Lead or Co-Preschool Teacher

About the Role

Explorer Children’s School is seeking an experienced, thoughtful, and enthusiastic Lead or Co-Preschool Teacher to become part of our growing team. We are a Reggio Emilia-inspired program where play, inquiry, relationships, nature, STEM, literacy, and the arts come together to create meaningful experiences for young children.

As a Lead or Co-Teacher, you will take an active role in shaping the rhythm and culture of your classroom. You’ll create inviting learning environments where children can wonder, ask questions, investigate, collaborate, and build confidence in themselves as capable learners. In partnership with the Director and teaching team, you’ll use children’s interests and ideas as a starting point for meaningful curriculum experiences, while documenting their learning and celebrating their development.

We’re looking for an educator who views teaching as an ongoing process of learning and reflection—someone who genuinely enjoys observing children, following their ideas and curiosity, and creating joyful opportunities for discovery each day.

Primary Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a warm, welcoming, well-organized classroom community where children feel secure, valued, respected, and excited to learn.
• Plan and facilitate emergent, inquiry-driven curriculum based on children’s interests, questions, observations, and developing ideas.
• Create experiences that naturally weave together literacy, science, technology (i.e. tools), engineering, mathematics, creative arts, dramatic play, social-emotional learning, and physical development.
• Carefully observe children’s play, interactions, and conversations to uncover opportunities for deeper exploration, extended investigations, and collaborative projects.
• Capture and communicate children’s learning through photographs, written observations, classroom displays, portfolios, and other forms of documentation.
• Encourage independence, problem-solving, empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation through respectful guidance and positive classroom practices.
• Collaborate with the Director to reflect on curriculum, classroom environments, teaching practices, and the individual development of children.
• Collaborate closely with Director in implementing developmentally appropriate, emergent science, math & engineering curriculum.
• Provide mentorship, support, encouragement, and positive modeling for Assistant Teachers.
• Maintain an organized, thoughtfully prepared classroom environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, discovery, and purposeful play.
• Develop positive, trusting relationships with families through ongoing communication, conferences, and collaboration around each child’s growth and development.
• Follow all applicable California licensing requirements, health and safety regulations, and Explorer Children’s School policies.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or equivalent education meeting California Title 22 Lead Teacher requirements.
• Current permits, certifications, and licensing qualifications required for the position.
• At least 5 years of experience teaching in a high-quality early childhood education program.
• Strong knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Experience with, or a genuine interest in, Reggio Emilia-inspired education.
• Experience with, or a genuine enthusiasm for incorporating science, engineering, mathematics, literacy, art, and nature into children’s everyday learning experiences.
• Strong skills in observation, documentation, curriculum development, and classroom leadership.
• A collaborative approach and willingness to reflect, grow, learn, and contribute to a supportive teaching team.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• A joyful, patient, creative educator who believes children learn through relationships, exploration, curiosity, and play.

If you’re excited about helping create a thoughtful, play-based learning community where children’s questions and ideas are valued and help shape the curriculum, we’d love to meet you!

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Pay: $25.00 - $40.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person