Infant/Toddler Teacher

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council • Monticello, MN

10d

About The Position

The Infant/Toddler Teacher is responsible for operating a classroom, including planning and carrying out activities, maintaining the classroom environment, supervising children, and conducting parent/teacher conferences and home visits. The teacher provides leadership and direction to classroom staff and works cooperatively with colleagues to provide services to children and families. Responsibilities include classroom planning, data entry, recordkeeping, and creating a safe, healthy environment with intentional, developmentally appropriate learning opportunities. The teacher also helps recruit potential parents by informing them about program services and benefits available to enrolled children and families.

Specific daily responsibilities depend on staffing patterns and classroom needs. The job description also identifies separate qualification pathways for Infant/Toddler Teacher, Infant/Toddler Teacher in Training, Teacher, and Teacher in Training roles.

Requirements

• Demonstrated competency in providing effective, nurturing teacher-child interactions.
• Ability to plan and implement learning experiences, ensure effective curriculum implementation, use assessment, and promote children’s progress across program standards.
• Comfort working with computers and willingness and ability to learn program-specific systems.
• For the Infant/Toddler Teacher qualification pathway: Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential or a comparable credential.
• For the Infant/Toddler Teacher in Training pathway: at least 18 years of age, a high school diploma or GED, and ability to obtain an Infant/Toddler CDA within nine months of the start date of the CDA Individual Plan of Action.
• For the Teacher III pathway: associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field; 12 credits of accepted education-related coursework; and 1,040 hours of experience in a licensed early childhood setting or public school system.
• For the Teacher IV pathway: bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field; 12 credits of accepted education-related coursework; and 1,040 hours of experience in a licensed early childhood setting or public school system.
• For the Teacher V pathway: master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field; 12 credits of accepted education-related coursework; and 1,040 hours of experience in a licensed early childhood setting or public school system.
• For the Teacher in Training pathway: at least 18 years of age, a high school diploma or GED, and ability to obtain an associate or advanced degree in Early Childhood Development within the timeframe agreed upon at hire.

Responsibilities

• Plan daily schedules and weekly lesson plans that provide varied opportunities and promote school readiness.
• Plan and implement learning experiences that support children’s intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development, including literacy, language, early math and science, problem-solving, and approaches to learning.
• Attend to children’s hygiene and care needs, including diaper changing, cleaning, feeding, and changing soiled or wet clothes.
• Assume classroom responsibility for children and complete required data entry and education screenings within specified timelines.
• Implement the curriculum effectively and use assessment information to support children’s progress.
• Maintain a safe, clean caregiving environment; follow safety, sanitation, licensing, Head Start, and program policies; and supervise children at all times.
• Use disciplinary measures appropriately and protect children from physical punishment and verbal abuse, reporting incidents immediately.
• Ensure children are dressed appropriately for weather and activities, and administer First Aid or CPR when necessary.
• Plan and maintain a developmentally appropriate classroom environment, including defined activity areas, accessible materials, and safe indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Plan, post, and follow lesson plans and classroom routines; provide transitions and predictable routines that support children’s security and school readiness.
• Observe children, document needs, and refer children for additional services such as mental health, nutrition, or disability consultation when appropriate.
• Conduct developmentally appropriate activities tailored to individual children’s needs, and model manners and good nutrition during family-style meals.
• Conduct developmental screenings and ongoing assessments; maintain accurate, timely documentation; collect and chart assessment data; and use data to promote children’s progress.
• Maintain and document communication with families; conduct parent conferences and home visits; and prepare take-home activities.
• Attend parent meetings, encourage family involvement, support family relationships, arrange and welcome parent volunteers, and provide family services support and goal setting as program needs determine.
• Maintain warm, cooperative relationships with children, families, staff, and volunteers; greet families warmly and model a positive, calm attitude.

Benefits

• CDA credential coursework will be provided to Infant/Toddler Teachers in Training.
• Coursework for the Teacher in Training pathway will be partially or fully provided.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed