Toddler Teacher

Cheyenne’s Early Learning Center, a NAEYC-accredited and Connecticut OEC-licensed early childhood program, is seeking a caring, energetic, and experienced Lead Toddler Teacher to join our team.

The Lead Toddler Teacher will create a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom for children approximately 2 to 2.8 years old. We are looking for someone who understands toddler development, can confidently manage classroom routines and transitions, and uses patience and positive guidance to support children as they develop independence, language, emotional regulation, and social skills.

The ideal candidate is dependable, creative, organized, flexible, and able to lead a classroom team. This is a full-time position requiring availability within the center’s operating hours of Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

We offer:

• A supportive and caring team environment
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Support for continuing your early childhood education
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Paid time off
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children and families

Compensation is based on education, credentials, qualifications, and relevant toddler classroom experience.

To apply, please attach your résumé. Qualified candidates will be contacted to complete CELC’s employment application and schedule an interview.

• Create a warm, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate toddler classroom environment.
• Plan and implement engaging weekly lesson plans and learning experiences that support children’s physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional development.
• Establish consistent daily routines while remaining flexible and responsive to the individual needs of the children.
• Provide active supervision and ensure children’s health, safety, and well-being throughout the day.
• Use positive guidance techniques to help toddlers develop emotional regulation, independence, problem-solving skills, and appropriate social behaviors.
• Support children through daily transitions, separation concerns, challenging behaviors, and other age-appropriate developmental experiences.
• Assist children with diapering, toilet learning, feeding, handwashing, rest time, and other routine care needs while promoting independence.
• Observe children, document their development, and use observations to guide classroom planning and individual support.
• Maintain accurate daily records and complete required classroom documentation.
• Communicate professionally with families regarding their child’s daily experiences, development, accomplishments, and areas of need.
• Build respectful partnerships with families and encourage their participation in the classroom and program.
• Lead, guide, and collaborate with assistant teachers and classroom support staff.
• Clearly communicate classroom expectations and help ensure that all team members consistently follow routines and procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organized, attractive, and safe classroom environment.
• Support the meaningful inclusion of children with different abilities, learning styles, developmental needs, and cultural backgrounds.
• Collaborate with administrators, Birth to Three providers, behavioral consultants, and other support professionals when applicable.
• Follow all CELC policies and procedures and comply with Connecticut OEC licensing requirements and NAEYC standards.
• Participate in staff meetings, classroom observations, training, professional development, and program improvement efforts.

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, or current enrollment in an ECE degree program.
• Previous experience working with toddlers in a licensed childcare or early-learning program.
• Connecticut OEC credential or willingness to complete the process for obtaining one.
• Strong knowledge of toddler development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to plan intentional, age-appropriate learning experiences.
• Strong classroom-management, leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to use positive guidance while confidently responding to challenging toddler behaviors.
• Ability to lead and collaborate with assistant teachers and classroom support staff.
• CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Dependable attendance, punctuality, professionalism, and flexibility.
• Must complete all required background checks, health requirements, and mandatory training.