Preschool Teacher (and Part Time Positions Available)

Part-Time/Full-Time/Substitute Early Childhood Teacher

Netivot Shalom Preschool | Berkeley, California

We're looking for someone who finds joy in working with children, and believes learning happens through relationships, creativity, play, and meaningful experiences.

At Netivot Shalom Preschool, we're building a school culture rooted in kindness, collaboration, curiosity, and respect for children, families, one another, and the world around us. We want teachers who are reflective, open to feedback, willing to jump in wherever they're needed, and excited to continue growing alongside a supportive team.

If you're passionate about creating beautiful learning environments, spending time outdoors, celebrating Jewish life, and helping children develop confidence, empathy, and a love of learning, we'd love to welcome you to our community.

About Netivot Shalom Preschool

Netivot Shalom Preschool is a warm, inclusive, relationship-centered Jewish early childhood program serving children 18 months through 5 years and their families in Berkeley, California.

Our program is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and values children as capable, curious, creative, and active participants in their own learning.

We believe meaningful learning grows through play, exploration, collaboration, creativity, and strong relationships. Our teachers thoughtfully observe children, listen deeply to their ideas, and create engaging learning experiences that build upon children's interests, developmental needs, questions, and natural curiosity.

Jewish values, traditions, holidays, Hebrew language, music, ritual, and community are woven into everyday life at our school. We strive to create an environment where children develop a strong sense of belonging, learn to care for themselves and others, and experience Judaism as joyful, meaningful, and connected to daily life.

Our program is also strengthening its commitment to Shomrei Adamah—caring for and protecting the Earth. We value nature-based learning, sustainability, gardening, outdoor exploration, and the creative use of recycled and open-ended materials that inspire children's curiosity and connection to the natural world.

We are committed to building a welcoming and inclusive community where children, families, and educators of all backgrounds, identities, cultures, religions, abilities, family structures, and lived experiences are respected, celebrated, and valued.

Position Overview

The Early Childhood Teacher will help create a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment where young children feel safe, valued, capable, and excited to learn.

Working collaboratively with the Director and teaching team, this educator will support children's social-emotional, cognitive, physical, creative, and Jewish development while fostering meaningful relationships with children, families, and colleagues.

The ideal candidate is enthusiastic about play-based and emergent learning, enjoys spending time outdoors, values strong relationships, and approaches teaching with curiosity, flexibility, warmth, and respect. We are seeking someone who believes children learn best through meaningful experiences and is committed to creating an inclusive classroom where every child can thrive.

Primary Responsibilities

The Early Childhood Teacher will:

• Create and maintain a warm, safe, welcoming, and engaging classroom environment.
• Build trusting, responsive, and respectful relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Plan and facilitate developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, independence, collaboration, and exploration.
• Observe children closely and use documentation, reflection, and children's interests to guide curriculum and classroom experiences.
• Support an emergent, child-centered curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy.
• Incorporate open-ended materials, art, sensory experiences, dramatic play, music, movement, storytelling, literacy, and hands-on exploration into the daily program.
• Foster meaningful connections with nature through outdoor play, gardening, environmental exploration, and experiences that encourage children to care for the Earth.
• Integrate Jewish values, traditions, holidays, Hebrew vocabulary, music, stories, ritual, and community into daily classroom life in joyful and developmentally appropriate ways.
• Support children during arrival, meals, toileting and diapering, rest time, transitions, outdoor play, and departure.
• Maintain active supervision and follow all California Community Care Licensing health and safety requirements.
• Use positive guidance and responsive teaching practices to support children's behavior and emotional regulation.
• Provide individualized support while honoring each child's unique strengths, developmental needs, identity, learning style, and family background.
• Collaborate closely with co-teachers, the Director, and school staff to create consistency and a positive team culture.
• Communicate professionally and compassionately with families regarding children's growth and development.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, reflective practice, and school-wide events.
• Contribute to a workplace culture grounded in kindness, respect, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Assist with classroom organization, documentation, cleaning, preparation, and other duties that support the smooth operation of the preschool.

Qualifications

Candidates should possess:

• Experience working with toddlers or young children in an early childhood classroom, childcare program, preschool, or similar setting.
• A strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice.
• The ability to create engaging, inclusive, play-based learning experiences that support a range of developmental levels and learning styles.
• Strong observation, communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• A warm, patient, responsive, and respectful approach to working with young children.
• The ability to support children through challenging moments using positive guidance, empathy, and developmentally appropriate strategies.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and respect for diverse identities, cultures, abilities, and family structures.
• Flexibility, reliability, professionalism, and strong organizational skills.
• Enthusiasm for outdoor learning, sustainability, gardening, and environmental education.
• The ability to actively engage with young children, including sitting on the floor, bending, kneeling, and lifting up to 40 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are preferred but not required:

• Early Childhood Education coursework or units, with Infant/Toddler units strongly preferred.
• Experience in a Reggio Emilia inspired, emergent, play-based, or nature-based program.
• Experience supporting children with diverse developmental, sensory, behavioral, or communication needs.
• Familiarity with Jewish traditions, holidays, Hebrew vocabulary, music, and ritual.
• Experience working in a Jewish preschool or other Jewish educational setting.
• Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification.
• Completion of California Community Care Licensing requirements, including fingerprint clearance and TB clearance.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is based on education, experience, and qualifications.

Eligible full-time employees receive:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays (including Jewish and selected secular holidays)
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee childcare discount
• Flexible scheduling options

Employment Details

Position: Part-Time, Full-Time or Substitute Early Childhood Teacher

Location: Berkeley, California

Schedule: Monday–Friday; schedule to be determined

Work Setting: In person

Start Date: Open until filled

Equal Opportunity Employer

Netivot Shalom Preschool is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees, children, and families feel welcomed, respected, and valued.

How to Apply

If you're excited about nurturing young children through play, relationships, Jewish values, and nature-based learning, we'd love to meet you.

Please send your resume and cover letter describing your experience, educational philosophy, and why you're interested in joining Netivot Shalom Preschool to [email protected].

Pay: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• CPR Certification (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Berkeley, CA 94702 (Required)

Work Location: In person