Early Education Teacher (Preschool)

Now Open - Our newly constructed facility built on campus with beautiful classrooms from infants through school-age. Each program has its own separate play yard, low teacher-to-child ratios, dedicated prep areas for staff, and loft spaces in every classroom. Come and grow with our team!

Applications will be accepted and reviewed until all positions are filled.

We are also filling positions for the Assistant Teacher and Lead Teacher positions and would encourage applicants to apply to all positions you're interested in and qualified for.

• 81781, Early Education Assistant Teacher (Infant/Toddler/Twos)
• 86658, Early Education Lead Teacher (Infant/Toddler/Two's)

Benefits to working at UC Santa Cruz include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans
• UC Retirement Plans
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Legal Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 08-05-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS), led by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success, consists of nearly 800 professional staff and 2100 student staff spanning five major units. Deeply devoted to offering students a transformational educational experience, our division provides campus-wide coordination and leadership of student success programs, activities, and initiatives.

Colleges, Housing, and Educational Services (CHES) is a multi-funded organization within the Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) at the University of California (UC) Santa Cruz. CHES provides leadership in the areas of college student life and residential services, housing services, facilities, capital planning, dining services, conference services, early education services and business and financial analysis for these areas. Through these units,
educational and developmental programs and services are offered to all members of the campus community including students, faculty, staff, children and external constituents.

CHES provides on-campus housing and dining services to nearly 9,500 undergraduate and graduate students in ten residential colleges and six multi-college affiliated residential communities which support single students and students with families. CHES offers Early Education Services for student parents

The Early Education Center (EEC) program provides comprehensive early education services to members of the campus community, including students, faculty, staff, children, and external constituents year round.. EEC programs support up to 162 children, from 4 months through 10 years, employing about 40 professional staff and 85 student employees with an operating budget around $5 million from student fees, federal and state funding and other sources. The EEC is in compliance with University of California policies, California Department of Education
state standards and requirements, U.S. Department of Education Title 5 and Title 22 rules and regulations, and other UCSC and divisional policies and procedures for fiscal and program management.

More information can be found at: https://childcare.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Associate Director, Early Education Center, the Early Education Teacher is responsible for general supervision and planning of developmentally appropriate program curriculum for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school aged children; ages 11 months to 12 years. In addition, incumbent may give direction and mentor Student Assistant Teachers. Possess sufficient word-processing and computer skills to prepare developmental assessments, notices, newsletter articles and curriculum materials.

Must have a valid Child Development Associate Teacher Permit, current negative TB test, and clear a pre-employment background check.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $28.90/hourly
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Clerical Employees (CX)

Job Code Classification: CHILD DEV CTR TEACHER 1 (004107)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

70% - Child Development and Education

• Assume responsibility for the general supervision and safety of all children in attendance, including compliance with Department of Social Services licensing requirements and Titles 5 and 22 regulations. Design and maintain a developmentally appropriate enriching environment conducive to children's safe, independent exploration. Maintain a clean environment inside the facility and outside yard.
• Serves as primary caregiver for a group of children. Helps plan the care and assists in implementing developmental curriculum consistent with Environment Rating Scales (ERS) and California
• Department of Education infant, toddler and preschool frameworks. Designs daily developmentally appropriate curriculum in conjunction with findings obtained from children's Desired Results Assessments. Establish and maintain a safe, clean, functional and organized atmosphere in the Center. Helps organize and safely supervise children's fieldtrips on and off campus. Through daily interactions, promotes the development of children's self-control, self-esteem, self-help skills, and positive relationships with others.
• Makes regular observations of individual children to assess challenges, strengths and goals. Documents and analyze information from developmental assessment to plan appropriate curriculum for children and maintain ongoing communication with families. Complete Desired Results Assessments, twice a year within a specified time, for a designated group of children.
• Responsible for correctly filling out forms and writing reports concerning children's behavior and health.
• Participate in overall program evaluation, planning of program's goals and effectiveness.
• Give input to the Site Supervisor regarding long term program planning.

15% - Collaborative Relationships with Families

• Establish and maintain regular respectful verbal and written communication with families to inform them of their child's day and center activities. Work in collaboration with families to facilitate children's transitions between home and center. Assist in maintaining a culturally sensitive, respectful atmosphere for families. Encourage family involvement in program. Attend quarterly family meetings.
  

15% - Teamwork and Professional Growth

• Attend regularly scheduled, evening staff meetings and program wide staff meetings. Actively participate and contribute as a team member with all other staff. Establish and maintain effective communication through cooperative problem solving and active listening skills with other staff.
• Participation at in-service trainings, workshops, conferences, and other professional growth activities (some evening or weekend hours) to improve skills, update knowledge of current professional practices and ongoing accumulation of training hours and/or units to renew Child Care Permit following the Child Development Permit Matrix.
• Participate in hiring, supervising and evaluating student teaching assistants. Occasionally conduct evening, student assistant training seminars in the absence of the Team Leader.
• Assist Team Leader in planning and conducting quarterly family meetings and social events.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Infant/Toddler/Two's Only: Experience with and knowledge of infant and toddler developmental needs in social, emotional, cognitive, and physical areas.
• Preschool Only: Experience with and knowledge of preschool developmental needs in social, emotional, cognitive, and physical areas.
• School-Age Only: Experience with and knowledge of school-age developmental needs in social, emotional, cognitive, and physical areas.
• Experience with a knowledge of current quality practices in the field of early childhood education.
• Demonstrated ability to create and implement a developmentally appropriate program for children; e.g., curriculum, assessment, environment.
• Ability to interact effectively with groups of children and adults from a broad range of backgrounds.
• Ability to work with groups of children ages 11 months to 10 years of age.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience giving direction to adults in a childcare center or comparable program.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Sufficient word processing and computer skills to prepare developmental assessments, memos, flyers, newsletter articles, curriculum materials, documentation and portfolios.
• Ability to keep children physically safe in a nurturing environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Work experience in a licensed infant/toddler/preschool/school age setting, with children 3 months - 8 years of age.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must have the ability to move materials weighing up to 25 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• Ability to obtain a current Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certificate.
• Must provide proof of a current negative TB test and completed Health Screening Report within 7 days of hire.
• Must possess a current Department of Education Child Development Associate Teacher Permit, or higher, or be eligible to complete Early Education classes to obtain an Associate Teacher Permit o higher before the Infant Program opens.
• Must have completed a minimum of (3) semester units or equivalent quarter units related to the care of infants and meeting Title 22 licensing requirements before the infant program opens.
• Will be required to comply with current Early Education Services employee health safety requirements for childcare providers as defined by state regulatory agencies. Current health safety requirements to be discussed during interview.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.