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About the Role

As a Lead Toddler Teacher, you'll lead a nurturing toddler classroom where curiosity, exploration, and play-based learning are encouraged every day. You'll develop and implement engaging curriculum, support each child's cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language development, mentor classroom team members, and ensure your classroom maintains the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance with New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations and center quality standards.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement developmentally appropriate toddler curriculum and engaging classroom activities aligned with early childhood education best practices.
Create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating toddler classroom environment that supports children's social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development through play-based learning.
Lead daily classroom routines including circle time, sensory exploration, small-group activities, meals, diapering and toileting routines, outdoor play, rest time, and smooth transitions throughout the day.
Supervise and actively engage toddlers while maintaining positive classroom management, continuous supervision, and required New York State OCFS teacher-to-child ratios.
Observe and document children's developmental milestones, individual progress, and emerging skills to support ongoing learning and family communication.
Build positive, trusting relationships with families by providing regular communication regarding classroom activities, developmental milestones, and each child's progress.
Mentor and collaborate with Assistant Teachers, support staff, and center leadership to maintain a positive, team-oriented early childhood education environment.
Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitized classroom in accordance with New York State OCFS licensing regulations and health and safety standards.
Prepare lesson plans, classroom materials, and engaging learning environments that foster curiosity, independence, creativity, language development, and hands-on exploration.
Ensure compliance with all New York State OCFS childcare licensing requirements, company policies, and quality standards for early childhood education.
Support a positive childcare center culture that reflects professionalism, teamwork, inclusivity, and a commitment to providing exceptional care and education for toddlers.

Requirements

Must meet New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) qualifications for a Lead Toddler Teacher position in a licensed childcare center.
Previous experience working with toddlers in a licensed childcare center, daycare, preschool, or early childhood education setting required.
Prior experience leading a toddler classroom, implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum, and supporting children ages 18 months to 3 years preferred.
Strong understanding of toddler development, social-emotional learning, positive classroom guidance, and play-based learning.
Ability to maintain compliance with New York State OCFS childcare licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and required teacher-to-child ratios.
Excellent communication, teamwork, organizational, and family partnership skills.
Ability to actively engage with children throughout the day, including sitting on the floor, bending, kneeling, lifting up to 40 pounds, and participating in both indoor and outdoor activities.
Must be available to work a full-time schedule, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required New York State background clearances and regulatory requirements, including fingerprinting, criminal history review, and Statewide Central Register (SCR) clearance.
Candidates must also meet all applicable health, immunization, and training requirements in accordance with New York State OCFS regulations.

Skills

Child Development Associate (CDA)
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Child Development
Related field
Toddler development
Social-emotional learning
Positive classroom guidance
Play-based learning
Communication
Teamwork
Organizational skills
Family partnership skills

Location

Harmon center

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

Experienced
Previous experience working with toddlers
Prior experience leading a toddler classroom

Education Level

Child Development Associate (CDA)
Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field

Salary/Compensations

$18 - $23 an hour

Benefits

Paid sick time
13 paid holidays
Paid snow days and vacation time
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Long-term disability
Company-paid life insurance with additional voluntary coverage
Parental leave
Child care discount ($25/day)
Weekly pay and direct deposit
Referral and enrollment bonuses
Classroom tablets
A budget for classroom supplies
Paid classroom planning time
Mentor program
Teacher appreciation events
Team building activities
School community outreach projects

About the Company

At Magical Beginnings, we believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and engaging start to their educational journey.
Magical Beginnings Learning Centers is a growing network of early childhood schools dedicated to creating nurturing, engaging, and joyful learning environments.
We value collaboration, kindness, and continuous improvement—and we support our team members with a positive culture, competitive benefits, and opportunities to grow.

Equal Opportunity

Magical Beginnings is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to be a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
All employment is based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
Magical Beginnings does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, nationality, physical or mental disability, medical condition, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.