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.

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Overview

Open roles105+
Top employerBright Horizons Family Solutions
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring50
Work type86% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 105+ Early Childhood Teacher jobs

Early Childhood Education Manager
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Added 2d ago
Early Childhood Education Manager
Easterseals Southern California
Ontario, California
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$73k - $90k/yr
CPR Certification
1,001-5,000

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Music Teacher Early Childhood Music Classes
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Added 3d ago
Music Teacher Early Childhood Music Classes
Nightingale Music School
La Jolla, California
Creative Arts & Performance
Event Planning
Music Production
$55 - $135/hr
On-Site
2-10

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Early Education Childhood Teacher
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Added 4d ago
Early Education Childhood Teacher
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Palo Alto, California
Corporate Training
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
$25.75 - $31.45/hr
Associate's degree in early childhood education
10,000+

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Early Childhood Coach
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Added 4d ago
Early Childhood Coach
Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California
Corporate Training
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Curriculum Design
Instructional Design
$23.32 - $28.56/hr
CPR Certification
501-1,000

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Remote Early Childhood Teacher (PT)
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Remote Early Childhood Teacher (PT)
Think Academy US
San Jose, California
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$16 - $22/hr
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree
201-500

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Early Childhood Teacher Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
9 jobs
Los Angeles
8 jobs
San Mateo
7 jobs
San Diego
5 jobs
San Jose
4 jobs
Palo Alto
4 jobs
Redwood City
4 jobs
Oakland
3 jobs
Berkeley
3 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 Solutions26
  • YMCA of the East Bay6
  • Mexican American Opportunity Foundation4
  • Rising Star Preschool3
  • Oakland Unified School District3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Government & Public Sector
  • Healthcare & Medical Services

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, YMCA of the East Bay, and Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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, Los Angeles, and San Mateo 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 14% of early childhood teacher openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 105+ 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