Early Childhood Education Jobs in Missouri
Early Childhood Education jobs in Missouri are in steady demand, concentrated in public school districts, licensed childcare centers, Head Start programs, and nonprofit community organizations serving families across the state. Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield are the largest hiring markets, home to established employers such as the KC Public Schools, St. Louis Public Schools, and the Missouri Head Start Collaboration Office network. The most consistently sought specialties include infant and toddler care, special education support, and Pre-K classroom instruction. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Early Childhood Education jobs
This is more than just a daycare job. It’s a journey, where you learn, grow, thrive—and play—every day. Being a teacher at a child care center is something special. We’re hiring and we want difference makers who will inspire children to become lifelong learners.
La Petite Academy is seeking Lead Toddler, Twos and Preschool Teachers.
As a Lead Teacher, you’ll:
- Create! Develop fun, interactive learning experiences while mentoring fellow Teachers.
- Care! Promote the social, physical, and intellectual growth of the preschool children in your class.
- Call the shots! Take the lead on classroom management and curriculum implementation, plus be an expert on all licensing guidelines and company standards.
- Communicate! Build sincere relationships with enrolled and prospective families to promote achievement for the child and to support your center’s success.
We want energetic, dependable, passionate individuals who are at least 18 and have:
- Experience leading a classroom and creating educational lesson plans.
- The ability to meet state requirements for education and our childcare center requirements.
- The ability to work indoors or outdoors and engage in physical activity with children.
Compensation and Benefits
-
Compensation based on Position, Education and Experience. Bi-weekly and Daily Pay options
- Lead Teacher- $17.36-$18.03
- Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, and FSA) provided for full-time employees, Limited medical offered for part-time workers
- Education assistance including tuition reimbursement and certification, 401K (plus company match), life and disability insurance and child care discount available to all employees
- Monday through Friday work week.
We strive to make a meaningful impact on every child, their families, and the communities we serve. From infants to school-age students, our comprehensive, research-based curriculum supports holistic child development in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. As experts in childcare and early education, we prepare children for school, instill a lifelong love of learning, and build a strong foundation for their future success
This is more than just a daycare job. It’s a journey, where you learn, grow, thrive—and play—every day. Being a teacher at a child care center is something special. We’re hiring and we want difference makers who will inspire children to become lifelong learners.
La Petite Academy is seeking Lead Toddler, Twos and Preschool Teachers.
As a Lead Teacher, you’ll:
- Create! Develop fun, interactive learning experiences while mentoring fellow Teachers.
- Care! Promote the social, physical, and intellectual growth of the preschool children in your class.
- Call the shots! Take the lead on classroom management and curriculum implementation, plus be an expert on all licensing guidelines and company standards.
- Communicate! Build sincere relationships with enrolled and prospective families to promote achievement for the child and to support your center’s success.
We want energetic, dependable, passionate individuals who are at least 18 and have:
- Experience leading a classroom and creating educational lesson plans.
- The ability to meet state requirements for education and our childcare center requirements.
- The ability to work indoors or outdoors and engage in physical activity with children.
Compensation and Benefits
-
Compensation based on Position, Education and Experience. Bi-weekly and Daily Pay options
- Lead Teacher- $17.36-$18.03
- Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, and FSA) provided for full-time employees, Limited medical offered for part-time workers
- Education assistance including tuition reimbursement and certification, 401K (plus company match), life and disability insurance and child care discount available to all employees
- Monday through Friday work week.
We strive to make a meaningful impact on every child, their families, and the communities we serve. From infants to school-age students, our comprehensive, research-based curriculum supports holistic child development in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. As experts in childcare and early education, we prepare children for school, instill a lifelong love of learning, and build a strong foundation for their future success
See All 13 Early Childhood Education Jobs in Missouri
Find roles in Missouri that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEarly Childhood Education Jobs by City in Missouri
Where Missouri roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Early Childhood Education Job Market in Missouri
A snapshot from current Missouri openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Missouri Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in early childhood education jobs across Missouri.
- Active Missouri Early Childhood Certificate or Child Development Associate credential required
- Bachelor's or associate degree in early childhood education or child development preferred
- Experience working in a licensed childcare, Head Start, or Pre-K classroom setting
- Knowledge of Missouri's early learning standards and Show-Me Early Learning benchmarks
- Ability to pass a Missouri background screening and fingerprint clearance
- Strong skills in developmentally appropriate practice, family communication, and observational assessment
Early Childhood Education Jobs in Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a early childhood education in Missouri?
To work as an early childhood educator in Missouri, you typically need at minimum a Child Development Associate credential or an associate degree in early childhood education, with a bachelor's degree required for lead teacher and Pre-K positions in public schools. Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education issues Early Childhood Certificates for those working in school-based settings. Missouri also uses a tiered quality rating system called Quality Stars, and many employers require educators to meet specific training hours documented through the Missouri Professional Development System.
Which companies hire early childhood educations in Missouri?
Companies currently hiring early childhood educations in Missouri include TheraPeds, Ability KC, and La Petite Academy, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Missouri's largest public school districts, federally funded Head Start grantees, and statewide childcare networks affiliated with the Missouri Department of Social Services tend to post the most consistent volume of openings year-round.
Which Missouri cities have the most early childhood education jobs?
St. Louis, Kansas City, and Brentwood have the most early childhood education openings in Missouri. Kansas City and St. Louis drive the highest volume because of their large public school districts, dense Head Start program networks, and concentration of nonprofit family service organizations, while Springfield's growing population and university presence support steady demand for licensed childcare and Pre-K providers.
Are there remote early childhood education jobs in Missouri?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of early childhood education openings tied to Missouri are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how hands-on and classroom-centered most of these roles are. The portions of the field most likely to include remote work are curriculum development, early childhood program coordination, and family support or home visiting roles that involve documentation and virtual consultations rather than direct daily care.
How can I get hired as a early childhood education in Missouri with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a teacher aide or classroom assistant role at a licensed childcare center or Head Start program, which regularly hire candidates who are still completing their Child Development Associate credential. Large Missouri Head Start grantees run paid training programs that allow entry-level staff to build hours toward state requirements. Missouri's Quality Stars initiative also supports new educators through funded professional development. Earning a CDA while working as an aide is the standard Missouri progression into a full lead teacher position.
Where can I find and apply to early childhood education jobs in Missouri?
You can find and apply to early childhood education jobs in Missouri on Migrate Mate, which lists current Missouri openings from school districts, childcare centers, Head Start programs, and other employers. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 13 Early Childhood Education Jobs in Missouri
Find roles in Missouri that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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