Early Childhood Education Jobs in California
Early Childhood Education jobs in California concentrate in public school districts, licensed childcare centers, Head Start programs, and nonprofit community organizations, with demand running from entry-level aide positions to lead teacher and program director roles. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where employers such as Los Angeles Unified School District, First 5 California grantees, and KinderCare Education maintain a lasting presence. The most sought-after specialties include infant and toddler development, special education support, and dual-language instruction. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Grow your teaching career with Bright Horizons, where you can make a meaningful impact on children’s lives every day. Learn from early education experts while having the opportunity to pursue a CDA or college degree at no cost. Experience this and more as a Bright Horizons Teacher.
Full-time position available with infants and toddlers.
Responsibilities:
Create hands-on activities to meet the needs and interests of the children
Maintain open communication with parents, sharing their child's daily milestones
Ensure a safe and clean classroom by following essential procedures and guidelines
Qualifications:
Candidates must pass required state and company background checks and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements:
18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED is required
12 ECE units completed required: Child Development, Child Family Community and 2 curriculum courses. If applying for an Infant or Toddler position the Infant/Toddler class is required as one of the curriculum courses. *Transcripts will be required at time of hire.*
College-level coursework in early childhood education, CDA, or an associate or bachelor’s degree in early education or related field is preferred
1 year of professional experience teaching in child care, daycare, or preschool settings is preferred
Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) for children is required
Be part of a community where people grow, futures are shaped, and lives are changed. We offer the rewards, opportunities, and support you deserve because making a difference goes both ways. We’re changing the world of work and family, and it starts with you. At Bright Horizons, you’re the difference.
Physical Requirements:
This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, Bright Horizons’, and client site requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training.
If hired, you will work in person in an early education/preschool child care center to provide supervision, care, curriculum delivery and services per Bright Horizons’ policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure the safety of children in Bright Horizons care and the employee.
Frequently lift, carry, or hold children with a range of weight from 10 to 40 pounds; occasionally lift, carry, or hold weight more than 40 pounds
Demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities
Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies
Maintain mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements
The full set of physical requirements for this role can be reviewed at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/job-descriptions. Bright Horizons complies with all laws that require reasonable accommodation for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations.
This position requires in-person work in the San Mateo, California area.
Compensation:
The hourly rate for this position is between $25.75 - $31.45. The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.
Benefits:
Bright Horizons offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Paid vacation, sick, holiday, and parental bonding leave
401(k) retirement plan
Long-term and short-term disability insurance
Life insurance
Money-saving discounts and financial planning tools
Career development opportunities and free college degrees through our Horizons CDA & Degree Program
Caregiving support and resources for the children and adults in your family
Learn more at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/us/en/health-and-wellness
Life at Bright Horizons:
At Bright Horizons, you’re more than your job title — you’re the difference. Whether you’re nurturing a child’s first steps or supporting the systems behind the scenes, your work creates real impact. We’re a community that celebrates individuality, invests in your growth, and supports your whole self. Because when you thrive, so do the children, families, and clients we serve. Join us and help build a brighter future — for yourself and for others.
Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).
If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
See All 36 Early Childhood Education Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEarly Childhood Education Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Early Childhood Education Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Bright Horizons Family Solutions11

- YMCA of the East Bay3

- South Central LAMP2S
- Meaningful Beginnings2
- University of California Berkeley2

Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Government & Public Sector
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in early childhood education jobs across California.
- Holds a California Child Development Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- Completed an Associate or Bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education
- Demonstrated experience working with children ages zero to five in a licensed setting
- Knowledge of California Title 22 and Title 5 child care licensing regulations
- Ability to pass a California Department of Justice and FBI background clearance
- Proficiency in observational assessment and individualized education planning
Early Childhood Education Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a early childhood education in California?
The primary credential for early childhood education work in California is the Child Development Permit, issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Permits are tiered from Associate Teacher through Site Supervisor, each requiring a combination of completed units in child development from a California community college or university and verified hours working with children. Many public school roles additionally require a California Multiple Subject or Education Specialist credential depending on the age group served.
Which companies hire early childhood educations in California?
California early childhood education roles are posted by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, YMCA of the East Bay, and South Central LAMP and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's size and its strong public investment in early learning through programs like First 5 and state-subsidized childcare means openings appear consistently at school districts, Head Start agencies, and large nonprofit childcare operators statewide.
Which California cities have the most early childhood education jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Dublin account for the highest concentration of early childhood education openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its sheer population and the scale of LAUSD and county-funded Head Start programs, while the San Francisco Bay Area draws demand from well-funded nonprofit providers and technology-sector employer childcare centers, and San Diego's military family population and border-region bilingual programs sustain steady hiring.
Are there remote early childhood education jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Early childhood education is fundamentally hands-on work with young children in licensed facilities, so fully remote roles make up only a small fraction of the market. About 0% of early childhood education openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to be in curriculum development, family coaching, or program administration rather than direct classroom instruction.
How can I get hired as a early childhood education in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for an associate teacher or aide role at a Head Start or state-subsidized childcare center, which are required to hire at entry level and often provide on-the-job support toward completing the units needed for a California Child Development Associate Teacher Permit. Large California school districts run classified paraprofessional pipelines that allow instructional aides to advance into credentialed teaching with district tuition support. Community college early childhood education programs across the state, including those at Los Angeles City College and City College of San Francisco, offer affordable coursework that satisfies permit requirements and makes candidates immediately competitive for entry roles.
Where can I find and apply to early childhood education jobs in California?
You can find and apply to early childhood education jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers hiring now. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, credential level, and preferred region, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 36 Early Childhood Education Jobs in California
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