Lead Toddler Teacher

Magical Beginnings; City of Schenectady (NY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick time

13 paid holidays

Paid snow days and vacation time

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Weekly pay and direct deposit

Parental leave

Child care discount ($25/day)

Mentor program

Team building activities

Job summary

Magical Beginnings in Schenectady, NY seeks a Lead Toddler Teacher to guide a nurturing toddler classroom and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum. You will support 18 months to 3 years with play-based learning, language development, and family communication.

The role requires NY OCFS qualifications, a CDA/Associate/Bachelor in ECE, and prior toddler-teaching experience in licensed centers. Full‑time schedule 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and a strong safety focus are essential.

Qualifications

• OCFS qualifications for Lead Toddler Teacher in a licensed center.
• CDA / Associate or Bachelor's in ECE or related field required.
• Experience with toddlers in licensed childcare settings.
• Lead toddler classroom experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of toddler development and play-based learning.
• Ability to meet NY OCFS licensing, health, and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate toddler curriculum and activities.
• Create a safe, nurturing toddler classroom environment supporting all development areas.
• Lead daily routines: circle time, sensory, small groups, meals, diapering, outdoor play, rest.
• Supervise and engage toddlers while maintaining ratios and positive classroom management.
• Document milestones and progress to support learning and family communication.
• Communicate regularly with families about activities and progress.
• Mentor Assistant Teachers and collaborate with center leadership.
• Maintain a clean, organized, sanitized classroom per OCFS standards.
• Prepare lesson plans and engaging learning environments.
• Ensure compliance with NY OCFS licensing and company policies.
• Support a positive center culture with teamwork and inclusivity.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Child interaction

Safety awareness

Education

CDA

Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

Job description

At Magical Beginnings, we believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and engaging start to their educational journey. With care, we care — and that belief is at the heart of everything we do. As a trusted leader in early childhood education, our award-winning childcare and preschool centers create joyful learning environments where infants, toddlers, and preschoolers thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

We're currently seeking an experienced and passionate Lead Toddler Teacher to join our Schenectady center. This is an exciting opportunity for an early childhood education professional who loves supporting toddlers during one of the most important stages of development. If you enjoy creating hands‑on learning experiences, encouraging language development, fostering independence, and building meaningful partnerships with families, we'd love to meet you.

As a Lead Toddler Teacher, you'll lead a nurturing toddler classroom where curiosity, exploration, and play‑based learning are encouraged every day. You'll develop and implement engaging curriculum, support each child's cognitive, social‑emotional, physical, and language development, mentor classroom team members, and ensure your classroom maintains the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance with New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations and center quality standards.

Role Requirements

• Must meet New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) qualifications for a Lead Toddler Teacher position in a licensed childcare center.
• Child Development Associate (CDA), Associate's Degree, or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field required.
• Previous experience working with toddlers in a licensed childcare center, daycare, preschool, or early childhood education setting required.
• Prior experience leading a toddler classroom, implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum, and supporting children ages 18 months to 3 years preferred.
• Strong understanding of toddler development, social‑emotional learning, positive classroom guidance, and play‑based learning.
• Ability to maintain compliance with New York State OCFS childcare licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and required teacher‑to‑child ratios.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, organizational, and family partnership skills.
• Ability to actively engage with children throughout the day, including sitting on the floor, bending, kneeling, lifting up to 40 pounds, and participating in both indoor and outdoor activities.
• Must be available to work a full‑time schedule, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required New York State background clearances and regulatory requirements, including fingerprinting, criminal history review, and Statewide Central Register (SCR) clearance. Candidates must also meet all applicable health, immunization, and training requirements in accordance with New York State OCFS regulations.

As a Lead Toddler Teacher, you will be responsible for:

• Planning and implementing developmentally appropriatetoddler curriculum and engaging classroom activities aligned with early childhood education best practices.
• Creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating toddler classroom environment that supports children's social‑emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development through play‑based learning.
• Leading daily classroom routines including circle time, sensory exploration, small‑group activities, meals, diapering and toileting routines, outdoor play, rest time, and smooth transitions throughout the day.
• Supervising and actively engaging toddlers while maintaining positive classroom management, continuous supervision, and required New York State OCFS teacher‑to‑child ratios.
• Observing and documenting children's developmental milestones, individual progress, and emerging skills to support ongoing learning and family communication.
• Building positive, trusting relationships with families by providing regular communication regarding classroom activities, developmental milestones, and each child's progress.
• Mentoring and collaborating with Assistant Teachers, support staff, and center leadership to maintain a positive, team‑oriented early childhood education environment.
• Maintaining a clean, organized, and sanitized classroom in accordance with New York State OCFS licensing regulations and health and safety standards.
• Preparing lesson plans, classroom materials, and engaging learning environments that foster curiosity, independence, creativity, language development, and hands‑on exploration.
• Ensuring compliance with all New York State OCFS childcare licensing requirements, company policies, and quality standards for early childhood education.
• Supporting a positive childcare center culture that reflects professionalism, teamwork, inclusivity, and a commitment to providing exceptional care and education for toddlers.

What Magical Beginnings offers you:

• Paid sick time
• 13 paid holidays*
• Paid snow days and vacation time*
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance*
• Long‑term disability
• Company‑paid life insurance with additional voluntary coverage
• Parental leave
• Child care discount ($25/day)
• Weekly pay and direct deposit
• Referral and enrollment bonuses
• Classroom tablets
• A budget for classroom supplies
• Paid classroom planning time
• Mentor program
• Teacher appreciation events
• Team building activities
• School community outreach projects

*Available to full‑time employees only

$18 - $22 an hour

Payroll is processed weekly.

If you’re a dedicated early childhood educator who is passionate about preschool learning, childcare excellence, and creating meaningful experiences for young children, we’d love to hear from you.

Magical Beginnings offers a supportive team environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families every day.

About Magical Beginnings

Magical Beginnings Learning Centers is a growing network of early childhood schools dedicated to creating nurturing, engaging, and joyful learning environments. We value collaboration, kindness, and continuous improvement—and we support our team members with a positive culture, competitive benefits, and opportunities to grow.

Magical Beginningsis proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to be a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. All employment is based on qualifications, merit, and business need. Magical Beginnings does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, nationality, physical or mental disability, medical condition, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.