Lead Teacher – Young Two-Year-Old Classroom

ELCHC; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Small Blessings Preschool in Tampa, FL is seeking a warm, nurturing Lead Teacher for our Young Two-Year-Old classroom. Schedule is Monday–Friday, 29 hours per week, with up to 12 children and an Assistant Teacher.

The ideal candidate has at least one year of lead/toddler teaching experience, 9 college credits in Early Childhood Education (or an Associate’s degree/CDA), and is comfortable in a Christian preschool setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year as Lead Teacher or toddler teacher with 9 college credits in ECE.
• Associate’s degree or higher (ECE preferred) or a CDA.
• 45-hour child development training, or willingness to complete within 12 months.
• Experience with toddlers 18–30 months.
• Eligible through Florida DCF Background Screening Clearinghouse.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Practicing Christian or comfortable in a Christian environment.

Responsibilities

• Nurture relationships and support social-emotional development.
• Build positive relationships with each child.
• Respond to challenging behaviors with patience and guidance.
• Support children through separation, transitions, frustration.
• Model positive social interactions and language skills.
• Plan and implement play-based, language and cognitive development activities.
• Maintain safe, organized classroom and routines.
• Collaborate with Assistant Teacher and families.

Skills

Lead Teacher Experience

ECE Credits

Education Degree

CDA Credential

45-hour Training

Toddler Experience

Developmentally Appropriate Practices

Lift 50 lbs

Flexible / Collaborative

DCF Background Check

Christian Environment

Education

Associate’s degree or higher (ECE preferred)

9 college credits in Early Childhood Education

CDA or higher credential

45-hour Training (or CDA within 12 months)

Job description

Small Blessings Preschool | Tampa, FL

Schedule: Monday–Friday | 29 hours per week
Classroom: Up to 12 young two-year-olds, supported by an Assistant Teacher

Position Overview
Small Blessings Preschool, a ministry of Hyde Park United Methodist Church, is seeking a warm, nurturing, enthusiastic Lead Teacher who genuinely loves working with young two-year-olds!

We are looking for an educator who understands and embraces the unique developmental needs of toddlers and is passionate about creating a loving, engaging classroom where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to explore, discover, and grow through play.

The ideal candidate understands that teaching young two-year-olds requires patience, flexibility, creativity, a sense of humor, and a deep appreciation for the tremendous growth that happens during these early years. We value educators who see children’s behavior as communication, recognize that each child develops at their own pace, and are excited to implement developmentally appropriate practices that support the whole child.

Our Young 2’s classroom serves up to 12 children and is staffed by a Lead Teacher and an Assistant Teacher who work collaboratively to create a positive, supportive learning environment.

Qualifications:

• Minimum one year of experience as a Lead Teacher or toddler teacher and at least 9 college credits in Early Childhood Education; OR an Associate’s degree or higher (Early Childhood Education preferred); OR a CDA or higher credential in Early Childhood Education (or willingness to complete a CDA within 12 months).
• 45-hour child development training (or willingness to complete within 12 months).
• Experience working with toddlers, preferably children between 18 and 30 months.
• Understanding of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Professional, dependable, flexible, and collaborative.
• Eligible through Florida’s DCF Background Screening Clearinghouse.
• Practicing Christian or comfortable supporting and participating in a Christian early childhood environment.

Key Responsibilities
Nurturing Relationships and Social-Emotional Development

• Create a warm, loving, responsive classroom where children develop trust, confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.
• Build positive, meaningful relationships with each child, recognizing individual personalities, developmental stages, and needs.
• Respond to challenging behaviors with patience, empathy, and developmentally appropriate guidance, recognizing that young children are still learning to communicate, regulate emotions, and navigate social relationships.
• Support children through separation anxiety, transitions, frustration, and other common developmental challenges with consistency and compassion.
• Model and encourage positive social interactions, emerging language skills, and problem-solving.

Developmentally Appropriate Teaching and Learning

• Plan and implement engaging, hands-on, play-based learning experiences that support language development, sensory exploration, social-emotional growth, physical development, and early cognitive skills.
• Provide meaningful opportunities for children to explore, create, move, investigate, and learn through active play.
• Use observations of children’s interests, abilities, and developmental needs to guide classroom planning and instruction.
• Maintain realistic, age-appropriate expectations for children’s attention spans, behavior, and independence.
• Adapt activities, routines, and teaching strategies to meet the individual needs of children.

Classroom Environment and Daily Routines

• Establish predictable yet flexible routines that help young children feel secure and successful throughout the school day.
• Plan and manage smooth, engaging transitions that minimize unnecessary waiting and support children’s developmental needs.
• Support children in developing self-help skills, including handwashing, feeding independence, cleaning up, and beginning toilet learning in partnership with families.
• Create an inviting, organized, safe, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment that encourages exploration and independence.
• Maintain appropriate supervision, health, safety, and sanitation practices at all times.

Teamwork and Family Partnerships

• Work collaboratively with the Assistant Teacher to plan, organize, and implement daily classroom experiences.
• Share classroom responsibilities, communicate openly, and establish a positive, supportive teaching partnership.
• Maintain warm, professional communication with families regarding their children’s growth, development, and classroom experiences.
• Partner with families and administration to support individual children’s developmental, behavioral, and emotional needs.
• Communicate proactively with administration when additional guidance or support is needed.
• Welcome feedback, coaching, professional development, and opportunities for continued growth.

Professional Responsibilities

• Attend required staff meetings, professional development opportunities, and school events.
• Follow all policies and procedures outlined in the staff handbook.
• Maintain compliance with applicable DCF licensing requirements and preschool accreditation standards.
• Contribute positively to the collaborative, faith-based culture of Small Blessings Preschool.

Schedule and Classroom Structure

• Monday–Friday
• 29 hours per week
• Classroom: Young Two-Year-Olds
• Class Size: Up to 12 children
• Staffing: One Lead Teacher and one Assistant Teacher

About Small Blessings Preschool
Small Blessings Preschool is a ministry of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida. We are committed to providing a loving, nurturing, faith-based early childhood environment where children learn through meaningful relationships, hands-on exploration, and developmentally appropriate play.

We believe that children thrive when they feel safe, loved, respected, and supported, and we value educators who bring these beliefs to life each day.