A Preschool or Childcare Teacher works with young children, usually ages 3 - 5, to help them learn the social, motor and language skills needed to be ready for kindergarten and elementary school. Organizes activities and uses play or games to help children learn; develops schedules and routines for children that include exercise and rest. Works in a school or in a childcare center or program.
Preschool Teacher Seedlings Playschool Portland, OR Job Details Full-time $20 - $25 an hour 4 hours ago Benefits Paid training Paid holidays Health insurance 401(k) Paid time off 401(k) matching Professional development assistance Qualifications CPR Certification Teamwork First Aid Certification Teaching experience with young children First aid and CPR Full Job Description Seedlings Playschool is seeking a warm, grounded Preschool Teacher to join our play-based, Reggio-inspired, emergent curriculum program in Northeast Portland . At Seedlings, we believe childhood is a time to be cherished, not rushed. We honor young children as whole people — capable, curious, creative, and worthy of deep respect. Our days are full of wonder: messy art, muddy boots, deep play, big emotions, and real relationships . We spend lots of time outdoors, embrace process over product , and trust children to lead their own learning. At a glance
Pay:
$20-$25/hour
Schedule:
Full-time - 40 hours/week ; Age group: 2-5 year old, mixed-age classroom
Location:
5717
NE Sumner St, Portland, OR Benefits:
health insurance, matching 401(k), paid time off, paid holidays, planning time, paid training & professional development support Paid breaks/closures: > 30 days of paid holidays per year, in total The role You'll spend your days: Creating a nurturing environment: Maintain a safe, inviting, well-prepared space that supports exploration indoors and outdoors.
Supporting child-led learning:
Observe children closely and extend their interests through an emergent curriculum approach.
Honoring play as serious learning:
Provide rich opportunities for messy, noisy, joyful play and meaningful work.
Supporting emotional development:
Co-regulate with patience and empathy; help children practice problem-solving, boundaries, and community care (instead of adult-imposed solutions).
Collaborating with families and teammates:
Communicate clearly and respectfully to support a strong classroom community.
Engaging in reflective practice:
Participate in training, professional development, and ongoing growth alongside our team. What it's like to work here At Seedlings, we offer: A supportive, collaborative team A warm community that values relationships and professionalism Paid training and planning time and professional development support Competitive pay with opportunities for growth Matching 401(k) Healthcare benefits for full-time employees Paid holiday breaks (over 30 days per year, total) Who we're hoping to meet We're looking for a teacher who shares our heart and vision — someone who: Truly sees and honors each child as an individual Values connection over control Finds joy in messy, active play and outdoor days Is patient, grounded, playful, and collaborative Enjoys observing children's interests and extending learning through materials and experiences Wants to grow with a small team and contribute to an environment built on trust and respect Requirements Experience working with toddlers and preschool-aged children (2-5 years) Alignment with Reggio-inspired, play-based, or emergent curriculum approaches (If you're newer to working in the specific philosophies we practice but deeply aligned with play-based and child-centered practice, we still encourage you to apply.) CPR/First Aid and required safety set trainings (or willingness to obtain) Oregon Central Background Registry active enrollment We can't wait to meet you.
Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
$20.00-$25.00 per hour
Work Location:
In person
Pay:
$20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
401(k) 401(k) matching Health insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Application Question(s): Imagine you've communicated to a child that something isn't safe or isn't working for the group, and they continue doing it. What do you think is usually going on for the child? What are your next steps? Describe a specific time when two children in your classroom had a conflict with one another. What did you do and say? What happened? Describe your dream school.
Talk about:
the daily schedule or rhythm; the philosophy or pedagogical approach; how you would spend your time as a teacher there; and anything else that is really important to you.
