Montessori Preschool Teacher

Preschool Teacher

Hungry Caterpillars Early Education Center
Marina District | San Francisco, CA
Pay: $32.00–$35.00 per hour
Job Type: Full-Time | On-Site

About Us

Hungry Caterpillars Early Education Center is a family-owned preschool located in San Francisco's Marina District. We provide a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment where children are encouraged to explore, build independence, and develop a genuine love of learning.

Our program emphasizes child-led learning, hands-on activities, group play, and developmentally appropriate experiences. We believe children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and excited to explore the world around them.

We are a close-knit school community and place a strong emphasis on meaningful relationships with our children, families, and teachers.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced, dependable, and passionate Lead Preschool Teacher to join our Marina team.

The ideal candidate is a confident classroom leader who has a strong understanding of early childhood development, enjoys working collaboratively with other teachers, and is comfortable taking initiative within the classroom.

This is a hands-on teaching position for someone who loves being directly involved with children while also providing guidance and support to fellow classroom staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preschool classroom and provide a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment for children.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities and learning experiences.
• Encourage independence, creativity, problem-solving, social development, and positive peer relationships.
• Maintain a consistent daily classroom routine while remaining responsive to children's individual needs and interests.
• Provide guidance, support, and positive leadership to assistant teachers and classroom staff.
• Model positive classroom management and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
• Observe children's development and communicate appropriately with families about their child's experience at school.
• Build strong, professional, and welcoming relationships with parents and families.
• Work collaboratively with the Preschool Director and ownership to maintain high standards throughout the program.
• Help ensure compliance with California Community Care Licensing requirements, including supervision, ratios, health and safety practices, and required documentation.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, classroom observations, and professional development.
• Assist with maintaining an organized, positive, and collaborative classroom environment.
• Maintain a clean, welcoming, organized, and safe classroom.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED: At least 15 semester units of qualifying college coursework, including 12 units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and 3 units in administration or staff relations, plus at least 4 years of qualifying teaching experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program.
• Associate Degree: An Associate degree with a major or emphasis in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, including 3 semester units in administration or staff relations, plus at least 2 years of qualifying teaching experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program.
• Bachelor's Degree: A bachelor's degree with a major or emphasis in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, including 3 semester units in administration or staff relations, plus at least 1 year of qualifying teaching experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program.
• California Child Development Permit: A valid California Child Development Site Supervisor Permit or California Child Development Program Director Permit.

Candidates must be able to provide documentation verifying their education, coursework, experience, and/or Child Development Permit.

Additional Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Lead Teacher or in a classroom leadership role strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Confident and effective classroom management skills.
• Ability to guide and support other teachers while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Warm, patient, dependable, and genuinely enthusiastic about working with young children.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally and compassionately with families.
• Reliable, proactive, and comfortable taking initiative.
• Comfortable taking on additional responsibilities and growing within the program.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Two weeks of paid vacation annually.
• One week of paid sick leave annually.
• Paid observed holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth and increased responsibility.
• Opportunities for advancement within the program.
• Supportive, family-owned work environment.

Schedule

This is a full-time, on-site position at our Marina District preschool in San Francisco.

Consistent attendance, punctuality, and reliability are essential for this position.

How to Apply

Please send your resume, cover letter, and documentation of relevant education, permits, and certifications to [email protected].

We would love to hear about your experience in early childhood education, your approach to classroom leadership, and what you believe creates a positive preschool environment for children and teachers.

Hungry Caterpillars Early Education Center is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences who share our commitment to providing children with a nurturing, inclusive, and inspiring place to learn and grow.

We look forward to welcoming a new Lead Teacher to the Hungry Caterpillars family!

Indeed Application Screening Questions

1. How many semester units have you completed in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development?

Short answer

2. Have you completed at least 3 semester units in early childhood program administration or staff relations?

• Yes
• No

3. Which of the following best describes your education?

• High school diploma/GED + college-level ECE coursework
• Associate degree in ECE, Child Development, or related field
• Bachelor's degree in ECE, Child Development, or related field
• Master's degree in ECE, Child Development, or related field
• Other

4. Do you currently hold a California Child Development Permit?

• No permit
• Associate Teacher Permit
• Teacher Permit
• Master Teacher Permit
• Site Supervisor Permit
• Program Director Permit

5. How many years of experience do you have as a Lead Teacher or in another classroom leadership position?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1–2 years
• 3+ years

6. Are you available to work full-time, Monday through Friday, on-site in the Marina District of San Francisco?

• Yes
• No

7. Are you comfortable providing guidance and direction to other classroom teachers and assistants as part of your Lead Teacher responsibilities?

• Yes
• No

8. Please briefly describe your approach to classroom management when a preschool-aged child is having repeated challenging behaviors.

Short answer

Indeed Job Details

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $32.00–$35.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education: Associate degree or equivalent qualifying education and experience

Experience: Teaching experience based on qualifying education pathway

License/Certification: CPR Certification (Required)

Work Location: In person

Pay: $32.00 - $35.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person