Young Toddler Lead Teacher

Guidepost Montessori
Downers Grove, IL

Job Description

Job Description

Help young toddlers discover who they are and what they can do.


At Guidepost Montessori, our Lead Young Toddler Teachers create calm, purposeful environments where curiosity, independence, and confidence grow every day.

If you're passionate about early childhood development and ready to lead a classroom designed for exploration and independence, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Your Role

As a Lead Young Toddler Guide (Teacher) , you'll lead a mixed-age young toddler classroom in a Montessori environment thoughtfully designed to support children during one of the most formative stages of development.

Montessori guides prepare beautiful, orderly environments that invite exploration and support independence. Through careful observation, individualized lessons, and respectful guidance, you'll help each child develop language, coordination, self-regulation, and confidence.

Your leadership will empower young toddlers to explore freely, make choices, and take pride in what they can accomplish laying the foundation for lifelong learning.

What You'll Do

  • Observe each child closely to understand and support their physical, emotional, and cognitive development
  • Prepare and maintain a beautiful, orderly classroom that fosters focus, independence, and exploration
  • Support independence by encouraging toddlers to "do it themselves"
  • Provide lessons in practical life skills, language development, and grace and courtesy
  • Build warm, trusting relationships with children and families
  • Communicate and collaborate with parents to support each child's growth
  • Lead classroom routines and collaborate with team members to create a respectful, joyful community

The Montessori Prepared Environment

Every Guidepost young toddler classroom is fully equipped with high-quality Montessori materials and designed according to the principles of beauty, order, and independence.

Our toddler environments feature:

  • Open spaces that encourage movement and exploration
  • Child-sized furniture and tools to support independence
  • Curriculum that builds skills in dressing, feeding, and toilet learning
  • Scientifically designed materials for fine and gross motor development
  • Natural elements including cozy rugs, real plants, and abundant light
  • Beautiful, breakable materials made from wood, metal, and glass
  • Opportunities to climb, crawl, and explore without restrictive devices

What We're Looking For

  • Interest in pursuing fully sponsored Montessori certification through our Prepared Montessorian Institute, or a previously earned Montessori diploma
  • Experience working with babies, infants, and children ages 0–3 in a daycare classroom, child care, or early learning setting
  • Alignment with child-led educational approaches (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or similar)
  • Required ECE or Child Development credits
  • Bachelor's degree (Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a child related field)

What We Offer

  • Sponsored Montessori diploma training and ongoing professional development
  • Competitive salary: $40,000 - $50,000 depending on education and experience
  • 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, supportive network of peers and mentors
  • Clear opportunities 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 intentionally 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 inspired by toddler development, excited to partner with families, and ready to lead with purpose, we'd love to welcome you to Guidepost Montessori.

Apply today and help toddlers take their next big steps.

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.

Posted 2026-07-05

Recommended Jobs

Lawn Care Technician Springfield IL

Morris Communications Careers
Springfield, IL

Benefits: ~ Free uniforms ~ Signing bonus ~ Training & development ~401(k) matching Lawn Doctor is looking for individuals dedicated to providing high-quality, customer-focused lawn care…

View Details
Posted 2026-06-27

Exchange Operations Automation Engineer (US)

Crypto Com
Chicago, IL

We are looking for an Automation Engineer to sit within our Exchange Operations (ExOps) team and own the technical infrastructure that powers our prediction market lifecycle. This is a builder’s role…

View Details
Posted 2026-06-25

Server

Joe's Pizza & Pasta
Columbia, IL

Job Description Job Description For over 47 years, Joe’s Pizza & Pasta has been a family tradition across Illinois—serving hand-tossed pizzas, pastas, subs, salads, and Italian favorites in a war…

View Details
Posted 2026-05-08

Electrical Motor Mechanic

DREISILKER ELECTRIC MOTORS INC
Glen Ellyn, IL

Job Description Job Description Description: Join the Dreisilker Team! We are a family-owned business and we pride ourselves in providing the very best electric motors solutions for our cust…

View Details
Posted 2026-04-17

Good Will Ambassador (Security)

The VIG Chicago
Chicago, IL

Legacy Hospitality is seeking experienced, hardworking and dedicated Good Will Ambassadors (Security) to join our growing team. The ideal candidate possesses a guest first attitude, strong commitm…

View Details
Posted 2026-06-24

Supplier Quality Engineer

BorgWarner Inc.
Dixon, IL

Create a partnership with internal customers to assure products delivered by suppliers meet the defined specifications and are able to run through our production lines with the best possible performan…

View Details
Posted 2026-06-24

Travel Nurse RN - Intensive Care Unit (ICU) / Critical Care - $2,092 per week in Alton, IL

Cynet Health
Alton, IL

Registered Nurse (RN) | Intensive Care Unit (ICU) / Critical Care Location: Alton, IL Agency: Cynet Health Pay: $2,092 per week Shift Information: Nights - 3 days x 12 hours Co…

View Details
Posted 2026-05-21

Senior Counsel, Operations Legal

AbbVie
North Chicago, IL

Company Description About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of to…

View Details
Posted 2026-06-27

Crane Operator - 2nd shift

Heidtman Steel Products Inc
Granite City, IL

Job Description Job Description Description: Crane Operators– 2nd Shift Granite City, Illinois Starting at $20.51/hr + Bonuses + Shift Premiums Granite City Processing (formerly Heidt…

View Details
Posted 2026-07-05

Barback - Chicago

DineAmic Hospitality
Chicago, IL

DineAmic Hospitality is seeking  Barbacks to support our bartenders and help ensure guests receive prompt and seamless drink service by maintaining clean, organized, and adequately stocked wells. Ca…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-26