Child Care Teacher - Immediate Start at Zen Educate Costa Mesa, CA

Zen Educate; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Professional development

Paid sick leave

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Zen Educate seeks early childhood educators in California to support school districts and private preschools. Positions include mid-term substitute placements and daily substitute options, with Monday–Friday schedules and flexible hours across centers.

We provide permit assistance in CA (CTC process), cover permit fees, and mentorship. Benefits include weekly pay, professional development, paid sick leave, insurance options after eligibility, and retirement plan options.

Qualifications

• 12+ CHDV or ECE Units.
• Minimum of 6 months experience in a licensed childcare center or similar group setting.
• Reliable, professional, and passionate about early learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily routines for children ages 2–5.
• Create a safe, nurturing learning environment.
• Support social, emotional, and academic growth.
• Collaborate with co-teachers to follow curricula.
• Communicate effectively with staff and families.
• Maintain classroom organization, safety and licensing.

Skills

Early childhood education

Classroom experience

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

12+ CHDV or ECE Units

Child Development Permit

Job description

Job Description Limited Positions - Now hiring for the 2026–2027 school year! We’re hiring multiple early childhood educators to support school districts and private preschool centers. The roles vary from mid-term substitute placements, with you working directly in a classroom Monday through Friday, supporting students and staff on a consistent, daily basis. We also have availability for our daily substitute program, where you can choose which centers / hours work best for you!

About Zen Educate

Zen Educate partners with public and charter schools across various school districts to build stronger school communities. Our team is committed to supporting educators with personalized job matches and ongoing mentorship at every step.When you join Zen, you’re not just taking an assignment, you’re joining an educator-first platform that supports you every step of the way. We are actively hiring to support students with specialized academic, social, and physical needs

Solving the Classroom Staffing Crisis at the Root

We believe the best way to solve the teacher shortage is by removing barriers and investing directly in our educators. If you are already qualified for a California Child Development Permit, we want to help you take that next step. When you work with us, you get:

• Step-by-step guidance through the entire CTC application process.
• 100% of your permit fees covered by us.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily classroom routines and activities for children ages 2–5
• Create a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment
• Support children’s social, emotional, and academic growth
• Collaborate with co‑teachers and staff to follow curriculum plans
• Communicate effectively with staff and families
• Maintain classroom organization, safety, and licensing standards

Required Qualifications

• At least 12 semester units in Early Childhood Education/CHDV or Child Development Permit
• A minimum of 6 months of experience in a licensed childcare center or similar group setting
• Must be reliable, professional, and passionate about early learning

License/Certification

• 12+ CHDV or ECE Units

Preferred Qualifications

• Early childhood education:1 year
• Bilingual in English/Spanish
• Pediatric CPR/First Aid certified

Salary

Pay: $21 - $23 per hour

Schedule: Flexibility of work, Monday through Friday

Benefits and other offerings

• Weekly pay by direct deposit, with paper check available on request
• Professional development, including in-app training, paid role‑specific certifications where applicable, and additional development opportunities depending on role and location
• Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable state and local law
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available when eligibility requirements are met, which includes working more than 1,560 hours in a 12 month period.
• 401(k) retirement plan with no employer match available when eligibility requirements are met, which includes working more than 1,000 hours in a 12 month period or more than 500 hours/year in a 24 month period.