Nursery Lead Teacher

The Nursery Lead Teacher at Little Precious Angels Childcare demonstrates strong leadership, consistency, and a clear commitment to infant care and safety. They maintain an organized classroom, follow licensing and safe sleep guidelines, and provide nurturing, responsive care to each child. Their ability to support staff, communicate expectations, and keep the nursery running smoothly reflects professionalism and dedication to early childhood development.

About 3 Boys and 1 Girl Enterprise

Your Little One's Home Away From Home Welcome to Little Precious Angels Childcare in St. Louis, Missouri We are a professional childcare center enrolling children from 0 weeks to 5 years of age. We offer high-quality childcare, before- and after-school care for ages 3-6 in St. Louis Public Schools Zoning area, however we do not offer transportation. Mission Statement It is the mission of Little Precious Angels Childcare to provide exceptional care and to provide each child a learning, nurturing and safe environment. Our goal is to support a child's desire to be a life-long learner. About Us Little Precious Angels Child Care Center opened in January 2011. During the next three years, LPACC saw a substantial growth. In July 2014 LPACC opened its first center which consisted of 10 children ranging from ages 6wks to 12yrs old. In July 2016, just a few years after LPACC first opened its doors, the center nearly doubled its square footage and, shortly thereafter, its enrollment doubled. In May 2016, a second daycare was added to accommodate a thriving community preschool program. In May 2019 Lpacc expanded our center to accommodate more children waiting for our services. With a larger preschool and our partners at Hatch Learning we were able to add smart boards to our preschool program.

Description
Job Title

Nursery Lead Teacher

Program

Little Precious Angels Childcare (LPACC)

Reports To

Director / Assistant Director / Unit Administration

Position Summary

The Nursery Lead Teacher is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, care, and instructional practices within the nursery/infant unit. This role ensures a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment while maintaining compliance with Missouri DESE licensing regulations and accreditation standards. The Nursery Lead Teacher leads classroom staff, models professionalism, and supports high-quality infant care practices.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience working in an early childhood education setting
• Experience working specifically with infants and young toddlers
• Prior experience in a lead, mentor, or supervisory role is preferred

Education & Certification Requirements

• Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential – Required
• Infant/Toddler CDA preferred
• High School Diploma or GED (minimum)
• Active Missouri Professional Development (MOPD) account
• Current CPR & First Aid Certification (Infant, Toddler, Adult)
• Completion of all DESE-required trainings, including but not limited to:
• Safe Sleep
• Child Abuse & Neglect
• Emergency Preparedness
• Caring for Vulnerable Children
• Must pass:
• Comprehensive background screening
• Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR)
• Fingerprinting (as required by Missouri)

Job Responsibilities
Classroom Leadership & Supervision

• Lead the nursery classroom with consistency, structure, and professionalism
• Ensure proper staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times
• Assign daily classroom duties and support assistant teachers
• Step in immediately to address classroom needs without waiting for direction

Child Care & Development

• Provide nurturing, responsive care that supports infant development
• Implement developmentally appropriate routines, activities, and transitions
• Support children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development
• Maintain accurate daily documentation for each child

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Enforce safe sleep practices at all times (non-negotiable)
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free environment
• Follow all health, sanitation, and emergency procedures
• Report safety concerns, incidents, or licensing issues immediately

Documentation & Communication

• Complete daily reports, attendance, incident reports, and required records
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with families and administration
• Ensure all child belongings are labeled and properly stored

Team Support & Professionalism

• Model positive behavior, accountability, and leadership for staff
• Support new staff and trainees in nursery procedures
• Accept feedback with professionalism and use it for growth
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times

Personality & Professional Traits Required

The ideal Nursery Lead Teacher must demonstrate:

• Patience, calmness, and emotional stability
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills
• Dependability, punctuality, and accountability
• Clear communication and problem-solving abilities
• A nurturing, compassionate, and child-centered mindset
• Ability to work independently without constant supervision
• Willingness to uphold structure, routines, and expectations consistently

Accreditation & Quality Standards Expectations

• Maintain classroom practices aligned with Missouri Accreditation Standards
• Support continuous quality improvement initiatives
• Participate in observations, audits, and professional development
• Ensure curriculum, environment, and documentation meet accreditation benchmarks
• Uphold LPACC's mission, values, and commitment to excellence

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, and move infants as needed
• Ability to sit on the floor, bend, stand, and move throughout the day
• Maintain alertness and supervision at all times

Statement of Commitment

Little Precious Angels Childcare is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and high-quality early learning environment. The Nursery Lead Teacher plays a critical role in protecting children, supporting families, and leading with integrity and professionalism.

Salary

$13 - $17 per hour

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