East Gate Kids·Albuquerque, New Mexico
Lead daily routines and play-based learning experiences while implementing curriculum aligned with Reggio Emilia principles. Support children's social-emotional and language development while maintaining compliance with state licensing and center standards.
Toddler Lead Teacher Albuquerque, NM | Full-Time$19-$25/hour | 5-Star Center | Reggio-Inspired | A Unique Role for a Special Kind of Educator We have an immediate opening for a full-time Toddler Teacher, and we're looking for someone ready to step in and make an impact.
If you're passionate about toddler development and want to do this work in a high-quality, supportive environment - we'd love to hear from you today.
Why This Role Truly Matters At East Gate Kids, we're not filling a seat.
We're looking for an educator who understands that the toddler years are one of the most critical windows in a child's development - and who shows up every day ready to meet that responsibility.
We are a 5-Star early learning center inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, where children are viewed as capable, curious, and full of potential.
Our classrooms are designed to encourage exploration, creativity, and meaningful relationships.
We believe learning happens through play, discovery, and connection.
Who This Role Is Perfect For You may be a strong fit if you: Understand toddler development and meet children where they are Stay calm under pressure and bring consistency to your classroom Build genuine relationships with children and families Enjoy the energy and unpredictability of the toddler stage Collaborate well with a team and take feedback seriously Want to grow your craft in a center that invests in its educators What You'll Do (Responsibilities) Lead daily routines, transitions, and play-based learning experiences Implement curriculum aligned with NM Early Learning Guidelines and the Reggio Emilia approach Support language development, social-emotional growth, and independence Communicate regularly with families through daily updates and conferences Document learning through observations and developmental portfolios Maintain compliance with state licensing, FOCUS standards, and center policies Participate in ongoing professional development and team collaboration
Required: High School Diploma or GED Experience working with children in a childcare or educational setting Strong communication and collaboration skills Physical ability to meet job requirements (lifting up to 30 lbs, movement, standing) CPR/First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain) Ability to pass all state-required background checks Preferred (but not required): CDC, AA, or BA in Early Childhood Education (or actively pursuing one) Experience in a licensed childcare or preschool setting Familiarity with Reggio Emilia, emergent curriculum, or project-based approaches
Competitive pay: $19-$21/hour based on experience Health, dental, vision, and telehealth coverage after 90 days Up to 80 hours of PTO annually, plus 12+ paid/unpaid holidays Full week off at Christmas and closure for major holidays Free childcare in our highly sought-after 5-Star program ECECD Scholarship support to earn your degree while working Ongoing paid training and professional development Free uniforms and parking A respectful, supportive, purpose-driven team culture Ready to Apply? Toddlers deserve teachers who are all in - and we're looking for exactly that person. If you're available now and ready to lead a classroom where relationships, curiosity, and joy drive everything, we'd love to meet you.
Requires a high school diploma or GED and experience working with children in an educational setting. Candidates must possess strong communication skills and the physical ability to perform job duties, with CPR/First Aid certification required or obtainable.
Market context
In New Mexico, classroom teacher openings are often shaped by district staffing needs, school calendars, and subject-area shortages, so candidates should expect competition to vary by grade level and certification area. These roles are competitive because districts look for clear licensure alignment, classroom readiness, and experience that matches the posting; on this platform, the job requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description, which can save you research time. Before applying, confirm the exact New Mexico credential requirements and compare them with the posting details.