Pre-Primary (Toddler) Lead Teacher @ Brms

Pre-Primary (Toddler) Lead Guide

Blue Ridge Montessori School

Position: Full-time

Desired start date: January 3, 2027

Contract hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Base pay: $17.75 per hour, with increases based on related education, experience, and certifications.

Position Summary

Blue Ridge Montessori School is seeking a caring, dependable, and collaborative Lead Guide for a Pre-Primary (Toddler) classroom. The Lead Guide creates and maintains a safe, nurturing Montessori environment where young children build independence, confidence, communication skills, and meaningful relationships.

Working closely with Assistant Guides and school leadership, the Lead Guide plans purposeful learning experiences, observes and documents children’s development, and builds supportive partnerships with families. The ideal candidate understands the importance of patient guidance, consistent routines, and respecting each child’s individual pace of development.

Essential Responsibilities

Montessori Environment and Learning

• Prepare and maintain an orderly, welcoming classroom with developmentally appropriate materials that invite exploration and independent activity.
• Use observations of children’s interests, abilities, and needs to plan lessons and individualize support.
• Model and teach practical life skills, care of the environment, language, movement, and positive social interactions.
• Protect opportunities for concentration, repetition, purposeful work, and child-led exploration.
• Support children as they develop the skills needed for their eventual transition to the Primary classroom.

Daily Care and Guidance

• Provide attentive supervision and maintain awareness of all children throughout the day.
• Support toileting, diapering, handwashing, dressing, meals, rest, and other daily routines with patience and respect.
• Encourage children to participate in their own care and complete increasingly challenging tasks independently.
• Use calm, consistent limits and developmentally appropriate guidance to support emotional regulation, communication, and conflict resolution.
• Respond warmly to children’s needs and help them build secure, trusting relationships.
• Maintain classroom cleanliness and follow school procedures for health, safety, and sanitation.

Observation, Documentation, and Family Partnerships

• Observe and assess children’s development, document progress, and use findings to guide classroom planning.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in the school’s communication platform.
• Communicate with families in a professional, respectful, and supportive manner, sharing progress, celebrations, concerns, and practical next steps.
• Prepare for and participate in parent conferences and other meetings as needed.
• Document and communicate accidents, illnesses, and concerns according to school procedures.
• Follow applicable child protection and reporting requirements and school policies.
• Protect the confidentiality of children, families, and staff.

Classroom Leadership and Collaboration

• Provide clear direction, modeling, and constructive feedback to the Assistant Guide.
• Coordinate classroom responsibilities to support consistent care, effective supervision, and smooth daily routines.
• Collaborate with school leadership and colleagues to address student needs and support school goals.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, classroom preparation, and required training.
• Attend occasional school events and family activities that may occur during evenings or weekends.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance, punctuality, professionalism, and a willingness to learn.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Previous educational or childcare experience.
• A warm, patient approach and an understanding of young children’s developmental needs.
• Strong communication, organization, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to lead a classroom while responding flexibly to children’s needs.
• Commitment to Montessori principles and respectful, developmentally appropriate guidance.
• Ability to use computers and digital platforms for documentation and family communication.
• Ability to meet applicable employment, background screening, and training requirements.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree, particularly in early childhood education or a related field.
• Experience working with toddlers in a Montessori setting.
• Montessori Infant/Toddler credential from a MACTE-accredited training program.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting base pay is $17.75 per hour, with increases based on related education, experience, and certifications.

Full-time employees receive

• Paid time off: New staff accrue PTO at a rate of 0.07 hours per hour worked.
• SIMPLE IRA
• Access to Forest Direct Primary Care
• SmartDollar account and access
• Student tuition discount for an employee’s child(ren) attending BRMS.
• Attendance Pay Incentive: An additional $2.00 per hour for qualifying pay periods in which employees comply with all time-off request procedures and attendance policies, including being present and on time for each scheduled shift unless time off is approved in accordance with school policy.

Essential Job Requirements and Accommodations

This position involves active participation in a toddler classroom, including working at children’s level, moving throughout indoor and outdoor learning spaces, assisting with daily care, and responding promptly to children’s needs and safety concerns. Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Base Pay: $17.75