Lead Toddler Child Care Teacher

Penobscot Bay YMCA; Maine; On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2 weeks PTO (first year)

PTO increases with tenure

Up to 5 weeks PTO annually

Two annual paid childcare shutdowns

12 paid holidays annually

Monday–Friday schedule

Health, dental, life, disability

YMCA program fee discounts

10% employer retirement contribution

Free YMCA family membership

State stipend: $275+ monthly

Job summary

Penobscot Bay YMCA in Rockport, ME is seeking a Full-Time Lead Toddler Teacher to join our early childhood team. You will lead a toddler classroom, create engaging, developmentally appropriate activities, and partner with families in a nurturing, inclusive environment.

We offer a signing bonus, state stipends, 2 weeks PTO in year one (increasing with tenure), health and retirement benefits, and a Monday–Friday schedule with no evenings or weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education is required.
• Associate or bachelor's degree with 18 ECE credits and three years of direct childcare experience is required.
• CDA credential or MRTQ Infant/Toddler Credential accepted.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily classroom activities with a nurturing, safe environment.
• Develop and implement age-appropriate lesson plans promoting exploration.
• Support toddlers' language, social-emotional, and physical development.
• Encourage independence and problem-solving through play-based learning.
• Observe and document development to guide activities and learning plans.
• Build relationships with children and families; communicate progress.
• Lead classroom staff; promote teamwork and consistent routines.
• Ensure safety, cleanliness, and compliance with YMCA/licensing standards.
• Attend staff meetings and professional development sessions.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education

Associate or bachelor's degree with 18 ECE credits and 3 years childcare experience

CDA or MRTQ Infant/Toddler Credential

Job description

All Jobs > Lead Toddler Child Care Teacher

Help Little Learners Take Their First Big Steps!

Do you love the curiosity, excitement, and endless discoveries that come with working with toddlers? Are you an experienced early childhood educator who enjoys creating engaging learning experiences, building meaningful relationships, and helping young children develop confidence and independence?

The Penobscot Bay YMCA is looking for a Full-Time Lead Toddler Teacher to join our early childhood education team in Rockport!

In this role, you'll lead a toddler classroom where little learners can explore, play, grow, and develop important social, emotional, and developmental skills. You'll have the opportunity to create a positive, nurturing environment while working with a supportive team that shares your passion for early childhood education.

If you're ready to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children and their families, we'd love to meet you!

Here’s What Makes This Opportunity Special!

$500 SIGN-ON BONUS!

Join our team and receive a $500 sign-on bonus, paid in two installments:

• $250 after 90 days of full-time employment.
• $250 after 6 months of full-time employment.

$275+ Monthly State of Maine Child Care Workforce Stipend

Currently available in addition to your regular hourly wages.

Monday–Friday Schedule

Enjoy your evenings, weekends, and holidays with family and friends!

Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with:

• 2 weeks of PTO during your first year, increasing to 3 weeks after your first anniversary.
• Additional PTO increases with years of service, up to 5 weeks annually.
• Two annual paid childcare shutdown periods — one during the summer and another in December.
• 12 paid holidays annually.
• A Monday–Friday schedule with no evenings or weekends!

Health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage.

50% off YMCA childcare program fees and 20% off other YMCA programs.

Generous YMCA retirement program with a 10% employer contribution after two years of eligible service.

FREE YMCA Family Membership

Enjoy a complimentary annual family membership to both our Rockport and Rockland YMCA facilities — a $960 annual value!

What You'll Do

As our Lead Toddler Teacher, you'll play an important role in creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.

• Lead and manage daily classroom activities while maintaining a positive, nurturing atmosphere.
• Develop and implement creative, age-appropriate lesson plans that encourage exploration, learning, and discovery.
• Support toddlers as they develop language, social-emotional, cognitive, and physical skills.
• Encourage independence, problem-solving, and positive interactions through play-based learning.
• Observe and document each child's development, using those observations to guide classroom activities and individualized learning experiences.
• Establish meaningful relationships with children and families, maintaining open communication about developmental milestones, progress, and individual needs.
• Provide leadership and guidance to classroom staff, promoting teamwork and consistency in daily routines.
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized classroom that meets YMCA policies, Maine DHHS licensing requirements, and applicable accreditation standards.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development opportunities, and YMCA activities.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a caring, dependable, and enthusiastic educator who understands the unique developmental needs of toddlers and enjoys helping young children thrive.

Qualifications:

Candidates must be at least 21 years old and meet at least one of the following educational qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.
• Associate or bachelor's degree in a related field with at least 18 credit hours in Early Childhood Education and three years of direct childcare experience.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Maine Roads to Quality (MRTQ) Infant/Toddler Credential.

Additional Requirements:

• Previous experience working with toddlers or young children in an early childhood education setting preferred.
• Strong classroom management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to develop and implement developmentally appropriate learning activities.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications required.
• Completion of Child Abuse Prevention training within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of working in an active toddler classroom, including lifting up to 40 pounds, bending, kneeling, and participating in indoor and outdoor activities, with reasonable accommodations as appropriate.

More Than a Job — Be Part of Something Bigger!

At the Penobscot Bay YMCA, we believe every child deserves a strong start. Our early childhood educators do more than teach — they inspire curiosity, build confidence, celebrate milestones, and help create the foundation for lifelong learning.

As part of our team, you'll join a mission-driven organization dedicated to strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The Penobscot Bay YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.