YMCA of Orange County·Irvine, California
The Lead Teacher will guide children through curriculum-aligned activities including STEM and arts while fostering a safe and enriching environment. They are responsible for modeling core values and ensuring the social-emotional growth of children aged 5-12.
Please upload transcripts when applying. Invested in You: Benefits & Perks FREE YMCA Membership, Classes, and Pool Access. FREE Training & Certifications. Tuition Reimbursement. Program Discounts (up to 100% off childcare). Retirement Fund, Paid Sick Time. Medical/Dental/Vision for Full-Time staff. Learn more about the YMCA and opportunities at: www.ymcaoc.org/careers Once a conditional offer is made, candidates will be subject to criminal background check, drug screen, and will be asked to provide criminal history. Criminal history will be analyzed on a case by case basis as it related to the position. YMCA of Orange County participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Qualifications
Candidates must be at least 18 years old and possess experience working with children in an after-school, camp, or daycare setting. Educational requirements range from a high school diploma to 12 college units in child development depending on the teacher level.
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.