OPT Early Childhood Education Jobs
Early childhood education jobs on OPT are available at preschools, Head Start programs, childcare centers, and K-3 schools. Most roles require a degree in early childhood education or child development. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on whether your degree falls under a qualifying CIP code.
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Get Access To All JobsApplications will be received until May 14, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org.
About this job:
Special Education (SPED) Teachers work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects to students with mild to moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills to students with severe disabilities. This position is located at a Special Education Center program - This position supports 2 half-day ECE autism programs, one in AM and one in PM, with 3 paraprofessionals to support.
Notice to Applicants: This vacancy is at a school designated as an “Innovation School.” For more information, please contact the school and/or DCTA.
What DPS Offers You:
A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
- Competitive Teacher Compensation and Procomp Incentive plan, click here for the DCTA Teacher and SSP Salary Schedule. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles. Please note: You must submit all relevant documentation via onboarding before the deadline (15 days after receiving your offer letter) for salary setting purposes.
- In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.
What You'll Do:
- Develops and executes individualized lesson plans in all subject areas, providing for direct instruction while maintaining a focus on District standards and benchmarks.
- Administers and interprets both formal and informal individualized educational assessments.
- Monitors, supervises, coordinates, and enforces rule of conduct and behavior of assigned students; reinforces positive student behaviors in accordance with school and District policy.
- Prepares lesson plans and materials according to curriculum guidelines, adapting teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests; establishes and communicates to students clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects; and instructs students individually and in groups using various teaching methods.
- Provides daily living (e.g. toileting, diapering, feeding, personal hygiene) following universal precautions and as trained and directed; operates, monitors, and performs maintenance of adaptive technology and equipment; and lifts and transports students using appropriate equipment and lifting technique.
- May participate in extra-duty activities as outlined in the teachers' collective bargaining agreement (this is for coaching, tutoring, or summer programs, etc. for Dept. of Labor laws).
What You’ll Need:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field required. A Master's Degree is only required for Concurrent Enrollment positions.
- Have a valid Colorado Department of Education (CDE) teaching license. Click here for additional information regarding specific requirements and qualifications for the various subject areas (DPS does accept a CDE Application Receipt for 90 days).
- Experience working with young special needs students and their parents preferred.
- Experience working with young special needs children who represent the diversity of the District school community is preferred.
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
Applications will be received until May 14, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org.
About this job:
Special Education (SPED) Teachers work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects to students with mild to moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills to students with severe disabilities. This position is located at a Special Education Center program - This position supports 2 half-day ECE autism programs, one in AM and one in PM, with 3 paraprofessionals to support.
Notice to Applicants: This vacancy is at a school designated as an “Innovation School.” For more information, please contact the school and/or DCTA.
What DPS Offers You:
A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
- Competitive Teacher Compensation and Procomp Incentive plan, click here for the DCTA Teacher and SSP Salary Schedule. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles. Please note: You must submit all relevant documentation via onboarding before the deadline (15 days after receiving your offer letter) for salary setting purposes.
- In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.
What You'll Do:
- Develops and executes individualized lesson plans in all subject areas, providing for direct instruction while maintaining a focus on District standards and benchmarks.
- Administers and interprets both formal and informal individualized educational assessments.
- Monitors, supervises, coordinates, and enforces rule of conduct and behavior of assigned students; reinforces positive student behaviors in accordance with school and District policy.
- Prepares lesson plans and materials according to curriculum guidelines, adapting teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests; establishes and communicates to students clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects; and instructs students individually and in groups using various teaching methods.
- Provides daily living (e.g. toileting, diapering, feeding, personal hygiene) following universal precautions and as trained and directed; operates, monitors, and performs maintenance of adaptive technology and equipment; and lifts and transports students using appropriate equipment and lifting technique.
- May participate in extra-duty activities as outlined in the teachers' collective bargaining agreement (this is for coaching, tutoring, or summer programs, etc. for Dept. of Labor laws).
What You’ll Need:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field required. A Master's Degree is only required for Concurrent Enrollment positions.
- Have a valid Colorado Department of Education (CDE) teaching license. Click here for additional information regarding specific requirements and qualifications for the various subject areas (DPS does accept a CDE Application Receipt for 90 days).
- Experience working with young special needs students and their parents preferred.
- Experience working with young special needs children who represent the diversity of the District school community is preferred.
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
See all 38+ OPT Early Childhood Education Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Early Childhood Education Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Early Childhood Education
Target public school districts early
Public school districts often have HR departments familiar with work authorization. Apply 3 to 4 months before the school year starts, when hiring decisions are made and there is still time to process your OPT documentation.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Early childhood education and child development degrees sometimes qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before job searching so you can honestly represent your authorization timeline to employers.
Address work authorization proactively in applications
Many childcare employers are unfamiliar with OPT. Include a brief, clear sentence in your cover letter explaining that you are authorized to work for any employer and that no sponsorship is currently required during your OPT period.
Focus on employers with established HR infrastructure
Larger childcare chains, university-affiliated lab schools, and nonprofit Head Start grantees are more likely to have HR teams that understand employment verification and EAD documentation than small independent centers.
Get your state teaching license or CDA credential now
Many states require a Child Development Associate credential or state teaching license for lead teacher roles. Obtaining credentials before you apply removes a hiring barrier and signals long-term commitment to employers considering OPT students.
Plan your H-1B or O-1 pathway before OPT ends
Early childhood education roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship if the position requires a relevant bachelor's degree. Research which employers have sponsored visas before and discuss long-term options with any employer before your OPT authorization expires.
Early Childhood Education OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a lead teacher or classroom teacher on OPT?
Yes. Lead teacher and classroom teacher roles at preschools, Head Start programs, and elementary schools are eligible OPT employment as long as the work is directly related to your degree in early childhood education or child development. Your EAD card serves as proof of work authorization. Make sure the job description aligns with your field of study, which your DSO can help you confirm.
Does an early childhood education degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific CIP code. Some early childhood education programs are classified under STEM-eligible codes, such as those emphasizing child development science or educational psychology. Others are not. Check with your DSO and confirm your program's CIP code on your I-20 before assuming STEM OPT eligibility. If your degree qualifies, you can apply for an additional 24 months of work authorization beyond your initial 12-month OPT period.
How do I find early childhood education employers who are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsoring employers, making it a practical starting point for early childhood education job searches. Beyond that, target larger organizations such as Head Start grantees, university lab schools, and nonprofit childcare networks, which tend to have HR teams more familiar with EAD documentation and work authorization than small independent centers.
Will I need state licensure or a CDA credential to work on OPT in this field?
State licensure and credential requirements vary. Many states require a Child Development Associate credential, a state-issued teaching license, or both for lead teacher roles in licensed childcare facilities. These requirements apply to all workers regardless of immigration status, so you should research your state's specific rules and pursue any required credentials before or shortly after starting your job search.
Can an early childhood education employer sponsor me for an H-1B after OPT?
Yes, early childhood education roles can qualify for H-1B sponsorship if the position genuinely requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as early childhood education or child development. Public school districts and larger nonprofit organizations are the most common sponsors in this field. Confirm H-1B eligibility with an immigration attorney before committing to an employer, and have the conversation with your employer well before your OPT period ends.