Full Time Lead Toddler Teacher

Sunshine Academy•Laurel, MT

About The Position

The Lead Toddler Teacher implements developmentally appropriate curriculum and provides positive classroom management. The role supervises assistant teachers and floaters, promotes positive child guidance and relationships with students, families, and employees, ensures compliance with licensing requirements, maintains cleanliness and records, and supports a safe classroom and facility. The teacher provides direct care, protection, supervision, and guidance for children; maintains required teacher-to-child ratios; follows safety, diapering, toileting, hygiene, and rest-time practices; and ensures daily schedules and cleaning routines are followed. The role implements and adapts the Frogstreet curriculum, meets Montana Early Learning Standards, plans transitions, maintains classroom materials and supplies, documents children’s needs and incidents, communicates with parents through Playground software, and works with the Director and Assistant Teachers to support children, families, staff, and program operations.

Requirements

Minimum Level 2 on The Practitioner Registry, or 2+ years of early childhood experience in a licensed program and/or a CDA, or a BA/Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development, or preschool certification through an accredited program.
Current certification in infant, child, and adult CPR/AED; infant choking response; and standard and pediatric first aid. CPR certification must be completed in a hands-on setting.
Complete facility overview training.
Current on the ECP Practitioner Registry.
Able to lift 45 pounds.
Able to maneuver easily up and down from the floor.
Sufficient language skills to communicate with children and adults.
Demonstrate good moral character.
Physically, emotionally, and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Current on MMR and tetanus immunizations.
Complete training hours required to stay current on the ECP Practitioner Registry annually.
Complete any training required by The Sunshine Academy Management annually.
Dependable, reliable, organized, trustworthy, punctual, prepared, energetic, and positive.

Responsibilities

Implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, including adapting the Frogstreet curriculum to meet students’ needs and interests and meeting Montana Early Learning Standards.
Provide child guidance using approved techniques; support conflict mediation, boundaries, personal space, self-regulation, and coping skills.
Ensure children’s safety, supervise them actively, never leave a child unattended, and maintain teacher-to-child ratios.
Supervise Assistant Teachers and Float staff, lead by example, support their professional needs, and communicate staff concerns to the Director.
Provide direct care and assist with toileting, toilet training, accidents, diapering, handwashing, hygiene habits, and rest time.
Follow daily class schedules and plan transitions that minimize wait times.
Ensure equipment and the facility are properly cleaned daily; maintain a clean, neat, and orderly work environment.
Maintain classroom, outdoor-space, and equipment use effectively; rotate center materials quarterly or as needed and audit classroom supplies quarterly.
Post curriculum weekly and update annual school supply lists.
Complete name-to-face checks, accident reports, cleaning records, low-supply notices, Oh-No Reports, and documentation of behaviors, concerns, or delays.
Use Playground software for documentation and parent relations, and maintain updated social media posts.
Maintain positive parent communication, provide weekly parent touch points, notify parents of accidents or incidents, and communicate through Playground.
Schedule special events and assist families and outside agencies with children’s developmental milestones and care concerns.
Provide reasonable accommodations for children with special needs or disabilities and raise developmental or behavioral concerns with the Director.
Ensure licensing and Health Department requirements are met, and assist with drills and safety requirements under the academy’s risk management policies.
Monitor facilities for safety hazards or items needing repair or replacement, address repairs if possible, and notify the Director as appropriate.
Maintain employee, child, and client confidentiality and follow the NAEYC Code of Conduct and academy policies and procedures.
Attend staff meetings, submit requested reports and information on time, assist the Director with projects, and complete other assigned duties.
Notify the Director of special events or earned parties and promote positive public relations for The Sunshine Academy.