Definition & Purpose

The Head Teacher is responsible for ensuring a high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and safe learning environment for children that reflects the Orfalea Family and ASI Children's Center philosophy and values. The Head Teacher provides direct care and instruction to children, leads curriculum planning and assessment, supervises and mentors classroom staff, and builds strong, collaborative relationships with families.

This position is based at the Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Requirements

Educational & Qualifying Experience, Skills, Licenses, Credentials

Educational/License/Credential Requirements

• AA degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or a related field or a bachelor's degree along with 12 semester units in early childhood education.
• California Child Development permit of Teacher Level or higher obtained within first 60 days of hire (at minimum, proof of application submittal must be provided within the first 60 days of hire).
• Current American Red Cross certification (or equivalent) in the following: Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED is required within 30 days of hire, training provided by ASI.
• Fifteen (15) hours of Health and Safety Training.
• Proof of a negative tuberculosis (TB) test, completed health screening, and fingerprint clearance is required.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum two (2) years of experience working with preschool-aged children or infants and toddlers in a classroom setting that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry children and classroom materials up to 45-50 pounds in weight.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors for extended periods.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move quickly in response to children’s needs or emergencies.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

• Knowledge of early childhood development and age-appropriate educational practices.
• Strong skills in child supervision, safety awareness, and risk management. 
• Ability to design, implement, and document goals, emergent curriculum and learning environments.
• Classroom leadership and coaching skills, including the ability to train, mentor, and provide constructive feedback to staff.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with families, staff, students, campus partners, and external agencies.
• Organizational and time management skills to balance classroom responsibilities with documentation, planning, and assessments.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and adaptability in a dynamic childcare environment.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and ability to use general childcare documentation platforms.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervise fulltime Teachers.
• Supervise Children’s Center Student Assistants and Children’s Center Interns assigned to the classroom.

Child Care & Classroom Supervision

• Provide high-quality care and supervision to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of children in compliance with licensing requirements. 
• Maintain a welcoming and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Support children’s social-emotional development and guide them through challenging behaviors and emotions using philosophy aligned strategies.

Curriculum Planning, Observation, & Assessment

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning experiences for children.
• Observe, document, and assess children’s development to inform curriculum, individualized needs, classroom routines, environmental set up and classroom goals.
• Input observations in assessment software and completing DRDP assessments on children twice a year.
• Lead classroom goal setting and environmental planning every term.

Staff Training & Mentorship

• Train and mentor student and professional staff in daily routines, care procedures, developmentally appropriate interactions, and instructional practices.
• Delegate responsibilities and classroom roles to ensure appropriate supervision and licensing ratios.
• Provide ongoing coaching and feedback support staff growth and alignment with Center’s philosophy and practices.
• Contribute to performance evaluations for teaching staff.

Family Communication & Partnership

• Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with families through daily communication and ongoing collaboration.
• Share information about children’s progress, development, and classroom activities.
• Prepare and distribute regular classroom communications, including email newsletters and updates.
• Plan and conduct parent conferences in collaboration with classroom staff and supervisors.

Center Operations & Compliance

• Align classroom operations with licensing requirements, safety regulations, and program guidelines.
• Maintain required documentation related to curriculum, assessments, licensing, subsidy contracts, and food program compliance.
• Support safety drills and uphold emergency preparedness procedures alongside center leadership.

Collaboration

• Coordinate with supervisors regarding program timelines, priorities, and expectations.
• Collaborate with teaching staff and leadership to support overall program quality.
• Participate in Children’s Center staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Assume responsibility for center operations in the absence of the Assistant Director and Director.
• 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 ASI policy as a condition of their employment.
• Other duties as assigned.

 Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. ASI 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 ASI employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Benefits

Salary Schedule

• Starting Pay Rate: $26.84 per hour
• Hourly Pay Range: $26.84 - $37.58 per hour
• Premium Overtime:  Yes
• Shift Differential:  Yes
• Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)
• Social Security (FICA)
• Paid State Holidays
• Vacation Time
• Sick Leave
• Personal Holiday
• Birthday Holiday
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance
• Unemployment Insurance

Location: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Date revised: 4/17/2026

The Associated Students, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.