Job Description
Job Description
Little Explorers Academy is seeking a passionate and dedicated Early Education Teacher to join our early childhood education team. In this role, you will create dynamic, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that nurture curiosity, independence, and social-emotional growth in toddlers. You will serve as a cornerstone of our commitment to providing exceptional childcare and education grounded in Illinois DCFS standards.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Design and implement individualized, play-based lesson plans that support cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development across all learning domains
- Observe and document each child's developmental progress, using assessment data to guide instructional planning and identify growth opportunities
- Establish and maintain predictable routines that balance structured learning, open-ended exploration, sensory play, and rest
- Prioritize toddler safety by consistently implementing and modeling safety protocols, emergency procedures, and risk management strategies
- Create and sustain a clean, organized, and stimulating classroom environment that minimizes health risks and invites exploration
- Build strong partnerships with families through regular communication, progress updates, and collaborative problem-solving around individual child needs
- Contribute to a positive team culture by communicating effectively with colleagues, sharing best practices, and supporting school-wide initiatives
- Curate and develop engaging learning materials and sensory experiences that promote discovery and skill development
- Facilitate hands-on activities that build gross motor skills, fine motor control, and spatial awareness through movement and play
- Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with early childhood education research, best practices, and evolving teaching methodologies
Qualifications
- Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field
- Demonstrated experience working with toddler-age children in an educational or childcare setting
- Comprehensive knowledge of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) licensing requirements and regulations
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage meaningfully with children and families from diverse backgrounds
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team-based environment
- Genuine passion for early childhood education and authentic commitment to supporting young learners' growth
Essential Skills and Abilities
- Physical capability to lift, carry, and support children up to 40 lbs throughout the day
- Stamina to remain active and engaged for extended periods, including standing, bending, and participating in physical play
- Strong capacity to multitask while maintaining attentiveness—seamlessly transitioning between teaching, supervising, feeding, and responding to individual needs
- Flexibility to move fluidly between floor-level and standing positions throughout the day
- Skilled in responding to challenging behaviors with patience, empathy, and positive guidance strategies
- Exceptional interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills that foster trusting relationships with children and families
- Keen observational abilities to recognize developmental milestones, learning styles, and individual needs
- Strong organizational and time-management skills to balance multiple priorities and responsibilities
- Deep understanding of children development and evidence-based early childhood education practices