Join Our Team

Meet CCC

Children’s Community Center (CCC) is a cooperative, play-based preschool in Berkeley that’s been family-powered since 1927. For nearly a century, we’ve partnered with parents to create a school where children grow through exploration, connection, and meaningful play.

At CCC, play is the curriculum. Children build, negotiate, paint, question, dig, climb, and collaborate. Teachers design rich environments that invite curiosity and independence, while supporting social-emotional growth every step of the way. We take children seriously — their ideas, their feelings, their friendships.

What makes CCC distinct is our cooperative model. Families actively participate in the life of the school, working alongside teachers and staff. That partnership keeps our community strong, engaged, and deeply invested in the well-being of every child.

Where You Belong

CCC offers educators and staff a unique working environment. If you’re someone who believes early childhood education should be thoughtful, joyful, and rooted in respect for children, you’ll feel at home here.

A collaborative, mission-driven team

A play-based philosophy grounded in child development

People serving food at a buffet table in a bright, indoor setting with large windows, greenery outside, and various decorations including guitars and colorful plush pillows.
Two smiling men standing in a garden, holding shovels, with a flowering bush and trees in the background. One man is wearing a beige shirt and a cap, the other a blue shirt and a cap. There are gardening tools, a wheelbarrow with sand, and a fence behind them.
A woman with short hair and tattoos laying on her stomach on a carpeted floor, surrounded by children, all lying on their stomachs in a circle. The children are of various ages and wearing colorful, patterned clothing. Some children have striped or floral pajamas. The scene appears to be in a classroom or playroom setting with wooden furniture visible in the background.
Group of children and adults gathered in a room, participating in a meeting or activity, with some sitting on the floor and others standing.

The chance to build real relationships with families

A warm, community-centered culture

Benefits and Perks (for regular full time positions)

We take care of our people because great schools are built by supported educators.

  • Robust Health Coverage: CCC pays 80% of the employee premium for our medical plan. We also cover 100% of employee premiums for dental, vision, life & AD&D, and our Employee Assistance Program. Prefer to waive medical? We offer a cash opt-out benefit if you’re insured elsewhere.

  • Retirement Savings (403b): Eligible employees can enroll immediately in our 403(b) retirement plan and make pre-tax or Roth contributions.

  • Professional Development: We invest in your growth. Staff participate in paid development days and have access to a shared annual “bucket” of professional development hours for workshops, coursework, and program visits.

  • Sabbatical Program: After 12 years, staff are eligible for a paid 8-week sabbatical.

  • Thoughtful Time-Off Policies: Regular employees are eligible for 23-24 days of vacation per year. We offer comprehensive leave policies, including pregnancy disability leave, organ donation leave, reproductive loss leave, time off for voting, bereavement, jury duty pay differential, and more.

The benefits listed above are a summary excerpted from the CCC Employee Manual and are subject to conditions, eligibility requirements, and plan details. The CCC Employee Manual serves as the official source of truth for all benefits and policies.

Open positions

CCC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

CCC is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. We work with individuals with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations throughout the application and employment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage, please contact us so we can ensure you have equal access and support.