Montessori Toddler Classroom Lead Teacher

Benefits:

• Paid Winter Break
• Paid Spring Break
• 401(k) matching
• Bonus based on performance
• Company parties
• Competitive salary
• Paid time off
• Training & development

Montessori School of Chantilly is seeking a warm, dependable, organized, and confident Lead Toddler Teacher to lead a classroom of young learners during an important stage of their development.

The Lead Toddler Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom while providing consistent leadership and structure throughout the day. This individual will take ownership of the classroom, build positive relationships with children and families, work collaboratively with fellow teachers, and ensure that classroom practices meet school expectations and Minnesota childcare licensing requirements.

We are looking for someone who genuinely enjoys the toddler age group and understands that successful toddler care requires patience, consistency, active supervision, strong routines, and lots of positive interaction.

Key Responsibilities

Classroom Leadership & Management

• Take primary ownership of the daily operation, organization, and overall environment of the toddler classroom.
• Establish and maintain predictable classroom routines and transitions.
• Provide direction and support to assistant teachers and other staff working within the classroom.
• Help ensure classroom responsibilities are shared and completed consistently.
• Maintain an organized, clean, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate classroom.
• Communicate classroom needs, concerns, supply needs, and staffing issues with administration.
• Model professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and positive interactions for other staff.

Child Development & Curriculum

• Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Incorporate Montessori principles by encouraging independence, choice, exploration, practical life skills, and respect for the child.
• Provide opportunities that support language, cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and sensory development.
• Observe individual children's development, interests, strengths, and emerging needs.
• Adapt activities and expectations to meet children at their individual developmental levels.
• Encourage age-appropriate independence with eating, dressing, cleaning up, handwashing, toileting, and other self-help skills.

Caregiving & Daily Routines

• Provide responsive and attentive care throughout the day.
• Assist children with meals, snacks, diapering, toileting, handwashing, rest time, dressing, and other daily needs.
• Maintain sanitary diapering, food service, and classroom procedures.
• Follow individual children's schedules and care plans when applicable.
• Provide comfort, reassurance, and emotional support while encouraging growing independence.

Active Supervision & Safety

• Maintain active supervision at all times.
• Know the location and activity of every child assigned to your care.
• Maintain required staff-to-child ratios.
• Complete accurate attendance and name-to-face checks as required.
• Maintain safe classroom environments and immediately address potential hazards.
• Follow all school policies, licensing requirements, emergency procedures, and risk-reduction practices.
• Use positive guidance techniques appropriate for toddlers.
• Children must always be treated with patience, dignity, and respect. Rough handling, grabbing, pulling, threatening, humiliating, or inappropriate discipline is not acceptable.

Family Communication

• Build positive, professional relationships with parents and guardians.
• Provide meaningful updates regarding children's routines, development, accomplishments, and classroom experiences.
• Maintain accurate daily information regarding meals, diapering/toileting, naps, activities, and other required documentation.
• Communicate concerns professionally and involve administration when appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.

Teamwork & Professionalism

• Maintain dependable and consistent attendance.
• Arrive on time and ready to work at the beginning of each scheduled shift.
• Communicate respectfully and professionally with coworkers and administration.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, training, and school events as required.
• Accept feedback and demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow professionally.
• Help create a positive workplace culture by communicating directly, respectfully, and solution-focused.
• Complete assigned classroom and school responsibilities without requiring continual…