, patient, and unhurried with very young children.
- Consistent — the same calm boundaries on the hard days as the easy ones.
- Inventive, with the next playful idea already in mind.
- Open to parent input and comfortable being observed.
- A generous leader who makes the teacher beside them better.
- Reliable, professional, and genuinely in love with this stage of childhood.
THE DETAILS
- Group size: 3–5 children, all up to two years of age.
- Setting: A dedicated home-based pod in Dorado, Puerto Rico.
- Team: You lead; an Assistant Teacher works under your direction.
- Calendar: The Puerto Rico school calendar, with limited agreed exceptions.
- Start: Aligned with teacher in-service beginning August 17 — ready to go with curriculum and materials in hand.
- Compensation: Highly market competitive annual salary, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Work Location: In person
