Kids Academy of Learning & Excellence (KALE)
Location: North Chesterfield, VA
Position: Lead Infant & Toddler Teacher
Job Type: Full-Time
About the Position
Kids Academy of Learning & Excellence (KALE) is seeking an experienced, energetic, dependable, and enrollment-minded Lead Infant & Toddler Teacher to take full ownership of an infant or toddler classroom.
At KALE, a Lead Teacher does more than supervise children. Our Lead Teachers are responsible for creating an exceptional classroom experience that makes children excited to learn and gives families confidence that KALE is the right place for their child.
The ideal candidate understands early childhood development, knows how to create and maintain a beautiful and engaging classroom, can confidently communicate with prospective and current families, and takes pride in the success and enrollment of their classroom.
This is a hands-on position. Lead Teachers are expected to teach, nurture, communicate, organize, clean, market, and lead their classroom.
Key ResponsibilitiesTeaching & Child Development
- Provide nurturing, responsive, developmentally appropriate care for infants and/or toddlers.
- Develop and implement engaging, age-appropriate weekly lesson plans.
- Create learning experiences that support language, cognitive, physical, social-emotional, sensory, and early STEM development.
- Observe children's development and document progress.
- Adapt classroom activities to meet the individual developmental needs of children.
- Maintain consistent classroom routines, including feeding, diapering/toileting, rest, transitions, outdoor play, and instructional activities.
- Follow all safe sleep, feeding, sanitation, health, and safety procedures applicable to infants and toddlers.
- Maintain active supervision and required sight-and-sound supervision at all times.
- Maintain all required staff-to-child ratios.
Classroom Leadership & Ownership
The Lead Teacher is the primary owner of the classroom experience and is expected to:
- Maintain an organized, attractive, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate classroom.
- Complete classroom setup and maintain learning centers, displays, materials, and equipment.
- Ensure the classroom remains tour-ready and enrollment-ready throughout the week.
- Maintain accurate classroom records and required documentation.
- Ensure children's belongings, supplies, learning materials, and classroom equipment are properly organized.
- Monitor classroom supplies and communicate purchasing or replacement needs.
- Provide direction and leadership to assistant teachers, aides, floaters, and other classroom staff when assigned.
- Model KALE's standards for professionalism, family engagement, safety, education, and customer service.
Enrollment, Marketing & Family Engagement
At KALE, every team member contributes to enrollment and retention. Lead Teachers must be comfortable helping families understand the value of their classroom and the KALE experience.
Responsibilities include:
- Assist center leadership with enrollment and family retention efforts.
- Confidently speak with prospective parents during classroom tours.
- Explain classroom routines, curriculum, developmental goals, learning activities, and the benefits of the KALE program.
- Help prospective families envision their child thriving in the classroom.
- Understand how to professionally market and “sell” the classroom experience to prospective families without using high-pressure sales tactics.
- Build strong relationships with currently enrolled families to support retention.
- Communicate professionally and consistently with parents regarding their child's day, development, accomplishments, and needs.
- Help showcase classroom learning through appropriate photos, activities, displays, family communication, and center-approved marketing initiatives.
- Support center enrollment events, open houses, family events, and community outreach when needed.
- Understand that classroom quality, presentation, communication, and parent satisfaction directly impact enrollment and retention.
Classroom Cleaning & Sanitation — Required
Lead Teachers are responsible for ensuring their classroom is completely cleaned and reset every day.
This is an essential function of the position and includes:
- Cleaning and sanitizing tables, chairs, learning areas, toys, and classroom equipment.
- Cleaning and disinfecting diapering and changing areas according to required procedures.
- Sweeping and/or cleaning classroom floors as necessary.
- Cleaning food and activity areas following meals and activities.
- Sanitizing toys and frequently touched surfaces.
- Properly disposing of trash and diapering waste.
- Organizing classroom materials and children's belongings.
- Resetting learning centers and classroom materials for the following day.
- Ensuring the classroom is clean, sanitary, organized, and ready for children and families before leaving each day.
Cleaning your classroom is part of the Lead Teacher position and is not assigned solely to custodial staff or management.
Virginia Lead Teacher / Program Leader Qualifications
Applicants must meet the qualifications required for a Program Leader under Virginia's Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers (8VAC20-780-210).
Candidates must:
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Have completed high school or possess the equivalent; and
- Meet at least ONE of the following qualification pathways:
Option 1: Meet Virginia's qualifications for a Lead Teacher;
OR
Option 2: Hold an endorsement or bachelor's degree in a child-related field, such as elementary education, nursing, recreation, or another qualifying child-related field;
OR
Option 3: Have at least three months of programmatic experience and one of the following:
- A one-year early childhood certificate from a college or university consisting of at least 30 semester hours;
- A qualifying child development credential recognized under Virginia law; or
- A teaching diploma from an internationally or nationally recognized Montessori organization;
OR
Option 4: Have at least six months of supervised programmatic experience and complete the applicable Virginia-required child-care training requirements.
Candidates qualifying through the supervised-experience pathway must meet Virginia's required training provisions applicable to Program Leaders.
Applicants must be able to provide documentation establishing that they meet Virginia Program Leader qualifications.
Additional Virginia Requirements
Candidates must:
- Be of good character and reputation.
- Be capable of carrying out assigned job responsibilities.
- Be capable of accepting training and supervision.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Be capable of communicating with emergency personnel.
- Successfully complete all background checks and employment requirements applicable to staff working in a Virginia licensed child day center.
- Complete required VDOE orientation and center-specific training within applicable regulatory timeframes.
- Complete all additional training, health, safety, CPR/First Aid, and professional development requirements applicable to the position and maintain required credentials throughout employment.
KALE Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience as a Lead Teacher in a licensed childcare center strongly preferred.
- Direct experience working with infants and/or toddlers strongly preferred.
- CDA, Early Childhood Education credential, degree, or related coursework preferred.
- Knowledge of Virginia licensed childcare standards.
- Strong understanding of infant and toddler development.
- Experience developing and executing lesson plans.
- Strong classroom management and organizational skills.
- Experience communicating with parents and prospective families.
- Comfortable participating in tours, enrollment conversations, and family retention efforts.
- Ability to create a classroom environment that families immediately feel confident enrolling their child in.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Dependable attendance and punctuality.
Physical & Professional Expectations
Candidates must be able to perform the physical functions associated with caring for infants and toddlers, including getting on the floor with children, lifting and carrying children as appropriate, assisting with feeding and diapering/toileting, moving classroom materials, cleaning the classroom, and remaining active throughout the workday.
We are looking for a teacher who takes ownership.
If a classroom needs to be cleaned, you clean it.
If a parent has a question, you communicate.
If the classroom needs improvement, you improve it.
If a prospective family walks through the door, you proudly show them why your classroom is a great place for their child.
At KALE, Lead Teachers help us create classrooms that children love, parents trust, and teachers are proud to lead.
Equal Opportunity
Kids Academy of Learning & Excellence is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, organizational needs, and the ability to successfully perform the responsibilities of the position.
Pay: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Professional development assistance
Education:
License/Certification:
- Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- North Chesterfield, VA 23236 (Required)
Work Location: In person
