Infant/Toddler Teacher

Kidz Korner Children's Center•Santa Monica, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Infant/Toddler Teacher is responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, responsive, and developmentally appropriate environment for infants and toddlers. This position supports each child’s physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and language development through warm interactions, individualized care, consistent routines, and age-appropriate learning experiences. The Infant/Toddler Teacher must be attentive, patient, gentle, dependable, and able to meet the unique needs of very young children, including feeding, diapering, rest, comfort, sensory exploration, communication, and early social-emotional development.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must meet California child care licensing requirements for an Infant/Toddler Teacher position.
Current or ability to obtain Mandated Reporter training.
Current or ability to obtain Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification.
Current or ability to obtain health screening, TB clearance, immunization records, and criminal background clearance.
Must be able to follow written care instructions, classroom routines, and health and safety procedures.
Warm, patient, nurturing, and responsive approach with infants and toddlers.
Strong supervision and safety awareness.
Knowledge of infant and toddler development.
Ability to support children’s individual routines and developmental needs.
Ability to communicate professionally with families and staff.
Ability to remain calm, gentle, and attentive in a busy classroom environment.
Dependable attendance and punctuality.
Ability to follow licensing requirements, classroom procedures, and center policies.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Ability to sit on the floor, stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, lift, carry, and move throughout the classroom.
Ability to lift and carry infants and toddlers as needed.
Ability to push or pull cribs, strollers, carts, or classroom equipment as needed.
Ability to assist children with feeding, diapering, toileting, handwashing, and rest routines.
Ability to supervise children visually and physically at all times.
Ability to respond quickly to children’s needs and emergencies.
Follow all health and safety procedures, including handwashing, diapering, sanitizing, safe sleep practices, bottle/food handling, illness observation, injury reporting, and active supervision.
Ensure that infants and toddlers are always cared for in a safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate environment.
Arrive on time, maintain dependable attendance, communicate professionally, follow children’s individual care routines, and provide a loving, calm, safe, and responsive environment for infants and toddlers.

Nice To Haves

Early Childhood Education units required or preferred based on assigned role, including infant/toddler coursework when applicable.
Experience working with infants and toddlers preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care and supervision for infants and toddlers at all times.
Maintain a safe, clean, calm, and nurturing classroom environment.
Follow each child’s individual feeding, diapering, nap, and care schedule.
Change diapers and assist with toileting routines using proper health and sanitation procedures.
Prepare bottles, meals, and snacks according to center policies and family instructions.
Hold, comfort, rock, talk to, sing to, and interact warmly with infants and toddlers throughout the day.
Support tummy time, crawling, walking, fine motor development, sensory play, language development, and early social skills.
Plan and implement developmentally appropriate infant/toddler activities.
Use gentle redirection and positive guidance with toddlers.
Observe and document children’s daily routines, developmental progress, and individual needs.
Communicate professionally with families regarding feeding, diapering, naps, mood, milestones, and daily experiences.
Maintain accurate daily logs, including meals, bottles, diaper changes, naps, activities, and any concerns.
Keep classroom materials, toys, cribs, cots, changing areas, and feeding areas clean and sanitized.
Follow safe sleep practices and center sleep supervision procedures.
Follow all licensing regulations, ratio requirements, health and safety procedures, and center policies.
Recognize signs of illness, injury, discomfort, developmental concerns, or unusual behavior and report concerns to the Director.
Support children during transitions, separation from families, and emotional moments.
Work cooperatively with assistants, aides, floaters, and other staff members.
Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
Report suspected child abuse or neglect as a mandated reporter.
Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development as required.