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.
Early Head Start Lead Teacher (C) Job ID15938
Location
Edmonds College Head Start
Full/Part TimeFull-Time
Regular/TemporaryRegular Position Overview Early Head Start Lead Teacher SALARY:
$44,060 annually, with progressive increases to $57,790 annually
LOCATION
Everett, Washington
DESCRIPTION
Are you a compassionate, dedicated educator with a passion for infant and toddler development? Do you thrive in an inclusive environment that honors cultural diversity and supports whole-family well-being? Join our team as an Early Head Start Lead Teacher! In this role, you won't just teach - you'll be a primary caregiver, a mentor, and a vital connector for little ones (ages birth to 3) and their families during their most foundational years. In the Classroom (85% of your time)
Provide Primary Care:
Support infants and toddlers through essential daily routines - including feeding, diapering, and safe sleep practices'in a warm, nurturing environment.
Inspire & Educate:
Design and implement engaging lesson plans tailored to Head Start Performance Standards, CLASS, and the Pyramid Model Framework for social-emotional growth.
Lead the
Team:
Direct Teacher Aides in your classroom and maintain active safety, supervision, and required staff-to-child ratios.
Family-Style Dining:
Share nutritious meals with children as part of the curriculum, modeling healthy habits and social skills.
Assess Development:
Utilize Teaching Strategies Gold to track and celebrate children's developmental milestones.
Documentation & Compliance (7.5% of your time)
Complete developmental checkpoints and maintain accurate child files.
Collaborate with specialized staff to identify and support children with special needs.
Serve as a mandatory reporter, upholding safety and health standards to keep our environment secure.
Family & Community Engagement (7.5% of your time)
Build strong partnerships with parents through home visits, conferences, and engaging family activities.
Partner with Family Advocates, Registered Dietitians, and local resources to ensure families thrive.
Support smooth transitions as toddlers grow and move on to early learning programs.
Who You Are (Key Competencies)
Culturally Mindful:
You display cultural humility and respect when working with diverse families, children, and colleagues.
A Team Player & Problem Solver:
You can direct classroom staff, work independently, and handle sensitive situations with tact and confidentiality.
Adaptable:
You prioritize duties effectively, remain flexible under changing needs, and maintain high attendance standards (95%+).
Tech-Savvy:
You are comfortable using computers for daily data entry, written communication, and database management.
Requirements & Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
A Child Development Associate (CDA) Infant & Toddler Credential OR an Initial Early Childhood Certificate.
Experience:
At least two (2) years of paid work experience in an infant/toddler classroom setting.
Certifications & Clearances:
Valid Washington State Driver's License and personal auto insurance.
Current WA State Food Worker Card.
Current Pediatric CPR & First Aid Certification.
Cleared DCYF Portable Background Check.
Health Requirements:
Negative TB test, health provider statement clearing communicable diseases, and required vaccines (TDap, MMR, Hep B series). (See Conditions of Employment section for additional requirements.)
PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is typically performed in a classroom setting, and onsite/in-person. Must be able to climb stairs and walk over uneven surfaces, walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on the floor, lift approximately 40 pounds (on an emergency, as-needed basis), sit in a child's sized chair, and move quickly from multiple positions and levels. Excellent communication skills are essential. This includes the ability to speak clearly and fully comprehend written and spoken English and will include communication with people for whom English is not their first language. This also includes the ability to produce clearly written documents. Those who are multilingual are strongly encouraged to apply.
WORK SCHEDULE
Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm.
COMPENSATION
Salary range 48. Beginning salary is $2,203 semi-monthly (20 semi-monthly pay periods per year), with progressive increases to $2,889.50 semi-monthly. Work is performed from September through mid-July each year. This position carries a full state benefits package, which includes tuition waivers for college classes, medical, dental, retirement options and more. Vacation and leave package includes 9 sick days per year, 11 scheduled holidays, 1 personal holiday, 3 personal leave days, and 12.75 vacation days per year (incremental increases to 18.75 vacation days per year).
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
You must document your citizenship or employment authorization within three days of hire.
Criminal background check. Prior to a new hire, you will be required to complete a Portable Background Check through DCYF.
All new positions are contingent upon funding.
At this time, Edmonds College does not sponsor H1-B Visas.
Complete, sign, and submit Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct
