Lead Teacher at Infant Toddler Center

Company: University of California - Irvine
Location: Irvine
Posted on: May 22, 2025

Job Description:

Who We Are

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.To learn more about UC Irvine, visit .For over 50 years, UCI has provided high-quality early care and education for the children of students, staff, faculty, and the community. The foundation of our work with children begins with developmentally appropriate practice, which is an approach to teaching grounded in the research on how young children develop and learn and in what is known about effective early education. All of our programs are licensed by the Department of Social Services-Community Care Licensing Division. We follow all Title 22 rules and regulations, as well as Title 5 California Educational Code Regulations (for our subsidized centers). The indoor and outdoor environment, as well as the program curriculum, are planned and facilitated by teachers who maintain Child Development Permits issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Our centers provide nurturing and engaging environments where children make connections, are supported in their desire to explore and develop into healthy, compassionate, and creative individuals. The UCI Infant Toddler Center offers a full-day infant/ toddler program for children 3 months to 30 months of age.Morning and afternoon snack is served, as well as a hot lunch each day.
Your Role on the Team

Under the supervision of the director, the incumbent is responsible for assisting the director and assistant director with scheduling student and career staff on a daily basis. The incumbent may also be required to step in and act as assistant director as needed.They maintain food program records, supervise meal preparation for the center and have knowledge of infant and child meal patterns based on the Child and Adult Care Food Program.They maintain the operational supply inventory as well as well as immunization records of children. The lead teacher shares responsibility for establishing an effective environment for the children. The applicant should be knowledgeable about the Center's philosophy, policies, goals, and objectives and have the skills and experience required to oversee the operation of six infants or 12 toddlers. Duties include: planning and supervising classroom activities and providing an environment for 3 month to 30- month-old children that promotes safe, healthy and free exploration. The lead teacher is responsible for providing an environment where the children feel safe and comfortable and families are welcome.
What It Takes to be Successful

Required:

• Knowledgeable of NAEYC Accreditation Criteria. Ability to use sound judgment.
• Patience and warmth with very young children, ability to build a warm affectionate relationship with eaach child and family.
• Values solving problems constructively in the daily work and in inter-relationships with children, parents and co-workers; ability to communicate with a broad spectrum of people.
• Acceptance and appreciation of normal developmental characteristics of the first three years of life (dependency, willfulness, drive toward autonomy, etc.), the early years of parenting and adolescent care giving aides.
• Good physical and mental health, energy and resourcefulness.
• Highly motivated to continue learning about infants and toddlers from observation, experience, research theories, consultation with parents, other caregivers and early childhood professionals. Enjoys applying this knowledge in daily programs and minute-to-minute decision making with children.
• Ability to mentor teachers, field study students, aides and parents.
• Appreciation for cultures, customs, languages, and child rearing practices different from one's own.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of child development teach with children, parents, staff members and community representatives in providing a quality educational program.
• Ability to relate to children as individuals in a small and large group.
• Ability to work with and be sensitive to a culturally diverse community.
• Effective communication skills, both with children and adults.
• Thorough understanding of child development and the philosophy and methodology of early childhood education, as well as changes taking place in the field.
• Familiarity with federal and state health and safety regulations applicable to a child care facility.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct a challenging developmental and instructional program for infant and toddler age children.
• Bachelor's Degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education or an equivalent combination of education and experience working with children between 3 and 30 months
• A minimum of 6 units of Infant Toddler coursework
• Current California Child Development Master Teacher Permit (or higher level). Applicant must hold or be qualified for the permit at this level.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification
• Minimum of 2 years working in a center-based environmentPreferred:
  • More than 6 units in Infant Toddler courseworkSpecial Conditions:
    • Proof of absence of active tuberculosis
    • This is a full time job with possible variable hours between 7:30 AM- 6:00 PM, Monday- Friday Total CompensationIn addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our and . The expected pay range for this recruitment is $26.13- $31.01 (Hourly).Conditions of Employment:The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
      • Background Check and Live Scan
      • Employment Misconduct*
      • Legal Right to work in the United States
      • Vaccination Policies
      • Smoking and Tobacco Policy
      • Drug Free Environment*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.The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.
        • California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
        • E-Verify
        • Pre-Placement Health EvaluationDetails of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - Closing Statement: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 .We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
          Consideration for Work Authorization Sponsorship
          
          Must be able to provide proof of work authorization

Keywords: University of California - Irvine, Temecula , Lead Teacher at Infant Toddler Center, Education / Teaching , Irvine, California