Private Pre-K Teacher

Thrive Education Partners • Palm Springs, CA

19d • $75 - $95 • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Substantial experience working with children between the ages of three and five
• Understanding of early childhood development and ability to distinguish meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning from simply keeping children occupied
• Ability to create a cohesive program for a mixed-age group and adjust activities for children at different developmental levels
• Confidence selecting, adapting, and creating curriculum rather than relying solely on a scripted program
• Organized enough to coordinate schedules, materials, communication, and documentation for multiple families
• Flexibility and comfort working within a nontraditional, seasonal calendar that includes concentrated instructional weeks and breaks between sessions
• Comfort teaching in an unconventional setting and ability to help transform a unique space into a safe, inviting, and functional early learning environment
• Clear and professional communication while respecting family privacy and maintaining appropriate boundaries
• Excited by the opportunity to help build a distinctive early childhood program from its earliest stages
• 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
• Current background check required
• 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

Nice To Haves

• 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 creating curriculum, learning centers, classroom routines, or educational environments preferred
• Comfort using digital tools for planning, communication, and documentation
• May be open to an expanded or travel-based role in the future if the program develops in that direction

Responsibilities

• 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

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level