UB Child Care Center·Buffalo, New York
The Lead Toddler Teacher is responsible for creating a nurturing classroom environment and planning developmentally appropriate activities to support child growth. They must also provide attentive supervision, maintain classroom records, and collaborate effectively with assistant staff and families.
Lead Toddler Teacher We are seeking a warm, dependable, and experienced Lead Toddler Teacher to join our early childhood education team.
This is a great opportunity for an educator who enjoys working with toddlers, understands their unique developmental needs, and is confident leading a classroom while creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment.
Our center is NAEYC accredited and Quality Stars accredited and is located on a university campus.
We pride ourselves on providing high-quality care and education while maintaining a friendly, supportive atmosphere for both children and staff.
Pay $20.00–$25.00 per hour, based on education and experience.
Schedule Full-time, 40 hours per week Monday–Friday 8-hour shift scheduled between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM Day shift No nights or weekends Lead Teacher Qualifications Candidates must meet one of the following qualification pathways: Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field with at least one year of experience caring for infants and/or toddlers OR Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) or other recognized infant/toddler credential with the required related experience OR Child Development Associate (CDA) with at least two years of experience caring for children, including at least one year working with infants or toddlers OR Nine college credits in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field, along with the required experience and a formal written plan of study leading toward an approved credential or Associate's degree A Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field and previous lead-teacher experience are strongly preferred.
As the Lead Toddler Teacher, you will: Create a warm, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment Plan and implement engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences and activities Develop weekly lesson plans that support children's social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development Maintain a consistent classroom schedule and daily routine Provide attentive supervision and ensure the health and safety of all children Lead and work collaboratively with assistant teachers and other classroom staff Communicate professionally and positively with families regarding their child's day, development, and classroom experiences Complete required classroom documentation, observations, incident reports, and other records Follow all NYS OCFS child care regulations, center policies, and accreditation standards Maintain a clean, organized, welcoming classroom Assist children with meals, diapering/toileting, rest time, transitions, and other daily care routines Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development What We're Looking For The ideal candidate is: Experienced and comfortable working with toddlers in a professional child care setting Patient, nurturing, dependable, and enthusiastic Knowledgeable about toddler development and developmentally appropriate practices Able to confidently lead a classroom and provide direction to supporting staff Organized and able to manage classroom routines, lesson planning, and required documentation A strong communicator who works well with children, families, coworkers, and administration Reliable and committed to maintaining a positive and professional work environment Physical Requirements Candidates must be able to bend, stoop, reach, sit on the floor and rise from the floor without adult assistance, and lift up to 30 pounds as needed throughout the workday.
Full-time employees are eligible for: Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Paid time off (PTO) 401(k) If you are an experienced early childhood educator who loves the toddler years and is ready to take the lead in creating a positive, engaging classroom, we would love to hear from you!
Candidates must possess an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education or a recognized credential like a CDA, along with relevant experience in infant/toddler care. A Bachelor's degree and prior lead-teacher experience are strongly preferred.
Market context
Lead Toddler Teacher roles in New York are often competitive because centers look for candidates who can combine early childhood credentials with hands-on classroom experience and a professional, child-centered approach. For this role, the key requirements include being at least 21, holding a CDA or higher in Early Childhood Education, and completing 45 hours of relevant training. Job requirements and benefits on this platform are AI-summarized from the original job description, helping candidates review the essentials faster. Before applying, confirm your credential and training details match the posting and be ready to describe experience in an accredited facility.
