Children’s Center Lead Teacher

DEFINITION
Under general supervision of the Director of the Children’s Center, Lead Teacher will plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate curriculum in the Cuesta College Children's Center; model respectful, responsive, and reciprocal interactions with toddlers and preschoolers as part of the caregiving curriculum; model high-quality early childhood practices; ensure compliance with state licensing and program standards; and perform other related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Positions in this classification are distinguished from other positions in the instructional assistant class in that incumbents require specialized training in early childhood education and infant/toddler development, must be qualified and able to work with college students in a laboratory setting, and are responsible for maintaining high-quality environments aligned with the goals of an early childhood education laboratory school.   
This position supports and promotes student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness by ensuring a quality program and services for children and their families, and ensuring compliance with Community Care Licensing requirements.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work
Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande. 

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide direct care, supervision, and teaching for toddlers and preschoolers using developmentally, culturally, and linguistically responsive practices; 
• Plan, implement, and evaluate daily routines and learning environments that meet the developmental needs of all children, including children with disabilities or special needs; 
• Design, implement, and evaluate indoor and outdoor environments, activities, and routines which meet the needs of all children; 
• Maintain classroom materials and inventory; 
• Maintain a safe, healthy, and enriching classroom environment following Title 22 regulations, Community Care Licensing, District guidelines and universal health precautions; 
• Maintain confidential and accurate child files, records on children's progress and development, and licensing-required documentation; 
• Demonstrate and model effective teaching strategies, positive guidance, conflict resolution, and problem-solving strategies for children; 
• Communicate positively and effectively with children, parents, other staff members, and students; 
• Oversee the work of students, including but not limited to Child Development and Family Studies observation and practicum students; 
• Collaborate with faculty to support instructional activities by sharing practices and experiences that facilitate student learning; 
• Participate in staff meetings, planning meetings, and team collaboration to support program goals, policies, curriculum, and continuity of care; 
• Promote and model inclusive practices that honor cultural, socio-economic, and individual diversity; 
• Demonstrate awareness of cultural differences in early childhood education and parenting practices; 
• Observe, document, and assess children’s growth, behavior, and learning using program-approved tools; 
• Conduct family conferences regarding their child's development and contribute to family engagement initiatives; 
• Plan, prepare, and serve nutritious snacks according to program standards; 
• Participate in ongoing professional development activities to support professional growth and alignment with program, college, and licensing requirements; and 
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Required

• Associate’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development, or related field;
• Three (3) semester units in Infant Toddler Caregiving from an accredited college or university;
• Possession of or eligibility for a current California Child Development Permit at Site Supervisor level.

Experience:
Required

• Three years’ experience working in an early childhood program.

 Preferred

• Experience working in a college ECE laboratory school.

Knowledge of:

• Current technology and basic office software for documentation and communication; 
• Principles and practices of early childhood education and responsive caregiving; 
• Growth and development of infants, toddlers, and preschool children; 
• High-quality early care and educational environment design;

• Correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; and
• District policies and procedures.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties; 

• Mentor and support college students completing practicum and observation assignments; 
• Use positive behavior guidance strategies; 
• Communicate effectively in verbal and written form; 
• Adapt curriculum and instruction based on observation and assessment; and 

• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities.

Physical ability to:

• Sit, stand, bend, kneel, crawl, and move quickly to respond to children’s needs;
• Sit or stand for extended periods of time;
• Sit on floor and/or child-sized furniture;
• Lift up to 50 pounds for the purpose of picking up a child; 
• Read and comprehend text and data on printed materials and computer monitors; and
• Communicate intelligibly and effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email.

License and Certificates (current within the last year):
Required

•  Up-to-date immunizations, including MMR, DTaP/Tdap, and other state-required vaccines; and
• Current TB clearance.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
 Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred. 

Diversity Statement Instructions:  Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation and abilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community. 
 In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.

Reference List Instructions:   Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position.  LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses.  Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.  Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety.  This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years.   You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices:  on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours.  You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/community/publicsafety/crime-information/clery-act.html

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Selected applicants will be invited to attend an in-person interview on Friday, July 17, 2026. 

Salary : $55,188 - $67,080