Full-Time

Associate Teacher

Preschool

Posted on 9/10/2026

Go Kids

Go Kids

Nonprofit child development and subsidized childcare

Compensation Overview

$21.42 - $25.71/hr

Gilroy, CA, USA

In Person

Associate's

Category
Education (1)
Required Skills
First Aid
Requirements
  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Have 24 early childhood education/child development units, including core courses in child or human growth and development; child, family, community and program or curriculum; 16 general education units; 6 specialization units; and 2 adult supervision units, plus 2–3 years of related experience of at least 3 hours per day.
  • Alternatively, have an Associate of Arts degree or higher in early childhood education/child development or a related field, 3 units of supervised field experience in an early childhood education/child development setting, and 2–3 years of related experience.
  • Hold a Teacher Permit or be able to apply for one within 90 days of hire.
  • Have current pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid certification from an approved vendor.
  • Pass a fingerprint and criminal record clearance.
  • Have current good-health verification, including a physician-supervised tuberculosis test performed no more than one year before employment.
  • Have a current California driver's license.
  • Possess general knowledge of child care, child development, and federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing child care and safety.
  • Be able to develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum.
  • Be able to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals and governmental regulations; write reports, business correspondence, and procedures; and present information and respond to questions from government entities, employees, managers, clients, and the public.
  • Be able to apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations and calculate figures and amounts with a 10-key.
  • Be able to define and solve practical problems, handle concrete variables, and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, and schedule-based instructions.
  • Be able to stand, walk, reach, handle objects and controls, and occasionally sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and lift or move up to 25 pounds.
  • Be able to work occasionally in outdoor, wet, and potentially electrically hazardous conditions and in moderate to sometimes noisy environments.
Responsibilities
  • Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities for children.
  • Establish a respectful classroom climate that recognizes each child's personality, physical characteristics, culture, language, ethnicity, family structure, developmental needs, and behaviors.
  • Interact with children in encouraging and positive ways and support their learning processes.
  • Help children develop problem-solving skills and social-emotional development.
  • Model prosocial behaviors and teach children responsibility for their decisions and actions.
  • Guide children's behavior positively while teaching self-respect and respect for others and the community.
  • Provide direct support, engagement, and extension of children's play and learning experiences through assistance, materials, resources, and safe-risk opportunities.
  • Establish and maintain positive relationships with parents and caregivers.
  • Converse regularly with parents and caregivers about children's development and program experiences.
  • Maintain developmental reports and portfolios for each child and implement individual goals and objectives using a team approach.
  • Replenish learning-environment materials as needed.
  • Prepare healthy snacks for children as necessary.
  • Implement the Creative Curriculum model.
  • Conduct parent-teacher conferences.
  • Provide services to children and families in accordance with National Association for the Education of Young Children standards.
  • Plan, supervise, and implement the program according to organizational policies and philosophy.
  • Complete and maintain lesson plans, staffing matrices, daily health checks, and Child Care Food Program paperwork.
  • Comply with Title 5, State Department of Education Child Development Division funding terms and conditions, and Title 22 Community Care Licensing regulations.
  • Supervise the activities of Teacher Assistants.
  • Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and employees.
  • Provide support to the Site Supervisor and Regional Director.
  • Provide a pleasant, safe, and clean learning environment for children and families.
  • Report safety hazards and injuries immediately to the Master Teacher and Site Supervisor or Regional Director.
  • Observe safety hazards and ensure children follow safety rules.
  • Keep floors and other necessary spaces clean and free of potentially dangerous conditions.
  • Follow health and safety standards for food handling, toileting young children, hand washing, and universal precautions for blood exposure.
  • Monitor children for signs of illness and direct ill children to appropriate medical attention.
  • Perform other duties assigned by authorized organizational leaders.
Desired Qualifications
  • Early childhood education units in infant care, family and community, and child development are recommended.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish ability is an asset.

Go Kids delivers a wide range of child development and family support services across four counties through seven licensed centers, more than 100 licensed Family Childcare Homes, and a seasonal migrant center, serving over 5,100 children. Its offerings include subsidized, state-funded childcare, in-home visits, screenings, parent counseling, and parent-child playgroups, plus a web portal for managing accounts and payments. The organization blends center- and home-based care and supports the local workforce with a nonprofit GK Financial that provides fiscal services to other nonprofits, funded by federal, state, local grants and foundations. Its goal is to expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare and related supports to improve child development and family well-being while strengthening providers and the early childhood ecosystem.

Company Size

N/A

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

N/A

Founded

N/A

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • FY2025 revenue hit $94.9 million, with $2.1 million net income.
  • Government grants supplied over 95% of revenue, preserving scale through 2025.
  • The January 2026 CCDF freeze was blocked, restoring California childcare funding.

What critics are saying

  • Federal funding drives 98.5% of revenues, exposing Go Kids to policy shocks.
  • July 13, 2026 child-care co-payment rescission squeezes low-income family affordability.
  • A prolonged grant cutoff would trigger layoffs, slot cuts, and core-operations collapse.

What makes Go Kids unique

  • Quad-county reach across Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties.
  • Hybrid model pairs seven centers with 100-plus Family Childcare Homes.
  • GK Financial diversifies revenue beyond classrooms with nonprofit fiscal services.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Student Loan Assistance

Life Insurance

Paid Vacation