Full-Time Assistant Director / Preschool Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

The Way Preschool in San Marcos is hiring a full-time Assistant Director / Preschool Teacher

— $23–$26/hour DOE. This is a hybrid role: you'll spend most of your time in the classroom (about 80%) doing the work you love, with the remaining time (about 20%) supporting the leadership and daily operations of the school. It's perfect for a stable, hard-working lead teacher who loves Jesus and loves children, and who's ready to grow into leadership — and as we expand and open new centers, there's a real path to grow into a Director role with us.

Why teach at The Way

We're not a screens-and-worksheets daycare. The Way is a Reggio-Emilia-inspired, faith-based preschool nestled in the San Marcos countryside, built on the belief that every child is precious and deserves unhurried, attentive, holistic care. We're proudly screen-free, with one of the largest outdoor classrooms in North County San Diego — so much of the learning happens hands-on, outside, in the fresh air. More than anything, we're building a team and a culture we're proud of, where teachers feel supported, valued, and genuinely excited to come to work. In just three years we've grown fast and been independently recognized as one of the highest-rated preschools in San Marcos.

What you'll do

Day-to-day in the classroom:

• Lead a classroom and provide warm, attentive, holistic care for young children
• Plan and run hands-on, developmentally appropriate lessons and daily activities
• Communicate with families and build strong, trusting relationships

Leadership and operations support:

• Support the Director with scheduling, enrollment tours, and licensing compliance
• Mentor assistant teachers and help build a positive, supportive team culture
• Serve as on-site lead when the Director is out

Who you are

Above all, you love Jesus and you love children, and you believe early childhood is a sacred, formative stage where every child deserves holistic, whole-hearted care. You're also:

• Stable, present, and hard-working — someone families and coworkers can count on day in and day out
• A consistent, dependable presence for our TK children, who thrive on stability
• A genuine team player who lifts up the people around them
• Entrepreneurial and teachable — eager to learn, take ownership, and help build something as we grow

Requirements

Required:

• A heart for Jesus, for children, and for early childhood education and holistic care
• California Administration units
• Fully qualified Teacher status (minimum 12 ECE units)
• Preschool teaching experience
• CPR/First Aid (or willingness to obtain), cleared background check, and required immunizations

Preferred:

• AA or Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education or Child Development
• Lead teacher or supervisory experience

Benefits and pay

• $23–$26/hour DOE, full-time
• Opportunity for overtime
• A full month of paid time off in your first year, plus all federal holidays paid
• Tuition reimbursement and discounted tuition for your own children
• A supportive, close-knit team and a culture we're proud of
• A real path to grow into a Director role as we expand into new centers

How to apply

Click Apply to send us your resume — we're interviewing now and moving quickly, so don't wait. Want to know us better first? Visit our website to see who we are and what we believe. We'd love to meet you.