Lead Toddler Teacher

Lead Toddler Teacher

Player 1 Academy – Rochester, NY

Job Description

Player 1 Academy is seeking a caring, energetic, dependable, and highly motivated Lead Toddler Teacher to lead one of our toddler classrooms.

Player 1 Academy is a STEM-centered childcare and early learning center focused on providing children with more than traditional daycare. Our classrooms are designed to help children learn through structured routines, hands-on exploration, early literacy, music, movement, sensory activities, science, technology, creative play, and social-emotional development.

The Lead Toddler Teacher will create a safe, nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment for toddlers while helping children develop the foundational skills they will need as they grow.

This position requires someone who genuinely enjoys working with toddlers, understands early childhood development, communicates well with families, and can successfully lead a classroom with consistency, patience, warmth, and structure.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Lead Toddler Teacher will be responsible for the overall daily operation, learning environment, and supervision of the toddler classroom.

Duties include:

• Provide a safe, nurturing, structured, and engaging classroom environment for toddlers.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate toddler lesson plans and daily learning activities.
• Promote early language development through conversation, songs, storytelling, repetition, and daily reading.
• Read to children multiple times throughout the day and encourage early interest in books and literacy.
• Introduce age-appropriate concepts involving colors, shapes, numbers, letters, animals, nature, music, movement, and beginning STEM exploration.
• Provide hands-on sensory activities that encourage curiosity, exploration, and development.
• Support fine-motor and gross-motor development through age-appropriate classroom activities.
• Encourage children to build independence through routines such as handwashing, mealtime, cleanup, dressing, and self-help skills.
• Support children as they develop communication, sharing, cooperation, emotional regulation, and positive social skills.
• Use positive guidance, redirection, and age-appropriate behavior-management techniques.
• Maintain active supervision of children at all times.
• Follow established classroom schedules and daily routines.
• Assist with diapering, toileting, feeding, meals, snacks, rest periods, and other daily care needs.
• Maintain accurate diapering, feeding, sleep, attendance, and classroom records as required.
• Observe children's development and communicate significant progress or concerns to the Childcare Director and families when appropriate.
• Maintain a clean, organized, sanitary, and visually engaging classroom.
• Regularly sanitize toys, learning materials, classroom surfaces, and equipment according to center procedures.
• Prepare learning centers, classroom displays, and educational activities.
• Ensure classroom materials and toys are developmentally appropriate and safe.
• Communicate professionally and positively with parents and guardians about their child's daily experiences and development.
• Develop positive and trusting relationships with children and families.
• Provide leadership and direction to assistant teachers and classroom support staff.
• Ensure classroom staff understand and follow daily schedules, safety procedures, and educational expectations.
• Collaborate with other teachers, administrators, and staff members.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, professional development, and center events.
• Follow all Player 1 Academy policies and procedures.
• Follow all applicable New York State Office of Children and Family Services requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, staff, and center information.
• Immediately report safety concerns, incidents, injuries, or suspected child abuse or maltreatment according to required procedures.
• Assist with emergency drills, evacuation procedures, and classroom safety practices.
• Help create a classroom environment where toddlers feel safe, loved, encouraged, and excited to learn.

Qualifications

Candidates should have experience working with toddlers or young children in a licensed childcare center, preschool, early childhood program, Head Start program, daycare, or similar environment.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Previous experience as a Toddler Teacher, Lead Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher, Childcare Teacher, or similar position.
• Experience working specifically with children approximately 18 months to 3 years of age is strongly preferred.
• Education, coursework, or training in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Human Services, or a related field is preferred.
• CDA, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or recognized early childhood credential is a must.
• Must meet or be able to meet applicable New York State OCFS staff qualification requirements.
• Knowledge of toddler development and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
• Understanding of language development, social-emotional development, sensory learning, and early childhood milestones.
• Experience creating or implementing lesson plans is preferred.
• Strong classroom-management and organizational skills.
• Ability to provide positive behavior guidance and redirection.
• Ability to work with children with different personalities, learning styles, developmental levels, and behavioral needs.
• Strong communication skills with parents, children, coworkers, and supervisors.
• Comfortable learning and using educational technology and innovative classroom tools.
• Interest in STEM, hands-on learning, science, robotics, technology, music, movement, or creative learning is a plus.
• Ability to maintain accurate classroom records and documentation.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Professional appearance and conduct.
• Ability to successfully complete all required background checks, clearances, medical requirements, and childcare training.
• Must be able to actively supervise children throughout the

Pay: $18.50 - $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Experience:

• Lead Toddler Teacher: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: In person