Toddler Teacher (16–24 Months)
Hickory Ridge Academy & Early Learning Center
Chesapeake, VA (Hickory Area)
Full-Time | Year-Round Position
Pay: $18.00–$19.50 per hour
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM
About Us
Hickory Ridge Academy & Early Learning Center is a Christian early childhood program and ministry of Hickory Ridge Community Church. Our mission is to provide exceptional care and education while partnering with families to nurture the academic, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual development of each child.
We believe every child is uniquely created by God and deserves to be treated with love, dignity, patience, and respect. We are seeking a caring and dedicated Toddler Teacher who shares our commitment to Christian values and excellence in early childhood education.
Position Overview
We are seeking a loving, energetic, and dependable teacher for our Toddler Classroom serving children ages 16–24 months. The ideal candidate will create a nurturing environment where children feel safe, loved, and encouraged to explore the world around them while developing a strong foundation for future learning.
Christian Expectations
As a Christian program, employees are expected to:
- Model Christian character through their words, actions, and interactions with children, families, and coworkers.
- Treat every child as a precious creation of God.
- Foster a classroom atmosphere of kindness, patience, respect, and encouragement.
- Participate in daily Bible stories, prayer, worship activities, and faith-based lessons.
- Support the mission and values of Hickory Ridge Academy & Early Learning Center.
- Maintain a positive and professional attitude that reflects Christian principles.
Responsibilities
- Provide a safe, loving, and engaging classroom environment.
- Implement age-appropriate activities that promote cognitive, language, physical, social, and emotional development.
- Assist children with daily routines, including diapering, handwashing, meals, and transitions.
- Maintain active supervision and ensure the safety of all children.
- Build positive relationships with children and families.
- Complete daily reports and classroom documentation.
- Maintain classroom cleanliness and organization.
- Work collaboratively with fellow teachers and administration.
- Follow all center policies and procedures.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of one year of experience working with young children and/or formal education in Early Childhood Education.
They will be:
- Loving, patient, and nurturing.
- Dependable, punctual, and professional.
- Energetic and able to actively engage with toddlers throughout the day.
- Passionate about child development and early learning.
- A positive team player who enjoys building relationships with families.
- Comfortable implementing age-appropriate activities and routines.
- Able to maintain a safe, organized, and engaging classroom environment.
- Committed to modeling Christian values through their words, actions, and interactions with children, families, and coworkers.
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum of one year of experience working with children ages 0–5.
- And/or coursework, CDA, degree, or training in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
- CPR and First Aid certification preferred (or willingness to obtain).
- Ability to pass a criminal background check and obtain a negative TB screening prior to employment.
Benefits
- Competitive pay: $18.00–$19.50 per hour
- Full-time, year-round employment
- Consistent schedule: 7:00 AM–4:00 PM, Monday–Friday
- Paid training and professional development opportunities
- Supportive Christian work environment
- Childcare discounts available for eligible employees
- Opportunities for growth and advancement
Before You Apply
Please consider the commute to our campus located in the Hickory section of Chesapeake, Virginia. We are seeking dependable team members who can reliably report to work on time each day.
If you are passionate about early childhood education and feel called to make a difference in the lives of young children while serving in a Christ-centered environment, we would love to hear from you.
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." – Proverbs 22:6
Pay: $18.00 - $19.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Professional development assistance
Experience:
- Early Childhood Education: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Chesapeake, VA 23322 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
