OPT Early Childhood Teacher Jobs
Early Childhood Teacher jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in early childhood education, child development, or a related field. Most roles qualify under STEM OPT extension guidelines only if your degree program is STEM-designated. Standard OPT gives you 12 months to work in this field before needing H-1B visa or another visa pathway.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Adventist Healthcare - Lourie Center Clinic seeks to hire an experienced Early Childhood Behavioral Health Therapist who will embrace our mission to extend God’s care through the ministry of physical, mental, and spiritual healing. The Lourie Center for Children's Social & Emotional Wellness is a private, non-profit agency with a mission to improve the social and emotional health of young children and their families through prevention, early intervention, education, research and training.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Early Childhood Behavioral Health Therapist You Will
- Initiates and implements complete, comprehensive psychosocial assessments
- Provides individual, group, and family therapies to clients and their families
- Participates in an interdisciplinary treatment team to propose and develop strategies and interventions that would promote excellent therapeutic outcomes
- Assesses and intervenes in cases of suspected/disclosed child/adult neglect/abuse issues
- Documents services provided and disseminates information/reports to community referral sources and agencies, i.e., DJJ, DSS, HHS, APS, CPS, LCC, etc
- Coordinates with the interdisciplinary team, referral sources, and community resources aftercare and supportive services to ensure a successful discharge planning process
- Promotes positive patient-family-community relations
- Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to diffuse psychotic and/or behavioral crises to ensure client, unit, and staff safety and stability
- Other duties as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s Degree in Social Work/Counseling or equivalent Master’s Degree in a recognized health field
- 1 year experience preferred
- LGSW/LMSW/LGPC/LGMFT in the State of Maryland
- Senior Licensure preferred
- Bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred
- Early Childhood Mental Health strongly preferred
- Play Therapy experience strongly preferred
WORK SCHEDULE
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Hours per Week: 40 hrs/week
- Typical Daily Schedule: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM Monday through Friday (One evening until 8pm)
- Shift Type: Day
- Weekend Requirements: None
- Holiday Requirements: Follow company holiday calendar
PAY RANGE
$60,486.56 - $100,360.00
If the salary range is listed as $0 or if the position is Per Diem (with a fixed rate), salary discussions will take place during the screening process.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), this position is classified as: United States of America (Exempt)
WHAT WE OFFER
- Work life balance through nonrotating shifts
- Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
- Free Employee parking
- Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents effective on your date of hire
- Employer-paid Short & Long-Term Disability, Basic Life Insurance and AD&D, (short-term disability buy-up available)
- Paid Time Off
- Employer retirement contribution and match after 1-year of eligible employment with a 3-year vesting period
- Voluntary benefits include flexible spending accounts, legal plans, and life, pet, auto, home, long term care, and critical illness & accident insurance
- Subsidized childcare at participating childcare centers
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support
As a faith-based organization, with over a century of caring for the communities in the Maryland area, Adventist HealthCare has earned a reputation for high-quality, compassionate care. Adventist HealthCare was the first and is the largest healthcare provider in Montgomery County. If you want to make a difference in someone’s life every day, consider a position with a team of professionals who are doing just that, making a difference. Join the Adventist HealthCare team today, apply now to be considered!
COVID-19 Vaccination
Adventist HealthCare strongly recommends all applicants to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before commencing employment. Applicants may be required to furnish proof of vaccination.
TOBACCO AND DRUG STATEMENT
Tobacco use is a well-recognized preventable cause of death in the United States and an important public health issue. In order to promote and maintain a healthy work environment, Adventist HealthCare will not hire applicants for employment who either state that they are nicotine users or who test positive for nicotine and drug use. While some jurisdictions, including Maryland, permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes, marijuana continues to be classified as an illegal drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act. As a result, medical marijuana use will not be accepted as a valid explanation for a positive drug test result. Adventist HealthCare will withdraw offers of employment to applicants who test positive for Cotinine (nicotine) and marijuana. Those testing positive are given the opportunity to re-apply in 90 days, if they can truthfully attest that they have not used any nicotine products in the past ninety (90) days and successfully pass follow-up testing. ("Nicotine products" include, but are not limited to: cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping products, hookah, and nicotine replacement products (e.g., nicotine gum, nicotine patches, nicotine lozenges, etc.).
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Adventist HealthCare is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to attracting, engaging, and developing the best people to cultivate our mission-centric culture. Our goal is to have a welcoming, equitable, and safe place to work and grow for all employees, no matter their background. AHC does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy and related medical conditions, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Adventist HealthCare will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Adventist HealthCare is a religious organization as defined under applicable law; however, it will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations for applicants’ religious beliefs. Applicants who wish to request accommodations for disabilities or religious belief should contact the Support Center HR Office.
INTRODUCTION
Adventist Healthcare - Lourie Center Clinic seeks to hire an experienced Early Childhood Behavioral Health Therapist who will embrace our mission to extend God’s care through the ministry of physical, mental, and spiritual healing. The Lourie Center for Children's Social & Emotional Wellness is a private, non-profit agency with a mission to improve the social and emotional health of young children and their families through prevention, early intervention, education, research and training.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Early Childhood Behavioral Health Therapist You Will
- Initiates and implements complete, comprehensive psychosocial assessments
- Provides individual, group, and family therapies to clients and their families
- Participates in an interdisciplinary treatment team to propose and develop strategies and interventions that would promote excellent therapeutic outcomes
- Assesses and intervenes in cases of suspected/disclosed child/adult neglect/abuse issues
- Documents services provided and disseminates information/reports to community referral sources and agencies, i.e., DJJ, DSS, HHS, APS, CPS, LCC, etc
- Coordinates with the interdisciplinary team, referral sources, and community resources aftercare and supportive services to ensure a successful discharge planning process
- Promotes positive patient-family-community relations
- Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to diffuse psychotic and/or behavioral crises to ensure client, unit, and staff safety and stability
- Other duties as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s Degree in Social Work/Counseling or equivalent Master’s Degree in a recognized health field
- 1 year experience preferred
- LGSW/LMSW/LGPC/LGMFT in the State of Maryland
- Senior Licensure preferred
- Bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred
- Early Childhood Mental Health strongly preferred
- Play Therapy experience strongly preferred
WORK SCHEDULE
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Hours per Week: 40 hrs/week
- Typical Daily Schedule: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM Monday through Friday (One evening until 8pm)
- Shift Type: Day
- Weekend Requirements: None
- Holiday Requirements: Follow company holiday calendar
PAY RANGE
$60,486.56 - $100,360.00
If the salary range is listed as $0 or if the position is Per Diem (with a fixed rate), salary discussions will take place during the screening process.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), this position is classified as: United States of America (Exempt)
WHAT WE OFFER
- Work life balance through nonrotating shifts
- Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
- Free Employee parking
- Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents effective on your date of hire
- Employer-paid Short & Long-Term Disability, Basic Life Insurance and AD&D, (short-term disability buy-up available)
- Paid Time Off
- Employer retirement contribution and match after 1-year of eligible employment with a 3-year vesting period
- Voluntary benefits include flexible spending accounts, legal plans, and life, pet, auto, home, long term care, and critical illness & accident insurance
- Subsidized childcare at participating childcare centers
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support
As a faith-based organization, with over a century of caring for the communities in the Maryland area, Adventist HealthCare has earned a reputation for high-quality, compassionate care. Adventist HealthCare was the first and is the largest healthcare provider in Montgomery County. If you want to make a difference in someone’s life every day, consider a position with a team of professionals who are doing just that, making a difference. Join the Adventist HealthCare team today, apply now to be considered!
COVID-19 Vaccination
Adventist HealthCare strongly recommends all applicants to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before commencing employment. Applicants may be required to furnish proof of vaccination.
TOBACCO AND DRUG STATEMENT
Tobacco use is a well-recognized preventable cause of death in the United States and an important public health issue. In order to promote and maintain a healthy work environment, Adventist HealthCare will not hire applicants for employment who either state that they are nicotine users or who test positive for nicotine and drug use. While some jurisdictions, including Maryland, permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes, marijuana continues to be classified as an illegal drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act. As a result, medical marijuana use will not be accepted as a valid explanation for a positive drug test result. Adventist HealthCare will withdraw offers of employment to applicants who test positive for Cotinine (nicotine) and marijuana. Those testing positive are given the opportunity to re-apply in 90 days, if they can truthfully attest that they have not used any nicotine products in the past ninety (90) days and successfully pass follow-up testing. ("Nicotine products" include, but are not limited to: cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping products, hookah, and nicotine replacement products (e.g., nicotine gum, nicotine patches, nicotine lozenges, etc.).
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Adventist HealthCare is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to attracting, engaging, and developing the best people to cultivate our mission-centric culture. Our goal is to have a welcoming, equitable, and safe place to work and grow for all employees, no matter their background. AHC does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy and related medical conditions, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Adventist HealthCare will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Adventist HealthCare is a religious organization as defined under applicable law; however, it will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations for applicants’ religious beliefs. Applicants who wish to request accommodations for disabilities or religious belief should contact the Support Center HR Office.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Early Childhood Teacher
Target private and independent schools first
Private preschools, Montessori schools, and independent early learning centers make hiring decisions faster than public school districts. They're also less bound by union contracts and civil service rules that can complicate OPT hiring timelines for international candidates.
Get your state teaching license early
Many states require an early childhood teaching license or Child Development Associate credential for classroom roles. Starting the licensure process before your OPT period begins prevents delays that could cost you job offers with employers who need someone ready to start immediately.
Be upfront about your OPT end date
Early childhood employers often plan hiring months in advance. Telling them your exact OPT expiration date and what visa options come next builds trust and helps them decide whether to begin H-1B visa sponsorship planning before your authorization runs out.
Emphasize CPR, first aid, and background clearances
Most early childhood roles require current CPR certification, first aid training, and a clean background check. Having these completed before you apply removes friction for employers who are already uncertain about the OPT hiring process and want candidates who are fully ready.
Focus on employers with established HR infrastructure
Larger childcare chains, university-affiliated early learning centers, and Head Start programs have HR teams familiar with work authorization paperwork. Smaller family-run daycares may want to hire you but lack the capacity to manage OPT and I-9 compliance on their own.
Frame your international background as a classroom asset
Multilingual skills and cross-cultural experience are genuinely valuable in early childhood settings serving diverse communities. Highlighting your ability to support English language learners or communicate with non-English-speaking families gives employers a concrete reason to prioritize your application.
Early Childhood Teacher OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Early Childhood Teacher on OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in early childhood education, child development, or a closely related field. Your OPT work must be directly related to your major area of study. A degree in business or engineering would not qualify you to work as an Early Childhood Teacher under OPT, even if you have prior classroom experience.
Do Early Childhood Teacher jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Early childhood education and child development degrees are not typically classified as STEM programs under the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. This means most Early Childhood Teacher OPT students receive the standard 12-month authorization rather than the 24-month STEM extension. Confirm your specific degree program's STEM designation with your DSO before assuming you qualify for the extension.
Will employers sponsor an H-1B visa for Early Childhood Teachers?
Some do, but it's less common than in STEM fields. Early Childhood Teacher roles can qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B rules if the position genuinely requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Employers such as large childcare chains, private schools, and Head Start programs are more likely to have experience sponsoring H-1B petitions than small independent daycares.
Where can I find Early Childhood Teacher jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers, so you can browse Early Childhood Teacher postings from employers who are already open to hiring international candidates. Searching general job boards often wastes time because most listings don't indicate whether the employer will work with OPT students.
Do I need a state teaching license to work as an Early Childhood Teacher on OPT?
It depends on the role and the state. Public school pre-K positions almost always require state licensure. Private preschools and childcare centers often accept a Child Development Associate credential or a bachelor's degree in lieu of a full teaching license, though requirements vary by state. Check your target state's licensing board requirements before applying to avoid disqualification late in the hiring process.