Lead Teacher

Explore & Discover | Lead Teacher

Explore and Discover is more than just a place for early childhood education—it's a warm, collaborative community where educators, families, and children grow together. Our unique model blends high-quality infant and toddler care with a parent cooperative, creating an enriching environment rooted in connection, curiosity, and lifelong learning. Our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach combines exploration, creative expression, everyday practice, and small-group collaboration.

As a Lead Teacher, you'll take primary responsibility for creating and maintaining a warm, engaging, and responsive classroom environment where infants and toddlers feel safe, known, and empowered to explore. You'll serve as the educational and relational leader of your classroom—developing provocations, building strong relationships with children and families, mentoring classroom support staff, and creating an environment that reflects the interests, needs, and development of the children in your care.

Reporting to the Director and collaborating closely with the teaching team, you'll have the opportunity to bring your creativity, knowledge of early childhood development, and understanding of Reggio Emilia-inspired practice to the daily experience of our youngest learners.

About Us

Explore & Discover is a NAEYC-accredited, Reggio Emilia-inspired parent cooperative serving 25 infants and toddlers (6 weeks–3 years) in Denver's West Highlands/Wheat Ridge area. Founded in 2002, we are a small but mighty learning community where the youngest children experience education as discovery, relationships, and belonging.

As a parent cooperative, families are simultaneously consumers, volunteers, and stakeholders. This creates a unique, high-engagement community where teachers work in deep partnership with both families and the Director to create an environment where children thrive.

The Opportunity

We're seeking a Lead Teacher who:

• Loves relationship-centered care and understands the importance of secure, responsive relationships with infants and toddlers
• Is a confident classroom leader who can independently manage the daily rhythm, routines, and responsibilities of a classroom
• Values authentic Reggio Emilia practice and is excited to use observation, curiosity, and children's interests to guide emergent curriculum
• Is passionate about child development and creating environments where children can explore, investigate, and develop at their own pace
• Enjoys partnering with families and understands families as essential partners in their child's education
• Can lead and collaborate with classroom team members, including Teaching Assistants, volunteers, and support staff
• Is committed to equity and inclusion in early childhood education
• Takes initiative and approaches challenges with creativity, professionalism, and a solutions-oriented mindset

Position Overview

Position Title: Lead Teacher

Reports To: Center Director

Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly, At-Will

Compensation: $22/hour (commensurate with experience)

Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, 401(k), paid time off (must work 32+ hours/week to be eligible)

Position Summary

The Lead Teacher is responsible for the overall care, education, and classroom experience of a group of infants and/or toddlers. The Lead Teacher serves as the primary classroom leader and is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and engaging environment that supports children's social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.

The Lead Teacher will develop and implement an emergent curriculum inspired by children's interests, observations, developmental needs, and the Reggio Emilia philosophy. This position is responsible for maintaining classroom routines and documentation, communicating with families, mentoring and collaborating with classroom team members, and ensuring that the classroom consistently meets Explore & Discover's standards for quality, safety, and professionalism.

The ideal candidate is a reflective educator who is comfortable taking ownership of their classroom while also working collaboratively as part of a close-knit teaching team.

Core ResponsibilitiesClassroom Leadership & Management (25%)

• Take primary responsibility for the daily operation, organization, and overall quality of the classroom
• Establish and maintain predictable, developmentally appropriate classroom routines and rhythms
• Create a warm, welcoming, inclusive environment where every child feels known, valued, and respected
• Maintain Colorado licensing ratios and all required health and safety standards
• Ensure that classroom routines support children's individual needs, developmental stages, and emerging independence
• Create an environment that encourages exploration, curiosity, creativity, and meaningful relationships
• Maintain an organized, intentional, and aesthetically inviting classroom environment
• Prepare the classroom and materials for daily learning experiences
• Anticipate classroom needs and take initiative to address challenges before they become problems
• Ensure that classroom responsibilities are appropriately delegated and completed by classroom team members
• Serve as the primary decision-maker for daily classroom needs while communicating significant concerns or changes to the Director

Curriculum & Reggio Emilia-Inspired Practice (25%)

• Develop and implement an emergent curriculum based on children's interests, observations, developmental needs, and experiences
• Use observation and documentation to understand children's learning and guide future curriculum planning
• Create meaningful opportunities for exploration, investigation, sensory experiences, creative expression, movement, and social interaction
• Facilitate individual, small-group, and whole-group experiences appropriate to the developmental level of the children
• Incorporate open-ended materials and experiences that encourage curiosity and problem-solving
• Reflect on classroom experiences and modify curriculum based on children's responses and interests
• Support children as capable, curious learners and respect their individual pace and approach to learning
• Document children's experiences, interests, growth, and learning through Brightwheel and other classroom documentation
• Create opportunities for children's ideas and interests to influence the classroom environment and curriculum
• Participate in ongoing reflection and professional development related to Reggio Emilia-inspired practice

Responsive Care & Child Development (20%)

• Provide warm, responsive, and respectful care throughout the day
• Develop secure and trusting relationships with each child
• Follow individualized feeding, diapering, toileting, sleep, and comfort routines
• Support children's social-emotional development and emerging independence
• Observe and respond appropriately to children's cues, communication, and individual needs
• Support positive peer interactions and help children develop early problem-solving skills
• Use developmentally appropriate guidance strategies rather than punitive discipline
• Partner with families to understand each child's routines, preferences, development, and individual needs
• Monitor children's development and communicate observations and concerns appropriately
• Follow all safe sleep, diapering, health, sanitation, medication, and safety procedures

Family Partnership & Communication (15%)

• Develop strong, respectful, and trusting relationships with families
• Serve as a primary point of contact for families regarding their child's classroom experience
• Communicate regularly with families about children's experiences, development, interests, and daily routines
• Provide warm and professional communication during drop-off and pick-up
• Maintain accurate and thoughtful Brightwheel documentation
• Communicate significant developmental, behavioral, health, or classroom concerns to families in partnership with the Director
• Welcome family participation and parent cooperative involvement in the classroom
• Support and guide Teaching Assistant parent volunteers while maintaining appropriate classroom boundaries and expectations
• Participate in family events, conferences, parent meetings, and other community activities
• Model Explore & Discover's commitment to respectful, collaborative family partnerships

Team Leadership & Collaboration (15%)

• Provide daily leadership and direction to classroom Teaching Assistants, volunteers, and support staff
• Clearly communicate classroom expectations, routines, responsibilities, and priorities
• Model high-quality teaching practices and professional behavior
• Delegate classroom responsibilities appropriately and follow up to ensure tasks are completed
• Provide feedback and support to classroom team members
• Help new staff and volunteers understand classroom routines and expectations
• Communicate regularly with other Lead Teachers and the Director
• Participate actively in staff meetings and collaborative planning
• Contribute to a positive, respectful, and supportive team culture
• Address classroom challenges professionally and seek support from the Director when needed
• Participate in professional development and apply new learning to classroom practice

Required QualificationsEducation & Credentials

• Qualified Early Childhood Professional in the State of Colorado (ECE credential, CDA, or other applicable qualification)
• Current Infant/Toddler CPR/First Aid certification
• Current Safe Sleep certification
• Current Mandated Reporter certification
• Medication Administration certification or willingness to obtain
• Must meet all applicable Colorado childcare licensing requirements

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience working with infants and/or toddlers in a licensed childcare setting
• Demonstrated experience taking leadership or primary responsibility within a classroom
• Strong understanding of infant and toddler development
• Experience developing or implementing curriculum preferred
• Experience with Reggio Emilia, emergent curriculum, or play-based approaches strongly preferred
• Experience mentoring, supervising, or guiding classroom support staff preferred
• Experience working in a cooperative or family-centered environment a plus

Skills & Attributes

Classroom Leadership

Confidently takes ownership of the classroom and can independently manage routines, responsibilities, and daily classroom operations.

Relationship Building

Creates secure, respectful, and authentic relationships with children, families, and colleagues.

Curriculum & Creativity

Able to observe children's interests and use those observations to create meaningful, engaging learning experiences.

Child Development Knowledge

Strong understanding of infant and toddler development and the ability to recognize and respond to individual developmental needs.

Communication

Communicates clearly, respectfully, and professionally with children, families, colleagues, volunteers, and the Director.

Team Leadership

Able to provide direction, delegate responsibilities, model expectations, and support classroom team members.

Initiative & Problem-Solving

Anticipates classroom needs, takes initiative, and approaches challenges with flexibility and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Organization

Able to maintain documentation, classroom materials, routines, and responsibilities in an organized and timely manner.

Cultural Competency

Demonstrates respect for diverse families, cultures, identities, backgrounds, and perspectives and is committed to equity and inclusion.

Reliability

Punctual, dependable, professional, and committed to consistent classroom leadership.

Professional Growth

Open to reflection, feedback, continued learning, and professional development.

Technical Proficiency

Comfortable using Brightwheel and basic technology for communication, documentation, and classroom responsibilities.

Mission Alignment

Genuine passion for infant/toddler education, relationship-based care, Reggio Emilia-inspired practice, and the Explore & Discover cooperative model.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds (lifting children, supplies, and equipment)
• Ability to sit on the floor, bend, stoop, kneel, and engage physically with young children
• Ability to move throughout the classroom and maintain active supervision throughout the day
• Ability to respond quickly to children's physical and emotional needs
• Ability to participate in outdoor activities and physically active classroom experiences
• Work environment includes typical childcare center noise levels and activity
• Occasional evening attendance for staff meetings, professional development, family events, or parent meetings

What Success Looks Like

A successful Lead Teacher at Explore & Discover:

• Creates a classroom where children feel safe, secure, known, and valued
• Builds strong and trusting relationships with children and families
• Provides consistent, responsive, developmentally appropriate care
• Creates engaging curriculum that grows from children's interests and observations
• Maintains an organized, beautiful, and intentional classroom environment
• Effectively leads and communicates with classroom team members
• Keeps accurate and meaningful documentation of children's experiences and development
• Partners respectfully with families and welcomes their involvement
• Demonstrates professionalism, initiative, and accountability
• Contributes positively to the larger Explore & Discover community
• Continues to grow as an educator through reflection, collaboration, and professional development

Why Explore & Discover?

• NAEYC accredited with authentic Reggio Emilia-inspired practice
• Intimate scale: 25 children total; low ratios; opportunity to know every child and family
• Classroom ownership: Lead your own classroom and have meaningful influence over curriculum and the learning environment
• Supportive team: Collaborative environment with experienced educators and engaged leadership
• Engaged families: Active parent cooperative with deeply committed families
• Comprehensive benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, 401(k), and PTO for eligible full-time employees
• Professional development: Training opportunities, mentorship, reflection, and opportunities to grow as an educator and leader
• Strong values: Commitment to equity, respect, relationships, teamwork, and continuous improvement
• Reggio Emilia-inspired environment: A workplace where children's ideas, interests, relationships, and discoveries are valued

How to Apply

Submit the following to [email protected]:

• Cover Letter: Describe your experience working with infants and/or toddlers, your approach to classroom leadership, and why you are interested in joining Explore & Discover
• Resume: Current resume with three professional references
• Credentials: Copies of relevant certifications and credentials

Application Deadline: [Rolling – applications reviewed as received]

Position Start Date: [As soon as possible for the right candidate]

Employment Offer Contingencies

• Successful completion of comprehensive background check
• Verification of required credentials and education
• Verification of required Colorado childcare licensing qualifications
• At-will employment (either party may end employment with or without reason at any time)

Explore and Discover is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those from historically underrepresented communities in early childhood education leadership.

Questions? Contact our Director at [email protected]

Pay: $20.00 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person