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What is a lead toddler teacher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Peter Alter Ph.D.
introduction image

Lead toddler teachers specialize in developing and implementing curricula to cater to the basic and educational needs of children younger than those in kindergarten. They manage the teaching staff within their department to ensure that the students' needs are met. This includes training, supervising, and mentoring them. They follow all legal and educational protocols to maintain the well-being and safety of toddlers. Also, they assess them to determine their progress. Additionally, they organize staff and parent meetings.

The educational requirements for this job vary by location and type of preschool. However, applicants would need at least an associate's degree in early childhood education and would need to obtain a license to work. They must have first aid and CPR certification. The skills for this job are leadership, organization, monitoring, and interpersonal skills. Lead Toddler Teachers' salary ranges from $28,115 to $34,047, with the average salary being $30,568 in a year.

What general advice would you give to a lead toddler teacher?

Peter Alter Ph.D.

Professor of Teacher Education, Saint Mary's College of California

Public school salary systems are determined by years of teaching (sometimes called Steps) and level of education. Get a Master's degree. Add an authorization via coursework. Anything that will move you over a column on the salary schedule. Then figure out your side hustle- coaching, tutoring, doing something completely away from education. This may be challenging in your first year but as you get acclimated, you are going to have more time that you will be able to monetize.
ScoreLead Toddler TeacherUS Average
Salary
2.3

Avg. Salary $29,942

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.5

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.19%

Asian 8.55%

Black or African American 9.77%

Hispanic or Latino 14.60%

Unknown 4.41%

White 61.49%

Gender

female 95.66%

male 4.34%

Age - 45
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45
Stress level
4.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.8

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Lead toddler teacher career paths

Key steps to become a lead toddler teacher

  1. Explore lead toddler teacher education requirements

    Most common lead toddler teacher degrees

    Bachelor's

    44.8 %

    Associate

    27.3 %

    High School Diploma

    16.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific lead toddler teacher skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Child Care18.72%
    CPR18.60%
    Customer Service15.63%
    Child Development14.71%
    Classroom Environment7.23%
  3. Research lead toddler teacher duties and responsibilities

    • Maintain a learning environment structure according to NAEYC standards and philosophy.
    • Maintain requirements for DDS, cpr and firstaide.
    • Participate in NAEYC accreditation process including finishing class portfolio and site visit.
    • Operate van safely when driving residents, adhering to reasonable cleanliness standards and notifying appropriate personnel of maintenance concerns.
  4. Get lead toddler teacher experience

  5. Prepare your lead toddler teacher resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lead toddler teacher resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a lead toddler teacher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable lead toddler teacher resume templates

    Build a professional lead toddler teacher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your lead toddler teacher resume.
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    Lead Toddler Teacher Resume
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    Lead Toddler Teacher Resume
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    Lead Toddler Teacher Resume
    Lead Toddler Teacher Resume
    Lead Toddler Teacher Resume
    Lead Toddler Teacher Resume
    Lead Toddler Teacher Resume
    Lead Toddler Teacher Resume
    Lead Toddler Teacher Resume
  6. Apply for lead toddler teacher jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a lead toddler teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first lead toddler teacher job

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Average lead toddler teacher salary

The average lead toddler teacher salary in the United States is $29,942 per year or $14 per hour. Lead toddler teacher salaries range between $24,000 and $37,000 per year.

Average lead toddler teacher salary
$29,942 Yearly
$14.40 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do lead toddler teachers rate their job?

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Lead toddler teacher reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2022
Pros

Seeing the kids learn, grow, over come challenges.

Cons

It can be emotionally and physically draining, especially if not appreciated.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2022
Pros

Gaining the childs trust and watching them geow and learn.

Cons

That in a year the children you fall in love with move on to the next grade.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2021
Pros

I like working with my students, their parents and the various specialists my students need in order to increase their physical, emotional, daily living and cognitive skills.

Cons

There are very few things I dislike about working with preschoolers with special needs, other professionals and their parents.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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