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Early Childhood Associate Teacher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Early Childhood Associate Teacher information

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How much do early childhood associate teacher jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for early childhood associate teacher in the United States is $18.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an early childhood associate teacher?

Early Childhood Associate Teachers are educators who support lead teachers in early childhood education settings, such as preschools or daycare centers. They assist with classroom management, lesson planning, supervising children, and ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for young learners. These professionals often help implement educational activities, observe child development, and communicate with parents and staff. Early Childhood Associate Teachers typically have specialized training or an associate degree in early childhood education. Their role is essential for fostering the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children during their formative years.

What does an early childhood associate teacher do?

The duties and responsibilities of an early childhood associate teacher involve supporting an early childhood teacher in a classroom. You assist the teacher as they prepare the lessons, collect necessary materials, manage educational activities, and work with children. An associate teacher sometimes works with an individual student or group of students who need extra attention or guidance. You may also manage a classroom, communicate with parents, and plan and carry out a development program without direct supervision. Your role depends on the regulations in your state and the type of school in which you work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an early childhood associate teacher, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Early Childhood Associate Teacher, you need foundational knowledge in child development, early education techniques, and often an associate degree or relevant certification in early childhood education. Familiarity with classroom management systems, lesson planning tools, and basic health and safety protocols is typically required. Patience, strong communication, and creativity are essential soft skills that help build positive relationships with young children and colleagues. These skills and qualifications are vital for fostering a safe, nurturing, and effective learning environment during critical developmental years.

How does an early childhood associate teacher typically collaborate with lead teachers and support staff in the classroom?

Early Childhood Associate Teachers work closely with lead teachers to support lesson planning, classroom management, and individualized instruction. They often assist with setting up activities, observing and documenting children's progress, and providing feedback to the lead teacher. Collaboration extends to supporting staff such as aides or specialists, ensuring a cohesive, nurturing environment for young learners. Regular team meetings and open communication are common practices to align on curriculum goals and strategies for student development.

What is the difference between Early Childhood Associate Teacher vs Preschool Teacher?

AspectEarly Childhood Associate TeacherPreschool Teacher
Required CredentialsChild Development Associate (CDA) or equivalent, some states require a credentialTypically a CDA, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in early childhood education
Work EnvironmentPreschools, daycare centers, early childhood programsPreschools, private and public early childhood education settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed interchangeably in many settings, often entry-levelMore common in formal preschool programs, sometimes with higher responsibilities

Both roles focus on early childhood education in similar environments, often requiring comparable credentials like the CDA. The main difference lies in job titles used by employers; 'Preschool Teacher' may imply a higher level of responsibility or formal teaching role, while 'Early Childhood Associate Teacher' is often an entry-level position. Understanding these distinctions can help job seekers target the right opportunities in early childhood education.

What cities are hiring for Early Childhood Associate Teacher jobs?

Cities with the most Early Childhood Associate Teacher job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Early Childhood Associate Teacher jobs?

The top employers for Early Childhood Associate Teacher jobs are:

What states have the most Early Childhood Associate Teacher jobs?

States with the most job openings for Early Childhood Associate Teacher jobs include:

Infographic showing various Early Childhood Associate Teacher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,444 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

Early Childhood Teachers

California State University

Turlock, CA • On-site

$15.50 - $20.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


California State University rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

213th of 629 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Early Childhood Teachers

Apply now Job no: 558724
Work type: Staff
Location: Stanislaus - Turlock
Categories: Excluded, Child/Youth Education and Development, Temporary, Time Varies, On-site (work in-person at business location)
Position Description

    • Position Summary
    • Multiple temporary hourly-intermittent positions available on or after August 3, 2026, ending on or before May 28, 2027 in the Child Development Center.  Possibility of reappointment based on budget, department needs, and job performance.  The level at which each teacher is appointed/classified will be determined based on the qualifications of each successful finalist.  


      Early Childhood Teachers ensure a high quality infant, toddler, preschool, and laboratory education program for Stanislaus students, young children, families, and the community at large.

    • Job Duties
    • Early Childhood Assistant Teacher (I)
      Assist Teachers in implementing the daily curriculum and activities for an early childhood education program.
       Other duties as assigned.

      Early Childhood Associate Teacher (II)
      Assist teachers in implementing the daily curriculum and activities for an early childhood education program.
      Assist in setting learning objectives and preparing ongoing developmental assessments for the children.
       Other duties as assigned.

      Early Childhood Teacher (III)
      Collaborates with the Master Teacher, classroom teachers and/or program/center director and administration to plan and implement the curriculum and programs for an early childhood classroom.
       Plan the daily curriculum and activities; set learning and teaching objectives for the children.
      Maintain and update ongoing developmental profiles on the children.
      Conduct parent/teacher conferences.
      Mentor/coach associate and assistant teachers and student workers.
      Plan and participate in center events.
       Other duties as assigned.

      Early Childhood Master Teacher (IV)
      In collaboration with the Demonstration Teacher, models the development, planning, and implementation of curriculum that provides a broad base of experience for the child and is consistent in best practices with the philosophy and goals of the center.
      Oversees the completion of ongoing developmental assessments for all children.
      Develops a positive relationship with children, families, and college students in the program.
      In collaboration with student interns, supports and conducts parent-teacher conferences.
      In collaboration with the Demonstration Teacher and Center Director, leads and mentors student interns and lab students.
      In collaboration with the Demonstration Teacher and Center Director, select and order materials and supplies to support instruction in the classroom.  
       Act on behalf of the director when he/she is absent.
      Act on behalf of the demonstration teacher when he/she is absent.
      Assist with updates to policies and procedures.
      Maintain appropriate licensure to remain in the position which includes but is not limited to attending training to stay current with requirements from founders and state programs.
      Assist with recruitment of teachers and children.
      Assist with program evaluations and assessments.
      Research best practices in child development and closely related topics.
       Collaborate with the Demonstration Teacher and Center Director in the supervision and observation of lab students.
      In collaboration with the Demonstration Teacher and Center Director, meet with interns to plan and implement DAP experience for children in the center.
       Other duties as assigned.

    • Minimum Qualifications
    • Early Childhood Assistant Teacher (I)
      Must have completed or be in the process of completing coursework equivalent to six units in child development early and/or childhood education.

      Early Childhood Associate Teacher (II)
      Minimum of twelve units in child development or early childhood education.
      Two to four months of experience within the last two years. 

      Early Childhood Teacher (III)
      Associate's degree or higher level of education in child development or early childhood education. (Incumbents who do not have a degree must have completed at least 24 units in child development or early childhood education plus additional general education requirements.)
      Incumbents who possess an associate's degree or higher must have completed the required units of supervised field experience.
       Incumbents without a degree must have six to twelve months of experience within the last four years. 

      Early Childhood Master Teacher (IV)
      A bachelor's degree or higher level of education in child development or early childhood education is preferred.  (Incumbents who do not possess a degree must have completed at least 24 units in child development or early childhood education, six specialization units, required adult supervision units, and the additional general education requirements.)
      Incumbents who possess a bachelor's degree or higher must have completed the required units of supervised field experience.
       Incumbents without a degree must have one to two years of experience within the last four years, including one year of experience providing teacher/staff supervision.

    • Preferred Qualifications
    • Knowledgeable in pertinent state and federal regulations relating to the daily operations of an early childhood education center including licensing regulations, education regulations, child abuse reporting requirements, and public health and sanitation codes and requirements.
      Demonstrated understanding of how to plan and implement an age-appropriate curriculum.
      One year or more of experience as a lead teacher in either an Infant/Toddler classroom or preschool classroom.
      Experience in a laboratory school setting.
      Valid site supervisor permit from the Commission of Teacher Credentialing.
      Good verbal and written communication skills.
      Knowledge of assessment tools that include but are not limited to: Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP-15), Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3), Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) both infant/toddler and preschool, and Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS).
      Demonstrated ability to be highly organized and ability to maintain children's files and appropriate paperwork for classroom.
      Experience including one year providing teacher/staff supervision.
      Knowledge and competence to develop, plan and implement an age appropriate curriculum for early childhood education.
      Understanding of state and federal regulations relating to the daily operations of a child care center including licensing regulations (Title 22), education regulations, child abuse reporting requirements (mandated reporter regulations, laws, and procedures), and public health requirements.

    • Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
    • Demonstrate a solid understanding of how to plan and implement an age-appropriate curriculum.
      Knowledgeable in pertinent state and federal regulations relating to the daily operations of an early childhood education center including licensing regulations, education regulations, child abuse reporting requirements, and public health and sanitation codes and requirements.
      Demonstrated knowledge and competence to develop, plan and implement a curriculum for early childhood education

    • Physical Requirements
    • The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
      • About 85% of each working day is spent in the children's classroom, physical tasks may include: holding an infant, sitting/kneeling on the floor, running/playing, rocking infants to sleep.
    • Salary Ranges
    • Salary will depend on the qualifications and the classification level of each finalist:
      Early Childhood Assistant Teacher (I):    $20.28 - $22.31 per hour
      Early Childhood Associate Teacher (II):  $21.53 - $23.68 per hour
      Early Childhood Teacher (III):               $22.62 - $24.88 per hour
      Early Childhood Master Teacher (IV):     $24.40 - $26.84 per hour
    • How to Apply
    • To be considered, qualified candidates must submit a completed Stanislaus State online employment application, cover letter, and resume. Applications are accepted electronically only.  Please note that failure to completely fill out each section of the online application may result in your application not receiving consideration.  To apply online, please click the "Apply Now" button on this page.
    • Application Deadline
    • OPEN UNTIL FILLED; screening applications begins immediately and will continue at the discretion of the university.
    • Criminal Background Clearance Notice
    • Satisfactory completion of a background check (which includes checks of employment records, education records, fingerprinting, criminal records, civil records, and sex offender registries) is required for employment.  CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
    • Additional Information
    • Campus & Area

      California State University, Stanislaus serves the San Joaquin Valley and is a critical educational resource for a six-county region of approximately 1.5 million people. The University is fully committed to creating a culture of diversity and inclusion - one in which every person in the University community feels safe to express their views without fear of reprisal. Widely recognized for its quality academic programs, the University has 10 nationally accredited programs and 662 faculty members. 94 percent of full-time faculty holds doctorates or terminal degrees in their fields. The University offers 43 undergraduate majors, 16 master's programs, 7 post-graduate credentials, a doctorate in education and serves more than 10,000 students. New instructional facilities have been built for the unique pedagogy of professional programs, laboratory sciences and performing arts.

      Stanislaus State continues to receive national recognition with its ranking as one of the best 384 colleges in the nation by The Princeton Review. The University was one of 12 public universities in the nation to be recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for demonstrating exceptional performance in retention and graduation rates. In addition, U.S. News and World Report ranks Stanislaus State in its top 10 among public universities in the West, while Washington Monthly honored Stanislaus State as the West's No. 1 university for the money. Stanislaus State also is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education.

      Clery Act Disclosure

      Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the annual security report (ASR), is now available for viewing at https://www.csustan.edu/annual-campus-security-report. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Stanislaus State for the previous three years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the office of the Clery Director located at One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382.

      Equal Employment Opportunity

      The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.  The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised 7/21/17, as a condition of employment.

      Applicants requiring necessary accommodations to the application process may contact the Human Resources Department at (209) 667-3351.  California Relay Service is available at (800) 735-2922 voice and (800) 735-2929 TDD.  As a federal contractor, we are committed to attracting a diverse applicant pool.  Please consider completing the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form (your response will not be shared with the search committee) at:  Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability PDF Form.

      CSU Stanislaus hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

      The CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. The CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.

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About California State University

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California State University, Fresno is one of 23 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.

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Colleges, universities, and professional schools

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1,001 - 5,000 Employees

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Long Beach, CA, US