Peninsula Family Service·Menlo Park, California
The Master Teacher provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment while leading classroom instruction and curriculum fidelity. They are responsible for mentoring staff, conducting child assessments, and fostering positive relationships with families.
Description About Us Peninsula Family Service (PFS) is a nonprofit organization that provides children, families, and older adults with the support and tools they need to realize their full potential.
As one of the largest providers of infant, toddler, and preschool programs in the region, PFS also delivers services in financial empowerment, employment, and older adult support — ensuring that people at every stage of life have access to opportunities to thrive.
Established in 1950, PFS has been a trusted community partner for over 75 years, dedicated to fostering stability, resilience, and well-being for the individuals and families it serves.
At PFS, our values guide how we serve our community and work together as a team.
We expect every team member to demonstrate Ownership, Proactive Engagement, and a commitment to Continuous Learning and Adaptability.
These values are grounded in a shared dedication to community, service, and collaborative teamwork.
Job Summary The Master Teacher is responsible for providing a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate and inclusive learning environment for children aged 3 months to 5years of age, if supporting School Age, you would work with children up to 12 years of age.
The Teacher aide supports a comprehensive early childhood environment that promotes children social-emotional, cognitive, language and physical development, while supporting family engagement and meeting state and federal regulations.
REPORT TO: Site Manager
Non-Exempt ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Curriculum & Instruction · Provide classroom leadership. · Mentor and provide oversight of curriculum fidelity. · Model best practices. · Prepare and support lesson plans and interactions for planned activities. · Provide documentation on observations of children and their activities. · Support children’s self-help skills, independence, and problem-solving abilities. · Incorporate early STEM, literacy, and social emotional learning strategies into the classroom experience. Health & Safety · Ensure constant and active supervision of all children. · Respond promptly to children’s needs, following individualized care routines if applicable. · Maintain a safe, clean, and organized classroom that meet licensing, California Department of Social Services and Head Start Health and safety standards. · Follow sanitation, diapering, toileting, and nutrition guidelines. · Monitor children’s health checks daily and document concerns. Assessment & Documentation · Complete ongoing observations and assessments · Provide observations for DRDP data. · Maintain accurate and timely, incident reports and child portfolios (learning-genie) · Participate in data driven planning for children and program outcomes. Family & Community Engagement · Establish positive, respectful relationships with families. · Conduct parent-teacher conferences and at least two home visits per program year. · Share developmental progress, resources, and strategies with families to support learning at home. · Encourage family participation in classroom and program activities. Collaboration and professionalism · Work collaboratively with teaching staff, Face Coordinators, and specialists to support children’s Individualized Family Service Plan or other identified needs. · Participating in 21 hours of professional development and annual required training · Maintain confidentiality and follow all agency policies, licensing regulations and Early Head Start performance standards.
Education/Experience · Master Teacher permit issued by CTC. · Minimum of 24 ECE/CD units with three units in Infant/toddler development if working with that specific age group · 16 general education units · 6+ adult supervision units · BA degree in Child Development, ECE or closely related field · 350 days of experience
Education/Experience · Master Teacher permit issued by CTC. · Minimum of 24 ECE/CD units with three units in Infant/toddler development if working with that specific age group · 16 general education units · 6+ adult supervision units · 350 days of experience · Preferred but not required one-3-4 years of experience working with children in a licensed childcare facility. Special Requirements · Work towards Master Teacher or higher Permit (or eligible to obtain one) · Current Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification · I have the ability to pass background checks, TB tests, and meet immunization requirements. · Bilingual skills desired (English/Spanish) Physical Demands & Work Environment · Reach a child twenty-five feet away within 10 seconds or less. · Hear a child call for help from at least fifty feet away. · Comprehend and react to dangerous situations involving children without hesitation. · Crouch/bend to a child’s height and maintain eye contact. · Reach children on the highest piece of play equipment. · Ability to lift up to 50lbs. · Engage in floor/sitting at ground level play with children for extended periods of time. · Exposure to a childcare classroom indoor/outdoor setting, cleaning, disinfectant supplies, and noise levels that are consistent with working with young children. OTHER REQUIREMENTS · Prior to first day of employment, must have fingerprint clearance and maintain clearance. · Verification to legally work in the US and updated as required. Peninsula Family Service’s VALUES are expected of every staff member. All of our work is based on our commitment to Ownership, Proactive engagement, and Lean In growth, anchored in Community Pillar, Participant-Focused service, and Workforce-Centered collaboration. · Preferred but not required one-3-4 years of experience working with children in a licensed childcare facility. · Site Supervisor permit a plus Special Requirements · Work towards Master Teacher or Site Supervisor Permit (or eligible to obtain one) · Current Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification · I have the ability to pass background checks, TB tests, and meet immunization requirements. · Bilingual skills desired (English/Spanish) Physical Demands & Work Environment · Reach a child twenty-five feet away within 10 seconds or less. · Hear a child call for help from at least fifty feet away. · Comprehend and react to dangerous situations involving children without hesitation. · Crouch/bend to a child’s height and maintain eye contact. · Reach children on the highest piece of play equipment. · Ability to lift up to 50lbs. · Engage in floor/sitting at ground level play with children for extended periods of time. · Exposure to a childcare classroom indoor/outdoor setting, cleaning, disinfectant supplies, and noise levels that are consistent with working with young children. OTHER REQUIREMENTS · Prior to first day of employment, must have fingerprint clearance and maintain clearance. · Verification to legally work in the US and updated as required. Peninsula Family Service’s VALUES are expected of every staff member. All of our work is based on our commitment to Ownership, Proactive engagement, and Lean In growth, anchored in Community Pillar, Participant-Focused service, and Workforce-Centered collaboration.
Market context
In California, classroom teacher roles often stay competitive because licensed centers look for candidates who can show early childhood classroom leadership, lesson planning, and readiness to meet state compliance steps such as background checks and immunizations. This posting’s requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description, helping you review the role faster and save research time. If you are considering applying, confirm your 12 ECE units and recent classroom experience before submitting.
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