Toddler Associate Teacher

Catalyst Family Inc.; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits

401(k) Retirement plan

Paid vacation and sick time

Education Reimbursement Program

Discounted childcare

Job summary

A childcare organization located in Huntington Beach, California, is seeking an Associate Teacher to support children's development from infancy through school age. The role involves creating a positive environment and maintaining safety while engaging with children through developmentally appropriate activities. Candidates should have relevant education and experience, and must hold an Associate Teacher Permit. Full-time hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm, with a range of benefits including medical, dental, and education reimbursement.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6-12 months of experience in a group care environment.
• Ability to work alongside colleagues in a professional team environment.
• Familiarity with curriculum and assessment documentation.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain safe, developmentally appropriate environments for children.
• Provide excellent customer service, establishing connections with families.
• Supervise children outdoors and during field trips.

Skills

Problem solving

Classroom management

Communication with children and families

Effective organization

Time management

Bilingual/multilingual

Education

12-24 postsecondary semester units in ECE, CD, or related field

Associate Teacher Permit or above

Tools

CPR & First Aid certification

Job description

Pay or Shift Range

• Not specified

Description

Catalyst teaching staff support the planning and implementation of Catalyst's programming for children ranging in age from infant, toddler, pre‑school, kinder, and school age depending on the location. Teachers must be able to facilitate a variety of age‑appropriate activities, support children's social‑emotional development, and ensure children are supervised at all times in a healthy and safe environment.

Essential Functions

• Create and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum supported by learning foundations that are directly connected to their interests and promote positive child development.
• Create, implement, and maintain intentional, enriched, and supportive learning environments and quality experiences that are age‑appropriate for all children.
• Provide excellent customer service by establishing authentic connections and reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and the center/classroom team.
• Keep children healthy and safe by ensuring proper supervision, positive interactions, healthy habits, and excellent compliance.
• Work collaboratively with fellow staff by connecting workplace values, education, and experience to provide the highest quality programs and creative workplaces.

Expected Behaviors

• Positive interactions with children and youth.
• Maintain kind, respectful, and safe emotional/physical environments for children.
• Be on time and present on a regularly scheduled basis.
• Be physically and mentally capable of interacting with children up to 13 years of age, meeting all their needs and ensuring their safety.
• Be aware of and implement safety guidelines; report any health & safety issues or incidents to management, and remain calm if providing first aid (as needed) during emergency situations.

Physical & Environmental Conditions

• Visually inspect the environment for hazards to children; identify hazards and implement preventative actions (e.g., set up cones to limit play area) to maintain a safe environment for children.
• Be comfortable with occasional loud noise in the outdoor classroom during activities.
• Be comfortable with frequent bending, lifting, twisting, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Push, lift, carry, and hold various objects up to 15 lbs. – by individual or team effort – such as equipment carts, emergency backpacks, food coolers, classroom furnishings, and other similar program materials.
• Work inside the classroom or outside the room in all weather conditions that are safe for children.
• Traverse various terrains (grass, blacktop, dirt) and heights (ladders, playgrounds) depending on the school outdoor environment.
• Adapt to the physical level of children (e.g., sitting on the floor, kneeling, squatting) for activities and problem‑solving interactions.
• Supervise field trips to destinations such as aquatic parks, beaches, and trampoline parks.

Qualifications & Experience

Associate Teacher are members of the teaching team who share responsibility for the care and education of an assigned group of children/classroom. There may be more than one person designated as an Associate Teacher for each group of children.

Education

• 12‑24 postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units in ECE, CD, or related field with passing grades of C‑ or better.
• Associate Teacher Permit or above issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Experience & Skills

• 6‑12 months of experience in a group care environment where care/teaching was provided for a consistent age group is preferred.
• Effective problem solving, conflict resolution, classroom management, and communication with children and families.
• Effective organization, time management, curriculum, and assessment documentation (lesson plans, portfolios, and anecdotal notes).
• Ability to work alongside colleagues and maintain a professional team environment.
• Current adult and infant/child CPR & First Aid certification is preferred.
• Bilingual/multilingual language preference based on individual center needs.

Shift Type

Full Time

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 9 am – 6 pm

What We Offer

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Personal Health Advocate
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Discounted childcare
• Access to the Calm app
• Tickets at Work employee discounts
• Be constantly in a learning and growth process with training and professional growth advisory

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug‑free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.