Full Time Lead Infant Teacher

Sunshineacad; Laurel (MT); On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunshine Academy in Laurel, MT is seeking a Lead Infant Teacher to create a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for infants. You will meet each child’s physical, emotional, social, and developmental needs, follow care schedules, and support milestones through engaging activities.

Maintain a calm, clean classroom, plan developmentally appropriate lessons, observe progress, and communicate daily with families using the parent app.

Qualifications

• Requires Level 2 on Practitioner Registry or 2+ years in a licensed program or equivalent degree.
• CPR/First Aid certifications for infant/child/adult with hands-on training.
• Facility overview training completed.
• Current on the Practitioner Registry.
• Able to lift 45 pounds.
• Able to move easily from floor to standing.
• Sufficient language skills to communicate with children and adults.
• Demonstrates good moral character.
• Capable of performing essential functions with or without accommodations.
• MMR and Tetanus immunizations current.

Responsibilities

• Provide loving, responsive, individualized care for each infant.
• Meet each child's physical, emotional, social, and developmental needs.
• Follow feeding, sleeping, diapering, and care schedules.
• Support milestones through age-appropriate activities, tummy time, sensory play, music, reading, and language development.
• Maintain a calm, clean, and nurturing classroom environment.
• Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
• Provide daily sensory experiences and exploration opportunities.
• Observe and document children's developmental progress.
• Ensure active supervision of children at all times.
• Follow licensing regulations and Sunshine Academy policies.
• Complete diaper changes per policy and maintain records.
• Sanitize toys, equipment, and classroom materials daily.
• Maintain a clean and organized classroom.
• Practice safe sleep procedures at all times.
• Build positive relationships with families.
• Communicate daily about feedings, diapering, naps, activities, and milestones.
• Update parent communication app with notes and photos.
• Address parent questions professionally and escalate concerns when appropriate.
• Keep classroom clean, organized, and inviting.
• Label and organize materials and storage areas.
• Maintain an attractive classroom environment.
• Notify administration when supplies need reordering.
• Follow staff dress code and professionalism expectations.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and coworkers.
• Be flexible and assist other classrooms as needed.

Skills

Level 2 Practitioner Registry

Early childhood experience

CPR/First Aid Certification

Facility orientation training

Current Practitioner Registry

Lift 45 pounds

Mobility for floor transitions

Effective communication

Moral character

Immunizations (MMR & Tdap)

Job description

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum Level 2 on The Practitioner Registry or 2+ years of early childhood experience in a licensed program and/or their CDA, or BA/Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development, or preschool certification through an accredited program.


• Current certification for infant, child, and adult CPR/AED and infant choking response, and standard and pediatric first aid. CPR certification must be completed in a hands‑on setting


• Complete facility overview training


• Current on the ECP Practitioner Registry


• Able to lift 45 pounds


• Able to easily maneuver up and down from the floor


• Have sufficient language skills to communicate with children and adults


• Can demonstrate they are of good moral character


• Able to demonstrate they are physically, emotionally, and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations


• Current on MMR and Tetanus Immunizations

Position Summary

The Lead Infant Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for infants.

Essential Responsibilities

Child Care & Development

• Provide loving, responsive, and individualized care for each infant.


• Meet each child's physical, emotional, social, and developmental needs.


• Follow each infant's feeding, sleeping, diapering, and care schedule.


• Support developmental milestones through age‑appropriate activities, tummy time, sensory play, music, reading, and language development.


• Maintain a calm, clean, and nurturing classroom environment.

Curriculum & Learning

• Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate lesson plans.


• Provide daily sensory experiences and opportunities for exploration.


• Observe and document children's developmental progress.

Health & Safety

• Ensure active supervision of children at all times.


• Follow all licensing regulations and The Sunshine Academy policies.


• Complete diaper changes according to policy and maintain accurate diapering records.


• Sanitize toys, equipment, and classroom materials daily.


• Maintain a clean and organized classroom.


• Practice safe sleep procedures at all times.

Family Communication

• Build positive relationships with families.


• Communicate daily about feedings, diapering, naps, activities, and developmental milestones.


• Ensure daily updates, notes, and photos are entered into the parent communication app.


• Address parent questions professionally and communicate concerns to administration when appropriate.

Classroom Management & Organization

• Keep the classroom clean, organized, and inviting.


• Label and organize materials and storage areas.


• Maintain an attractive classroom environment.


• Ensure supplies are stocked and notify administration when items need to be reordered.

Professional Expectations

• Follow the staff dress code and professionalism expectations.


• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development.


• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and coworkers.


• Be flexible and assist other classrooms as needed.