Infant Lead Teacher – East Gate Kids Early Learning Center

Overview

Lead Infant Teacher — For Educators Who Understand That Infancy Is Foundational

Lead Infant Teacher — For Educators Who Understand That Infancy Is Foundational. Pay Rate: $21-$25/hour (based on education & licensing qualifications). Albuquerque, NM | Full-Time. 5-Star Center | Full-Time or Part-Time | Purpose-Driven | Reggio-Inspired | Growth-Focused Environment.

A Role With Purpose, Support, And Room To Grow. If you believe early childhood education is sacred, impactful work and that teachers deserve respect, support, and professional growth, you may have just found your home. At East Gate Kids, we"re not filling positions. We"re building a community of educators who care deeply about children, families, and doing this work well. We are seeking a Lead Infant Teacher who understands that the earliest experiences of care shape a child"s sense of safety, trust, and curiosity for life.

We are a model 5-Star early learning center in New Mexico, known for innovation, inclusion, and excellence. Our Reggio-inspired classrooms are intentional spaces that invite curiosity, independence, collaboration, and joy for children and teachers. This role is for educators who want to grow their craft, contribute meaningfully, and be part of a team that takes pride in high-quality early childhood education.

Why This Role Truly Matters? Infants learn through relationships. Diapering, feeding, soothing, and play are opportunities to teach communication, trust, and emotional regulation. As a Lead Infant Teacher, you will guide the classroom environment, daily rhythms, and caregiving practices to ensure each child feels safe, seen, and supported.

• Create and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with NM Early Learning Guidelines and the Reggio Emilia approach.
• Lead and inspire your classroom team — model excellence, collaboration, and professionalism while mentoring assistants and interns.
• Foster creativity and curiosity through hands-on, nature-based learning experiences that promote social-emotional and cognitive growth.
• Communicate effectively with families through daily updates, progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences.
• Ensure excellence and compliance with state licensing regulations, FOCUS standards, and East Gate Kids policies.
• Document learning through observations, lesson plans, and developmental portfolios.
• Engage in continuous growth — participate in trainings, workshops, and professional development to strengthen your craft.
• Support a classroom culture rooted in safety, belonging, curiosity, and joy.

We welcome educators at different stages of their journey.

• At least 2 years of professional childcare or teaching experience.
• A CDC, AA, or BA in Early Childhood Education or be actively pursuing one.
• Or actively seeking to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education through the ECECD Scholarship or similar program.
• Knowledge of child development and play-based learning.
• High energy, creativity, and compassion for children and families.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Ability to work collaboratively in a purpose-driven, mission-minded team that values excellence and heart.

We proudly support work visa sponsor ships. East Gate Kids values diversity and believes multilingual, multicultural educators enrich our classrooms and community.

Benefits:

• Competitive, living wages with growth opportunities and performance bonuses.
• Health, dental, vision, and telehealth coverage.
• Free childcare in our highly sought-after 5-Star program.
• Up to 80 hours of PTO annually, plus 12+ paid/unpaid holidays for balance and renewal.
• Closed for major holidays and a full week off at Christmas.
• Free uniforms and parking.
• Free tuition opportunities for your own children and access to the ECECD Scholarship Pathway to earn your degree in early childcare — start your career, get your degree, and grow with us!
• Ongoing professional development led by national experts.
• Leadership development, advocacy training, and growth pathways.
• A joyful, purpose-driven workplace where fun, learning, and growth come together every day!

This is a full-time position,…