RolePreschoolClassroomTeacher (Contract)

Team: Child Development 

Scope: IndividualContributor, P1

Reports To:Classroom Manager

Years of Experience: 2+

Location: Ventura, CA(Onsite)

Contract Duration:6 months - Approximately September 2026 – March 2027

Age Group:Preschool (2-3.5)

Great Pacific Child Development Center was founded in 1982by Malinda Chouinard and Jennifer Ridgeway to provide childcare to employees of Patagonia. What the company has learned over the decades about children, childcare, and supporting working families is chronicled in the book: Family Business and in a series of videos- https://www.patagonia.com/family-business/Currently, Patagonia provides on-site childcare for employees in three locations: Ventura, CA Main Campus, Ventura, CA Brooks Campus, and in Reno, NV at the Distribution Center.

Patagonia’s mission and values are put into practice every day throughout our child development centers.

Aclassroomteacheris responsible forall aspects ofteachingthe children in their care and works closely with theclassroom primary teacher andclassroom manager to ensure a high-quality childcare environmentClassrooms are typically structuredwith children from birth to two years, or two to three and a half years or three and a half years to kindergarten.Responsibilitiesinclude:physicalcaregiving, implementationof age-appropriate, individualized curriculum,facilitatingsupportive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues, andassistingin parentcommunicationssuch as newsletters and Educa updates.

WhatYou’llDo

The responsibilities of this position will include, but are not limited to the following:

Classroom Management and Practices

The learning that takes place at our Child Development Centers extends beyond the four walls of the classroom. Ourchildrenare immersed in emergent curriculum and outdoor exploration that fosters curiosity, joy, and self-expression.

• Co-create and organize a stimulating and developmentallyappropriate learningenvironment both inside and outside.

• Ensure visual supervision and child safety at all times

• Supportemergent curriculum that meets the needs oftheindividual learning styles of the children in your care

• Formrelationships with parents, children, and co-teachers that are respectful of individual differencesand culture, familystylesand cultural/socioeconomic diversity. 

• Assistthe teaching team to ensurea structured routine that allows for scheduledmealand rest breaks for the teaching team andmaintainsa flexible yet consistent daily schedule and routine for the children

CommunicationSkills

The staff at the Child Development Centersare responsible forbuilding meaningful relationships with children, families, and their coworkersWe believe transparency, professionalism, and empathy are critical in sustaining these bonds.

• Foster a safe, inclusive environment for children, parents, and teachers.

• Create an environment that embraces open communication and trust between staff to ensure a high-quality environment for children and families.

• Communicate with childrenusing developmentally appropriatelanguage

• Treat each child with dignity and respect.

• Guide childreninbecomingresponsibleintegral members of the group and community.

• Establish regular communication with parents aboutspecial moments that happen throughout the day, or specific issues as they occur on a day-to-day basis. 

• Partner with parents to create an easy transition into the classroom.

• Provide Early Childhood/community resources and share information through a variety of mediums: bulletin boards, newsletters,Educa,andemails.

Who You Are

Our staff at the Child Development Centers are a diverse group of educators who bring authenticity, experience, and passion to their job every day.

• High school graduate.

• Passionate about child development and supporting our company mission to save our home planet.

• Excellent customer service skills in person, via email, and on the phone.

• Comfortable with team-based work structure; ability todemonstrateflexibility on the job.

• Demonstrates initiative, is conscientious and provides complete follow-through on areas of responsibility.

• Expert in your classroomage-groupand best practices in early childhood.

• Dedicated to life-long learning and the betterment ofthe earlychildhood education.

Physical Requirements

The educators at the Child Development Centersare responsible forthe health and safety of their students as well as hands-on caregiving. Please review the physical requirements to ensure you are qualified to perform all job duties

• Observe and respond to children’s needs,emergenciesand/or conflicts that might occur during the day.

• Kneel downtomaintaineye contact atchild’slevel.

• Sit on the floor toengage withyour students.

• Respond to a child’s first aid needs which may include cuts, bruises, and bodily fluids.

• Lift or move 1–35 pounds and occasionally 35+ pounds as needed.

Experience You Bring

We are seeking educators who are dedicated, life-long learners and practitioners of early childhood best practices.

• Twoyears’ experience working with young children (At least 150 hours working/volunteering with children within the last 6 months).

• Fifteen (15) units in Early Childhood Education (Growth and Development, Child-Family & Community,Administration in ECE,andtwoProgram/Curriculum courses).If you are working in an infant classroom, you must have three(3)infant/toddler units.If you are working in a school age classroom, you must have three (3) school age units.

• Working knowledge of personal computers with experience in the use of such programs as Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams,and Outlook. 

• Successful completion of the fingerprinting process andor successful transfer of fingerprints from another program.It is a job requirement to have a successful criminal background check as well as clearance fromeitherLive Scanin CA or obtaining a Sheriffs Card in NV to meetState childcare licensing requirementsIf you have, or later obtain an exemption from Licensing, please know that you may still not qualify for employment as Patagonia has its own rigorous internal standards and review process given the nature of the work with children.

• Successful completion of the hiring packet.

PreferredExperience

Our philosophy is rooted deeply in the R.I.E. approach to caregiving, as well as the Outdoor Classroom and Anti-Bias Education. We are deeply committed to Patagonia’s mission to save our home planet, and our practices andprogramare informed by these cornerstones.

• AA or BA in ECE or related field

• Understanding ofFamily Business, Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Learning Stories, Pyramid Model, Outdoor Classroom, Anti Bias Education, Resources for InfantEducarers(RIE), and Educa.

Hiring Range: $26.40 - $28.50 USD Hourly 

At Patagonia, pay ranges are assigned to a job based on the location specific market median of similar jobs according to 3rd party salary benchmark surveys. Individual pay within that range can vary for several reasons including skills/capabilities, experience, and available budget.

Benefits 

Patagonia offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement and leave of absence plans. Benefit plans may vary slightly depending on the nature of your employment.  

Workplace Location Overview 

This position is Onsite, requiring employees to work at our Ventura office during standard business hours.  

Employee Conduct

We are a strong community of educators, staff, parents, and children. It is the responsibility of every employee to createsafe, professional work environment.

• It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive, inclusive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers,customersand vendors.