Infant Lead Teacher

Paycom; Hays (KS); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct pay health plan

Generous paid time off

Paid training, holidays, and closure

Simple IRA plan with employer match

Job summary

Bright Minds Academy in Kansas seeks an Infant Lead Teacher to provide nurturing, developmentally appropriate care for non-mobile and early mobile infants. You will lead a classroom, mentor assistants, and ensure safety and developmental milestones are met through daily routines and individualized attention.

Responsibilities include documenting observations for families, coordinating feeding and sleep schedules, and maintaining a clean, sensorily rich learning environment that supports

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field preferred.
• 2+ years of experience with infants in licensed childcare.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification (Infant & Child) required.

Responsibilities

• Provide responsive, nurturing care prioritizing attachment and emotional security for infants.
• Lead infant classroom with 100% adherence to KOEC health, safety, and developmental standards while mentoring Assistant Teachers.
• Prepare classroom materials, feeding schedules, and routines daily to ensure seamless transitions.
• Create daily reports for each infant with photos/videos capturing developmental moments.
• Communicate daily developmental observations and care updates to parents/guardians.

Skills

Communication

Attachment theory

Infant care

Observational assessment

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education/Child Development

Tools

First Aid Certification

CPR Certification

Job description

SummaryWe are seeking a compassionate and experienced Infant Lead Teacher to join our childcare center. You will provide nurturing, responsive care that supports healthy development, bonding, and early learning for our youngest learners. The Infant Lead Teacher creates a safe, sensory-rich environment and supervises assistant teachers.About Bright Minds AcademyOur MissionShaping the newest generation of Kansans through safe, transparent care that ignites the magic of learning and builds a lasting positive impact.Our Core ValuesOwn It with Heart - We take full accountability for our actions and outcomes, following through with ownership and careConsistently Consistent - Showing up every day is non-negotiable—it's the foundation of trust and teamworkOpen & Honest - We commit to transparent, candid communication with each other and with familiesLearn Boldly - We celebrate the magic of learning by encouraging open dialogue and daring to try new thingsFamily First, Always - We cultivate a positive, supportive culture where everyone feels valued and connectedKey Role OutcomesCreate and maintain safe, sensory-rich spaces that support infant milestones in gross/fine motor, cognitive, and social-emotional development with daily individualized attention.Communicate daily developmental observations and care updates to parents/guardians, building transparent relationships that support continuity of care at home and school.Lead infant classroom with 100% adherence to KOEC health, safety, and developmental standards while mentoring Assistant Teachers and maintaining zero incident protocols.Prepare all classroom materials, feeding schedules, and routines daily to ensure seamless transitions and consistently meet the physical and emotional needs of each infant.Key ResponsibilitiesProvide responsive, nurturing care that prioritizes attachment and emotional security for infantsObserve individual children and use observations to understand their unique needs, temperament, and developmental stageImplement age-appropriate developmental activities focused on sensory exploration, gross/fine motor skills, and early communicationManage feeding, diaper changes, and sleep routines with attentiveness and consistencyCreate a safe, clean, and sensory-rich learning environment for non-mobile and beginning-mobile infantsMaintain clear communication with parents about daily activities, feeding, sleep, and developmental milestonesCreate daily reports for each infant with photos/videos capturing developmental momentsSupervise and guide assistant teachers to ensure consistent, responsive care protocolsMonitor health and safety, including tracking feeding logs, diaper changes, and sleep schedulesEnsure compliance with all KOEC licensing regulations and NECPA standardsBenefits PackageDirect pay provider health planGenerous paid time offPaid training, holidays, and closure daysSimple IRA plan with employer matchCompetitive compensation based on education and experienceJoin the Bright Minds Academy FamilyWe are excited to welcome dedicated educators who share our passion for child development and high-quality care.Bright Minds Academy is an Equal Opportunity EmployerRequired QualificationsMust meet or exceed all KOEC and NECPA requirements for infant careAssociate or Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field preferredMinimum 2+ years of experience working specifically with infants in a licensed childcare settingStrong understanding of infant development (birth-12 months), attachment theory, and responsive caregivingExcellent communication skills and ability to build trusting relationships with parentsCurrent First Aid and CPR certification (Infant & Child) requiredPatient, calm demeanor with ability to respond to crying and high-needs infantsAbility to lift up to 25 lbs regularly and bend/kneel frequently