Lead Teacher- 2-Year Old Classroom

Lead Teacher – 2-Year-Old Classroom

Southern Pines Academy
Southern Pines, NC

Schedule:
Monday–Friday
Hours: 7:30am-4:30pm (subject to change)

Full-Time | Year-Round Position

About Southern Pines Academy

Southern Pines Academy is dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can learn, grow, and build a strong foundation for future success.

We are looking for a caring, dependable, organized, and experienced Lead Teacher to join our 2-year-old classroom. The ideal candidate genuinely enjoys working with toddlers and is confident in creating a structured, engaging, and nurturing classroom environment.

Position Summary

The Lead Teacher is responsible for the overall daily operation of the 2-year-old classroom, including planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities, maintaining a safe and engaging learning environment, supervising children, communicating with families, completing required documentation, and working collaboratively with classroom staff and administration.

The ideal candidate is patient, energetic, dependable, responsible, and able to confidently manage the unique needs and behaviors of a busy 2-year-old classroom.

The Lead Teacher is expected to serve as a positive role model for children and classroom staff while maintaining Southern Pines Academy's standards for safety, cleanliness, professionalism, and quality care.

Responsibilities

• Take primary responsibility for the daily operation and organization of the 2-year-old classroom.
• Plan and implement engaging, age-appropriate learning activities and experiences.
• Follow the center's curriculum and daily classroom schedule.
• Support children's language, cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and self-help development.
• Establish and maintain a consistent classroom routine and expectations.
• Use positive behavior-support strategies to guide children's behavior and encourage appropriate social interactions.
• Provide attentive supervision and maintain a safe classroom environment at all times.
• Maintain required staff-to-child ratios and follow all North Carolina childcare regulations.
• Assist children with diapering, toileting, meals, rest time, handwashing, transitions, and other daily routines.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and properly sanitized classroom throughout the day.
• Complete required classroom documentation, including daily reports, attendance, observations, assessments, and other center paperwork.
• Monitor children's developmental progress and communicate concerns appropriately to administration and families.
• Build positive, professional, and respectful relationships with children and their families.
• Communicate regularly with parents regarding their child's daily experiences, development, and needs.
• Work effectively with the Assistant Teacher and provide clear direction and support.
• Help train and model appropriate classroom practices for assistant teachers and other classroom staff.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with administration.
• Follow all Southern Pines Academy policies and procedures.
• Maintain compliance with North Carolina DCDEE childcare licensing requirements.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and required training.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff.
• Complete classroom responsibilities consistently and in a timely manner.
• Assist with other center responsibilities as assigned by administration.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Current North Carolina DCDEE Qualification Letter indicating eligibility to work in a licensed childcare facility.
• EDU 119 completed or willingness to complete as required.
• Previous experience working with toddlers or in a licensed childcare setting required.
• Previous Lead Teacher experience preferred.
• Ability to safely supervise, interact with, and care for young children throughout the day.
• Ability to lift and carry children as needed.
• Ability to pass all required North Carolina DCDEE background and employment screening requirements.
• Strong communication, classroom management, teamwork, and organizational skills.
• Dependable, patient, nurturing, and willing to learn.
• Ability to independently manage the daily responsibilities of a classroom.
• Ability to work effectively with classroom staff and administration.
• Ability to follow center policies, state regulations, curriculum requirements, and administrative direction.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• North Carolina Early Childhood Credential.
• Previous experience as a Lead Teacher in a licensed childcare or early childhood education program.
• Knowledge of toddler development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Experience with Conscious Discipline or other positive behavior-support strategies.
• Experience with classroom observations, developmental assessments, and documentation.
• Experience working in a high-quality early childhood program.
• A genuine passion for helping toddlers learn, grow, develop independence, and build positive social-emotional skills.

Attendance & Reliability

Reliability is extremely important for this position.

Our classrooms operate based on required staff-to-child ratios. The Lead Teacher plays an essential role in maintaining classroom stability, supporting the Assistant Teacher, and ensuring that children receive consistent care and supervision.

Because of this, unexpected absences, frequent call-outs, excessive tardiness, and leaving shifts early can significantly impact classroom operations, staff workload, and our ability to safely care for children.

Employees are expected to:

• Arrive on time and ready to work for every scheduled shift.
• Maintain dependable and consistent attendance.
• Provide appropriate notice when an absence is unavoidable.
• Communicate with administration as soon as possible regarding emergencies or illness.
• Make every reasonable effort to report to work as scheduled.
• Understand that frequent call-outs, excessive tardiness, leaving shifts early without approval, or ongoing attendance issues may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
• Understand that staffing decisions must always prioritize child safety and required staff-to-child ratios.
• Understand that the Lead Teacher is expected to be a dependable leader and consistent presence in the classroom.

We are looking for someone who takes pride in their classroom, supports their coworkers, and understands that reliability is essential to the success of the children and the entire center.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Retirement Plan / 401(k)
• Paid Training
• Performance Bonuses
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance

Why Join Southern Pines Academy?

At Southern Pines Academy, we believe our teachers are one of the most important parts of creating a positive experience for children and families.

Our Lead Teachers have the opportunity to take ownership of their classrooms, build meaningful relationships with children and families, develop their professional skills, and make a lasting impact on the children in their care.

If you are dependable, hardworking, organized, confident in the classroom, and passionate about early childhood education, we would love to hear from you.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief description of your childcare and Lead Teacher experience. Qualified applicants will be contacted to discuss the position and next steps in the hiring process.

Southern Pines Academy is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person