Job Summary
At Kids -R- Us, our Infant & Toddler classroom is a place where relationships come first and even our youngest children are viewed as capable, curious learners. We are seeking an experienced and passionate Infant & Toddler Teacher who has the potential to step into a Lead Teacher role and become an important part of our long-standing teaching team.
In this role, you will help create a warm, responsive, play-focused environment where infants and toddlers feel safe, valued, and encouraged to explore. Through responsive caregiving, meaningful interactions, intentional play experiences, and plenty of opportunities to learn both indoors and outdoors, you will support each child's individual development while honoring their routines, interests, and growing independence.
Our teachers understand that diaper changes, mealtimes, comforting a child, getting outdoors, and everyday moments of play are all opportunities for connection and learning. Strong relationships with families are equally important, and we value teachers who communicate openly, professionally, and genuinely with the families we serve.
For the right candidate, this position offers the opportunity to provide leadership within the Infant & Toddler classroom by helping guide the daily environment, curriculum experiences, classroom routines, documentation, and teaching team.
We are looking for someone who doesn't simply want to work in child care, but wants to build relationships, grow as an early childhood professional, and make Kids -R- Us their teaching home.
Duties
- Create a warm, nurturing, responsive, and play-focused environment where infants and toddlers feel safe, valued, and connected.
- Build strong, consistent relationships with children by responding to their individual cues, needs, temperaments, interests, and developmental stages.
- Plan and implement intentional, developmentally appropriate learning experiences based on children's interests, observations, and individual development.
- Recognize everyday routines—including diapering, feeding, meals, transitions, and rest—as meaningful opportunities for relationship building, language development, independence, and learning.
- Create engaging indoor and outdoor environments that encourage exploration, movement, sensory experiences, problem-solving, curiosity, and age-appropriate risk taking.
- Observe children's development, document learning and progress, and use observations to guide future experiences and individualized support.
- Maintain consistent classroom routines while remaining responsive to the individual schedules and needs of infants and toddlers.
- Communicate regularly and professionally with families about their child's day, development, experiences, accomplishments, and needs.
- Partner with families to provide continuity between home and school and build trusting, respectful relationships.
- Work collaboratively with classroom teaching staff to maintain consistency, shared expectations, and a positive team environment.
- Provide classroom leadership by helping guide daily routines, learning environments, lesson planning, documentation, and responsibilities among the teaching team.
- Model positive, respectful interactions and developmentally appropriate guidance strategies with children.
- Support children's growing social-emotional skills through responsive caregiving, co-regulation, language, and consistent relationships.
- Participate actively in outdoor learning and play in a variety of Michigan weather conditions—we believe outdoor play is an important extension of the classroom.
- Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and inviting classroom while following licensing, health, sanitation, and program requirements.
- Complete required documentation accurately and consistently, including daily care information, attendance, developmental observations, and other program records.
- Participate in staff meetings, professional development, training, and ongoing opportunities for professional growth.
- Meet all State of Michigan child care licensing requirements and maintain required professional development and credentials.
- Be a dependable and engaged member of the Kids -R- Us team who understands that consistency matters to young children, families, and coworkers.
Experience
- Previous experience working with infants and toddlers in a licensed child care or early childhood setting is strongly preferred.
- Experience as a Lead Teacher, Assistant Teacher, or in a role with classroom leadership responsibilities is preferred.
- Knowledge of infant and toddler development, responsive caregiving, developmentally appropriate practice, and play-based learning.
- Ability to plan and implement meaningful learning experiences based on children's individual development, interests, and needs.
- Experience observing and documenting children's development and using those observations to guide curriculum and classroom experiences is preferred.
- Strong understanding of the importance of attachment, consistency, co-regulation, and relationship-based care during the infant and toddler years.
- Comfortable communicating and building positive, professional relationships with families.
- Able to work collaboratively as part of a teaching team while also demonstrating the initiative and leadership needed to guide an Infant & Toddler classroom.
- Experience with HighScope, COR Advantage, Brightwheel, or similar early childhood curriculum, assessment, and family communication systems is a plus; training can be provided.
- Early childhood education coursework, CDA, Associate degree, Bachelor's degree, or other qualifying early childhood credential is preferred. Candidates who are currently working toward an early childhood credential are also encouraged to apply.
- Must meet or be willing to complete all State of Michigan child care licensing requirements for the position.
Most importantly, we are looking for someone who understands that working with infants and toddlers is not simply about meeting their needs—it is about building relationships, supporting development, creating meaningful experiences, and recognizing just how much learning happens in these earliest years.
Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
