Early Childhood Generalist

Early Childhood Education Generalist Close Reach Academy | Kirkland, WA | Full-Time | $21-$23/hr DOE Not every educator is built for this role. The ones who are love it. Most teaching positions ask you to own one classroom, one age group, one daily rhythm. This role asks something different. As an ECE Generalist at Close Reach Academy, you move across every classroom on campus — toddlers, preschoolers, older children — educating children, supporting educators, giving teachers their breaks, filling where the program needs you, and bringing full presence to every room you enter. The children on this campus know the ECE Generalist. They look forward to seeing you. You are not a placeholder while their teacher is gone — you are a familiar, trusted adult who makes every interaction count. That's a different kind of skill, and a different kind of responsibility. If you're the kind of educator who can read a room in thirty seconds, pick up where someone left off without missing a beat, and bring genuine energy to a one-year-old and a four-year-old in the same afternoon — this role was designed for someone exactly like you. Who We Are Close Reach Academy is a locally owned, nonprofit early childhood organization. We are not a franchise. Our staff are known by name — by the children, by the families, and by each other. The ECE Generalist on our campus is not a background role. You are woven into the daily life of every classroom, and the children notice. The Role You will work full-time, 9:30am-6:00pm, Monday through Friday, moving across classrooms as the schedule and the program require. Some days that means covering breaks in sequence. Some days it means stepping into a room that needs steadying and knowing exactly how to do it.

What this work actually requires:

You must be genuinely comfortable with every early childhood age group — toddlers through preschool and beyond. You cannot have a classroom you dread walking into. The range is the point. You must be adaptable without being passive. Walking into someone else's classroom means respecting their environment, following their systems, and still bringing your own warmth and skill. It is not an invitation to coast. You must be fully present. Every room, every time. The children are watching for you — not for your phone. You must be reliable. Teachers are counting on their break to happen when it's supposed to happen. Families trust that their child is with an attentive adult during every moment of the day. Your consistency makes the whole campus run. What you'll do: Provide scheduled and as-needed coverage across all classrooms and age groups Maintain the standards, routines, and environment of each classroom you enter Build genuine, sustained relationships with every child on campus Communicate clearly with lead teachers before and after each coverage period Assist with curriculum activities, meals, transitions, and outdoor time Support licensing compliance and classroom safety in every room What We're Looking For Associate's degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field — or currently enrolled with relevant experience At least one year of hands-on experience working directly with young children in a licensed childcare or educational setting Genuine comfort and skill across multiple age groups — this is not negotiable for a float role Current First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain before start Successful Washington State background check STARS training current or in progress What the credential list won't capture: we're looking for someone with natural warmth, genuine adaptability, and the kind of professional presence that children respond to immediately. If you walk into a room and children gravitate toward you — and you know why that happens and how to sustain it — that's who we need. What We Offer $21-$23/hr depending on experience — above the Seattle metro average for early childhood educators at this level, in a full-time role with consistent hours. Full-time, stable schedule — 9:30am-6:00pm, Monday through Friday. No unpredictable part-time gaps. Benefits eligibility — health, dental, and vision Paid time off Your birthday off, paid Quarterly professional development — speakers and seminars that sharpen your practice across age groups Monthly classroom supply access — you'll have what you need to do the work well A campus where you are known, valued, and genuinely part of the team — not a rotating temp A Note on What Makes This Role Unusual Most ECE positions ask you to go deep in one place. This one asks you to go wide across all of them — and to do it well every single time. That's harder than it sounds and more meaningful than it looks on paper. The ECE Generalist on our campus is often the person children run to first when they arrive. You know every classroom, every routine, every child's name. You are the connective tissue of the campus. If that sounds like the kind of work that would make you proud — we'd like to hear from you. Apply through Indeed with your resume. In your application, please answer briefly: Which early childhood age group do you find most challenging to work with, and what have you done to grow in that area? That question matters to us. An honest answer tells us more than a polished one.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$21.00 - $23.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off Application Question(s): Which early childhood age group do you find most challenging to work with, and what have you done to grow in that area?

Education:

Associate (Required)

Work Location:

In person