Job Overview
Compensation
Hourly
Range $22.00 - $29.00
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Employee assistance program
Professional Development
Disability insurance
Job Description
Easterseals Southern California is a renowned nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives and breaking barriers for individuals with disabilities. For over a century, Easterseals has been a champion of inclusion and independence, providing essential services that support a broad spectrum of needs, ranging from early childhood programs to autism services, employment support, and independent living assistance. Serving over 29,000 people every year, Easterseals Southern California is committed to enhancing quality of life through advocacy, education, and comprehensive care. The organization’s mission is deeply rooted in fostering opportunities and empowering individuals to lead fulfilling, independent lives within their communities. This longstanding commitment has positioned Easterseals as a leader in the community-based service sector, fostering an environment of support, respect, and growth for all those it serves.
The Associate Teacher position at Easterseals Southern California plays a critical role in delivering high-quality early childhood education within the Early Head Start/Head Start program. This role involves planning, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate and inclusive educational curricula for young children enrolled in the program. Under direct supervision, the Associate Teacher acts as a primary educator responsible for supporting children's learning and development while ensuring their safety and well-being. The position requires close collaboration with parents, staff, and volunteers to create a nurturing and supportive classroom environment that meets the educational and personal care needs of infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
This is a dynamic role that demands strong knowledge of early childhood development, adherence to program standards, and effective communication skills. The Associate Teacher will be responsible for conducting home visits, parent conferences, and coordinating educational activities designed to support children’s developmental milestones. Additional responsibilities include maintaining detailed records such as lesson plans, progress notes, and assessments to track each child's growth and setting individualized goals with parental input. The role also involves facilitating parent education programs, prenatal support, and breastfeeding guidance to provide holistic support to families.
Easterseals Southern California values educational attainment and experience in early childhood settings, offering competitive hourly wages that vary based on qualifications: Associate Teachers with a permit and a BA degree can expect a range of $26 to $29 per hour, those with an AA degree $24 to $27, and those with a high school diploma $22 to $25, all dependent on experience. The organization also emphasizes staff development by encouraging participation in training, staff meetings, and continuous learning opportunities. Overall, the Associate Teacher position is an excellent opportunity for educators passionate about early childhood education and dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families within a supportive, mission-driven organization.
The Associate Teacher position at Easterseals Southern California plays a critical role in delivering high-quality early childhood education within the Early Head Start/Head Start program. This role involves planning, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate and inclusive educational curricula for young children enrolled in the program. Under direct supervision, the Associate Teacher acts as a primary educator responsible for supporting children's learning and development while ensuring their safety and well-being. The position requires close collaboration with parents, staff, and volunteers to create a nurturing and supportive classroom environment that meets the educational and personal care needs of infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
This is a dynamic role that demands strong knowledge of early childhood development, adherence to program standards, and effective communication skills. The Associate Teacher will be responsible for conducting home visits, parent conferences, and coordinating educational activities designed to support children’s developmental milestones. Additional responsibilities include maintaining detailed records such as lesson plans, progress notes, and assessments to track each child's growth and setting individualized goals with parental input. The role also involves facilitating parent education programs, prenatal support, and breastfeeding guidance to provide holistic support to families.
Easterseals Southern California values educational attainment and experience in early childhood settings, offering competitive hourly wages that vary based on qualifications: Associate Teachers with a permit and a BA degree can expect a range of $26 to $29 per hour, those with an AA degree $24 to $27, and those with a high school diploma $22 to $25, all dependent on experience. The organization also emphasizes staff development by encouraging participation in training, staff meetings, and continuous learning opportunities. Overall, the Associate Teacher position is an excellent opportunity for educators passionate about early childhood education and dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families within a supportive, mission-driven organization.
Job Requirements
- High school diploma or national equivalent
- Must possess and maintain a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit
- Must meet ongoing educational requirements to qualify for child development permit/CDA requirements
- Must possess and maintain current pediatric (infant/toddler) CPR and first aid certificate
- Must possess food handler’s certificate
- Experience teaching in a preschool or infant/toddler classroom setting, which includes 50 days of 3+ hours per day within 2-year period
- Training and experience necessary to develop consistent, stable and supportive relationships with very young children
- Able to develop knowledge of infant and toddler development, safety issues in infant and toddler child care settings
- Must complete California-mandated Child Abuse Reporter Training as well as Pesticide Safety Training prior to beginning work
- Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Skype)
- Ability to properly interpret and implement regulations of the California Department of Education, Funding Terms and Conditions (Title 5), Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (Title 22), Head Start Performance Standards, and of Easterseals policies and procedures
- Ability to communicate effectively through oral and written skills and work cooperatively with a variety of individuals and groups
- Must relate well to children and their families and maintain a positive affect
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, plan, establish and meet timelines
- Ability to stand for extended periods
- Ability to lift 40 lbs. continuously
- Ability to reach, bend, stoop, and squat
- Must possess fine manual dexterity
- Ability to push, pull, talk/hear, with near and far visual acuity/depth perception/color vision/field of vision
- Ability to pass a post-offer physical examination and a TB test
- Ability to provide any/all current immunizations as required by the State of California for child development centers and staff
- Ability to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation per Easterseals Southern California and/or program requirements
- Must have sex offender index clearance
Job Qualifications
- High school diploma or national equivalent
- Must possess and maintain a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit
- Must meet ongoing educational requirements to qualify for child development permit/CDA requirements
- Must possess and maintain current pediatric (infant/toddler) CPR and first aid certificate
- Must possess food handler’s certificate
- Experience teaching in a preschool or infant/toddler classroom setting, which includes 50 days of 3+ hours per day within 2-year period
- Training and experience necessary to develop consistent, stable and supportive relationships with very young children
- Able to develop knowledge of infant and toddler development, safety issues in infant and toddler child care settings
- Must complete California-mandated Child Abuse Reporter Training as well as Pesticide Safety Training prior to beginning work
- Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office applications (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Skype)
- Ability to properly interpret and implement regulations of the California Department of Education, Funding Terms and Conditions (Title 5), Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (Title 22), Head Start Performance Standards, and of Easterseals policies and procedures
- Ability to communicate effectively through oral and written skills and work cooperatively with a variety of individuals and groups
- Must relate well to children and their families and maintain a positive affect
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, plan, establish and meet timelines
- Ability to stand for extended periods
- Ability to lift 40 lbs. continuously
- Ability to reach, bend, stoop, and squat
- Must possess fine manual dexterity
- Ability to push, pull, talk/hear, with near and far visual acuity/depth perception/color vision/field of vision
- Ability to pass a post-offer physical examination and a TB test
- Ability to provide any/all current immunizations as required by the State of California for child development centers and staff
- Ability to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation per Easterseals Southern California and/or program requirements
- Must have sex offender index clearance
Job Duties
- Performs as an educator for assigned children in the classroom throughout the child’s enrollment in the program
- Supports primary care-giving in meeting the personal care of children, including safety and visual supervision
- Plans, implements and supervises a developmentally appropriate and inclusive educational curriculum for young children, in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, policies and procedures and Easterseals Southern California standards of conduct
- Conducts home visits and parent conferences within required timelines
- Ensures individual child goals are created and implemented with parent input
- Maintains weekly lesson plans, progress and anecdotal notes, and current paperwork
- Completes child screenings and assessments within required timeframe
- Coordinates and conducts bi-monthly classroom unit meetings
- Provides input to evaluate volunteers and college interns
- Actively participates in staff meetings, parent meetings, and in-service training
- Participates in planning associate and parent training activities, parent meetings and workshops
- Coordinates parent education, training and support for pregnant women including prenatal education, breastfeeding information, and other health resources
- Performs other duties as assigned
Job Criteria
Experience
No experience required
Job Location
Your Profile Is Visible To Hiring Managers Across OysterLink.
We'll match you with best jobs
Get job offers faster
Search For More Opportunities:
How Candidates Get Hired Faster
Apply to 2–3 similar roles
Complete profile & get best matches
Check new opportunities daily
