Lead Teacher Toddler 2 yr old 8A-4P

The Family Place; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Family Place is seeking a compassionate Child Care Provider to deliver nurturing, trauma-informed care and developmentally appropriate early childhood education to children in our shelter. You will plan activities, teach foundational skills, supervise routines, and maintain a safe, engaging classroom environment.

Working with child care assistants and the Program Director, you will document progress, communicate with families, and support staff with classroom policies, while upholding

Responsibilities

• Plans and implements weekly activity plans that are developmentally appropriate, including indoor, outdoor, and nature-based activities.
• Maintains classroom structure by following the Frog Street curriculum and aligns with The Family Place guidelines.
• Teaches basic skills (colors, shapes, numbers, letters, social skills) and observes progress with records and portfolios.
• Works with the child care assistant to keep a clean, safe, organized classroom; sanitizes toys, prepares bottles/formula, changes diapers as needed.
• Supervises mealtime, toileting, handwashing, rest periods, and play to ensure safety and healthy routines.
• Arranges engaging age-appropriate spaces to encourage exploration and learning.
• Provides nurturing, respectful communication that builds trust and supports children’s social and emotional well-being.
• Supports daily care needs with encouragement; maintains consistent attendance following policy.
• Maintains consistent attendance by following The Family Place Child Development Center’s policies and procedures.

Job description

OUR MISSION

The Family Place empowers survivors of family violence by providing safe housing, counseling, and skills that create independence while building community engagement and advocating for social change to stop family violence.

Position Summary

In this position as Child Care Provider, you will provide nurturing, trauma-informed care and early childhood education to children living in The Family Place shelter, creating a safe, stable, and developmentally enriching environment during one of the most difficult periods of their lives. You'll plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities, teach foundational skills (colors, shapes, numbers, letters, and social skills), supervise daily care routines including toileting and mealtime, and maintain a clean, organized classroom that fosters exploration, creativity, and learning. Working collaboratively with child care assistants and the Program Director, you'll build trust with children through nurturing communication and consistent support while keeping detailed observation records and portfolios that track each child's progress and development. Communicate professionally with parents about their child's daily interactions and progress, consult with program leadership on concerns before involving families, and provide guidance and training to assistants and volunteers on classroom policies and procedures. Your role is foundational to children's healing, by providing consistency, safety, and love during their stay at The Family Place, you'll help them feel secure, supported, and hopeful about their future.

If you have a genuine passion for early childhood development, understand trauma's impact on young children, bring creativity and patience to classroom management, and are committed to working in a mission-driven shelter environment serving vulnerable families, this is your opportunity to profoundly impact children's lives during their most critical moments.

Key Responsibilities

Classroom Management

• Plans and implements weekly activity plans that are developmentally appropriate, including indoor, outdoor, and nature-based activities, while fostering imaginative play and creativity.
• Maintains classroom structure by following the Frog Street curriculum and sets expectations aligned with The Family Place guidelines.
• Teaches basic skills (colors, shapes, numbers, letters, and social skills) and observes children’s progress, keeping accurate assessment records and portfolios.
• Works collaboratively with the child care assistant to maintain a clean, safe, and organized classroom environment, including sanitizing toys, preparing bottles/formula, and changing diapers as needed.
• Supervises and guides children during mealtime, toileting, handwashing, rest periods, and play activities to ensure safety and healthy routines.
• Arranges classroom spaces in engaging, age-appropriate ways that encourage exploration, experimentation, and learning.
• Provides nurturing, respectful communication that builds trust and promotes children’s social and emotional well-being.
• Supports children with daily care needs, including keeping clothes clean, faces washed, and shoes tied, while offering consistent encouragement throughout the day.
• Maintains consistent attendance by following The Family Place Child Development Center’s policies and procedures to ensure minimal disruption to classroom activities and student learning.

Administration

• Consults with the Program Director about concerns/problems with the children before talking to the parents.
• Communicates professionally with parents regarding their child’s daily interactions, progress, and any incidents.
• Completes required documentation and logs, and ensures accurate record-keeping in the Integrated Tracking System.
• Provides guidance and training for child care assistants and volunteers on classroom policies and procedures.

Professional Development

• Participates in all staff development activities, in-service trainings, and workshops.
• Complete all required training, including:
• 24 hours of pre-service training (8 hours before working with children, 16 hours within 90 days).
• 30 hours of annual training for licensing and NECPA compliance.
• Additional leadership and safety training as directed.
• Maintain certifications in Pediatric CPR, First Aid, and transportation safety.

Other Duties

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.