Head Toddler Teacher

The New Orleans Jewish Community Center; Stamford (CT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The JCC of Stamford is seeking an experienced Head Toddler Teacher to guide two-year-olds through language, independence, and social-emotional development via play and exploration. You will observe, document, and adapt activities to each child while partnering with families.

Responsibilities include planning developmentally appropriate experiences, creating warm learning environments, and using observations to inform planning with the team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Associates degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum 2+ years of experience teaching Toddlers.
• Experience with emergent curricula and Reggio Emilia-inspired practices.
• Strong communication with families and documentation of learning.
• CPR/First Aid certification and background checks are expected.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate experiences for two-year-olds.
• Create play-based, inquiry-driven opportunities supporting language, social-emotional growth.
• Document children's progress and share with families through notes and portfolios.
• Maintain warm, safe indoor/outdoor classrooms with open-ended materials.
• Collaborate with co-teachers and specialists to reflect program goals.
• Observe and use assessments to inform planning and family conferences.

Skills

Child development knowledge

Family communication

Team collaboration

Observation & documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education

Bachelor's degree in Child Development

Bachelor's in Elementary Education with ECE coursework

Related field degree

Connecticut Early Childhood Teacher Credential (preferred)

Job description

Head Toddler Teacher
JCC of Stamford
1035 Newfield Ave
Stamford, CT 06905

KinderPlace is a developmentally based, Reggio Emilia inspired, high quality program which provides a rich early learning experience. We are searching for an experienced Head Toddler Teacher to join our school. This educator serves as a responsive guide, observer, and collaborator, supporting young children as they develop language, independence, social-emotional skills, and confidence through play, exploration, and relationships.

Educators work together with their team to develop, implement, and evaluate the classroom pedagogy, to provide a quality educational program reflecting the goals and values of the school. Educators monitor the development and learning of the children and partner with families in sharing this information.

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences based on the interests, needs, and developmental stages of two-year-old children.
• Create play-based, inquiry-driven opportunities that encourage exploration, language growth, movement, sensory learning, and social interaction.
• Support emerging early literacy, problem-solving, self-help, and foundational math concepts through hands-on experiences.
• Provide opportunities for children to express themselves through art, music, movement, dramatic play, building, and conversation.
• Balance active exploration with predictable routines that support security and confidence.
• Observation & Documentation
• Observe children regularly to understand developmental progress, interests, and learning styles.
• Create a warm, safe, and organized Indoor and Outdoor classroom environments that support curiosity and independence.
• Maintain learning areas with open-ended materials, sensory experiences, natural elements, and provocations appropriate for toddlers.
• Ensure materials are accessible, inviting, and rotated regularly based on children's interests.
• Document children's experiences through notes, photographs, portfolios, and displays.
• Use observations and documentation to inform planning and communicate learning with families.
• Utilize JCC outdoor campus to facilitate a connection with nature.

Social-Emotional Development

• Foster secure relationships and a classroom culture rooted in kindness, empathy, and belonging.
• Support children in developing self-regulation, emotional expression, turn-taking, and peer relationships.
• Use gentle, responsive guidance strategies that are developmentally appropriate for toddlers.
• Support independence in routines such as toileting, dressing, feeding, and clean-up as developmentally appropriate.

Family Partnerships

• Build respectful, trusting relationships with families.
• Communicate regularly regarding daily routines, milestones, classroom experiences, and child progress.
• Conduct conferences and share documentation of children's learning and development.
• Welcome family culture, traditions, and perspectives into classroom life.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's or Associates degree in:
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Child Development
  • Elementary Education with early childhood coursework
  • Related field

Preferred qualifications often include:

• Connecticut Early Childhood Teacher Credential

Experience

• 2+ years teaching Toddlers
• Experience in a full-day classroom setting
• Experience with:
  • emergent curriculum
  • Reggio Emilia-inspired practices
  • play-based learning
  • project-based learning

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of child development
• Ability to create developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Experience documenting children's learning and progress
• Strong communication with families
• Collaboration with co-teachers and specialists

Certifications/Common Requirements

• CPR/First Aid certification
• Medication Administration certification (preferred or required in some programs)
• Background check and fingerprinting
• Mandated reporter training
• Health and immunization documentation

Technology and Documentation

• Ability to use classroom documentation platforms
• Written observations and assessments
• Portfolio documentation and parent communication tools

$55,000 - $65,000

Agency Information:

The Stamford Jewish Community Center is a cultural, educational and recreational center, offering exceptional programs, classes and special events designed to enrich the mind, body and spirit. While we are driven by the Jewish values of welcoming guests, kindness, respect, and communal responsibility, we warmly welcome people of all ages, faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds.