Lead Preschool Teacher (Toddlers)

About the role

The JCC East Bay values hachnasat orchim (providing a welcoming home) for people of all ages and life stages. Inspired by Jewish values, culture, and tradition, we build relationships, foster learning, and offer accessible pathways to Jewish life through programs for children, teens, families, adults, and older adults. After decades of operating our suite of programs in North Berkeley, we will be opening a new home for East Bay Jewish life in the summer of 2026 in Oakland. Our new Campus will offer programs and activities to spark creativity, nurture identity, and weave together diverse generations, cultures, and organizations—including voices from across global Jewry—into a living tapestry of culture, learning, and kehilla (community) connections. Our flagship Campus in the Rockridge neighborhood will house our administrative offices and our award-winning preschool opening in the fall of 2026, and we will retain afterschool programs in Berkeley and in several Oakland public schools.

Position Summary

The Lead Toddler Teacher, 12+ Units will report directly to the Director of Early Childhood Education and play a critical role in promoting a safe and welcoming environment to support the learning and individual growth of the preschool community. Lead teachers will create an environment of acceptance where children can grow with a positive self-concept, and where each child and staff member are treated with dignity and respect. Children will be enriched by a developmentally and culturally appropriate emergent curriculum.

Curriculum Planning

• Develop inquiry-based curriculum that advances the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth of children. Submit a lesson plan before the start of every week.
• Develop curriculum that incorporates a commitment to learning about the Jewish community, values, and traditions.
• Develop curriculum that incorporates organizational philosophies and overall program vision.
• Ability to support other teachers’ lesson planning; point person for collaboration around classroom lesson planning.
• Provide varied opportunities using multiple learning styles for children’s active participation, independent choices, experimentation, and problem solving within the context of a structured setting and program.

Classroom Safety

• Establish and maintain a well-organized, safe, and healthy environment for children.
• Check materials, equipment, and supplies to see that amounts are adequate and that everything is in good working condition; take preventative measures against hazards to physical safety.
• Maintain appropriate staff to child ratios for supervising children at all times.
• Complete accurate reports as directed (attendance, accidents/incidents, illness, medications administration, ID checks, etc.).
• Maintain cleanliness of classroom: wash dishes, wipe counters, put things away.

Support and Communication

• Observe and assess the cognitive, perceptual, spoken, non-verbal language, and social, emotional, physical, and personal developmental needs of each child. Share observations with families on areas of interest, strengths, and challenges.
• Identify, provide, and facilitate additional assessment or interventions when necessary.
• Serve as a role model and facilitate collaboration between teachers in the classroom.
• Point person for interceding in conflict resolution within the classroom; support an amicable resolution for children involved.
• Help children find a place of calm and comfort, and attend to any injuries.
• Establish positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal parent conferences that facilitate the free flow of information about their children.
• Write classroom newsletter.

General

• Ability to and interest in mentoring less experienced teachers.
• Participate in team meetings for planning curriculum, other staff meetings and trainings, and other JCC staff meetings.
• Participate in parent orientations, parent conferences, and community-wide activities and celebrations.
• Meet weekly with the Program Director to discuss classroom, student, and/or team needs.
• Ability to lead peer to peer professional development.
• Continue professional development through workshops and classes.
• Assist with early and/or late care, as needed.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging work.
• Commitment to anti-bias education.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in an ECE setting and 24 or more completed ECE units.
• Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree highly preferred.
• Knowledge of current research and practices in early childhood education.
• Proficient in various skill areas such as planning, scheduling, record keeping, classroom environmental design and arrangement, classroom management.
• C competent in various skills areas, such as music, art, science, literacy, mathematics, language development, and physical development.
• Maintain First Aid and CPR certifications.
• Ability to and interest in mentoring less experienced teachers.
• Participate in team meetings for planning curriculum, other staff meetings and trainings, and other JCC staff meetings.
• Participate in parent orientations, parent conferences, and community-wide activities and celebrations.
• Meet weekly with the Program Director to discuss classroom, student, and/or team needs.
• Ability to lead peer to peer professional development.
• Continue professional development through workshops and classes.
• Assist with early and/or late care, as needed.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging work.
• Commitment to anti-bias education.

Pay and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $30.53/hour to $32.09/hour. Excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, vacation, sick pay, and holidays (including Jewish). This position is represented by the union.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The JCC East Bay is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. JCC East Bay policy prohibits unlawful discrimination in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. The JCC East Bay complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require particular accommodations during the application and interview process, please inform us of your needs so that we can provide accordingly.