Job Summary
Do you have a heart for babies and a passion for early learning? We’re looking for a loving, energetic Lead Infant Teacher who’s ready to nurture, teach, and grow alongside our tiniest learners!
As our Lead Infant Teacher, you’ll create a warm, engaging, and safe environment where infants can explore, bond, and reach important developmental milestones. You’ll guide each baby’s daily routine — from giggles and tummy time to stories and sensory play — with patience, positivity, and professionalism.
Duties
1. Classroom Management & Environment
- Create and maintain a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment for infants (ages 6 weeks–18 months).
- Ensure classroom materials, toys, and equipment are clean, sanitized, and in good repair.
- Arrange the classroom to promote exploration, independence, and sensory development.
- Adhere to all state licensing regulations and center policies for infant care.
2. Curriculum & Lesson Planning
- Develop and implement a daily schedule and lesson plans that promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth.
- Incorporate activities that support milestones such as tummy time, crawling, grasping, and early communication.
- Use observation and assessment tools to track each infant’s developmental progress and adjust lesson plans accordingly.
- Integrate music, movement, stories, and sensory experiences into daily routines.
3. Health, Safety, and Supervision
- Maintain constant supervision of all infants; ensure proper child-to-teacher ratios are met at all times.
- Follow safe sleep practices and diapering/sanitation procedures.
- Monitor and document each infant’s eating, sleeping, and diapering schedule daily.
- Respond promptly to accidents, injuries, or emergencies, and complete all required incident reports.
4. Communication & Family Engagement
- Establish positive, open communication with parents and caregivers.
- Provide daily reports and updates on each infant’s activities, meals, and developmental milestones.
- Conduct parent-teacher conferences as required and share developmental assessments.
- Maintain confidentiality of all child and family information.
5. Leadership & Collaboration
- Serve as the lead educator in the infant classroom, guiding assistant teachers and ensuring consistency in care routines.
- Model best practices in infant care, responsive interaction, and classroom organization.
- Train, mentor, and support assistant teachers and substitutes in curriculum delivery and classroom management.
- Collaborate with other classrooms and administrative staff to ensure program quality and continuity.
6. Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain accurate attendance, feeding, diapering, and sleep records.
- Complete developmental checklists and progress reports in accordance with program standards.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and licensing regulations at all times.
- Participate in regular staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development.
7. Professionalism & Growth
- Stay current on best practices in early childhood education, especially infant-toddler development.
- Maintain required certifications (e.g., CPR, First Aid, Infant/Toddler CDA).
- Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and a nurturing demeanor at all times.
Experience
- Minimum of 1 year of experience working under supervision in a licensed early childhood setting (e.g. child care center, nursery school, family child care) primarily caring for infants, toddlers, or preschoolers.
- Preferably experience specifically in an infant/toddler classroom (i.e. caring for children 6 weeks to ~18–24 months).
- Experience supervising or mentoring other staff (or leading a classroom) is a plus.
- Demonstrated completion of infant/toddler–specific training (such as 3 to 6 semester hours or equivalent) in addition to general early childhood preservice training.
- Experience implementing daily care routines (feeding, diapering, sleep, transitions) in compliance with regulations.
- Experience communicating with parents/guardians, documenting developmental progress, and integrating parent collaboration into daily care.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18.00 - $21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have a 90 CKO Preschool Certificate?
- Do you have a 45 CKO Infant Certification?
License/Certification:
- Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Mitchellville, MD 20721 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Mitchellville, MD 20721: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person