Infant Toddler Teacher

About the role

ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children’s Services) is a 2026 Top Workplace that honors young children’s immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children’s well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Education and Development
• Plan and implement a culturally sensitive educational program that is developmentally appropriate for each child’s age and language.
• Use Teaching Strategies Cloud to plan and create weekly digital lesson plans that promote the cognitive, language, literacy, social, emotional, and physical development of children.
• Follow the approved daily schedule to implement to fidelity the daily lesson plans from the approved curricula.
• Create a balanced daily routine that encourages play, exploration, and learning; and which includes teacher-directed and child-directed activities, and inside and outside time.
• Provide a developmentally appropriate, stimulating learning environment, which includes adding new and interesting materials each week.
• Provide a warm, nurturing, loving and positive environment, using positive guidance techniques and upholding the ECS Discipline policy.
• Develop nurturing relationships with each child that encourages his or her social and emotional development.
• Maintain all federal, state, local and accreditation standards. (These may include those set forth by NAEYC, APPLE, ECS, DCF and Early Head Start.)
• Adjust the classroom routine, activities, and environment to meet the developmental levels of all children in the group including children with special needs, over the course of their enrollment at the center.
• Participate in research initiatives pertaining to early childhood education, development, and related topics.
• Children’s Health and Developmental Services
• Conduct daily health checks on each child.
• Create a classroom routine that promotes a healthy lifestyle.
• Follow policies and procedures regarding medical and dental emergencies, short term exclusion of children, and the administration, handling, and storing of medication.
• Ensure that safe practices are followed to prevent injuries to children or self.
• Maintain sanitation and hygiene procedures and participate in the maintenance of the center.
• Participate in case management meetings regarding children’s health and development.
• Family Partnerships
• Provide and encourage effective communication and relationships with families so that parents feel comfortable talking to staff about their children.
• Encourage parent involvement in all aspects of the program.
• Inform parents concerning their children’s progress formally and informally, which may include parent notes, learning outcomes, parent conferences and home visits.
• Plan and implement weekly family involvement activities.
• Nutrition
• Eat with children, encouraging proper eating habits and conversation.
• Serve food in a way that encourages the development and socialization of the children.
• Absorb kitchen duties as assigned.
• Follow infants’ individual feeding schedules and hold infants who cannot sit independently while feeding.
• Plan weekly nutrition activities for children and/or families.
• Training and Communication
• Communicate regularly with other staff to better serve children and families, including attending staff meetings, trainings, and sharing information.
• Have a cooperative, positive and supportive attitude within the program.
• Follow directions and assignments as given.
• Maintain appropriate record keeping.

Qualifications

• PCG I - High School Diploma or GED and an Infant Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or comparable credential (FCCPC)
• PCG II - An associate degree in child development or early childhood education with 6 credit hours specific to infant and toddler development or an IT CDA credential or FCCPC.
• PCG III – A baccalaureate degree in child development or early childhood education with 6 credit hours specific to infant and toddler development or an IT CDA credential or FCCPC; or a baccalaureate degree in elementary education with 15 credit hours in early childhood education courses including 6 credit hours specific to infant and toddler development or an IT CDA credential or FCCPC.
• PCG IV - An advanced degree in child development or early childhood education with 6 credit hours specific to infant and toddler development or an IT CDA credential or FCCPC; or an advanced degree in elementary education with 15 credit hours in early childhood education courses including 6 credit hours specific to infant and toddler development or an IT CDA credential or FCCPC.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrate competency to provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions, plan and implement learning experiences that ensure effective curriculum implementation and use of assessment and promote children’s progress across the standards described in the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five and applicable state early learning and development standards, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners, as appropriate.
• Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for children
• Ability to develop consistent, stable and supportive relationships with very young children.
• Ability to exercise control and maintain appropriate classroom discipline
• Ability and willingness to implement the approved curriculum
• Ability to exercise good judgment and emotional maturity
• Ability to work effectively with diverse staff and families
• Demonstrate proper use of grammar and communication skills
• Knowledge of applicable safety and abuse-reporting procedures
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to plan and organize work as well as maintain records
• A willingness to learn and continue personal education

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 403(b) plan with 5% employer match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term & short-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Generous paid time off
• Career development
• Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Pay

Competitive pay based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Full-time position with flexible scheduling to accommodate the needs of the children and families we serve.