How to hire a lead toddler teacher

How to hire a lead toddler teacher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lead toddler teacher hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a lead toddler teacher job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead toddler teacher
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a lead toddler teacher do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your lead toddler teacher job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a lead toddler teacher for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect lead toddler teacher also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of lead toddler teachers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Lead Toddler Teacher	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead Toddler Teacher	Teacher assistants work under a teacher’s supervision to give students additional attention and instruction.	$11-17
   Teacher Aide	Teacher aides help lead teachers in managing the classroom. They assist teachers in conducting classroom sessions by setting up the classroom in advance, sourcing materials needed for class activities, helping in presentations, and guiding students during class activities... Show more	$11-17
   Day Care Teacher	A Daycare Teacher is a professional who educates young children and toddlers with lessons and daily activities. Daycare Teachers perform various tasks that include grading student assignments and worksheets, encouraging good manners and positive behavior, and stimulating students intellectually using different learning methods such as games and stories... Show more	$10-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Child Care
   • CPR
   • Customer Service
   • Child Development
   • Classroom Environment
   • Classroom Management
   • Emotional Development
   • Open Communication
   • Educational Environment
   • Toddler Room
   • NAEYC
   • Social Development
   • Parent Communication
   • Creative Curriculum

   Check all skills

   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.
   • Prepare, plan, organize, and instruct interactive classes to engage children in bible and life lessons.

   More lead toddler teacher duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lead toddler teacher job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A lead toddler teacher can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, lead toddler teachers' average salary in florida is 44% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lead toddler teachers 35% less than senior-level lead toddler teachers.
   • Certifications. A lead toddler teacher with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a lead toddler teacher's salary.

   Average lead toddler teacher salary

   $14.40hourly

   $29,942 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level lead toddler teacher salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average lead toddler teacher salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$36,228	$17
   2	Massachusetts	$34,679	$17
   3	California	$33,551	$16
   4	New York	$33,495	$16
   5	Colorado	$32,401	$16
   6	Illinois	$32,262	$16
   7	Arizona	$29,617	$14
   8	Pennsylvania	$29,096	$14
   9	South Dakota	$29,018	$14
   10	North Carolina	$27,765	$13
   11	Ohio	$27,507	$13
   12	Indiana	$26,864	$13
   13	Virginia	$26,522	$13
   14	Michigan	$26,191	$13
   15	Tennessee	$25,603	$12
   16	Georgia	$24,562	$12
   17	Texas	$24,246	$12
   18	Florida	$21,369	$10

   Average lead toddler teacher salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Columbia University in the City of New York	$43,185	$20.76
   2	KLA	$35,320	$16.98
   3	Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church	$35,112	$16.88	8
   4	Little Sunshine's Playhouse	$31,800	$15.29	32
   5	Lionheart Children's Academy	$31,667	$15.22
   6	Swedish Hospital	$31,578	$15.18
   7	Wellspring Family Services	$31,196	$15.00
   8	Georgetown Hill Early School	$31,091	$14.95	2
   9	Little Lukes	$30,968	$14.89	13
   10	Cadence Education	$30,680	$14.75	202
   11	Learning Care Group	$30,605	$14.71	830
   12	Early Learning Indiana	$30,495	$14.66	19
   13	Creative Learning Center	$30,279	$14.56	4
   14	Archdiocese of Indianapolis	$29,909	$14.38	7
   15	Wonderspring Early Education	$29,893	$14.37	12
   16	Vivvi	$29,781	$14.32	8
   17	The Academy	$29,774	$14.31	2
   18	Sunshine School	$29,532	$14.20	2
   19	Beaver County YMCA	$29,367	$14.12	4
   20	Little Sprouts	$29,271	$14.07	62

4. Writing a lead toddler teacher job description

   A lead toddler teacher job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a lead toddler teacher job description:

   Lead toddler teacher job description example

   Compensation: $14.00 / hr

   
   

   An energetic person who loves to work with children and help in developing activities that are both fun and educational.

   Responsibilities include:

   • Being responsible for the safety of the children at all times, including understanding and being able to implement emergency procedures as necessary.
   • Supporting the program and the goals of the YMCA
   • Assuming all other duties as requested.

   The person must have one of the following:

   • An Associates or Bachelor's degree in education, human services, or related field

   Hours may vary:

   • 6AM-6PM

   Pay Rate: $14.00/ hour Full Time

   Free YMCA Membership

   Apply now!

   OUR CULTURE: At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. We act with intentionality to connect people to our cause through our service and engagement principles.

   We are:

   • WELCOMING We are open to all. We are a place where you can be, belong and become.
   • GENUINE We value who you are and encourage you to be true to yourself and others.
   • HOPEFUL We believe in you and your ability to be a catalyst for good in the world.
   • NURTURING We're with you in your journey to develop your full potential.
   • DETERMINED Above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

   MISSION' OUR REASON FOR BEING

   • To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

   CAUSE' OUR MISSION IN ACTION

   • Strengthening the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right lead toddler teacher for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your lead toddler teacher job on Zippia to find and recruit lead toddler teacher candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit lead toddler teachers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new lead toddler teacher

   Once you've decided on a perfect lead toddler teacher candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new lead toddler teacher. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a lead toddler teacher?