Lead Toddler Teacher (East Location)

New Direction Church/Little Duckling Daycare II; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Ongoing learning opportunities

Culture of love and purpose

Job summary

Little Duckling Early Learning in Indianapolis is seeking a warm Lead Toddler Teacher to nurture toddlers, design a safe, playful learning space, and support each child's development.

You’ll collaborate with a caring team, follow state licensing and Paths to Quality standards, adapt activities to individual needs, and build strong partnerships with families while fostering social-emotional growth.

Qualifications

• Experience in early childhood education, especially with toddlers is preferred.
• ABA principles and behavior management are a strong plus.
• Mature, level-headed approach with patience for big emotions.
• Joyful, engaging personality and teamwork mindset.
• Willingness to follow and build on lesson plans.
• Knowledge of licensing and Paths to Quality standards.
• Ability to support toddlers' personal care with gentleness.
• Strong communication and collaborative spirit.
• CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.
• Heartfelt passion for early childhood education and child growth.

Responsibilities

• Create a Fun & Engaging Environment for toddlers.
• Build Community Through Teamwork with fellow teachers.
• Lead with Love while following state standards and Paths to Quality.
• Adapt lessons to each child's needs and interests.
• Promote social-emotional and developmental growth.
• Foster strong partnerships with parents and families.
• Ensure well-being and daily care needs with professionalism.

Skills

Early childhood education

ABA principles

Patience

Engaging personality

Follow lesson plans

Licensing standards

Paths to Quality

Personal care

Communication skills

CPR/First Aid

Passion for ECE

Job description

Little Duckling Early Learning — Where Teaching Becomes a Calling

At Little Duckling, we believe working with young children is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to live out your passion, grow as a professional, and make a lasting impact on our community and our world. Our mission is rooted inLove, Community, Social-Emotional growth, and Distinction, and we’re looking for a Lead Toddler Teacher who embodies these values and wants to be part of something meaningful.

We are seeking a warm, enthusiastic, and dedicatedLead Toddler Teacher to join our team.

What You’ll Do:

Create a Fun & Engaging Environment
Fill your classroom with wonder and laughter as you design a space where toddlers feel safe to explore, discover, and express themselves. Your energy and creativity will make each day an adventure.

Build Community Through Teamwork
Collaborate closely with your fellow teachers to create a connected, uplifting environment. Your proactive, “jump in where needed” spirit helps ensure that every child and every teammate feels supported.

Lead with Love While Following Standards
Support each child with patience, compassion, and respect while ensuring compliance with state licensing, Paths to Quality, and Little Duckling standards.

Adapt Lessons to Each Unique Child
Use provided lesson plans as your foundation, then thoughtfully tailor activities to meet the individual developmental needs, interests, and strengths of each toddler.

Promote Social-Emotional and Developmental Growth
Guide children in building confidence, independence, emotional awareness, and a love for learning. Your positive reinforcement and gentle encouragement help them become amazing young leaders.

Foster Strong Parent Partnerships
Keep communication open, warm, and honest with families — celebrating milestones, discussing progress, and working together to support each child.

Ensure Well-Being & Comfort
Support toddlers with diapering, hygiene, and daily care needs while maintaining a clean, safe, and nurturing environment.

What You Bring:

• Experience in early childhood education, especially with toddlers (preferred but not required with the right passion!)
• Experience with ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) principles and behavior management strategies is a strong plus
• A mature, level-headed approach, with the patience and sound judgment needed to support toddlers through big emotions and behaviors
• A joyful, engaging personality and the flexibility to adapt to the needs of children and teammates
• A willingness to follow — and creatively build on — lesson plans
• Knowledge of licensing and Paths to Quality standards (or openness to learn)
• The ability to meet toddlers' personal care needs with gentleness and professionalism
• Strong communication skills and a team-centered mindset
• CPR/First Aid certification (or commitment to obtain)
• A heartfelt passion for early childhood education and helping children thrive

Why Choose Little Duckling?

Because here,you matter.
You’ll join a place where your ideas are valued, your growth is encouraged, and your work makes a real difference. We offer competitive pay, ongoing learning opportunities, and a culture full of love, laughter, and purpose.

At Little Duckling, you won’t just help children grow —you’ll grow right alongside them, becoming part of a community committed to excellence, connection, and shaping the future one tiny leader at a time.