Lead Preschool Teacher (Reggio Emilia Inspired)

About Our Program

Caring Hearts Christian Daycare is an in home early childhood program deeply rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy. We believe children are capable, resilient researchers full of wonder and knowledge. Unlike traditional, large-scale daycares with overwhelming class sizes, we maintain an intimate, low-stress environment with a maximum of 6 preschoolers per group. This allows our educators the rare opportunity to truly bond with each child, study their interests deeply, and co-construct meaningful projects.

The Role

We are seeking a deeply intentional, reliable, and self-motivated Lead Preschool Teacher. As the Lead Teacher, you will have full ownership of the preschool environment, guiding our older children through organic project work while collaborating seamlessly with our infant/toddler lead.

This is an autonomous position. You will not be given a canned corporate curriculum to read from a box. Instead, you will use your pedagogical expertise to observe the children, document their play, and design an emergent curriculum that honors their intelligence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Inquiry Process: Notice, wonder, and document the children’s play daily to co-construct emergent, long-term Reggio projects.
• Autonomous Documentation: Take initiative to write and track high-quality child observations utilizing paper frameworks and the Learning Genie app to fulfill state DRDP requirements.
• Environment as the Third Teacher: Curate beautiful, intentional, and inviting provocations using natural materials and open-ended loose parts.
• Reliability & Classroom Continuity: Serve as a consistent, dependable anchor for our children and families. Maintain an organized rhythm to the day that balances active investigation with restorative quiet times.
• Family Partnerships: Share meaningful daily/weekly learning stories and observations with families to make the children's learning visible.

Non-Negotiable Qualifications

• Educational Requirement: Minimum of 24 completed ECE/Child Development units (meeting CA Title 22 Teacher status). Transcripts will be required prior to hiring.
• Assessment Experience: Must have proven, hands-on experience independently conducting and writing DRDPs (Desired Results Developmental Profile). Please do not apply if you have not personally managed this assessment cycle.
• Reggio Foundation: Foundational understanding of the Reggio Emilia approach (emergent curriculum, loose parts, documentation, progettazione).
• Absolute Reliability: We are a small, high-fidelity team, and consistency is vital to our children’s routines and our program's structural integrity.
• Must meet all California licensing requirements for a preschool teacher (background clearance, health screenings, mandated reporter training, TB clearance).

What We Offer

• An incredibly low, stress-free 1:6 ratio where you can actually teach instead of just managing a crowd.
• A supportive Director who respects your professional autonomy and invests heavily in your professional development and Reggio training.
• A beautiful, premium workspace filled with high-quality natural resources and authentic materials.

To Apply

Please submit your resume along with a brief note telling us about your experience with documentation or why the Reggio Emilia philosophy resonates with your teaching style.

Pay: $26.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person