Lead Teacher - One Year Olds

Lead Teacher – One-Year-Olds (Porcupines Classroom)
The Sunshine Academy · 6643 HWY 312, Billings, MT 59105 · Full-Time · $15.00-$21.00 Per Hour

Help one-year-olds feel safe, seen, and curious every day.

One-year-olds change fast. In a single year they take first steps, say first words, and start learning to soothe themselves and get along with others. As Lead Teacher in our Porcupines room, you’re the steady person behind all of that. You set the rhythm of the day, shape the classroom, and give families peace of mind when they walk out the door each morning.

This is a leadership role. You’ll run the classroom, guide your Assistant Teachers, and work closely with your Director, who knows your name and backs you up.

What your days look like

• Planning and leading activities with our Frogstreet curriculum, adjusted to fit each child and aligned with the Montana Early Learning Standards
• Building routines one-year-olds can count on: a consistent schedule, smooth transitions, diapering, early self-help skills, and lots of floor time
• Using positive guidance to help little ones learn to calm down, cope, and get along
• Leading and supporting your Assistant Teachers so the room runs consistently
• Keeping families connected with a check-in every week, daily updates through Playground, and a quick heads-up when something comes up
• Keeping track of the details that keep kids safe: name-to-face checks, ratios, cleaning logs, incident reports, and notes on milestones or concerns
• Keeping the room clean and organized, and rotating materials each quarter so there’s always something new to explore
• Helping plan family events like open houses and the Christmas Concert

Who thrives here

You’re dependable. You show up on time and prepared, and your team can count on you. You stay calm when a room full of toddlers isn’t. You lead by example, deal with problems directly, and care about the adults in the room as much as the kids. And you want to keep growing in this work, not just pick up another shift.

What you’ll need

• One of the following: Level 2 or higher on the Montana ECP Practitioner Registry, OR 2+ years of experience in a licensed early childhood program, OR a CDA, OR an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development, OR a preschool certification from an accredited program
• Current Infant/Child/Adult CPR, infant choking response, and standard and pediatric First Aid. CPR must be from a hands-on course. [The Sunshine Academy will schedule, and pay for the CPR course if you need this.]
• Current standing on the ECP Practitioner Registry, plus keeping up with the annual training hours it requires
• Current MMR and Tetanus immunizations
• A background check and fingerprinting, as required by Montana licensing
• Able to lift 45 pounds and get up and down from the floor easily
• Clear communication with both children and adults

What we offer

• PTO after one year
• A Director who knows you and backs you up
• 50% Off Tuition
• Professional Development

If you want work that matters and a team that holds a high standard, we’d love to meet you.

Pay: $15.00 - $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person