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How much do child development instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for child development instructor in California is $20.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $25.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a child development instructor?

A child development instructor is a college professor that teaches child development and psychology. Child development is a crucial factor in primary and early education. In this career, your job duties include preparing daily lesson plans for your classes, delivering lectures to your students, and handling the administrative aspects of the classroom. The qualifications needed for a career as a child development instructor include a master’s degree in child or human development. However, many college level instructors hold P.h.Ds. This job requires excellent communication and teaching skills.

What does a child development instructor do?

A Child Development Instructor is responsible for teaching and guiding children in their early years, typically in a preschool or childcare setting. They create lesson plans, organize educational activities, and foster a safe, supportive environment for children to learn and develop social, cognitive, and emotional skills. Additionally, they assess children's progress, communicate with parents or guardians, and ensure that all activities are age-appropriate and aligned with developmental milestones. Their role is crucial in laying the foundation for lifelong learning and healthy development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a child development instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Child Development Instructor, you need a solid understanding of early childhood education principles, child psychology, and typically a degree or certification in child development or a related field. Familiarity with curriculum planning software, classroom management systems, and developmental assessment tools is often required. Strong communication, patience, creativity, and the ability to build trust with children and families set outstanding instructors apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for fostering a supportive learning environment and promoting healthy child development.

What are some common challenges a child development instructor faces when working with diverse groups of children?

Child Development Instructors often work with children from various backgrounds, each with unique learning styles, abilities, and needs. Navigating language barriers, addressing different developmental stages within the same group, and ensuring inclusive participation can be challenging. Effective instructors use adaptive teaching strategies, collaborate closely with families and other educators, and continually assess and adjust activities to foster an engaging, supportive environment for every child.

What is the difference between Child Development Instructor vs Preschool Teacher?

AspectChild Development InstructorPreschool Teacher
Required CredentialsChild development certification or CDA, sometimes a degree in early childhood educationEarly childhood education certification or CDA, often a degree in education
Work EnvironmentPreschools, daycare centers, community programsPreschools, private or public early childhood education settings
Employer & Industry UsageChildcare providers, community organizations, educational programsPreschools, early childhood education institutions
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Child Development Instructor and a Preschool Teacher lies in their focus and certification. Child Development Instructors often work in community or daycare settings with a focus on developmental milestones, while Preschool Teachers typically work in formal preschool classrooms with a curriculum-based approach. Both roles require similar credentials and serve early childhood education, but their work environments and job responsibilities can differ slightly.

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Child Development Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Child Development Instructor job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 29% Full Time, and 71% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,859 per year, or $20.6 per hour.

Child Development Instructor (Reedley College) Part-Time Faculty Pool

Fresno, CA

State Center Community College District
Education • 1 - 5K employees

9.5

Company rating: 9.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 623 rated colleges and universities

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Learn more about State Center Community College Districtexternal

$45.49 - $61.78/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Announcement Information
Posting Number Title Child Development Instructor (Reedley College) Part-Time Faculty Pool Campus Location Reedley College Start Date Essential Functions of Position
The ideal candidate will share Reedley College's commitment to educating its racially and socioeconomically diverse student population. We currently enroll over 10,000 students of which 71% are Latinx, 1% are Filipino, 3% are Asian, 2% are African American, 19% are White, and 2% are multiracial. RC is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, reflecting the great responsibility that the College has to the educational attainment and economic well-being of the surrounding community. The successful candidate will join a department dedicated to the use of curriculum responsive to the students it serves. 
Under the direction of the Dean of Instruction, the Child Developemnt Instructor will provide instruction in Child Development in a variety of instructional settings and times, including evening and/or weekends, on-line or off-campus and large group instruction classes as needed, the instructor will be responsible for:
  • Teaching a full range of courses in child development; 
  • Course development and assessment of student learning outcomes to improve student learning; 
  • Advising students in both groups and individually on academic and career goals in education; 
  • Staying current on State regulations related to early childhood education programs; and 
  • Otherwise fulfilling all of the duties and responsibilities of instructors as required by Administrative Regulation 7122.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Master's in child development, early childhood education, human development, home economics/family and consumer studies with a specialization in child development/early childhood education or educational psychology with a specialization in child development/early childhood education;
    OR 
     
  • Bachelor's in any of the above AND Master's in social work, educational supervision, elementary education, special education, psychology, bilingual/bicultural education, life management/home economics, family life studies or family and consumer studies;
    OR 
     
  • A valid California Community College Credential;
    OR 
     
  • The equivalent education and/or experience (requires an equivalency).
 
All candidates must have evidence of responsiveness to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practice within the classroom.
Desirable Qualifications
  • Ability to teach at the post-secondary level in child development/early childhood education; 
  • Background and specialized training/expertise in areas such as child growth and development, early intervention/children with challenging behaviors, diversity/equity education; 
  • Experience advising students or staff on academic and/or career goals in the field of child development/early childhood education; 
  • Familiarity with career ladder models for early care and education personnel; 
  • Experience working with students of various cultural and linguistic backgrounds; 
  • Knowledge of student success models/orientation programs designed to improve student success and retention; 
  • Ability to communicate effectively with students and staff; 
  • Recent experience working with African American, Latinx, Native American, and other racially minoritized students in the classroom and an understanding of how historical patterns of exclusions of these groups in higher education shape patterns of participation and outcomes; 
  • Willingness to examine and remediate one's instructional, relational, and classroom practices to more effectively engage and support racially minoritized students; 
  • Experience and skill with addressing issues of equity in the classroom; 
  • Potential for contribution to institutional vitality and growth; and 
  • Knowledge of the community college and its mission and goals.
Salary and Benefits
Starting rates are $45.49 - $61.78 for lecture, $38.67 - $52.55 for lab, and $38.30 - $52.05 for non-instructional. Sick leave accrual is based on assignment hours.
Selection Procedure
The selection and hiring process will be explained by the hiring department if the candidate is extended an opportunity to interview.
Please note: This position does not have a closing date and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position(s) is/are filled. By applying for this position, you understand that you will be placed in a continuous pool. If at any time you are no longer interested in this position, please contact us at faculty.jobs@scccd.edu so that we can remove you from the applicant pool.
Additional Information
This is a part-time position. Open until filled. Start dates may vary.
Additional Information about the Position
RC College Planning Site
Open Date Close Date Closing Time Open Until Filled Yes Quick Link https://scccd.peopleadmin.com/postings/2136

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