Infant Room Teacher

Little Sprouts Learning Center; Guilford (CT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive team

Small community

Growth opportunities

Mentorship

Creative freedom

Meaningful work

Positive culture

Job summary

Little Sprouts Learning Center in Connecticut is seeking an Infant Teacher to join our nonprofit early childhood program. Our infant classroom offers a warm, nurturing environment where babies build bonds and begin to explore with responsive caregiving, meaningful interactions, and play-based learning.

The ideal candidate is patient, attentive, and passionate about supporting infants, collaborating with families, and adhering to licensing standards.

Qualifications

• We meet CT OEC qualifications for a Teacher in a licensed childcare program.
• Experience working with infants in licensed childcare or similar setting.
• Knowledge of infant development and responsive caregiving.
• Ability to provide hands-on care including feeding, diapering, and safe sleep supervision.
• Strong communication with children, families, and coworkers.
• Team-oriented, flexible, and able to work in a small teaching team.
• Physical ability for active infant care including floor activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide nurturing, responsive care supporting each infant’s needs and milestones.
• Build secure, trusting relationships with infants through warm interactions.
• Support development with age-appropriate, play-based activities for senses, movement, language, and social-emotional growth.
• Manage daily routines: feeding, diapering, napping, tummy time; follow safe sleep guidelines.
• Create an engaging classroom with materials and experiences for exploration.
• Observe and document developmental progress and milestones.
• Communicate with families with daily updates and milestones via Brightwheel and in person.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized classroom per CT OEC licensing.
• Collaborate with teachers and administration to support children and families.
• Encourage nature-based experiences and outdoor exploration for infants.

Skills

Dependable

Patient

Attentive

Team player

Strong communication

Ability to meet physical demands

Infant care

Responsive caregiving

Education

CT OEC qualifications for a Teacher

Coursework or degree in Early Childhood Education / Child Development

Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification

OEC MAT training

CT ELDS familiarity

Tools

Brightwheel

Job description

About This Role

Little Sprouts Learning Center is urgently seeking a

Our infant classroom is a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment where our youngest learners begin building trusting relationships, exploring their surroundings, and reaching important developmental milestones. We're looking for a teacher who understands that infants learn through responsive caregiving, meaningful interactions, sensory exploration, and plenty of love and attention.

At Little Sprouts, we are a nonprofit early childhood program with a strong focus on social-emotional development, play-based learning, and meaningful connections with nature. We value teachers who take the time to truly know each child in their care, respect individual routines and developmental needs, and recognize that every feeding, diaper change, tummy-time experience, story, outdoor adventure, and comforting cuddle is an opportunity for learning, connection, and growth.

Our ideal candidate is someone who is patient, attentive, nurturing, and passionate about supporting infants during their earliest stages of development. Building strong, trusting relationships with families and creating a safe, loving environment where babies feel secure and confident to explore are essential parts of this role.

This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who loves working with infants and wants to be part of a small, supportive early childhood community where teachers, children, and families can grow together.

What You'll Do

As an Infant Teacher at Little Sprouts Learning Center, you will play an important role in creating a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where our youngest learners can grow, explore, and thrive.

• Provide nurturing, responsive care that supports each infant’s individual needs, routines, and developmental milestones.
• Build secure, trusting relationships with infants through warm interactions, comforting care, and consistent attention.
• Support early development through age-appropriate, play-based activities that encourage sensory exploration, movement, language, and social-emotional growth.
• Manage daily care routines, including feeding, diapering, napping, and tummy time, while following safe sleep practices and all health and safety guidelines.
• Create an engaging classroom environment that encourages curiosity, exploration, and early learning through developmentally appropriate materials and experiences.
• Observe and document developmental progress, recognizing each infant’s unique abilities, interests, and emerging skills.
• Communicate openly with families, sharing daily updates, developmental milestones, and special moments through Brightwheel and personal interactions.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized classroom in accordance with Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) licensing requirements.
• Collaborate with fellow teachers and administration to create a positive, supportive environment for children, families, and staff.
• Encourage meaningful connections with nature through outdoor experiences, sensory activities, and exploration appropriate for infants.

Most importantly, you'll help create a loving first learning experience where every baby feels safe, valued, and encouraged to grow at their own pace.

Requirements

Qualifications & Requirements

We are looking for a dependable, nurturing, and enthusiastic educator who genuinely enjoys working with infants and understands the importance of providing a safe, responsive and loving environment during the earliest years of development.

• Meet the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) qualifications for a Teacher in a licensed childcare program.
• Experience working with infants in a licensed childcare setting or similar early childhood environment.
• Knowledge of infant development, age-appropriate practices, and the importance of responsive caregiving.
• Ability to provide attentive, hands‑on care, including feeding, diapering, safe sleep supervision, and supporting developmental milestones.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Dependable, patient, flexible, and able to work collaboratively as part of a small teaching team.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of infant care, including lifting, carrying, sitting on the floor, and actively engaging with children.
• Successfully complete all required background checks and meet Connecticut OEC licensing requirements.

Required Training & Certifications

• Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Connecticut OEC-approved Medication Administration Training (MAT), as applicable.
• DCF Mandated Reporter Training.
• Required OEC health and safety training.
• Enrollment in the Connecticut Early Childhood Professional Registry, as required.
• Experience working specifically with infants ages 6 weeks to 18 months.
• Coursework or a degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Familiarity with the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS).
• Experience using Brightwheel or a similar childcare communication platform.
• An appreciation for play-based learning, social-emotional development, and nature-based experiences.

Most importantly, we value experience, dedication, a willingness to learn, and a genuine love for working with young children. We recognize that great early childhood educators bring a combination of education, hands‑on experience, patience, and heart to the classroom.

Nice To Haves

• Infant Classroom Experience: Previous experience caring for infants in a licensed childcare center, particularly children ages 6 weeks to 18 months.
• Early Childhood Education Background: Coursework, credentials, or a degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Knowledge of Infant Development: Understanding of developmental milestones, attachment, sensory exploration, and the importance of responsive caregiving.
• Play‑Based Learning Experience: Creativity in planning simple, meaningful experiences that encourage curiosity, movement, early communication, and exploration.
• Social‑Emotional Development: An understanding of how consistent, nurturing relationships help infants develop trust, security, and confidence.
• Nature‑Based Learning: An appreciation for incorporating nature, outdoor experiences, and natural materials into age‑appropriate activities.
• Familiarity with CT ELDS: Experience using the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards to support observation and curriculum planning.
• Technology Skills: Experience using Brightwheel or similar platforms to communicate with families and document daily activities.
• A Team‑Oriented Attitude: A willingness to share ideas, support coworkers, adapt to changing needs, and contribute to a positive classroom environment.
• A Sense of Humor and a Big Heart: Someone who understands that infant care can be busy, messy, and sometimes unpredictable, but also incredibly rewarding!

At Little Sprouts, we believe that experience, compassion, patience, and a genuine love for children are just as valuable as credentials. We're looking for someone who will bring warmth, enthusiasm, and dedication to our infant classroom and become a valued part of our Little Sprouts family.

Benefits

At Little Sprouts Learning Center, we believe that happy, supported teachers create the best learning environments for children. As a small, nonprofit early childhood program, we value our staff and strive to create a positive, welcoming workplace where everyone feels appreciated.

What We Offer

• Supportive Team Environment: Work alongside caring, experienced early childhood professionals who value teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect.
• Small, Close-Knit Community: Be part of a center where teachers, children, and families build meaningful relationships and everyone is valued.
• Professional Growth Opportunities: Opportunities for ongoing training, professional development, and continued learning in early childhood education.
• Hands‑On Learning & Mentorship: Collaborate with experienced educators who are happy to share ideas, knowledge, and support.
• Creative Freedom: Opportunities to contribute ideas and create engaging, developmentally appropriate experiences that reflect our play‑based, nature-focused philosophy.
• Meaningful Work: Make a lasting difference in the lives of infants and their families during some of the most important stages of early development.
• A Positive Workplace Culture: A leadership team that values open communication, recognizes hard work, and understands the importance of supporting its teachers.

Why Little Sprouts?

We're more than just a childcare center. We're a growing nonprofit with a strong sense of community and a commitment to providing high-quality early childhood experiences. We believe our teachers are the heart of our program, and we want them to feel supported, respected, and excited to come to work each day.