Early Childhood Education Specialist – Toddler Lead Teacher

We’re looking for an exceptional Toddler Lead Teacher!

Play and Learn is seeking a highly qualified Early Childhood Education Specialist to join our team in a play-based, nature-inspired early learning program.

We are looking for an experienced, reflective, and passionate educator who deeply understands early childhood development and believes that young children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships. Our ideal candidate is a nature lover, collaborative team member, and thoughtful observer of children, capable of supporting young learners as they develop curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

At Play and Learn, we believe children deserve to be surrounded by adults who lead with integrity, respect, and authenticity. We work within a team-teaching model, where educators actively contribute to the development of the learning environment, observations, curriculum planning, and documentation of children’s learning.

The Toddler Lead Teacher will create an environment that fosters deep engagement, meaningful learning, and personal growth, offering rich experiences that support the developmental needs and interests of toddlers.

Responsibilities

• Establish a classroom culture grounded in respect, collaboration, curiosity, and problem-solving
• Provide opportunities for individual exploration and small-group investigation
• Design thoughtful provocations and invitations to play that promote hands-on discovery
• Observe, document, and reflect on children's learning to guide curriculum development
• Build strong and respectful relationships with families
• Collaborate with colleagues and specialists to support children's developmental and learning needs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required in Early Childhood Education, Speech & Language Pathology, Human Development, or a closely related field
• Strong knowledge of child development and play-based learning
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
• Experience working in child-led learning environments (Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Waldorf, or similar approaches)
• Experience supporting children with diverse learning needs
• Spanish/English bilingual strongly preferred
• Previous experience working with toddlers required

We are seeking only highly qualified candidates with a strong professional background in early childhood education.

Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications, reflecting your expertise and leadership in early childhood education.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $21.00 per hour

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Early childhood education: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• CPR Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person