Private Pre-K Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

A family in Palm Springs is seeking an exceptional early childhood educator to design and lead a small, highly personalized learning pod for children connected through the equestrian community. The program will serve up to five children, approximately ages three to five, during the weeks their families are based in Palm Springs for horse-show season.

This is not a traditional preschool classroom or childcare position. It is an opportunity to build a thoughtful, engaging early learning program from the ground up—one that gives young children consistency, meaningful social interaction, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences within a lifestyle that does not align with a conventional school calendar.

The program will be based at a large equestrian facility, with a dedicated RV or camper being converted into a child-friendly learning space. The educator will help shape both the instructional program and the classroom environment, incorporating indoor and outdoor learning, play, movement, art, music, stories, exploration, and the unique opportunities available within the surrounding setting.

The ideal candidate understands that children learn best through relationships, play, curiosity, and purposeful experiences. Success in this role requires someone who can create structure without becoming rigid, differentiate for children at slightly different developmental stages, and provide a warm, joyful environment that still reflects professional educational planning and intentionality.

Student Profile

The pod is being created primarily for a young boy who will turn four at the end of November. He may be joined by children from approximately four other families within the horse-show community, creating a potential group of up to five children between the ages of three and five. Attendance may vary somewhat depending on each family’s travel schedule.

The families want their children to have more than supervision during the weeks they are in Palm Springs. They are seeking a professional early childhood educator who can provide consistency, routine, socialization, and rich learning experiences in a setting designed specifically for young children.

The program should introduce and strengthen early literacy and language, foundational math concepts, fine- and gross-motor skills, creativity, independence, emotional development, and positive peer relationships. Learning should feel active, playful, and engaging, with opportunities for stories, singing, instruments, art, sensory experiences, outdoor exploration, imaginative play, and hands-on projects.

What You’ll Do

• Design and lead a developmentally appropriate early childhood learning program for a small group of children ages three to five
• Establish a warm, predictable daily rhythm that gives children consistency during a seasonal and travel-driven schedule
• Plan engaging, play-based experiences in early literacy, language development, foundational math, science, art, music, movement, and creative expression
• Use stories, songs, instruments, sensory activities, imaginative play, outdoor exploration, and hands-on projects to bring learning to life
• Differentiate activities and expectations for children at varying ages and developmental stages
• Support social-emotional growth, including communication, independence, confidence, cooperation, emotional regulation, and positive peer interactions
• Observe each child’s development and use those observations to adjust instruction, activities, and support
• Maintain simple but meaningful documentation of student growth, emerging skills, interests, and areas requiring additional support
• Help organize and maintain the dedicated RV or camper classroom, including learning centers, child-sized materials, art and sensory supplies, books, storage, and activity areas
• Thoughtfully incorporate the equestrian setting and surrounding outdoor environment into learning when safe and appropriate
• Establish clear procedures for arrival, dismissal, bathroom needs, transitions, outdoor activities, and classroom safety
• Communicate professionally and proactively with the participating families regarding plans, progress, observations, and upcoming needs
• Collaborate with Thrive to refine the program, select resources, monitor student development, and support the long-term vision for the learning pod

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

• You have substantial experience working with children between the ages of three and five
• You understand early childhood development and can distinguish meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning from simply keeping children occupied
• You are warm, relational, playful, and engaging while still providing clear structure and expectations
• You can create a cohesive program for a mixed-age group and adjust activities for children at different developmental levels
• You are confident selecting, adapting, and creating curriculum rather than relying solely on a scripted program
• You are creative and excited by the opportunity to use art, music, movement, nature, storytelling, and hands-on exploration as meaningful parts of the learning day
• You are organized enough to coordinate schedules, materials, communication, and documentation for multiple families
• You are flexible and comfortable working within a nontraditional, seasonal calendar that includes concentrated instructional weeks and breaks between sessions
• You are comfortable teaching in an unconventional setting and can help transform a unique space into a safe, inviting, and functional early learning environment
• You communicate clearly and professionally while respecting family privacy and maintaining appropriate boundaries
• You are excited by the opportunity to help build a distinctive early childhood program from its earliest stages
• You may be open to an expanded or travel-based role in the future if the program develops in that direction

Requirements

Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
• Degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, or a related field highly valued
• State teaching certification, early childhood credential, or comparable professional qualification preferred
• Candidates with significant, directly relevant early childhood experience will also be considered

Experience

• Minimum three years of experience in early childhood education, preschool teaching, private education, homeschooling, or a closely related setting
• Demonstrated experience working with children between the ages of three and five
• Experience planning developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences
• Experience leading a small group and supporting children at different developmental stages
• Experience communicating and partnering directly with parents
• Experience creating curriculum, learning centers, classroom routines, or educational environments preferred

Skills

• Early childhood curriculum design: ability to select, adapt, and create purposeful learning experiences across developmental domains
• Differentiated instruction: ability to adjust activities, expectations, and support for children of different ages and readiness levels
• Classroom design and organization: ability to help establish an inviting, functional learning environment within a unique physical space
• Observation and documentation: ability to monitor development and communicate progress without over-formalizing the early childhood experience
• Strong understanding of play-based learning, child development, social-emotional growth, and school-readiness skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Creativity, initiative, flexibility, and sound professional judgment
• Comfort using digital tools for planning, communication, and documentation

Professional Standards

• Current background check required; Thrive facilitates
• Verifiable references from prior teaching, preschool, childcare, tutoring, or private-family roles
• Current CPR and First Aid certification required or willingness to obtain before beginning
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Professionalism, discretion, adaptability, and respect for family privacy
• Ability to work safely and confidently in an active equestrian-facility environment

Benefits

Compensation

• 1099 Contract work initially at $75-$95/hour, commensurate with experience, credentials, finalized schedule, planning responsibilities, and placement scope. If the placement is successful, there is a possibility of this turning into a W-2 salaried position.
• Compensation and employment structure will be finalized with the family
• Thrive advocates for fair market compensation on the educator’s behalf

Logistics

• Location: Palm Springs, California
• Setting: Dedicated learning space located at a large equestrian facility
• Group Size: Up to five children, approximately ages three to five; attendance may vary
• Typical Schedule: Four days per week, approximately 9:00 AM–2:00 PM (exact hours may start smaller)
• A five-day schedule may occasionally be considered if appropriate for the program
• Position Type: Seasonal private educator contract aligned with the families’ horse-show schedule
• Planning time, paid gaps, and any relocation, housing, or travel support will be determined as the position is finalized
• Anticipated Launch: Fall 2026

Initial Priority Program Dates

• October 27–30, 2026
• November 3–6, 2026
• December 1–4, 2026
• Additional December dates to be confirmed
• January 12–15, 19–22, and 26–29, 2027
• February 2–5, 9–12, 16–19, and 23–26, 2027
• March 2–5 and 9–12, 2027

Work Environment

• Small-group instruction with a maximum anticipated enrollment of five children
• A unique, dedicated classroom being developed within an RV or camper at an equestrian facility
• Opportunities to incorporate outdoor learning, nature, movement, animals, and the surrounding environment
• A concentrated seasonal calendar with instructional weeks and planned breaks
• Close, ongoing relationships with children and families rather than high-volume classroom demands
• Significant freedom to create a thoughtful early childhood program based on how young children actually learn
• Potential for the role to grow or include travel opportunities as the program develops

Support

• Personalized matching—Thrive vets families thoroughly before introductions, so your time is spent with qualified, serious clients
• Dedicated placement coordinator throughout the interview and hiring process
• Support with program development, classroom planning, curriculum selection, and educational resources
• Access to Thrive’s educator network and ongoing placement opportunities
• Long-term career development: many of our educators build lasting careers across successive private placements

Thrive Education Partners is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on experience, skills, and business needs, without regard to any status protected by applicable law.