Teacher

Peninsula Family Service; East Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Peninsula Family Service in East Palo Alto, CA is seeking a Teacher to provide a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate and inclusive learning environment for children from 3 months to 5 years old. The Teacher aide supports family engagement and ensures compliance with licensing and Head Start standards.

Reporting to the Site Manager, you will implement planned activities, document observations, and collaborate with staff to promote early childhood development, literacy, and

Qualifications

• CTC Teacher permit is required to teach in California.
• Minimum 24 ECE/Child Development units; include 3 units in Infant/Toddler if working with that age group.
• 16 general education units are required.
• At least 175 days of experience in early childhood education or a licensed facility.
• CPR/First Aid certification is required.
• Must obtain fingerprint clearance prior to start.
• Must pass background checks, TB tests, and immunization requirements.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and implementing daily activities.
• Prepare materials and support lesson plans and interactions.
• Document observations of children and their activities.
• Support self-help skills, independence, and problem-solving.
• Incorporate early STEM, literacy, and social-emotional learning strategies.
• Ensure constant supervision and maintain a safe, clean classroom.

Skills

Bilingual skills (EN/ES)

Education

CTC Teacher permit

24 ECE/Child Development units

16 general education units

175 days of experience

CPR/First Aid certification

Fingerprint clearance

Background checks and TB/immunizations

English/Spanish desirable

Job description

Description

About Us

Peninsula Family Service (PFS) is a nonprofit organization that provides children, families, and older adults with the support and tools they need to realize their full potential. As one of the largest providers of infant, toddler, and preschool programs in the region, PFS also delivers services in financial empowerment, employment, and older adult support — ensuring that people at every stage of life have access to opportunities to thrive. Established in 1950, PFS has been a trusted community partner for over 75 years, dedicated to fostering stability, resilience, and well-being for the individuals and families it serves.

At PFS, our values guide how we serve our community and work together as a team. We expect every team member to demonstrate Ownership, Proactive Engagement, and a commitment to Continuous Learning and Adaptability. These values are grounded in a shared dedication to community, service, and collaborative teamwork.

Job Summary

The Teacher is responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate and inclusive learning environment for children aged 3 months to 5 years of age, if supporting School Age, you would work with children up to 12 years of age. The Teacher aide supports a comprehensive early childhood environment that promotes children social-emotional, cognitive, language and physical development, while supporting family engagement and meeting state and federal regulations.

REPORT TO: Site Manager

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Curriculum & Instruction

• Assist in planning and implementation of daily activities.
• Prepare materials.
• Prepare and support lesson plans and interactions for planned activities.
• Provide documentation on observations of children and their activities.
• Support children’s self-help skills, independence, and problem-solving abilities.
• Incorporate early STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), literacy, and social emotional learning strategies into the classroom experience.

Health & Safety

• Ensure constant and active supervision of all children.
• Respond promptly to children’s needs, following individualized care routines if applicable.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized classroom that meet licensing, California Department of Social Services and Head Start Health and safety standards.
• Follow sanitation, diapering, toileting, and nutrition guidelines.
• Monitor children’s health checks daily and document concerns.

Assessment & Documentation

• Complete ongoing observations and assessments
• Provide observations for Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) data.
• Maintain accurate and timely, incident reports and child portfolios (learning-genie)
• Participate in data driven planning for children and program outcomes.

Family & Community Engagement

• Establish positive, respectful relationships with families.
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences and at least two home visits per program year.
• Share developmental progress, resources, and strategies with families to support learning at home.
• Encourage family participation in classroom and program activities.

Collaboration and professionalism

• Work collaboratively with teaching staff, Family Advocacy and Community Engagement Coordinators, and specialists to support children’s Individualized Family Service Plan or other identified needs.
• Participating in 21 hours of professional development and annual required training
• Maintain confidentiality and follow all agency policies, licensing regulations and Early Head Start performance standards.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience

• Teacher permit issues by Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
• Minimum of 24 Early Childhood Education/Child Development units with three units in Infant/toddler development if working with that specific age group
• 16 general education units
• 175 days of experience
• Preferred but not required one-2 years of experience working with children in a licensed childcare facility.

Special Requirements

• Work towards an Associate Teacher or higher Permit (or eligible to obtain one)
• Current Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/First Aid certification
• I have the ability to pass background checks, Tuberculosis (TB) tests, and meet immunization requirements.
• Bilingual skills desired (English/Spanish)

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Reach a child twenty-five feet away within 10 seconds or less.
• Hear a child call for help from at least fifty feet away.
• Comprehend and react to dangerous situations involving children without hesitation.
• Crouch/bend to a child’s height and maintain eye contact.
• Reach children on the highest piece of play equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs.
• Engage in floor/sitting at ground level play with children for extended periods of time.
• Exposure to a childcare classroom indoor/outdoor setting, cleaning, disinfectant supplies, and noise levels that are consistent with working with young children.

Other Requirements

• Prior to first day of employment, must have fingerprint clearance and maintain clearance.
• Verification to legally work in the United State and updated as required.

Peninsula Family Service’s VALUES are expected of every staff member. All of our work is based on our commitment to Ownership, Proactive engagement, and Lean In growth, anchored in Community Pillar, Participant-Focused service, and Workforce-Centered collaboration.