Lead Infant Teacher - OTR

Gold-Rated Step Up to Quality | Full-Time | OTR- Cincinnati OH 45214 | Benefits Included

About Water Lily Learning Center

Water Lily Learning Center - OTR is a Gold-rated Step Up to Quality program in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. We deliver relationship-based, responsive infant care using the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Twos, aligned with Ohio's Early Learning and Development Standards. Our OTR team is mission-driven, collaborative, and recognized as a leader in Cincinnati early childhood education.

Position Summary

The Lead Infant Teacher - OTR leads our infant classroom (ages 6 weeks to 12 months) at the OTR campus. You will design individualized care plans, maintain Gold-level documentation standards, partner with families daily, and mentor assistant teachers — all within a highly regulated, high-quality environment. This role requires a warm, experienced educator who holds themselves and their team to the highest standard of infant care.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement individualized routines and experiences using the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Twos, aligned with Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards


• Lead a safe, sanitary, and nurturing infant classroom in full compliance with Ohio DCY licensing and Step Up to Quality Gold standards


• Conduct developmental observations and document infant milestones using Teaching Strategies GOLD or Brightwheel


• Communicate with OTR families daily through digital platforms; facilitate scheduled parent-teacher conferences


• Mentor and guide assistant infant teachers; model responsive, attachment-based caregiving practices


• Follow all infant sleep safety, feeding, diapering, and sanitation protocols per Ohio DCY regulations


• Participate in ongoing professional development focused on infant brain development and responsive caregiving


• Maintain all classroom documentation, attendance, and health records required by DCY and Step Up to Quality

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education, CDA, or related field


• Minimum 3 years of lead teaching experience in a licensed infant classroom


• Current CPR and First Aid certification required prior to working with children


• Demonstrated knowledge of infant development, attachment theory, and routine-based care


• Proficiency with Brightwheel, Teaching Strategies GOLD, or equivalent documentation platform


• Strong team leadership, family communication, and classroom management skills


• Must meet all Ohio DCY employment eligibility requirements including applicable clearances

Schedule and Compensation

• Full-time, Monday through Friday


• $15-$18/hr based on experience and credentials


• Health, dental, and retirement benefits included


• Paid professional development and training

Health and Wellness Benefits:

• Health Insurance


• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan


• Dental


• Vision


• Life Insurance


• Long-Term Disability


• Short-Term Disability


• NexGenEAP (Employee Assistance Program)


• Working Advantage (Employee Discount and Reward Program)


• Balance Care


• FinFit Financial Wellness


• Cancer Advocate


• Long-Term Care Insurance


• Pay on Demand


• Staff Meetings: Monthly paid meetings


• 11 Paid Holidays


• Paid Time Off (PTO):


• Paid Professional Development


• Weekly Pay


• Employee Referral Program


• Plus More

Why Join Water Lily?

• Gold-rated Step Up to Quality — a recognized leader in Cincinnati early childhood education


• Paid professional development including infant-specific training and credential support


• Collaborative, mission-driven team culture with supportive leadership


• Clear advancement pathway within Water Lily Learning Center


• Be the first educator in a child's life during the most critical window of development