Lead Toddler Teacher

Job Overview

Little Chicks University is seeking a compassionate, dependable, energetic, and enthusiastic Toddler Two Lead Teacher to join our growing team! Our Lead Teacher will be responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom where toddlers feel loved, supported, and encouraged to learn through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships.

At Little Chicks University, we strive to provide more than childcare—we want to create a true home-away-from-home where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn. Our ideal candidate genuinely enjoys working with toddlers, understands the importance of the early childhood years, and is committed to building positive relationships with children, families, and fellow educators.

Potential Job Duties

As the Toddler Two Lead Teacher, responsibilities may include:

• Provide a safe, loving, nurturing, and engaging environment for toddlers.
• Maintain active supervision of children at all times and ensure Vermont staff-to-child ratio requirements are maintained.
• Lead the daily operation of the Toddler Two classroom.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum and activities.
• Create learning experiences that support children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, physical, and creative development.
• Provide opportunities for art, sensory exploration, music and movement, early literacy, science, early math, dramatic play, fine-motor development, and gross-motor activities.
• Encourage toddlers to develop independence and age-appropriate self-help skills.
• Build secure, positive, and trusting relationships with each child.
• Use positive and developmentally appropriate behavior-guidance techniques.
• Help children learn to identify emotions, communicate their wants and needs, interact with peers, and begin developing problem-solving skills.
• Respond calmly and appropriately to common toddler behaviors such as biting, hitting, tantrums, difficulty sharing, and separation anxiety.
• Complete diapering, toileting, handwashing, feeding, and other personal-care routines in a respectful and sanitary manner.
• Assist and encourage children during meals and snacks.
• Supervise and assist children during rest/nap periods.
• Maintain a clean, organized, sanitary, and developmentally appropriate classroom.
• Regularly observe children and use observations to plan activities based on their interests, strengths, developmental abilities, and individual needs.
• Maintain accurate classroom and child documentation.
• Communicate with families regarding children's daily experiences, accomplishments, needs, and concerns.
• Use Brightwheel to document children's daily activities and communicate with families as assigned.
• Build respectful and collaborative partnerships with parents and guardians.
• Follow individual care plans, allergy plans, medical plans, and accommodations as applicable.
• Complete incident and injury reports accurately and promptly.
• Participate in outdoor play and gross-motor activities with children.
• Conduct or participate in classroom and playground safety checks.
• Follow all health, sanitation, emergency, and infection-control procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
• Work collaboratively with assistant teachers and other classroom staff.
• Provide appropriate guidance and direction to staff assisting in the Toddler Two classroom.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and required trainings.
• Maintain required certifications, education, and professional-development requirements.
• Follow Little Chicks University policies and procedures and applicable Vermont Child Care Licensing requirements.
• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, patience, kindness, flexibility, and a positive attitude.
• Perform additional reasonable duties necessary to support the children, classroom, and overall operation of Little Chicks University.

Required Vermont Qualifications

Applicants must meet the State of Vermont requirements to serve as a Teacher Associate or higher in a Center Based Child Care and Preschool Program.

Under the applicable Vermont licensing rules, a Teacher Associate must be at least 20 years old and meet at least one qualifying pathway, which may include:

• A Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Three (3) Certificate; OR
• An associate degree from an accredited college with a major or concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Elementary Education, or Child and Family Services plus at least 12 months of qualifying experience working with groups of children through grade three; OR
• A Vermont Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program Certificate; OR
• A Community College of Vermont Child Care Certificate plus at least 12 months of qualifying experience; OR
• At least 12 months of qualifying experience plus 18 college credits with an early childhood or school-age focus; OR
• At least 12 months of qualifying experience plus 12 college credits with an early childhood or school-age focus and an additional 6 college credits in child or human development with an early childhood or school-age focus; OR
• 12 college credits with an early childhood or school-age focus, with at least 12 months of qualifying experience to be completed within the first 12 months of employment, as permitted under the applicable Vermont licensing pathway.

Applicants must also successfully complete all required background clearances and maintain all training, professional development, certifications, and other requirements applicable to their position.

Applicants who are unsure whether their education and experience meet Vermont Teacher Associate requirements are still encouraged to apply. Qualification documentation can be reviewed as part of the hiring process.

Benefits

We value our educators and recognize the important work they do every day. Benefits for this position include:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• Your birthday off — paid!
• Childcare discount for eligible employees
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development and training
• Supportive, collaborative work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement as Little Chicks University grows

What We're Looking For

Our ideal Toddler Two Lead Teacher is someone who is:

• Kind, patient, compassionate, and nurturing
• Reliable and dependable
• Passionate about working with young children
• Comfortable taking a leadership role within the classroom
• Able to communicate professionally with families and coworkers
• Creative and excited about planning meaningful learning experiences
• Understanding of developmentally appropriate practices
• Willing to get down on the floor, play, explore, get messy, sing songs, read the same favorite book again, and experience the world from a toddler's perspective
• Able to remain calm and supportive during challenging moments
• A positive team member who is willing to communicate, collaborate, and grow
• Committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child feels safe, loved, respected, and valued

Join Little Chicks University!

If you are passionate about early childhood education and want to be part of creating a childcare program where children are genuinely loved, supported, encouraged, and excited to come each day, we would love to hear from you.

Little Chicks University is looking for educators who want to do more than simply supervise children—we are looking for people who want to build relationships, inspire curiosity, support development, and make a meaningful difference in children's lives.

Come grow with Little Chicks University and help us create a home-away-from-home for the children and families we serve!

Pay: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $25