Toddler Lead Teacher

About This Role

We are seeking a dedicated and nurturing Lead Toddler Teacher to guide a classroom of children ages 1 to 1.5 years. This role focuses on creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment that supports early social, emotional, and cognitive growth. The ideal candidate will plan and implement age-appropriate curriculum, encourage curiosity and independence, and foster positive relationships with children, families, and staff.

Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential, along with a passion for early childhood education and a commitment to helping young learners thrive. This classroom can have up to 10 children.

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans and activities
• Create a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment
• Support children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development
• Establish consistent daily routines and classroom structure
• Observe, assess, and document children’s progress and milestones
• Foster positive behavior and guide children using appropriate discipline strategies
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians regarding child progress and needs
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well-equipped classroom
• Ensure compliance with all licensing, health, and safety regulations
• Adapt teaching strategies to meet individual learning styles and needs
• Encourage language development through conversation, reading, and play
• Promote independence, self-help skills, and positive peer interactions
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development
• Build a welcoming and inclusive classroom community

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have completed high school or its equivalent, as determined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.
• Have at least 240 hours of experience as an assistant child care teacher in a group child care center, as a licensed family child care provider, or in another approved early childhood setting.

At least one of the following:

• Four credits in early childhood education or its equivalent.
• Two non-credit department-approved courses in early childhood education (Introduction to the Child Care Profession and Skills and Strategies for the Child Care Teacher or the assistant child care teacher or child care teacher training programs approved by the Wisconsin department of public instruction).
• Two credits in early childhood education and one noncredit department-approved course in early childhood education.
• A certificate from the Wisconsin Registry indicating that the person is qualified as a child care teacher.
• The Registry Preschool Credential.
• The Registry Infant Toddler Credential.
• Forty-eight credits from an institution of higher education with at least 3 credits in early childhood education or its equivalent.
• A one-year child care diploma in child care or early childhood education from an institution of higher education.
• An associate degree in early childhood education or child care from an institution of higher education.
• A Child Development Associate credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.
• Certificate from American Montessori Society, Association Montessori International, or Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education.
• A license issued by the Wisconsin department of public instruction or the appropriate authority in another state to be a pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, or early childhood regular or special education teacher. The license may not be a one-year license with stipulations (formerly known as an emergency license); a 3-year, short-term substitute license; or a 5-year long-term substitute license, as defined by the Wisconsin department of public instruction.

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
• Prior experience in a lead teaching role or supervising staff
• Familiarity with play-based, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or similar teaching philosophies
• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Experience with child assessment tools and developmental screenings
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities
• Strong classroom management and behavior guidance…