Early Childhood Educator - Hiring Now

Zen Educate; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly direct deposit

Professional development

Paid sick leave

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Zen Educate Inc. is actively hiring substitute preschool teachers for the 2026-2027 school year in the San Mateo Bay Area and surrounding districts. Roles include mid-term substitutes in classrooms Monday–Friday and a daily substitute option across centers with flexible hours.

Qualified candidates have 12+ ECE units (or a CHDV permit) and at least 6 months of licensed childcare experience. Bilingual English/Spanish and CPR/First Aid are preferred; opportunities include benefits and weekly pay.

Qualifications

• At least 12 semester units in ECE/CHDV or CHDV permit.
• Minimum 6 months experience in a licensed childcare setting.
• Reliable, professional, and passionate about early learning.

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

Skills

Reliable

Professional

Passionate about early learning

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

12 semester units in Early Childhood Education/CHDV or Child Development Permit

6 months experience in a licensed childcare center

Tools

CPR/First Aid certified

Job description

Job Description

We're Hiring Now for the 2026-2027 school year! We're hiring multiple substitute preschool teachers 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

At Zen Educate, our mission is simple: to support schools by connecting them with dedicated, high-quality education professionals. We believe in making the hiring process easier for educators and creating better outcomes for students. 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.

We have opportunities in Early Childhood Education roles across countless sites all over the Bay Area - including but not limited to South SF, Oakland, San Mateo, the East Bay, and other surrounding communities. A single application puts you in consideration for all available locations near you or your preferred area.

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: $27 - $31 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.

Ref: #SFECETZA-Nov26