Early Childhood Teacher Jobs in California

Early Childhood Teacher jobs in California are among the most active in the nation, with consistent openings in public school districts, Head Start programs, and private childcare centers from entry-level assistant teacher roles through lead teacher and site director positions. Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego account for the largest share of postings, where employers like the Los Angeles Unified School District, First 5 California grantees, and KinderCare Education maintain steady hiring. The most in-demand specialties are infant and toddler care, special education inclusion support, and transitional kindergarten instruction. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Early Childhood Teacher Jobs

Overview

Open roles8+
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring4
Work type88% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 8+ Early Childhood Teacher jobs

Think Academy US
Early Childhood Teacher
We won't show you this job again
Think Academy US
Added 3d ago
Early Childhood Teacher
Think Academy US
San Jose, California
Teaching & Instruction
K-12 Teaching
$16 - $30/hr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's

Have you applied for this role?

Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Early Childhood Teacher
We won't show you this job again
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Added 2mo ago
Early Childhood Teacher
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
San Jose, California
Teaching & Instruction
K-12 Teaching
On-Site
High School

Have you applied for this role?

La Scuola International School
Preschool / Early Childhood Education Teacher
We won't show you this job again
La Scuola International School
Added 1mo ago
Preschool / Early Childhood Education Teacher
La Scuola International School
San Francisco, California
Teaching & Instruction
K-12 Teaching
Higher Education
On-Site
Bachelor's

Have you applied for this role?

Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Early Childhood Substitute Teacher
We won't show you this job again
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Added 3mo ago
Early Childhood Substitute Teacher
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
San Francisco, California
Teaching & Instruction
K-12 Teaching
On-Site
High School

Have you applied for this role?

Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Early Childhood Summer Camp Teacher
We won't show you this job again
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Added 2mo ago
Early Childhood Summer Camp Teacher
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
San Jose, California
Teaching & Instruction
K-12 Teaching
On-Site
High School

Have you applied for this role?

See All 8 Early Childhood Teacher Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Early Childhood Teacher Jobs

Early Childhood Teacher Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
3 jobs
San Jose
3 jobs
Mill Valley
1 jobs
San Mateo
1 jobs

Early Childhood Teacher Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Bright Horizons Family Solutions
    Bright Horizons Family Solutions5
  • La Scuola International School
    La Scuola International School1
  • San Francisco Unified School District
    San Francisco Unified School District1
  • Think Academy US
    Think Academy US1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services5
  • Education3
  • Government & Public Sector1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in early childhood teacher jobs across California.

  • Holds a valid California Child Development Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
  • Completed an associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a closely related field
  • Experience working in a licensed childcare center or preschool classroom setting
  • Knowledge of California Community Care Licensing regulations and Title 22 health and safety standards
  • Ability to pass a California Department of Justice and FBI fingerprint background clearance
  • Familiar with Desired Results Developmental Profile assessment tools used in California programs

Early Childhood Teacher Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a early childhood teacher in California?

To become an early childhood teacher in California, you must obtain a California Child Development Permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Permits are tiered from Associate through Master Teacher level, each requiring a combination of college units in early childhood education and verified hours working with children. Most classroom teaching positions require at least an Associate Teacher Permit, and many public school transitional kindergarten roles require a full teaching credential.

How much do early childhood teachers make in California?

Early childhood teachers in California earn a median of about $47,400 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $37,870 for the lowest 10% to over $65,350 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire early childhood teachers in California?

Employers hiring early childhood teachers in California right now include Bright Horizons Family Solutions, La Scuola International School, and San Francisco Unified School District, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large public school districts, Head Start agencies, and regional childcare networks together account for a significant portion of open roles across the state.

Which California cities have the most early childhood teacher jobs?

San Francisco, San Jose, and Mill Valley have the most early childhood teacher openings in California. Los Angeles dominates due to the scale of LAUSD and a dense network of Head Start and subsidized childcare sites, while San Jose and San Diego reflect strong demand from working families in high-cost metro areas where publicly funded preschool and childcare expansion has been significant.

Are there remote early childhood teacher jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Early childhood teaching is inherently hands-on, requiring in-person presence with young children in licensed facilities. About 13% of early childhood teacher openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those tend to be administrative, coaching, or curriculum development roles rather than classroom teaching positions.

How can I get hired as a early childhood teacher in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for an assistant teacher or aide position at a Head Start program or a California State Preschool Program site, which commonly hire candidates who are actively completing their early childhood education units. Large California community college districts run early childhood lab programs that provide supervised classroom hours, and obtaining even the entry-level Associate Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing gives candidates a measurable advantage over unlicensed applicants.

Where can I find and apply to early childhood teacher jobs in California?

You can find and apply to early childhood teacher jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your experience and location, and apply directly.

See All 8 Early Childhood Teacher Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Early Childhood Teacher Jobs