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Lead Childcare Teacher

Naperville, ILOnsiteFull TimeLead$40,000–$50,000 /yrPosted 16 days ago

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Required skills

  • Montessori
  • ages 0-3
  • early childhood development
  • child-led educational philosophies
  • ECE credits

Nice to have

  • Reggio Emilia

Role summary

Guidepost Montessori is seeking a Lead Infant and Toddler Teacher to create calm, nurturing environments for children aged 0-3. This role involves leading a mixed-age classroom in a Montessori setting, focusing on fostering independence, curiosity, and confidence. Responsibilities include preparing the classroom, observing children, providing individualized care, building relationships with children and families, and collaborating with team members. A Bachelor's degree and ECE/Child Development credits are required, with a preference for Montessori experience or willingness to pursue certification. The position offers competitive salary, benefits, and professional development opportunities.

Shape a child’s very first learning experiences. At Guidepost Montessori, our Lead Infant and Toddler Teachers create calm, nurturing environments where children are respected as capable individuals from the very beginning.

If you’re passionate about early childhood development and want to lead a thoughtfully designed classroom that supports independence, movement, and discovery, we’d love to meet you.

As a Lead Infant or Toddler Teacher (Guide), you’ll lead a mixed-age classroom (ages 0–3) in a Montessori environment intentionally designed to support each child’s natural development.

In Montessori, the environment and the guide work together to nurture independence, curiosity, and confidence. You’ll thoughtfully prepare the classroom, observe each child closely, and provide individualized care that honors their unique rhythms and needs.

Most importantly, you’ll help infants develop trust in themselves and the world around them laying the foundation for lifelong learning.

What You’ll Do

  • Observe each child to understand and support their physical, emotional, and cognitive development
  • Respect and follow each child’s natural rhythms for sleeping, eating, and toileting
  • Prepare and maintain a beautiful, orderly environment that fosters trust, movement, and exploration
  • Support independence by encouraging children to participate in care activities
  • Build warm, meaningful relationships with children and families
  • Partner closely with parents to support each child’s growth and development
  • Lead and collaborate with classroom team members to create a strong, respectful community

    • The Montessori Prepared Environment

    Every Guidepost infant and toddler classroom is fully equipped with high-quality Montessori materials and thoughtfully designed to support movement, exploration, and independence.

    Our infant environments include:

  • Open floor space for movement and exploration
  • Child-sized furniture and materials
  • Curriculum that supports independence in feeding, dressing, and toileting
  • Scientifically designed materials for fine and gross motor development
  • Natural elements like real plants, cozy rugs, and abundant natural light
  • Beautiful, breakable materials made from wood and metal rather than plastic
  • Opportunities for climbing, crawling, and discovery without restrictive devices

    • What We’re Looking For

  • Interest in pursuing fully sponsored Montessori certification through our Prepared Montessorian Institute, or prior Montessori diploma
  • Experience working with children ages 0–3 in a daycare, preschool, or early childcare setting
  • Alignment with child-led educational philosophies (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or similar)
  • Required ECE or Child Development credits
  • Bachelor’s degree (Child related field)

    • What We Offer

  • Sponsored Montessori diploma training and ongoing professional development
  • Competitive salary: $40,000 - $50,000 depending on experience and education
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off and paid holidays
  • 75% tuition discount for up to two children at any Guidepost school
  • A collaborative community of peers and mentors
  • Clear pathways for career growth and leadership advancement

    • About Guidepost Montessori

    Guidepost Montessori is a growing network of over 100 schools across the U.S. and Asia, serving children from 3 months to 6 years old in our Nido, Toddler, and Children’s House programs.

    We believe children are capable and we design environments that empower them to explore, grow, and flourish. Our mission is to transform education by nurturing independence, joy, and lifelong learning.

    If you’re passionate about early childhood, excited to partner with families, and ready to lead with purpose, we’d love to welcome you to our community.

    Apply today and help shape the earliest years of learning.

    Guidepost Global Education and Guidepost Montessori are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We will not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Our leadership is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy. When requested, we are committed to reasonably accommodate employees and applicants with disabilities or special needs that may require an accommodation.

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