OPT Pre-K Teacher Jobs
Pre-K Teacher roles can qualify for F-1 OPT when your degree is in early childhood education, child development, or a related field. Most positions are in public and private preschools, Head Start programs, and childcare centers. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this role, so your 12-month OPT window is what you're working with.
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Get Access To All JobsTELAMON|TRC COMMITMENT TO TRAUMA INFORMED CARE:
Telamon|TRC has taken steps to shift our organization into a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) model. This changes our perceptions about the individuals that we work with, employees and customers, including families and children. A trauma-informed system of care provides services that empower employees and customers, including families and children, to feel safe, welcomed and engaged at all levels of organizational interaction. Exchanges that could be potentially retraumatizing, or trigger traumatic reactions require thoughtfulness and non-judgement. Ongoing, as an organization, we collaborate to educate employees about the effects of violence, victimization and trauma on individuals. This model supports a culture of safety for employees and customers, including families and children.
Position Summary:
Assist in the instruction of preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- With the Teacher, guides and facilitates activities of the children including classroom projects and field trips.
- Selects and sets up equipment and materials in the classroom.
- Provides a safe and healthy developmentally appropriate learning environment. Interacts with children one-on-one and in small groups.
- Protects the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
- Assists in the development of weekly activity plans and program activities.
- Uses creativity to provide healthy and safe activities that are developmentally and age appropriate.
- Assists the Teacher in record keeping. Conducts and documents observations, assessments and screenings.
- Composes and proofreads correspondence and reports.
- Participates in parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress.
- Eats with and assists children in eating to teach social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.
- Assist children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, brushing teeth, and toilet habits.
- Serves as a liaison between staff and parents. Engages parents in the education of their children including encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
- Maintains confidentiality regarding students.
- May prepare meals and perform Bus Monitor duties.
- Assist in the mobilization and documentation of matching-in-kind funds. Perform all other duties as assigned by Supervisor.
- Fills in on a temporary basis when a staff member needs to leave the classroom for a short duration.
- Participates in staff meetings, committees and training sessions.
- Works in cooperation with supervisor to develop and document progress on professional development plan. Actively engages in professional development activities to increase qualifications in accordance with Corporation’s Core Values.
- Work may require the flexibility to stay until all children have left the program.
- Keeps classroom clean and organized.
- May translate.
- Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisor.
SAFETY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ensuring a secure workplace is a collective effort. All employees are responsible for adhering to established safe work practices and completing all mandatory safety training by the assigned due date.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position has no direct supervisory duties but is expected to train or explain work procedures to others.
ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience Requirements:
Job Code 520E / Grade E2A
- Hold a pre-school CDA credential
- If no pre-school CDA credential, required to be enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree in ECE or related field and be enrolled in at least 6 semester credit hours per year. Continued education requirement: complete 6 documented semester hours per year.
- At least 2 years of experience working with preschool children preferred.
Job Code 524E / Grade E2B
- Associate's degree in child development, early childhood education or related field.
Job Code 571E / Grade E2C
- Bachelor’s Degree in child development, early childhood education or related field.
Preferred:
- Bilingual (Spanish/English).
All grades require completion of CPR/First Aid within a month of hire.
All grades must have a willingness to work towards any additional credentials needed to move to the next level in the position, this may include continued education.
State requirements may vary, individual must meet requirements for state in which they are employed.
Skills and Abilities:
- Bilingual ability is preferred.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- Work is performed mostly inside the facility.
- Standing for prolonged periods of time.
- Sitting, walking, stooping, squatting, lifting (up to 30lbs), carrying, pushing and climbing.
- Riding in a bus for prolonged periods of time with noise and vibration.
- Frequent exposure to adverse weather conditions.
- Exposure to blood, other bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals and dirt.
- Regular attendance for this position is required, as regular attendance ensures we are providing the services we have committed to provide to the children and families we serve.
Background Checks:
- All employees are subject to both a pre-hire and an annual background check. Specific rules by Area of Focus will indicate whether a state or federal fingerprint background check (or both) is required and the frequency. A fingerprint background check may suffice for a regular background check. Additional background checks may be required such as the Child Abuse and Neglect State Registry, and the Sex Offender Registry.
Positions that Require Driving:
- Telamon|TRC employees that are required to drive a personal vehicle for work-related duties are to meet the auto insurance liability requirement. The minimum limits required are $100,000 each person bodily injury, $300,000 each accident bodily injury and $50,000 property damage. The insurance liability requirement covers use of an employee’s personal vehicle.
- Telamon|TRC employees that drive a company-owned/rental vehicle must maintain a satisfactory annual motor vehicle record check.
- Must have own transportation, a valid driver's license, and vehicle insurance.
TELAMON|TRC COMMITMENT TO TRAUMA INFORMED CARE:
Telamon|TRC has taken steps to shift our organization into a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) model. This changes our perceptions about the individuals that we work with, employees and customers, including families and children. A trauma-informed system of care provides services that empower employees and customers, including families and children, to feel safe, welcomed and engaged at all levels of organizational interaction. Exchanges that could be potentially retraumatizing, or trigger traumatic reactions require thoughtfulness and non-judgement. Ongoing, as an organization, we collaborate to educate employees about the effects of violence, victimization and trauma on individuals. This model supports a culture of safety for employees and customers, including families and children.
Position Summary:
Assist in the instruction of preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- With the Teacher, guides and facilitates activities of the children including classroom projects and field trips.
- Selects and sets up equipment and materials in the classroom.
- Provides a safe and healthy developmentally appropriate learning environment. Interacts with children one-on-one and in small groups.
- Protects the safety of children by implementing active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
- Assists in the development of weekly activity plans and program activities.
- Uses creativity to provide healthy and safe activities that are developmentally and age appropriate.
- Assists the Teacher in record keeping. Conducts and documents observations, assessments and screenings.
- Composes and proofreads correspondence and reports.
- Participates in parent conferences to discuss the child's individual development and progress.
- Eats with and assists children in eating to teach social and self-help skills and sound nutritional practices.
- Assist children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, brushing teeth, and toilet habits.
- Serves as a liaison between staff and parents. Engages parents in the education of their children including encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
- Maintains confidentiality regarding students.
- May prepare meals and perform Bus Monitor duties.
- Assist in the mobilization and documentation of matching-in-kind funds. Perform all other duties as assigned by Supervisor.
- Fills in on a temporary basis when a staff member needs to leave the classroom for a short duration.
- Participates in staff meetings, committees and training sessions.
- Works in cooperation with supervisor to develop and document progress on professional development plan. Actively engages in professional development activities to increase qualifications in accordance with Corporation’s Core Values.
- Work may require the flexibility to stay until all children have left the program.
- Keeps classroom clean and organized.
- May translate.
- Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisor.
SAFETY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ensuring a secure workplace is a collective effort. All employees are responsible for adhering to established safe work practices and completing all mandatory safety training by the assigned due date.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position has no direct supervisory duties but is expected to train or explain work procedures to others.
ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience Requirements:
Job Code 520E / Grade E2A
- Hold a pre-school CDA credential
- If no pre-school CDA credential, required to be enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree in ECE or related field and be enrolled in at least 6 semester credit hours per year. Continued education requirement: complete 6 documented semester hours per year.
- At least 2 years of experience working with preschool children preferred.
Job Code 524E / Grade E2B
- Associate's degree in child development, early childhood education or related field.
Job Code 571E / Grade E2C
- Bachelor’s Degree in child development, early childhood education or related field.
Preferred:
- Bilingual (Spanish/English).
All grades require completion of CPR/First Aid within a month of hire.
All grades must have a willingness to work towards any additional credentials needed to move to the next level in the position, this may include continued education.
State requirements may vary, individual must meet requirements for state in which they are employed.
Skills and Abilities:
- Bilingual ability is preferred.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- Work is performed mostly inside the facility.
- Standing for prolonged periods of time.
- Sitting, walking, stooping, squatting, lifting (up to 30lbs), carrying, pushing and climbing.
- Riding in a bus for prolonged periods of time with noise and vibration.
- Frequent exposure to adverse weather conditions.
- Exposure to blood, other bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals and dirt.
- Regular attendance for this position is required, as regular attendance ensures we are providing the services we have committed to provide to the children and families we serve.
Background Checks:
- All employees are subject to both a pre-hire and an annual background check. Specific rules by Area of Focus will indicate whether a state or federal fingerprint background check (or both) is required and the frequency. A fingerprint background check may suffice for a regular background check. Additional background checks may be required such as the Child Abuse and Neglect State Registry, and the Sex Offender Registry.
Positions that Require Driving:
- Telamon|TRC employees that are required to drive a personal vehicle for work-related duties are to meet the auto insurance liability requirement. The minimum limits required are $100,000 each person bodily injury, $300,000 each accident bodily injury and $50,000 property damage. The insurance liability requirement covers use of an employee’s personal vehicle.
- Telamon|TRC employees that drive a company-owned/rental vehicle must maintain a satisfactory annual motor vehicle record check.
- Must have own transportation, a valid driver's license, and vehicle insurance.
See all 33+ OPT Pre-K Teacher Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Pre-K Teacher Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Pre-K Teacher
Target Head Start and publicly funded programs first
Head Start programs and publicly funded preschools are more accustomed to hiring international educators. They often have HR departments familiar with work authorization requirements and are less likely to dismiss OPT candidates without consideration.
Lead with your state teaching credential or pending status
Many Pre-K roles require a state-issued teaching credential or Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Confirm your eligibility before applying and mention your credential status upfront so employers know you meet licensing requirements independent of immigration status.
Apply early in your OPT window, not at the end
Pre-K hiring cycles often align with the academic year. Apply in spring for fall positions. Starting your search with several months of OPT remaining gives employers confidence you can complete a full school year without a gap.
Clarify that OPT requires no employer filing or cost
Many small preschools and childcare directors assume visa sponsorship means legal fees and paperwork. OPT authorization is already granted by USCIS. The employer simply verifies your EAD card during I-9 onboarding, with no additional cost or petition required.
Highlight bilingual skills as a direct classroom asset
If you speak Spanish, Mandarin, or another language common among the student population, lead with it. Bilingual Pre-K teachers are in high demand, and language ability often moves your application to the top of the review pile regardless of visa status.
Frame your student teaching hours as professional experience
Hiring directors value hands-on classroom time. Present your student teaching placements with specific details: age group, curriculum approach, and any assessments you conducted. This demonstrates readiness and helps overcome concerns about your unfamiliarity with U.S. school systems.
Pre-K Teacher OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Pre-K Teacher job qualify for F-1 OPT work authorization?
Yes, Pre-K Teacher positions qualify for F-1 OPT when your degree is directly related to the role, typically in early childhood education, child development, or elementary education. You must work in a capacity that uses your field of study. General childcare aide roles without a degree requirement may not meet OPT's direct relationship standard, so confirm the job title and responsibilities align with your academic program before accepting.
Can I get a STEM OPT extension as a Pre-K Teacher?
No. Early childhood education and child development are not STEM-designated fields under the DHS STEM OPT list, so Pre-K Teachers are not eligible for the 24-month STEM extension. You have a single 12-month OPT period. If you want to continue working in the U.S. after OPT expires, your employer would need to pursue H-1B visa sponsorship or another visa pathway on your behalf.
Do Pre-K employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas after OPT ends?
H-1B sponsorship is uncommon in early childhood education. Most preschools, childcare centers, and Head Start programs are small organizations without dedicated immigration legal support. Public school districts are a stronger option since many are larger institutions with HR infrastructure. Teaching roles can qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B, but you'll need an employer willing to engage an immigration attorney and cover filing costs. Start that conversation well before your OPT expires.
Where can I find Pre-K Teacher jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the recommended place to search. It filters job listings specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsorship-eligible candidates, so you're not sifting through postings from employers who won't consider work authorization situations. Searching through general job boards often means discovering a company's OPT policy only after applying. Migrate Mate surfaces roles where employer willingness is already factored in, saving you significant time during a limited OPT window.
Do I need a teaching license to work as a Pre-K Teacher on OPT?
It depends on the state and type of program. Public school pre-kindergarten classrooms often require a state teaching license, while private preschools and childcare centers may accept a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or an early childhood education degree alone. Some states have separate Pre-K endorsements. Check your specific state's licensing board requirements before applying, since working without a required credential could jeopardize both your employment and your OPT status.