Toddler Lead Teacher

Merritt Academy • Fairfax, VA

19h • $45,000 - $55,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Merritt Academy is seeking a warm, nurturing, and enthusiastic Lead Toddler Teacher who loves working with toddlers and understands just how important their first year of learning and development can be. You’ll create a safe, loving, and engaging classroom where toddlers can explore, build trusting relationships, and develop through play, sensory experiences, language, movement, and responsive caregiving. As our Lead Toddler Teacher, you’ll lead and collaborate with your classroom teaching team to provide exceptional care while maintaining consistent routines for feeding, diapering, safe sleep, supervision, and classroom organization. You’ll observe and support each toddler’s individual development, build meaningful partnerships with families, and keep parents connected to the special moments happening throughout their child’s day. We’re looking for someone who brings patience, positivity, dependability, and a genuine love for toddlers to the classroom each day.

Requirements

• High School diploma required with an AA in Early Childhood Education, or related field, Child Development Associate (CDA) (or at least 12 college credits in Education)
• Experience working in education, early childhood experience is required
• A love for children and a strong desire to make a difference every day.
• Must be physically able to lift and carry a minimum of 45 pounds, engage in physical activity with children, and work indoors or outdoors.
• Must be able to constantly move and interact with the children to provide stimulation and develop relationships.
• Must be able to alternate often between sitting and standing.
• Must be able to maintain sight and sound of the children at all times.
• CPR and First Aid certified or willingness to obtain.
• Must be able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Pass pre-employment screenings and trainings as required.
• Exhibit professionalism, pride in work, initiative, a strong work ethic and who support parents as partners in education.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelors degree preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead and collaborate with your classroom teaching team to provide exceptional care.
• Maintain consistent routines for feeding, diapering, safe sleep, supervision, and classroom organization.
• Observe and support each toddler’s individual development.
• Build meaningful partnerships with families.
• Keep parents connected to the special moments happening throughout their child’s day.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement program
• Professional development training opportunities
• Competitive pay
• Health, dental and vision insurance options for eligible employees
• Vacation and sick leave
• Retirement plan with employer matching
• Discounted tuition rate for child(ren) attending any J127 Education Foundation school

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED